Bringing Shakespeare to Life

Curriculum Area

The Arts | Drama | Te Marautanga o Aotearoa
Level: Early Childhood (Ages 3-5)
Aligned with Te Whāriki, New Zealand’s Early Childhood Curriculum, this lesson focuses on communication, exploration, and contribution through dramatic play.

Lesson Duration

45 minutes

Lesson Objectives

• Introduce preschool students to storytelling through movement and expression.
• Explore key Shakespearean themes in an age-appropriate way.
• Encourage collaborative play and imaginative thinking.
• Build confidence in verbal and non-verbal expression.
• Provide accessibility for dyslexic learners through visual, physical, and auditory engagement.

---

Lesson Breakdown

1. Whakatau – Settling In (5 min)

Objective: Create a calm atmosphere and introduce the session.

• Welcome the children with a gentle karakia or greeting song.
• Use large picture cards to briefly introduce Shakespeare as a famous storyteller.
• Ask: "What stories do you know? Have you ever acted like a character before?"
• Explain that today, we will pretend to be characters in a fun story!

---

2. The Magic of Shakespeare: Movement Warm-Up (10 min)

Objective: Introduce dramatic play using movement and expression.

Activity: "Shakespearean Statues"

• Play soft, classical music.
• Call out big descriptive words (e.g., brave knight, sneaky fairy, sleepy king).
• Children use their bodies and faces to create statues matching the words.
• Walk around and ask, “What’s your statue doing? How do they feel?”

Dyslexia-Friendly Tip: Use gesture and demonstration instead of written words. Give short, clear instructions combined with actions.

---

3. Becoming Shakespeare’s Characters (15 min)

Objective: Engage in role-playing inspired by a simple, adapted Shakespearean story.

Activity: "The Lost Crown – A Royal Adventure!"

Story Setup (2 min)

• Gather students in a circle.
• Explain: “The king has lost his crown! Can we help find it?”
• Show a gold scarf as the missing “crown.”

Role-Playing Journey (10 min)

1. First, we meet the fairies (children flutter and twirl, whispering magic words).
2. Then, we march like brave knights, holding invisible swords.
3. We tiptoe past a sleeping dragon (use big yawns and snores).
4. Finally, we find the crown and cheer!

Reflection (3 min)

• Ask, “How did it feel to be a fairy? A knight? A dragon?”
• Let children share their favourite part.

Dyslexia-Friendly Tip: Use physical objects (scarves, hats) to represent characters and actions. Call-and-response dialogue helps reinforce instructions.

---

4. Wind Down – Story Circle (10 min)

Objective: Reflect and settle down through storytelling.

• Read a short adapted Shakespeare story with big expressive actions. Example:
  • A Midsummer Night’s Dream → Tell a simple tale of fairies helping a lost friend.
• As you read, encourage:
  • "Who can show me the biggest sleepy yawn?"
  • "Can you sneak like a clever fairy?"

Dyslexia-Friendly Tip: Use books with big visuals, dramatic voices, and movement cues.

---

5. Poroporoaki – Farewell & Reflection (5 min)

Objective: Wrap up learning with shared reflections.

• Sit in a closing circle.
• Ask each child to show one movement from today’s lesson (e.g., a knight’s march, a fairy’s twirl).
• Say: “Today, we learned that stories are magic! We can act them out with our bodies and voices.”
• End with a soft farewell waiata (song).

---

Additional Dyslexia-Friendly Strategies

✔ Minimal text focus – use verbal, visual, and physical cues.
✔ Short, clear commands paired with gestures.
✔ Call-and-response format to reinforce understanding.
✔ Props & role-play to support comprehension.
✔ Movement-based learning to keep engagement high.

Assessment & Teacher Reflection

• Observe student engagement and participation through movement and role-play.
• Note which children respond well to physical storytelling vs. verbal prompts.
• Reflect: Were children able to express emotions and actions confidently?

---

⭐ Why This Lesson Works for NZ Teachers:

✔ Integrates Te Whāriki & Key Competencies
✔ Accessible for diverse learners, including dyslexic students
✔ Engages young children through storytelling, movement & play
✔ Connects drama with New Zealand’s oral storytelling traditions

Ka pai! You’re bringing Shakespeare alive for young akonga in a way they’ll never forget! 🎭