The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust is the charity behind the success and resounding success of Shakespeare Week, which takes place 18-24 March 2019.
There have been six hubs established in the country. 40 primary schools were among the first to receive the benefits. Each hub is composed of six to eight schools that work with creative professionals from many disciplines. This allows children to have a great introduction of Shakespeare. They can learn from Bollywood dances of Romeo or Juliet to clay sculptures from A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust provides the free service and support for schools. Twelve hubs will be established across the country by 2021. This will provide opportunities for over 22,000 children to develop their own Shakespeare-inspired work through KS2 Shakespeare workshops. It offers children the opportunity to share their experiences and Continuing Professional Development (CPD), sessions for teachers that include specialist training and support for working with arts organizations.
Jacqueline Green from the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust is head of learning and participation. “Children can relate Shakespeare’s stories, dilemmas, and their world to their life experiences and this can be a powerful tool for learning.” The arts are crucial for young people’s imagination, creativity, and social skills. We are passionately convinced that Shakespeare is not only for the wealthy few, but all people can enjoy his works. Working with creative professionals, we can introduce children to the plays, stories, and heritage that are so important to them.
Many of the schools in the hub will showcase their work during Shakespeare Week (18-24March), and this years’ national celebrations will focus on literacy and language.
It is becoming increasingly clear that young children lack vocabulary. This hinders their learning and has long-term implications on their communication skills, creativity, critical thinking skills, confidence, and communication. Shakespeare is a great way to teach children how to find the words they need and help them develop their language skills.
Jacqueline stated that there is more to be done about the gap between primary and secondary schools’ vocabulary. Although our language is evolving, the vocabulary of the next generation continues to shrink. We are encouraging Shakespeare Week participants and Shakespeare Hub Schools students to be ‘Will’s Word Warriors’ this year. Shakespeare’s creative and innovative language is sure to spark young minds and encourage a love of language.
Nick Gibb, Minister of School Standards, said that Shakespeare Week offers an opportunity for primary school children to see the great works and stories of Britain’s most renowned writer. I’m thrilled that these creative hubs can bring William Shakespeare to life in a new generation.
“Reading Shakespeare’s works is a gateway to imagination and discovery. It’s a passport to a world full of wonder and possibility. We are helping to open the eyes of young children to the joys of reading and to help them enjoy Shakespeare as part of their secondary curriculum.
Shakespearean Celebration
As part of Shakespeare Week, more than two million primary-school children in the country will celebrate Shakespeare’s words and stories from March 18-24. The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust manages the free scheme for primary school students and their families.
More than 6.5 million children participated in Shakespeare Week in 2014, when it was launched. This gives teachers and home educators the tools and resources they need to introduce Shakespeare to their classrooms. It also offers opportunities for students to explore Shakespeare in other subjects.
Highlights of the celebration this year include:
Will’s Word Warriors: A series of challenging activities and games developed by Professor David Crystal, a leading Linguist. These activities explore Shakespeare’s Forgotten Words. Words that were not common in modern usage but are from Shakespeare’s lifetime.
Walker Books and National Literacy Trust support the Big Shakespeare Book Hunt, which took place in 154 communities all across the country.
William Shakespaw (Golden Retriever age 2) will be visiting select schools to help children find Shakespeare’s Forgotten Words
The Kids’ Zone online challenges are for children aged 6 and up. They can complete them at home or in school.
Storytelling sessions in libraries all over the UK. Craft activities at selected Waterstones shops.
A host of family-friendly activities are offered at Shakespeare houses in Stratford-upon-Avon. Participate in activities such weaving a web out of Will’s words or making a carnival face to wear at Romeo & Juliet’s ball. You can also take part in the Tudor dance workshops.
Teachers, parents, and home educators will find over 150 free resources covering all subjects. This includes a video of Michael Rosen, children’s author and Shakespeare scholar, celebrating Shakespeare’s language. Teachers can also use the new resources to improve their debate skills and explore the moral dilemmas in Shakespeare’s plays.
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