Your+First+Task

Your First Task
In order to gain a comprehensive understanding of Shakespeare, we must first explore his background. As students of Ye Olde Theatre Schooleth, you are required to go on a excursion in groups of four or five to further explore a specific aspect of your lifestlyle. You will then present your findings to the rest of your mates at the end of the lesson to ensure that all areas are covered. You can find some clues on this Wiki if you click the links in the table of contents!

In order for you to complete this task, you and your group should follow the following steps:
 * 1) Plan carefully. Assign roles, but do not waste a lot of time doing this as this is not a large project, merely a 1-lesson task. You will have 25 minutes to gather as much information as you possibly can.
 * 2) Research thoroughly. Make sure you examine a variety of sources.
 * 3) Process the information into a coherent format.
 * 4) Decide which information will and will not be used.
 * 5) Construct a short presentation based on the knowledge which has been found. Ensure that each group member knows exactly what he/she is doing.
 * 6) Present your findings.

toc

Some helpful links to start you off:
[|Shakespeare's Life and Times] [|Elizabethan Life]

[|Elizabethan Times]

Group 1 - Lifestyle and history


The lifestyle of and history of Elizabethan times is highly important in understanding the meaning and culture behind Shakespeare and his plays. Try taking a look at the following clue to start you off! Remember, you must present your findings to the class in a completely independent manner and must reference all your sources. [|London: Shakespeare Globe Video]

Group 2 - Food and architechture
Let's go back to explore the different foods which were eaten in the time period. Do not be alarmed if they prove to be slightly different from that which we eat today! You might want to visit various buildings to get a good look at their structure and to discover the sorts of materials which were used to build. Try clicking on the image below and see where it takes you!

Group 3 - Fashion
The fashion of the time is something which I have found to be quite interesting. It was quite elaborate and payed specific attention to detail. Have a look below to open the wide world of Elizabethan Fashion!!

[|Click year to read more!]

<span style="display: block; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; text-align: left;">Group 4 - Language
<span style="display: block; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; text-align: left;">This is one of the most important aspects for this unit! In order to understand Shakespeare's plays, we need you to explore the background of the language used in his time. There are multiple different sources which you can use for this, but here are just a few:



[|Elizabethan Online Dictionary]

[|The Language of Shakespeare]

Here is a link with which you can have a lot of fun![|Shakespearean Insulter]

Group 5 - Mini Shakespeare biography


The man himself! Help us to understand who he was!

[|Click here to watch a video on Shakespeare]

[|Biography] [|William Shakespeare - eNotes] [|Absolute Shakespeare]

Rubric

 * || **Below Expected Level** || **At Expected Level** || **Above Expected Level** ||
 * **Information** || Information basic and poorly researched || Evident use of resources and depth of research is clearly shown. Information is relevant and useful. || Multiple resources have been used to a high extent. Evident research and effective time management to provide information which is in-depth and highly relevant to the topic. ||
 * **Coherence** || Task poorly understood. Information when strung together makes little sense and the information presented demonstrates low efort and comprehension. || Information makes sense together and shows adequate comprehension of the task and the english language. Appropriate spelling/grammar is used where necessary. || Comprehension is demonstrated well, information and presentation displays this through sophisticated language and delivery. ||
 * **Presentation** || Low eye-contact, poor sentence structure. Little free speech, relies on words rather than own knowledge. Poor delivery and articulation. || Well-delivered speech, constant eye contact. Sophisticated language and good use of inflection and articulation. || Variety of resources, lack of cue-cards, questions asked, engagement with audience, profound articulation and inflection. ||