Learning Resource Type

Classroom Resource

Becoming History Detectives Using Shakespeare's Secret

Subject Area

English Language Arts

Grade(s)

8

Overview

Students use Shakespeare's Secret, a featured title on the Teachers' Choices Booklist (International Reading Association, 2006), as a springboard to the exploration of the controversy regarding the authorship of Shakespeare's works. The novel makes liberal use of the historical details surrounding William Shakespeare's life and exposes students to the possibility raised by some theorists that Edward de Vere, Earl of Oxford, was the true author of the works that have long been attributed to the Bard. Students explore the historical references in the novel and generate questions for further research. As they research these questions on suggested websites, they organize their findings with the help of the ReadWriteThink Notetaker. Then they work in small groups to create and present short dramatic skits that creatively connect the novel with the historical facts.

    English Language Arts (2021) Grade(s): 8

    ELA21.8.3

    Analyze how authors use key literary elements, including setting, plot, theme, characters, internal and external conflict, dialogue, and point of view, to contribute to the meaning and purpose of a text, using text evidence as support.

    Unpacked Content

    UP:ELA21.8.3

    Vocabulary

    • Literary elements
    • Setting
    • Plot
    • Theme
    • Characters
    • Internal conflict
    • External conflict
    • Dialogue
    • Points of view
    • Text evidence

    Knowledge

    Students know:
    • Authors of prose and poetry use literary elements, such as setting, plot, characters, theme, conflict, dialogue, and point of view, throughout a text to develop and/or enhance the meaning of the text.
    • An author's use of literary elements can indicate the author's purpose for writing the text.
    • Analysis of a text should be supported with text evidence from the writing.

    Skills

    Students are able to:
    • Identify the setting, plot, characters, theme, internal and external conflict, dialogue, and point of view in literary text.
    • Analyze how literary elements contribute to the meaning and purpose of literary text.
    • Support their analysis of literary elements with textual evidence.

    Understanding

    Students understand that:
    • Prose and poetry contain common literary elements, such as setting, plot, characters, theme, conflict, dialogue, and point of view.
    • Literary elements contribute to the meaning and purpose of literary text.
    • When they analyze a text, they should include text evidence to support their claims.
    English Language Arts (2021) Grade(s): 8

    ELA21.8.27

    Synthesize and present information during the research process to answer follow-up questions and participate in both informal and formal discussions about research findings with grade-appropriate command of language.

    Unpacked Content

    UP:ELA21.8.27

    Vocabulary

    • Synthesize
    • Research process
    • Follow-up questions
    • Informal discussion
    • Formal discussion
    • Research findings
    • Command of language

    Knowledge

    Students know:
    • Research strategies.
    • Strategies to synthesize research findings and incorporate findings into oral presentations.
    • Collaborative discussions occur when participants actively listen, build on others' ideas, and ask clarifying questions.
    • Generally accepted rules for discussions.

    Skills

    Students are able to:
    • Synthesize research information from a variety of sources.
    • Incorporate research findings into oral presentations.
    • Engage in research with the purpose of answering questions about the information.
    • Participate in discussions about research findings.
    • Demonstrate grade-appropriate command of language in speech.

    Understanding

    Students understand that:
    • Effective oral presentations of research findings require the synthesization of information from multiple sources.
    • When speaking, they should demonstrate their command of standard English grammar and usage.
    • Information obtained through research can be used to answer audience questions about the findings.
    Link to Resource

    CR Resource Type

    Lesson/Unit Plan

    Resource Provider

    ReadWriteThink
    Accessibility
    License

    License Type

    Custom
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