At what age is Shakespeare studied at school

[mrsruffallo]

Does anyone know when it is first introduced?
And is it straightforward literature study or is his life examined too?
Thanks

My DS was introduced to a couple of adapted texts in Y3 & Y4 I think.

That's interesting summery.
Which plays were they if you don't mind me asking

My DS did Macbeth in yr3, and Romeo and Juliet ("yuk!") in yr4. Mix of abridged texts, original passages and film adaptations.

I think was also Macbeth and Romeo and Juliet like Onimolap

his life was studied by dcs in yr 3/4

DS2 had a good look at MacBeth in Yr6, so 11. They didn't read it in its entirety, but certainly read sections and acted some out, talked about the language and the themes of the play. MacBeth always seems like the best one to start off with - the blood and guts appeal.

In Yr7 there was nothing, so far in Yr8 nothing. DS3 (Yr 4) is only dimly aware that someone called Shakespeare existed.

yr 7 we had to build the globe theatre as homework - that was fun

Thanks everyone
My year 3 child is very interested since reading a comic strip version of Antony and Cleopatra. There are no plans in her school to study Shakespeare this year (I think, will check with teacher) so was going to do it myself as she is very keen.

Thank you all for your help

Search on Amazon for 'Classical Comics' - they have some fantastic graphic novel versions of key Shakespeare plays, where the illustrations stay the same but you can choose from the original text, a more modern version (but still very true to the original) or a quick text.

I showed the Macbeth modern version to my 10 yr old DS yesterday (there's a good preview of all 3), and he begged me to order it. Blood and guts triumphs again...

Think Bookpeople or Red House have a set of Usborne Shakespeare stories atm at a very good price. My children always liked them.

Search 'bravo mr william shakespeare' by marcia williams, they are fab.

Yes, book people are doing a set of stories which look good. Sorry can't do links on iphone... But book people are also doing 10 plays (fully annotated) for a tenner! Just got them for myself as a future investment.

Hi

My dd read the Orchard set of abridged Shakespeare plays as her reading books before Christmas in Y2.

They also studied Macbeth, Hamlet and Roemeo and Juliet in english, using comprehensions, reading books and writing activites.

The orchard set can be purchased from the bookpeople.

MrsRuffalo - have you come accross Shakespeare 4 Kids?

They did a performance here recently. I haven't been myself, but have several friends who have taken their KS2/KS3 children and rave about it.

My son started Macbeth in year 5 I think? Now in year 10 he is sick of MacBeth but has to do it for his GCSE. He much preferred Beowulf in year 7 :)
My 7 year old has just read through a set of Shakespeare for kids books, and I'm surprised she understood A Midsummer's night Dream, as that is one that is hard to abridge.

I think they study aspects of Shakespeare's life and the Globe as part of the Tudor's topic.

The RSC stuff for kids is brill we have been last two summers ( youngest was 7 last year)

Shakespeare for kids is a bit OTT to me. Macbeth had kids in stitches laughing but I think it's a bit of an induction if nothing else.

I've studied Macbeth and The Tempest with Y2

Hello. I know that Shakespeare for Kids books are an easy way for kids to LOVE Shakespeare. Also great for teachers to reach kids with Shakespeare.

You can see them here: PlayingWithPlays.com