Reading the Play

Becoming the Quiz Master: Reading the Play

Mastering the Language

Shakespeare can feel like a bumpy ride at first, but you already have the "Survival Guide" to handle it! Before we start, remember that plays are meant to be seen and heard. Acts are usually marked with upper case Roman numerals (like Act III) and scenes with lower case (like Scene ii).

Your Expert Workflow

To understand the play deeply, try this "Triple-Threat" reading method for each scene:

  1. Modern Translation: Ask your AI assistant to translate the scene into modern Canadian English so you get the "gist" of the plot.
  2. Watch the Performance: Find a clip of the scene on YouTube. Hearing the actors' tone and seeing their movements makes the old language much clearer.
  3. The Read-Aloud: Read the original text yourself. If a line feels confusing, read it out loud—sometimes the meaning is in the rhythm!

Your Production Task

Step 1: Generate the Question Bank

Use your AI assistant to help you brainstorm.

  • Ask the AI to generate 10 to 15 multiple-choice questions for each scene.
  • Push for Variety: Don't just ask about what happened; ask about why it happened, what a character’s "vibe" is, or how a specific theme is showing up.

Step 2: Curate Your Quiz

You are the editor here! Review the AI’s list and select the 3 or 4 best questions per scene.

  • Look for questions that connect the story to real life or the modern world.
  • Modify the questions to make them clearer or more challenging if needed.

Step 3: The "Behind-the-Scenes" Video

Record a short video using Canva’s "Present and Record" feature.

  • Show your selected questions on the screen.
  • Explain why you chose these specific questions and why you rejected others (e.g., "I cut this one because it was too easy," or "I chose this one because it shows how Romeo is acting just like a modern teenager").

Submission Checklist

Please upload the following to our Google Classroom:

  1. The Scene Quiz: A Google Doc with your final multiple-choice questions organized by scene.
  2. The "Why" Video: Your exported Canva video explaining your choices.

You are now the expert on this text. Trust your instincts and show us what really matters in these scenes!

Assessment

Pre-Submission

Before you submit, please complete the Pre-Submission Self-Assessment.

What to Turn In

  • 📤
    Pre-Submission Self-Assessment Google Doc
  • 📤

    A Google Doc with multiple choice questions broken down by scene.

  • 📤

    A video explaining why you chose the questions you did.

Learning Goals

We are learning to:

  • 🎯

    Develop the skills and confidence to engage with new, difficult texts

Success Criteria

I can:

  • Use a variety of appropriate strategies to understand the play

  • Use my background knowledge and experience to support my understanding of the play

  • Use effective listening skills to support my understanding of the play

Rubric

Category Level 4 Level 3 Level 2 Level 1
Knowledge/Understanding Student's explanation of questions selected demonstrates detailed understanding of text Student's explanation of questions selected demonstrates appropriate understanding of text Student's explanation of questions selected demonstrates understanding of most of the text Student's explanation of questions selected demonstrates adequate understanding of text
Thinking/Inquiring Student's inferences demonstrate significant insight into the text Student is able to effectively make inferences about the text Student is often able to make inferences about the text Student is sometimes able to make inferences about the text
Student has connected the text to real life remarkably thoroughly Student has selected questions which effectively show the text's connection to the modern world Student has often selected questions which show the text's connection to the modern world Student has sometimes selected questions connecting the text to the modern world
Application Student has used a wide variety of reading strategies masterfully Student has used a variety of reading strategies Student has often used a variety of reading strategies effectively Student has sometimes used a variety of reading strategies effectively
Communication Student explains their ideas in an especially engaging manner on video Student explains their ideas effectively on video Student often explains their ideas effectively on video Student sometimes explains their ideas effectively on video
Knowledge/Understanding
Level 4

Student's explanation of questions selected demonstrates detailed understanding of text

Level 3

Student's explanation of questions selected demonstrates appropriate understanding of text

Level 2

Student's explanation of questions selected demonstrates understanding of most of the text

Level 1

Student's explanation of questions selected demonstrates adequate understanding of text

Thinking/Inquiring
Level 4

Student's inferences demonstrate significant insight into the text

Level 3

Student is able to effectively make inferences about the text

Level 2

Student is often able to make inferences about the text

Level 1

Student is sometimes able to make inferences about the text

Level 4

Student has connected the text to real life remarkably thoroughly

Level 3

Student has selected questions which effectively show the text's connection to the modern world

Level 2

Student has often selected questions which show the text's connection to the modern world

Level 1

Student has sometimes selected questions connecting the text to the modern world

Application
Level 4

Student has used a wide variety of reading strategies masterfully

Level 3

Student has used a variety of reading strategies

Level 2

Student has often used a variety of reading strategies effectively

Level 1

Student has sometimes used a variety of reading strategies effectively

Communication
Level 4

Student explains their ideas in an especially engaging manner on video

Level 3

Student explains their ideas effectively on video

Level 2

Student often explains their ideas effectively on video

Level 1

Student sometimes explains their ideas effectively on video