Applications

**Using analogy strategies to approach Shakespeare: ** Analogy strategies can be an effective teaching tool. As teachers, we need to assess what students know, figure out what we are trying to get them to learn and build a bridge that connects the two. Analogy strategies can be used in a number of different classrooms, in different ways. Even though the analogy strategy is a very adaptable process, there are some important things to remember when using them in your classroom:  While many of us would love to take the time and adapt one of Shakespeare's plays to fit the modern world, many of our districts' curriculum won't affort us the time to do so. So how can we make this more adaptable for a single class period? Here are some suggestions:
 * Make sure students understand the concept of what is being taught. Because Shakespeare's language may be a barrier, getting students to understand a concept from the play (such as a conflict) may lead to better comprehension. Having Romeo and Juliet meet in a chatroom over the internet and being forbidden to see eachother because of their race or religion, still gets the main point across. Maybe a better example is found in Gil Junger's //10 Things I Hate About You// as an adaption of Shakepeare's //The Taming of The Shrew.// The main points of the play are still there, just in a modernized, much more relatable form. Hmmm...that spells analogy strategy to us.
 * Modernize a scene, not an entire play
 * Use analogy strategies in your lecture if you are short on time. Relating //Great Expectations// to MTV's The Hills does wonders to get students to start paying attention.
 * Have students modernize a character. If Juliet was their best friend what would she look like? Where would she live? What extra-curricular activities would she participate in?
 * Have students keep a blog as one of the characters in the play.
 * Have students take turns and role play as Lord Capulet and Juliet. Students can relate to parental control and how it can interfere with what they have planned for their lives.

For the handout we used in class click here: [|Handout for Drama Activity.txt] For a Microsoft Word version of this lesson plan click here: [|Drama - Lesson Plan for I-Group(2).doc]