Shakespearean Teaching Strategies: Bringing Wisdom into the Classroom

Advertisement

Originally published in TEACH Magazine, January/February 2017 Issue

By Natalie Davey

One of my most influential teaching mentors is a secondary character from a sixteenth century Shakespearean play. I was introduced to the “wise fool” from King Lear in my last year of high school, and was taught to read his jokes and metaphorical “ramblings” as, instead, wise observations of a very broken world. Unfortunately, his words of wisdom fall upon the deaf ears of his king, thus the play’s tragic end.

In university, I went on to major in English Literature, and in my final undergraduate year I was reunited with Lear’s wise fool. My understanding of this character’s role was renewed and deepened when my professor pointed out how, at the end of the third act, the wise fool simply disappears from the play.

As a class, we were asked to analyze his disappearance from the stage and determine the purpose of his unceremonious exit. Why was such a key character given no grand exit, no soliloquy to say goodbye to his king or the audience?

It was long after graduation that I finally came to an answer. In fact, it took three more degrees and a decade of teaching experience to help me formulate a proper response.

Subscribe to Keep Reading

🔑 You’re one step away from unlocking premium content.
Subscribe now for just $15.99/year and get full access!
If you’re already subscribed, please .

Dr. Natalie Davey is a secondary school English teacher with the Toronto District School Board (TDSB). Her experiences in the secondary classroom have supported her teaching in York University's Faculty of Education, Section 23 classrooms, and her most recent shift to the TDSB's Student Success/Learning to 18 Initiative. 

Education News

Nominations Open for Heroes of the Classroom Teacher Recognition Program

Nominations are accepted through August 3. Ten finalists will advance to a public vote for the chance to win the Grand Prize—valued at approximately $16,000 in cash and prizes.

New School Safety Trends Report Shows Training and Technology Are Saving Lives in U.S. Schools

CENTEGIX’s 2025 School Safety Trends Report reveals a national movement toward proactive, integrated school safety strategies, including campus mapping.

Girls Experienced Disproportionate Setbacks in STEM Skills Post-COVID

COVID-19 has been an unequal crisis, disrupting learning more deeply for some student groups than others.

For 8th Straight Year, 100% of Success Academy Grads Accepted to 4-Year Colleges

66% of students were accepted to selective institutions. Graduates were awarded more than $20 million in financial aid.

Join Our Newsletter

Get 10% off a subscription, monthly giveaways, and the latest updates—straight to your inbox!

Natalie Davey
Natalie Davey
Dr. Natalie Davey is a secondary school English teacher with the Toronto District School Board (TDSB). Her experiences in the secondary classroom have supported her teaching in York University's Faculty of Education, Section 23 classrooms, and her most recent shift to the TDSB's Student Success/Learning to 18 Initiative. 

Advertisement

Read More

The Power of Music and Melody: Using Songs to Engage Young Learners

By harnessing the power of music, teachers can create a lively and dynamic atmosphere that also improves concentration, focus, and retention.

Nominations Open for Heroes of the Classroom Teacher Recognition Program

Nominations are accepted through August 3. Ten finalists will advance to a public vote for the chance to win the Grand Prize—valued at approximately $16,000 in cash and prizes.

Real (and Really Funny) Math

I'm an author of math books, which may sound like a dry job, but that’s exactly why I do it. It’s my goal to show kids that math can be fun (and funny!)

New School Safety Trends Report Shows Training and Technology Are Saving Lives in U.S. Schools

CENTEGIX’s 2025 School Safety Trends Report reveals a national movement toward proactive, integrated school safety strategies, including campus mapping.

Exploring Indigenous Culture Through the Senses: A Transformative Learning Experience

At McKenzie Towne School in Alberta, students are learning through touch, scent, and sound with the Indigenous Sensory Box Project.

The Positive Impacts of Computer Science: What Every Teacher and Administrator Should Know

After working as both a teacher and an administrator, I know how much of a difference it can make when school leaders truly appreciate the power of computer science.
passport slot availability | 999 slots quay hũ thần tài | casino mộc bài tây ninh | mobile slots no deposit | wink slots promo code | renton casino | giờ reset fo4 | 1 slot là gì | game choang club | how to enable 2nd ram slot | online casino malaysia | white label casino | game slot | link sopcast bong da | palace slots casino | vtv6 trực tiếp bóng đá | xstd90 | ruby slots sign up | xsmn 28 02 24 | live2 7msport | 188bey | live casino malaysia | white wizard slots | xs vietlott chủ nhật | casino vũng tàu | slotland casino | ku casino app | slot 888 | cherry jackpot casino no deposit bonus | golden nugget casino | holy moly casino slot | slot vtc | situs slot | xổ số đồng nai ngày 2 tháng 8 | medusa ii slots | sky vegas casino | tải zalo về điện thoại | bingo and slots | casino jobs london | lich v league 2024 | trường nguyệt tân minh | mobile casino echtgeld | house of fun slots free coins | casino chemin de fer | casino phượng hoàng bắc ninh | thống ke theo tổng | dàn lô bất bại | casino lucky | freaky fruit slot | slot game là gì | sudoku mức độ khó | real casino slot machines | slot spiele | loe ngoe | tải minecraft 1 19 miễn phí | cara daftar judi slot online | casino bonus games | city of games slots baccarat | boi bai tay | free casino slot games |