Hamlet Unit Lesson Plans
Unit Length: 23 days – add two
to three days at the beginning if you choose to do the Discovering Shakespeare
activity.
Click here for all unit resources.
Student Prep:
Students have read play through once (or are reading it concurrently with the
first six days of the unit) and completed the Elizabethan Language/Sonnet study.
Day 1
1. Journal: Part of today’s
opening activity below.
2. Hamlet
Introduction and Discussion
a. List your father’s name.
b. List your mother’s name.
c. List your uncle’s name.
d. Cross off your father’s name.
e. Connect your mother’s name to your
uncle’s name!
f. Visualize that marriage replacing your
parent’s marriage.
g. Journal:
write reaction – share and discuss reactions.
4. Distribute Cast relationships (.pdf) for
Hamlet.
5. Distribute Study Guide and examine a few concepts as time allows. To use as you see
as useful only! – you are
encouraged to do this as you complete your first & second reads and as you
view the movie.
6. Continue
reading Hamlet.
Day 2
1.
Journal: (Take this one very seriously.) Describe your knowledge of and attitudes
towards Shakespeare. Do the same for Hamlet.
Conclude by inventing several questions you have about Shakespeare and Hamlet.
(Perhaps you feel as if you don’t know enough about Hamlet to come up
with questions. If that’s the case, come
up with questions you have about any literature – why do we read it? What’s the big deal? What am I supposed to learn about? Etc…)
2. Reader's Workshop
a. Discuss journal – we will be using your questions for
your study.
b. Distribute handouts for Hamlet Study.
2)
Return to Study Guide as needed – To use as you see as useful only! – though you are encouraged to do this as you
complete your first & second reads and as you view the movie.
c. Examine handouts and establish basic premises of the play
you might look at using study guide to focus.
1) Remember, too, that you might find
it better to just absorb it rather than focus on it at first – don’t fight that
urge either. Just be aware.
2) At first, your questions might be
nothing more that what is it about?
Or how do I read this language?
3.
Continue reading Hamlet.
1.
Journal: none
2.
Movie
Hamlet
3. Continue
reading Hamlet.
Day 4
1.
Journal: none
2. Movie
Hamlet
3.
Finish your initial reading of Hamlet.
1.
Journal: none
2. Movie
Hamlet
3.
Finish your initial reading of Hamlet.
1.
Journal: none
2. Movie
Hamlet
3.
Finish your initial reading of Hamlet. Be fresh on Act 1,
scenes 1-2.
Day 7
1.
Journal: What did you think of the movie? How about just
the whole play in general? Comment freely. Rephrase some of you questions to match your
current level of understanding.
2. Revisit your questions –
revise and refine as needed. Feel free
to ask questions as we go.
3. Hamlet Workshop
a. A good
place to start with our questions is for us to examine some key scenes to
start, together with my guidance.
b. Act 1
1) Establish situation in first
scenes: basic plot line
2) Assessing Hamlet's state of mind:
a) Our first
encounter: I, ii -- Hamlet speaks with his parents.
(1) what seems vs. what is
(2) his general tone and attitude
b) Hamlet's
first soliloquy: I,ii -- A glimpse of Prince Hamlet
(1) his view of life -- unweeded gardens
(2) feelings about his father, his uncle, his mother
(3) his attitude towards suicide
4. HW: Review Act I, scenes 3, 4, and 5
1. Journal: As a
pseudo-professional psychologist, assess Hamlet's state of mind before he meets
the ghost. Be specific.
2. Hamlet Workshop
a. Finish anything left from yesterday
b. Discuss journal: Is he ok?
c. The Ghost's Injunction: I, v
1) the ghost's descriptions of his
state and the crime itself
2) the three conditions of the
injunction
a) revenge
his murder
b) taint not
thy mind
c) leave
your mother alone
d. Hamlet's reaction and plan: I,v
e. If time, Ophelia, Laertes, and
Polonius: I, iii
1) Laertes'
advice to Ophelia
2) Polonius' advice to Laertes
3) Polonius' "assault" on
Ophelia
3. HW: Review Act 2 for tomorrow.
Day 9
1. Journal: Revise your Hamlet questions as needed OR free response
on any topic related to Hamlet you
like.
2. Hamlet Workshop
a. Honing
our questions:
1) The importance of knowing how to ask
good questions.
2) Types of questions: Closed vs. Open
3) Categorize your own questions – you
are looking for Open-Ended questions (w/ examples as we go)
a) Open = +
b) Closed = C
c) Unanswered = ?
d) Opinion-Centered = O
e) Factual = #
b. Small
Group Activity – Concoct-A-Question: Round Robin Format
1) Form three teams of five (if we’re
all here): A, B, C
2) Each team then concocts an unlimited
number of questions in 10 minutes.
