I teach several plays by Shakespeare, which are extra difficult
for the LD student to understand due to the language. Any tips
on how to engage this type of learner without overwhelming
him right from the start?
Re: LD student in a mainstream classroom
Yeah! And if you have access to any, maybe you could get copies of the movie versions to show the class. The student might have an easier time following the written plot if he sees it on the screen (or on a stage, at a play).
Kathy G.
plays are meant to be seen
In particular, Shakespeare was an actor himself who never intended to write literature — he wrote drama, to be watched and listened to. If I had the chance, I would take the kids to see a play live, at a community theater if possible; if not, at the very least watch the movie *first*.
I took my daughter to a university production of a Shakespeare comedy when she was only five; she was entranced. She didn’t understand all the language, but that didn’t matter.
Also, I saw something very interesting many years ago but never had a chance to follow it up. A British publisher put out versions of MacBeth and (I think) Romeo and Juliet in the format of “adventure comics” which, if you think about it for a few minutes, is highly appropriate. If you could get these it would be great too.
Since the plays are meant to be acted, if at all possible you should get your class to stage one — especially a comedy.
Anyway, keep the seeing and hearing primary and the reading later, and your students may even learn to love Shakespeare.
Re: LD student in a mainstream classroom
Victoria made a good point about the plays being made to be watched. I have a comprehension problem to fiction. When I was in hs, I had a very dynamic senior English teacher. She had us acting out the various plays. She did this with some creativity as she actually had a cauldren with dry ice as the cauldren for the witches in Macbeth. (I was one of the witches and remember my lines! ) Everyone was so excited about it that the students planned doing Hamlet, borrowing the theater and making costumes (stapled together). I don’t remember my comprehension problems being a problem. BTW, this was maybe 40 years ago.
So it was memorable!!
—des
and then compare and contrast the olde english with words that are in their background knowledge. Have them illustrate the vocabulary words and also have lots of role playing, with a socratic teaching style. Meaning you ask questions and respond to their response and guide them to your way of thinking through the role playing, illustrating of the words etc… Also you can show some of the movies like Much Ado about nothing, Othello and discuss those with the class.