Shakespeare in RTR

[LynnH]

I downloaded the book that is used onto my e-reader so that I could read it and see how hard of a read it was. I can tell that it will be too hard for Noah. He just isn't at that reading level. So my options are either to just not do it, read it aloud to him, or download the Librivox recording of it and let him listen to it. I am very much a use the guide as written person, but on this one I think I will have to make an adjustment for him. I struggle with just not doing it, because I do think it is important for him to have exposure to Shakespeare, but I can always just have him read the real thing when he is in high school. Anyone have any thoughts?

[dsbpark]

Hi Lynn, Keep in mind that Mr. Shakespeare wrote his plays to be performed, not just read. I have allowed my kids to "see the movie before the book" in this area. It comes alive and is much more understandable. For example, my pretty non-academic, car mechanic son that just does not enjoy reading loves to go see a Shakespeare play. It is possible to find recordings or movies of so many of these, but nothing beats a live performance. I "hooked' my kids on the relevance of Shakespeare by taking them to live performances. A great starting place is "A Midsummer Night Dream" . We saw the National Shakespeare Company's touring production a few years ago and my 14 yr old son could barely breathe for laughing. Hope this helps.

[juliekay]

I so appreciate and agree with the previous poster! We live in a wonderful homeschool community. My older boys 13 &14 have been reading and performing Shakespeare plays with a group of homeschoolers for the past two years. They are currently on their 3rd play and they LOVE it! If you don't have a group to read/act with then another great resource readily available is the Shakespeare plays in comic form. Personally, I didn't love Shakespeare, poetry or really any form of the written arts as a young person. However, I am so excited to see that my children really do seem to enjoy it! Why? I think it's the gentle CM approach that has allowed my children to absorb what the artist is trying to express in a non-rushed, non-cramming gotta-get-it-into-your-brain mentality!

[Carrie]

Lynn,

If you desire your son to do the Shakespeare option in the RTR guide but find the reading too challenging for him, I would definitely recommend listening to the plays on audio as you suggested instead. It is an enjoyable way to hear the plays in story form and still expose your child to the language of Shakespeare. I would highly recommend this substitution for your sweet little guy, as the Shakespeare option is meant to be enjoyed rather than be a tedious assignment to struggle through. Great idea! Make sure to leave extra time in your day for the audio though, as it will take a bit longer to listen to it.

Blessings,
Carrie