Categorize them just as you did your own.
3) Come together in a circle, each team
seated in groups.
4) Process: A1 asks B1 a question.
a) If B1 answers satisfactorily,
then B1 asks the next question of C1.
b) If B1 cannot answer, C1 takes
it. If C1 answers satisfactorily, then
C1 asks the next question of A1.
c) If C1 cannot answer, A1 attempts
to answer his/her own question or we declare the question unanswered (?).
d) Move to next logical question:
A2 asks B2, etc…
e) We play until everyone has had a
turn in both roles if time allows.
Longer if we like and time allows.
5) Last five minutes: In your journal,
write a summary of what was discussed today.
1. Journal: Take five
minutes to review and revise your summary writing from yesterday – clarify and
state succinctly to share with the class.
2. Hamlet Workshop –
extending our questions
(Timing may force us to do more Concoct-A-
Question Round Robin format.)
a. Exchange your journal with a partner.
b. Partner:
1) Agrees or differs with the summary,
in either case, adds to it with a brief statement.
2) Adds on more question that needs to
be answered. (Don’t forget to categorize it.)
c. Partners decide on which of their two
additional questions is worthy of further discussion.
d. Explore topic for 10-15 minutes, taking
notes along the way.
e. As time allows, partners will present
their question and “answer” (discussion) to the class. Class questions are permitted.
f. Keep
all materials handy as we might work with them tomorrow or early next week if
we want.
3. HW:
a. Read
handout: Diagnosing
and Treating the Ophelia Syndrome
b. As you
read, comment right on the handout with any thoughts, feelings, and experiences
you feel are relevant – really mark this up and express opinions. Um, and oh yeah: Ask Questions!!!!
c. When completely done, write an informal
response to the entire article of at least a couple paragraphs.
1. Journal: How did the
article, Diagnosing and Treating the
Ophelia Syndrome, relate to your actual life? Consider experiences you’ve
had at school, at home, at work, and socially.
2. Reader's Workshop
a. Review of Ophelia in 1.3.
b. Discuss journal.
c. Discussion: Manifestations of Ophelia
Syndrome in our lives – excerpts from Thomas Plummer’s lecture at BYU.
1) Female and Male: I need to tell you
that I see this constantly.
2) Why does this happen?
3) How do we address these problems?
d. Enriching Activity (if time): Write an
informal personal plan of action to guard against this condition.
e. Place your marked handout, written
response, and plan of action (if done) in your portfolio.
Day 12
1.
Journal: none
2. Hamlet Workshop (on
media center computers)
a. Today, you will expand your study of Hamlet by exploring variety of
resources.
b. You have two goals:
1) To explore two or more avenues of
study. Take notes on these avenues using
the Exploration Record Worksheet.
-Note: You may copy and paste the Record Worksheet into a new word document if
you’d rather just type it up as you go.
2) Having explored some possible
topics, begin to focus on ONE key question you will master.
c. Use any of the following sources:
1) Any appropriate media center database.
2) Use the topics linked in our own Shakespeare
Link Library.
3) Use our pre-made Hamlet Essay topics or any topics found in
your study guide.
4) Do a general
search on Shakespeare and Hamlet.
5) Find print resources in the library.
d. You will have tomorrow as well so take
your time and read. This will be an
unusually quiet workshop.
1.
Journal: none
2. Hamlet Workshop
(laptops to finish)
a. Today, continue your study of Hamlet by exploring variety of
resources.
b.
You have two goals:
1) To explore two or more avenues of
study. Take notes on these avenues using
the Exploration Record Worksheet.
2) Having explored some possible
topics, begin to focus on ONE key question you will master.
3) If you have your focus, go ahead and
start putting together ideas, research (if needed), outlines, whatever you
need.
c. Use any of the following sources:
1) Any appropriate media center database.
2) Use the topics linked in our own Shakespeare
Link Library.
3) Use our pre-made Hamlet Essay topics or any topics found in
your study guide.
4) Do a general
search on Shakespeare and Hamlet.
5) Find print resources in the library.
d. Have
results and ideas ready to discuss for Thursday, including a completed
Exploration Record.
Day 14
1.
Journal: Respond: Hamlet is the first
work of literature to look squarely at the stupidity, falsity and sham of
everyday life, without laughing and without easy answers. In a world where
things are not as they seem, Hamlet's genuineness, thoughtfulness, and
sincerity make him special.
2. Hamlet Workshop -
enrichment
View Video: Reviving Ophelia
3. Reminder: Have results and
ideas ready to discuss tomorrow, includes a completed Exploration Record.
1. Journal: Reflect upon
what you want to do next and how you want to do it. How will you pursue your essential Hamlet
question? If you’d rather not write a
paper, what would you do that could show your learning and equal the rigors of
a formal paper?
