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With these words from Act 2, Scene 7 of As You Like It, the character of Jacques begins a soliloquy that reminds his audience of the parallels between human life and theatrical enterprise: “One man in his time plays many parts,” moving from birth to old age.

What we love about this speech – aside from its wisdom and humor! – is the fact that it captures several different characters. From the whining schoolboy (mentioned in our earlier post) to the swooning romantic, and more besides, there are indeed “many parts” for a young actor to play in a single monologue. Have a look at it here.

What’s even better is the fact that you can distribute the speech to several children who are perhaps too shy to tackle a soliloquy on their own. Have each child take a section and act out their character(s) within the monologue, assuming in turns the various roles Shakespeare cites. Also fun is to rehearse through improvisation: establish a scenario – a picnic at a park, or a birthday party – and have the children engage with each other in the attitude of their given part. (For more about improv, check out this resource.)

As every parent and educator knows, there are some books that just get to the heart of what you are trying to teach – whether it’s life lessons or school lessons! We at Shakespeare For Our Children have a library of works that have helped us immeasurably in our teaching, and every so often we will highlight one of our favorites.

This week, it’s Bard of Avon by Diane Stanley and Peter Vennema (1992). It explores Shakespeare’s life and early inspirations with beautiful prose and illustrations – a worthy tribute to the Bard that will appeal to young children and early adolescents alike. Find it on Amazon.

Now, one of our favorite passages from the book: “No amount of education could have given [Shakespeare] his high intelligence, amazing memory, artistic sensitivity, imagination, and profound understanding of the human heart. Just to know him was to realize the genius he was. ‘He was not of an age,’ wrote his friend Ben Jonson, ‘But for all time.’” Happy reading!

Last week, we talked about the back-to-school blues ― but there’s no question that at any time of year, at any age, it can be difficult for students to find their place. Parents and teachers try so often to capture the sense of uncertainty and frustration that faces many children as they find their social groups. The term “peer pressure” has become a commonplace, of course; and like so many of Shakespeare’s words, so too has the phrase “to thine own self be true” (Hamlet Act 1, Scene 3).

In these early days of the school year, ask your students to think about this line. What does it mean to them? How can they stay “true” to themselves? You can address the topic in a couple of ways: first, in the context of a broader lesson about Hamlet, in which Polonius’ speech to his son is one of several you may discuss in-depth; or by printing out and distributing copies of the monologue itself and asking the children for their thoughts.

If you go for the second approach, have a look at this edited version of the speech. As ever, we haven’t changed a single word ― but we have abridged the monologue for ease of understanding amongst our younger friends.

©2016  

Leave it to Shakespeare to capture the back-to-school blues that hit so many of our young friends this time of year: “[…] The whining school-boy, with his satchel and shining morning face, creeping like snail unwillingly to school” (As You Like It, Act II, Scene VII).

Yes, there is some reluctance associated with the first day of school – but over the years at Shakespeare For Our Children, we have lightened the mood by starting the new term with an old friend: Charles and Mary Lamb’s Tales from Shakespeare. Written in 1807 by the brother and sister, and reprinted numerous times since, this beloved work offers what the Lambs call “a few hints and little foretastes of the great pleasure which awaits them” in Shakespeare’s works.

Check out this digitized version of the 1894 edition, volumes I – IV. For younger children, read a tale or two aloud and ask them to illustrate their favorite scene; for older students, prepare a few questions for discussion.