Shakespeare Unlocked: The Secret of Sonnets

New class

Ages 13-18

Live Group Class

We’ll unravel the beauty of Shakespearean sonnets by diving into the meter, punctuation, and literary techniques that breathe life into his poetry. This class is an ideal complement to high school English and AP Literature preparation.

Michele Perkins M.A. - Certified Teacher

Average rating:

5.0

Number of reviews:

(2 reviews)

Live video meetings

1x per week, 4 weeks

2-8 learners per class

50 min

About Learning Overview Teacher Reviews

What's included

4 live meetings

3 hrs 20 mins in-class hours

Projects

1 hour per week. 1-2 throughout the class

Class Experience

US Grade 9 - 12

We will explore a selection of sonnets, uncovering the literary techniques Shakespeare used to convey the themes of his time. Below is a brief overview of our syllabus.

Week One: Making the Most of Meter 
	Introduction to meter
        Students will learn about Iambic and Trochaic meter and how Shakespeare utilizes it to 
        convey tone and meaning.

Week Two: Exploring Sonnets
 	Students will learn about Shakespearean themes in Sonnets
	Students will explore Sonnets and select one to analyze

Week Three:
	Introduction to Alliteration, Allusions, and Metaphor.
	Students will identify literary techniques in their selected Sonnets.
	Students will analyze their selected Sonnet using literary techniques.

Week Four: Creating a Sonnet
	Students will create their own Sonnets utilizing meter and literary techniques.

Learning Goals

Students will:
Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in the text,
including figurative and connotative meanings; analyze the cumulative impact
of specific word choices.

Read and comprehend literature, including stories,
dramas, and poems, at the high end of the grades 11–CCR text complexity band
independently and proficiently

Other Details

Pre-Requisites

This will be the first in a series of Shakespeare courses. Shakespeare Unlocked: Sonnets will be followed by Shakespeare Unlocked: A Midsummer's Night Dream, where we will delve further into meter, metaphor, and other literary techniques.

External Resources

Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.

Sources

We will be using the Folger's Library website to read our Sonnets: https://www.folger.edu/explore/shakespeares-works/shakespeares-sonnets/read/

Michele Perkins M.A. - Certified Teacher

Joined March, 2023

5.0

2reviews

Profile

Teacher expertise and credentials

Florida Teaching Certificate in Music/Theater/Arts

3 Degrees

Master's Degree in English from Florida Atlantic University

Master's Degree in Theatre Arts from University Of Central Florida

Bachelor's Degree in English from Florida Atlantic University

Hello! My experience with Shakespeare is multifaceted: as an actress, teacher, and director. I’ve taught Shakespeare at the college level and have brought his works to life on stage in numerous productions, either as an actress or director. Some of my favorite productions include A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Romeo and Juliet, Twelfth Night, and Macbeth. Additionally, two of my students have achieved national recognition as finalists in prestigious Shakespeare competitions.