English teacher Karen McWilliam and lead teacher in English Carol Weale have joined their Year 9 classes together to provide some fresh ideas about teaching Shakespeare. Building on the classes' knowledge of iambic pentameter, Karen asks the students to look at two speeches by contrasting characters: Macbeth, and Puck from A Midsummer Night's Dream. By looking at the rhythm of the verses and the number of syllables in each line of the verses, the students build up an understanding of the emotional state of each character without even looking at the language. Karen leads the lesson whilst Carol supports her, assisting with discipline and adding an extra dimension to the teaching. Although team-teaching has potential risks, their similar teaching styles help ensure the lessons run smoothly.

Video Series: Great Lesson Ideas
Release Date 2010