Activity 2:  Shakespeare Lives!

Grade Level:  6 - 8 grade

Time:  30 minutes

Concept:  Students will list which birds Shakespeare mentioned in his plays and then determine if those species still live in the United States.

Objectives:  Students will:

            1.  read or skim through some Shakespeare plays looking for references to birds (Language Arts)

            2.  use field guides to record current ranges of Shakespeare’s birds (Science, Geography)

National Standards

            Science           

            Language Arts

            Geography

Materials:  list of birds from Shakespeare’s plays, bird field guides - beginner or intermediate level, US map with state outlines

Preparation Needed:

            Make a list of birds from Shakespeare’s plays, gather bird field guides

Procedure:

            1.  Discuss who Shakespeare was and where he lived.

            2.  Pass out a list of birds from Shakespeare’s plays to each student.

            3.  Have students use the field guides to determine if these species are still found in the United States.  Make a map of each species showing its current range.

Evaluation:

            Students can name two introduced species in their local area which exist because of  being mentioned in one of Shakespeare’s plays.

Extension:

            1.  Go on a field trip in the local area (school yard or park) to see if you can find any of these bird species.

            2.  Research what impact these species had on the native flora and fauna.  Did any bird or plant species become endangered because of the new species?  Did any species expand its range because of their introduction? 

            3.  Have each student choose a place in the world each would like to live.  Decide on one plant and one animal each would like to take  along from the home area.  Research the habitat needs and life cycle of each.  Determine how these would survive in the new homeland and what possible implications on the new local flora and fauna might be. 

Modifications:

Older students

            1.  Divide the class into small groups of three or four.  Assign each group a Shakespeare play.  Have the group read the play and compile a list of birds mentioned.  Take each group’s list and make one master list for the rest of the activity.

Younger students

            1.  Pre-select birds which are around your local area.

            2.  Read passages from the play where the references to each bird is found.

ACTIVITY THREE