Shakespeare’s plays and poems remain major parts of English literature classes, yet many students struggle when first encountering his work.
Complex vocabulary, unfamiliar sentence structures, and historical settings often create frustration and boredom in younger learners.
Early experiences with Shakespeare can feel intimidating rather than enjoyable.
The goal of the lesson is to help students see Shakespeare as lively, meaningful, and entertaining.
Active teaching methods and modern classroom resources can help remove fear around the texts and invite curiosity.
Using multimedia, performance, games, modern connections, and supportive reading tools, teachers can make Shakespeare approachable and exciting for kids.
Let us see how this can be achieved.
1. Use Multimedia and Visual Resources
Visual resources make Shakespeare easier for students to approach before they confront the challenging text.
Seeing characters and plot events first gives children a stronger foundation and reduces frustration later.
Film clips and animated adaptations present stories in an engaging and clear way, allowing students to follow action without getting lost in unfamiliar language.
Teachers can also let students create their own visual summaries using an online animation maker to illustrate scenes or character moments.
- BBC Bitesize animations that summarize scenes quickly
- Professional theatre snippets that show emotion and character relationships
- Short character introductions that give context before reading
Mix visuals with discussion. Short videos, images, or interactive slides help anchor abstract ideas and keep students engaged—pause often to ask questions so screens support learning, not replace it
Online theatre platforms also provide powerful support. Full productions allow students to observe body language, tone, and dramatic movement.
Watching actors perform helps kids connect with Shakespeare more naturally than silent reading alone.
Virtual experiences add historical depth and curiosity. Digital tours of important Shakespearean spaces make settings feel more real and immediate.
Students gain stronger context by seeing places connected to his life and theatre world.
- Virtual walks through the Globe Theatre
- Online visits to Shakespeare’s birthplace
- Interactive historical timelines connected to performances
Classroom visuals reinforce learning throughout a unit.
Posters, plot charts, and theme boards keep information visible each day, helping students remember details without constant review.
Consistent exposure supports recall of relationships, motivations, and major events.
2. Bring Shakespeare to Life Through Storytelling and Performance
Storytelling offers an effective starting point for young learners. Simple summaries introduce the plot in a friendly way before students face Shakespeare’s original wording.
Familiarity with the story reduces confusion and builds confidence once reading begins.
Discussion-based activities encourage personal responses.
Shakespeare Circles allow students to share reactions through open prompts such as “Shakespeare is…” or “Macbeth is…,” helping them speak freely without pressure.
Physical performance tasks make scenes more memorable. Tableaux and freeze frames invite students to create moments using body positions, helping them examine conflict and emotion in a fun classroom setting.
- Frozen scenes showing power struggles
- Group poses that represent betrayal or fear
- Visual snapshots of key turning points
Hot seating builds empathy and imagination. Students answer questions in character, which helps them think about motives, relationships, and feelings in a deeper way.
Expressive group reading adds energy to dialogue. Students experiment with volume, speed, and emotion, making Shakespeare’s language sound alive instead of distant.
3. Gamify Shakespeare in the Classroom
@weirdsistersteach How to get high schoolers excited for Shakespeare… We don’t know who is more excited about this classroom makeover: the students or us! We know spring break and warm weather are coming once Shakespeare comes out…and it’s the best time of the year. 🧚High school students love the fairy wings (Dollar Tree) 📜 The more extra we are, the more extra THEY are! We definitely recommend collecting all costumes and decor to make your classroom come alive—the cheaper the better! What do you go all out for in your own classroom? . . . #shakespearetiktok #shakespeare #englishteachers #teacher #teachersoftiktok #teach #teacherlife #teachers #highschoolteacher #teacherspayteachers #midsummernightsdream #ela ♬ Sunrise – BCD Studio
Game-based learning transforms Shakespeare lessons into energetic classroom experiences where students participate instead of passively reading.
Playful activities help reduce anxiety around difficult language and encourage curiosity through movement, humor, and interaction.
Rhythm exercises support students as they learn iambic pentameter. Physical patterns connect Shakespeare’s poetic structure to sound and motion, making abstract ideas easier to remember.
Clapping or drumming steady beats helps students hear the natural rhythm of the lines instead of viewing them as confusing blocks of text.
- Group clapping to match the heartbeat-like beat of iambic pentameter
- Desk drumming exercises that reinforce stressed and unstressed syllables
- Short chant games that turn poetic lines into classroom call-and-response
- Fun trivia questions
Wordplay tasks also create excitement early in a unit. Shakespeare’s language becomes less intimidating when students approach it through humor.
Insult games, quote scrambles, and vocabulary challenges allow kids to interact with unfamiliar words in a fun and creative way.
- Creating humorous Shakespeare-style insults using provided word banks
- Rearranging famous quotes into the correct order as a team puzzle
- Matching unusual Shakespearean words with modern meanings
4. Connect Shakespeare to Modern Life and Language
@bluefranklinThis is what Shakespeare would sound like if he were a Gen Z baddie. Welcome to my Ted Talk.♬ original sound – Blue Franklin
Modern connections help students see Shakespeare as relevant to their own lives.
Rewriting scenes in contemporary language or school settings makes classic drama feel familiar.
Romeo and Juliet can easily become a story about teenage conflict and relationships in a modern environment.
Teen experiences appear in nearly every play. Love, rebellion, betrayal, ambition, and power remain emotions students recognize today, proving Shakespeare’s themes still matter.
Pop culture comparisons create strong bridges for kids. Hamlet connects well to stories such as The Lion King, helping students notice shared plot patterns and character struggles.
- A prince seeking justice after a parent’s death
- Family betrayal and responsibility
- Moral conflict tied to leadership
Language study adds another layer of interest. Many everyday phrases originated in Shakespeare’s writing, showing that his influence continues in modern speech and expression.
5. Scaffold & Support Through Creative Text Work
Support structures reduce student frustration with complex Shakespearean language. Wall Notes provide a simple reflection tool after discussions.
Students write single-word reactions on Post-its, building shared visual boards of themes and character traits.
Language support tools make reading less intimidating. Line-by-line translations or No Fear Shakespeare editions allow students to access meaning without losing important ideas.
Back-to-back reading activities improve focus and performance.
Sitting back-to-back forces students to rely on voice and tone, helping them read more expressively.
Collaborative mapping strengthens comprehension through group creativity. Students track relationships, motivations, and events by creating classroom charts that combine quotes with visuals.
- Relationship webs between characters
- Event timelines connected to major quotes
- Motivation boards showing shifting loyalties
Creative scaffolding ensures students feel supported, making Shakespeare more approachable, enjoyable, and meaningful in the classroom.
Summary
Shakespeare remains a major part of English literature because his plays offer powerful stories, memorable characters, and lasting language. Young students can gain confidence and creativity through meaningful classroom approaches.
Storytelling, performance, multimedia tools, games, and cultural connections make Shakespeare more enjoyable and accessible. Engaging lessons encourage curiosity rather than fear.
Creative teaching and flexible methods can turn Shakespeare into an active and fun experience for kids, helping them connect with drama and language in lasting ways.