2. Hamlet Workshop
a. Review Journal: What sorts of questions
do we have? We alternatives to a paper
might we consider? Explain my rudimentary understanding of something called
“multi-genre” composition. (No
promises!) How much of this is actually
research? Look over my Hamlet Questions as a helpful guide.
b. Organize yourselves by similar
topic areas. Meet to establish
networking for ideas, resource sharing, peer readings, etc. All work is individual though; no groups on
this one.
c. If you finish with your meeting, you may
break out individually to begin outlining/drafting your paper - ideas.
1) You may propose to me an alternative
to a paper…
2) if you can show me it will be as
revealing, precise, and in-depth as a paper
3) if you can provide valid and
challenging criteria for assessment
3. HW: Prepare any and all materials to bring to class tomorrow to work on
your study. You will not have computers so plan to do things the old fashioned way
– pencil, paper, and a copy of the play.
Oh, and resources if you have them in print form.
1.
Journal: none
2.
Hamlet Workshop
a. Work on your Hamlet paper/project – progress is expected.
b. Meet with teacher as needed for
clarification, alternate project ideas, etc.
c. Have Exploration Records Checked.
3.
Bring all materials to work on project to
class Monday.
1.
Journal: none
2.
Hamlet Workshop
a. Work on your Hamlet Project.
b. RDs checked
Wednesday.
3.
Note: Keep bringing your Hamlet Project materials with you.
1.
Journal: In your opinion, what is it about Shakespeare’s language and style
that makes his writing so memorable, so revered by so many people? Choose a passage from the play right now to
illustrate your point.
2.
Hamlet Workshop – Hamlet Language Study:
Passages
a. Assign Passages activity, due: 5/27. Hamlet
study FC due 5/28.
b. Work on Passages activity or your Hamlet Study as you desire and time
dictates.
c. Teacher conferencing as needed for your Hamlet Study; don’t forget about group
members too.
3.
Notes:
a. Keep bringing your Hamlet Project
materials with you.
b. Hamlet Project RD due tomorrow.
1.
Journal: none
2.
Hamlet Workshop
a. Refocusing on Hamlet study.
1) Teacher conferencing.
2) You may meet with others if helpful.
3) You may work on your Hamlet Passages mini-project.
b. Schedule any presentations for the Hamlet Project/Paper – anyone may be called upon
to share his/her findings.
c. Have Hamlet Project RDs
checked.
3.
Due Dates: Hamlet project/paper (due 5/28),
Hamlet Passages mini-project (due 5/27).
1.
Journal: none
2.
Hamlet “Workshop”
a. A Special Video Treat! To wrap up our study of Shakespeare, we’ll be
watching a fun parody of the bard.
b. Students may elect to work silently on
any remaining component of the class during video if desired.
c. Have late Hamlet Project RDs checked.
3.
Due Dates: Hamlet project/paper (due 5/28),
Hamlet Passages mini-project (due 5/27).
1.
Journal: none
2. Hamlet “Workshop”
a. A Special Video Treat! To wrap up our study of Shakespeare, we’ll be
watching a fun parody of the bard.
b. Students may elect to work silently on
any remaining component of the class during video if desired.
c. All students use remaining time after
video to conference and work on remaining projects.
3.
Due Dates: Hamlet project/paper (due 5/28),
Hamlet Passages mini-project (due 5/27).
Day
22
1.
Journal: More and more, I have observed that people love to “riff” movie quotes
– that is to say, we repeat lines from movies, pretty much at will. And, even better, we seem to use these quotes
to convey emotions and ideas. It’s like
they are metaphors we all know the meaning of and use to get ideas across to
others quickly. What are some of your
favorite movie lines to quote or “riff” as I call it? Can you assign a meaning to any of them? Example from Hamlet: “The lady doth protest
too much, methinks.” Metaphor: This
person is so against this idea, I believe he/she has an ulterior motive in
being against it. Example from
Terminator 2: “Hasta la vista, baby.” Metaphor: I just wasted you dude!
a. Share
your selections and reactions with the class in a conversational format.
b.
Discuss as desired.
c. Famous
quotations in everyday life – brainstorm and discuss.
3. Be prepared to discuss your Hamlet Study
findings with the class tomorrow – project/paper due tomorrow.
4. Bring your lit book tomorrow and from now on.
Day
23
1.
Journal: (on separate sheet of paper): First, tell me how this project went,
what you learned, that sort of thing. Second, if you did something other than a
paper, list three or four criteria I should be grading for. Third, tell me the one thing you want me to
comment on.
2.
Hamlet Project Submission Day
a. Hamlet Project Due
b. Presentations as needed.
c. Everyone will share their study
informally.
d. Turn in Hamlet project/paper with
today’s journal and RRD.
e. Final thoughts on Hamlet.