Unit Plan

History According to Shakespeare

By  Jennifer Chandler
  • Grades: 6–8

Overview

Students study Shakespeare's Julius Caesar and compare Shakespeare's interpretation of the events to historical facts.

Objective

Students Will:
  1. Read the play, Julius Caesar.
  2. Identify the use of simile, metaphor, personification, and hyperbole in the play.
  3. Respond to the play by holding a mock trial.
  4. Compare and contrast the play's events to documented historical facts.

Lesson Plans for this Unit

Culminating Activity

Instruct students to complete the Organizational Outline with details of the historical facts about Julius Caesar on one side and the details of Shakespeare's play on the other. Using this information, they will then choose to compare the stories or contrast the differences between the two. Students may complete this on the printable or write a compare/contrast essay.

Supporting Books

Books for Teaching Shakespearean Plays

  • Subjects:
    Independent Reading, Literature, Compare and Contrast, Literary Devices, Story Elements, Literature Appreciation, Research Skills, Expository Writing, European History, Ancient Civilizations, Social Studies through Literature
  • Skills:
    Compare and Contrast, Social Studies, Research Skills, Expository Writing
  • Duration:
    9 Class Periods
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