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TITLE:    "MACBETH"

AUTHOR:   Rebecca A. Banko, Holy Rosary Elementary
          Idaho  Falls, ID

GRADE LEVEL/SUBJECT:  6-12,  LANGUAGE ARTS

OVERVIEW: "Macbeth" is one of Shakespeare's great
tragedies.  It is a classic piece of literature that
can be studied and understood even by elementary age
students.

PURPOSE:  It is vital that students realize that the
skills they have learned and practiced in the classroom
can be applied to reading outside of their textbooks
and worksheets. Students should view reading as a life
long skill.

OBJECTIVES:  Students will be able to:
1.  read and understand "Macbeth".
2.  apply verifying strategies to what they have
    read.
3.  apply prediction strategies to what they have
    read.
4.  make comparisons between characters as they (&
    undergo changes in "Macbeth".
5.  apply the themes of "Macbeth" to their lives
    today.

RESOURCES/MATERIALS NEEDED:  copies of "Macbeth" for
each student.  There are many different readability
levels available.

ACTIVITIES AND PROCEDURES:
1.   Students will discuss the changes that each main
     character has undergone in the play.
     (Ex.  Lady Macbeth develops a conscience and
     Macbeth loses his conscience.)
2.   Students examine the motives that led to the
     changes in each main character.  This examination
     will lead to the discovery of the themes of the
     play; greed disguised as ambition and truth
     disguised as rationalization.   (There are other
     themes to discover.)
3.   After examining historical events and current
     world affairs, students are able to write an essay
     comparing the event to the themes of "Macbeth".
     Some events have included the Civil Rights
     movement, the destruction of rain forests, the
     L.A. riots, and the plight of the inner cities.
     The age level and experience of the students will
     lead to more comparisons.

TYING IT ALL TOGETHER:  Students share their final
essays with the class after revising their writing for
mechanics and content.  Students experience great pride
in their work and a better understanding of the
timeless work of William Shakespeare.

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