Shakespeare Sleuths (Don't Read Shakespeare Alone): Julius Caesar
In this nine week course, we will read and discuss Shakespeare's Julius Caesar, focusing on understanding and appreciating the text.
Maura Atwood
Average rating:
4.8
Number of reviews:(93)
What's included
9 live meetings
6 hrs 45 mins in-class hoursHomework
1-2 hours per week. Students will be assigned approximately 10-15 pages of reading from the play each week. Since Shakespeare uses a lot of archaic language, it may take a longer amount of time to read those pages. Readings will be completed outside of class individually, and one 1,000 word essay will be due at the end of the class, to be completed individually as well.Letter Grade
Students will receive a letter grade based on their participation, their quiz score, and their final essay.Grading
includedClass Experience
US Grade 8 - 11
In this class, we will study Shakespeare's tragedy Julius Caesar. We will study the play scene by scene: students will be expected to complete readings of the scenes being discussed in class on their own time, but we will also read through each scene in class and learn how to "decode" the archaic language. By the end of the class, students should be able to understand Shakespeare with relative ease. At the end of the course, students will be given a quiz and asked to write a 1,000 word essay on the play. We will study not only the text, but also the themes of the play: revenge, friendship, treachery, honor, and ambition. Students will gain a clearer understanding of the play from a theatrical perspective as well: I am a Shakespearean actor, and I will coach students to read the text aloud in ways that convey its meaning more easily to an audience. Each class will consist of: 1. Students sharing their impressions of the assigned reading. 2. A class reading of one or two of the scenes of the play, during which the text will be broken down so that students have a clear understanding of the meaning. Students will learn to be "sleuths of Shakespeare" and decipher the meaning of the lines based on "clues" in the text. 3. A discussion of the themes in the scenes, and how they relate to the themes of previous scene and the play as a whole. Week One: Act I Scene 1. Act I Scene 2. Week Two: Act I Scene 2 continued, Act I Scene 3. Week Three: Act I Scene 3 continued, Act II Scene 1. Week Four: Act II Scene 1 continued, Scenes 2 - 4. Week Five: Act III Scenes 1 - 2. Week Six: Act III Scene 2 continued, Act III Scenes 3 - 4. Week Seven: Act IV Scenes 1 - 3. Week Eight: Act V Scenes 1 - 4. Week Nine: Act V Scene 5. Review. Quiz. I am a kind, patient, encouraging, and enthusiastic teacher. All students will be expected to treat each other and the play with respect. Previous experience with Shakespeare is not required, but an affection for poetry or literature is ideal.
Learning Goals
Students will gain a clearer understanding of the language of Shakespeare: they will be able to look for "clues" in the text that allow them to understand the meaning of lines even when they don't understand all of the words. They will also study Julius Caesar as a work of fiction, and be able to identify its themes and note the artistry that went into its poetic structuring.
Syllabus
9 Lessons
over 9 WeeksLesson 1:
Week One: Act I Scene 1, Act I Scene 2
Reading and discussion of Act I Scene 1 and Act I Scene 2. 45 mins online live lesson
Lesson 2:
Week Two: Act I Scene 2 continued, Act I Scene 3
Reading and discussion of Act I Scene 2 continued, Act I Scene 3. 45 mins online live lesson
Lesson 3:
Week Three: Act I Scene 3 continued, Act II Scene 1
Reading and discussion of Act I Scene 3 continued, Act II Scene 1. 45 mins online live lesson
Lesson 4:
Week Four: Act II Scene 1 continued, Scenes 2 - 4
Reading and discussion of Act II Scene 1 continued, Scenes 2 - 4. 45 mins online live lesson
Other Details
Parental Guidance
The play involves killing, suicide, and talk of violence and death. There are also references to a husband and wife sleeping together, and harlots are mentioned.
Supply List
Students will need a copy of the play. It can be found online through numerous sources, although I recommend having a hard copy.
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Joined July, 2020
4.8
93reviews
Teacher expertise and credentials
Hello!
My name is Maura, and I'm an actor, musician, poet, and teacher. I have been teaching and tutoring for fifteen years. I'm always excited to share what I've learned with my students!
I graduated summa cum laude from Carthage College with degrees in Music and Theater Performance, and have been performing professionally as an actor and musician. I regularly perform with a children's theater that teaches kids about conservation!
I am also a published poet, and a professional ghostwriter and freelance book editor. As a huge nerd, I have read and am currently reading countless books, and I have an in-depth knowledge of plot creation and good literary structure.
I also teach life skills, particularly cultivating motivation and dealing with overwhelming or negative emotions. I was home-schooled until college, and I am an extremely self-motivated person, as well as a problem-solver. As a highly sensitive person, I have to deal with stress often and have discovered numerous ways to deal with the inevitable tensions that life brings to us! I learned to be a positive person in high school, and I love teaching students ways to appreciate what is good even in the midst of negative situations.
I am a very kind, patient, and encouraging teacher. I do well with both quiet and energetic students. My approach is question based, and I not only teach my students new information, I teach them how to arrive at valuable conclusions themselves. I use time efficiently, and am well prepared for every lesson I teach. I was homeschooled through high school, and I have a lot of respect for homeschooling parents and students.
I hope to see you virtually soon!
MauraReviews
Live Group Course
$95
for 9 classes1x per week, 9 weeks
45 min
Completed by 2 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 13-18
5-12 learners per class
