SUBJECT
Social Studies Through Literature, World History, Ancient Civilizations

GRADE
6-8

Books for Teaching Shakespearean Plays

By Jennifer Chandler

From Unit Plan: History According to Shakespeare

This list includes resources for teaching the Shakespearean play, Julius Caesar, as well as resources for building background with your students in order to decipher truth from fiction.

Ancient Rome: A Complete Resource that Helps Kids Learn about this Fascinating Civilization by Alexandra Hanson-Harding
A comprehensive resource that includes a full-color poster of a map of the Roman Empire, background information, art projects, and more.

Classroom Tip: Includes timelines and graphic organizers that explain background on Ancient Rome — critical for appreciating Shakespeare's play. This resource will also help students participate in discussions about the degree of truth found in the play.

Shakespeare Mini-Books: 8 Reproducible Comic Book-Style Retellings of Favorite Plays by Jeannette Sanderson
Retells the plays with narrative and scene explanations in familiar language, while the dialogue between characters remains in Shakespearean verse.

Classroom Tip: Instead of using the original version of Julius Caesar with my 6th graders, I use this version as an introduction to the unit, so that students can build background for reading a more sophisticated version of the story.

Top Ten Shakespeare Stories by Terry Deary; illustrated by Michael Tickner
This is a humorous and catchy version of any Shakespeare play you could teach. Deary retells the familiar Shakespearean tales with an adolescent flair that will appeal to middle-school students.

Classroom Tip: This is the version of the story we study so students can understand the basics of the play and have the background to have deeper, more meaningful class discussions. The purpose of teaching Shakespeare at this level is to give a basic understanding of the "mini-genre" and inspire students to enjoy the verse.

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Gladiators

by Katherine Frew

SET FEATURES:

The ultimate series of "high-low" books for reluctant readers
Clearly written, simple sentences
Consistent, familiar vocabulary
Sidebars
User-friendly fact boxes, charts, and tables
Where appropriate, some titles include timelines, equipment lists, safety tips, and maps

$17.15

Gladiators

Grades 4-12 $17.15

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Pandora of Athens; 399 B.C.

by Barry Denenberg

Pandora is a young Greek girl trapped in the roles laid out by society and her narrow-minded father. Egaged to a man more than twice her age, Pandora waits with dread for her fourteenth birthday, when she'll be old enough to marry. But one day, when Pandora goes to fetch water, she meets the Wise One, Socrates, and what he tells her changes her life. Suddenly, Pandora finds herself caught up in the murderous intrigue and turbulent politics of ancient Athens.

$10.95
Hardcover Book | Grades 4-7

Pandora of Athens; 399 B.C.

Grades 4-7 $10.95