(NOTE: Class will run even if only one student is registered.)

Shakespeare. Many people are scared to tackle his plays, but I have discovered that you are never too young to enjoy the Bard. 

I use a combination of beautifully illustrated excerpts from plays, lively discussion, graphic novels, and video clips from amazing performances to spark a love of Shakespeare.  I hand-pick passages that are accessible for kids, thought provoking, and exciting. 

We will savor the language together, hearing his words flow like music. We will talk about the big themes and ideas. We'll discover how much he has influenced our language. 

I am passionate about teaching Shakespeare as his words are so timeless and relevant. My goal is to spark an interest in his work as well as help students to see his work as being within their reach. 

This is a jam-packed  class. Here's a rundown of what we will talk about, in an exciting, age-appropriate way:

* Brief summary of Shakespeare's life and education
* Overview of what types of plays he wrote by genre, sonnets
* What are the secrets to Shakespeare's greatness?
* Crash course on meter: iambic pentameter & trochaic tetrameter (sounds complicated? I break it down in an easy-to-understand way for elementary schoolers). 
* How the meter of the verse ties in with its meaning
* Applying what we've learned to a play: famous excerpts from Romeo and Juliet
* A taste of Shakespeare's insults

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Special Needs: Please send me a note in advance if your child has special needs I should be aware of, or if he or she would not be comfortable speaking in class and would prefer to listen only. I would love to be able to accommodate your needs.

Parent comments on my teaching style:

"...[Merium's] clear speech, down to earth personality and passion for literature shined through.." -Keisha

"Merium was a great teacher, who readily engaged the kids with her teaching style and the content. She brought Shakespeare alive for them. They had quite an animated discussion!" --Jennifer M.

"The teacher presented interesting ideas, concepts, and information in a gentle and interesting way that was age appropriate while respecting the kids abilities...My son finished the class with a huge smile - said he loved it and that he wants to learn more about Shakespeare." --Dr. K

"Thanks to an inspiring teacher who is clearly passionate about her subject area and teaching young minds, my daughter had a splendid time being introduced to Shakespeare..." --Amy B.