Exploring Shakespeare Blog Address: http://exploreshakespeare.blogspot.com Subject Matter: Language Arts Grade Level: 10th Lesson Objective: Learners will demonstrate knowledge of William Shakespeare's life and works and understand the influence he had on people of all classes. Subject Matter Content Standard:  3.12 Analyze the way in which a work of literature is related to the themes and issues of its historical period. (Historical approach) Technology Standard: NETS for Students: Research and Information Fluency   Students apply digital tools to gather, evaluate, and use information. Students: a. plan strategies to guide inquiry. b. locate, organize, analyze, evaluate, synthesize, and ethically use information from a variety of sources and media. c. evaluate and select information sources and digital tools based on the appropriateness to specific tasks. d. process data and report results Background: William Shakespeare wrote 38 plays, many of which have become the most popular plays of all time. Through exploring the websites and resources listed below, we will learn about Shakespeare’s life and culture as we try to understand the qualities that made Shakespeare and his works so captivating for audiences over hundreds of years. Website Addresses Used as Resources: 1. Interactive Globe Theatre http://aspirations.english.cam.ac.uk/converse/movies/sound_globe.swf 2. Exploring the Renaissance http://www.learner.org/interactives/renaissance/index.html 3. A biography of William Shakespeare http://www.shakespeare-online.com/biography/ Student Research Questions: Essential Question:   Why did the works of William Shakespeare achieve success when they were written, and why have they had a lasting appeal? Subsidiary Questions: When and where was Shakespeare born? When did he die? What kinds of people went to the theatre to see Shakespeare’s plays? How did the crew create special effects during performances? What city is known as the center of the Renaissance? What effect did the formation of the new middle class have on the popularity of the Theatre during the Renaissance period?