SUBSCRIBE FOR ONLY $16.99!

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 $16.99/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

Trent University and Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine Launch First-of-its-Kind Double Degree

Students will graduate with both a Bachelor of Arts and Science and a Doctor of Naturopathy degree in this accelerated seven-year pathway.

Communities Nationwide to Defend the Freedom to Read at “Right to Read Night” During Banned Books Week

At a time when the very freedom to read is at risk, communities across the nation are joining together for Right to Read Night, a powerful evening of discussion, reflection, and action.

Debut YA Graphic Novel Explores Grief, Friendship, and the Great Unknown

This Fall, Emanata, the young adult graphic novel imprint of Conundrum Press, will publish “Quiet Crossings,” a poignant and visually rich debut by Toronto-based artist Vivi Partridge, with colour by Janaina Spada.

Leaves and Literacy: 8 Strategies to Get K–2 Students Back into Reading This Fall

Fall is a season of fresh starts. The habits established in these first months ripple forward into lasting reading success.

Join Our Newsletter

Join now for a chance to win 1 of 2 $25 Indigo e-gift cards this month!

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

Planting Seeds of Knowledge: Life Lessons from an Educational Farm

Waynesboro Education Farm is an ambitious project. It sits on 1.5 acres of land adjacent to Berkeley Glenn Elementary school in the city of Waynesboro, VA.

Trent University and Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine Launch First-of-its-Kind Double Degree

Students will graduate with both a Bachelor of Arts and Science and a Doctor of Naturopathy degree in this accelerated seven-year pathway.

Communities Nationwide to Defend the Freedom to Read at “Right to Read Night” During Banned Books Week

At a time when the very freedom to read is at risk, communities across the nation are joining together for Right to Read Night, a powerful evening of discussion, reflection, and action.

Debut YA Graphic Novel Explores Grief, Friendship, and the Great Unknown

This Fall, Emanata, the young adult graphic novel imprint of Conundrum Press, will publish “Quiet Crossings,” a poignant and visually rich debut by Toronto-based artist Vivi Partridge, with colour by Janaina Spada.

Explorations in Biology Through Origami, 3D Modeling, and Optical Illusions

Blending art and biology through hands-on paper-folding activities is a fun and unique way to engage students at the elementary level.

4 Places Teachers Can Buy Custom Assistive Technology Devices for Schools

Custom assistive devices empower students with disabilities by fostering independence, building skills, and supporting full inclusion in the classroom.
casino royale reparto | ruleta amazon descuentos | intensamente 1 online | cual es el mejor casino en linea | casino dibujo | bitlife ganar dinero | casino games | tragamonedas william hill casino colombia | playcity casino aguascalientes | como apostar en caliente | ruleta predictor | online casino slots | mexplay casino | casino ilusion | casino campo marte | caliente com mx | casino español cdmx | casino codere los cabos | juegos olímpicos de parís 2024 | cuándo juega el feyenoord en la eredivisie | slots gratis con jackpot en español | máquinas progresivas | como apostar en caliente | freelancer ganar dinero | app casino dinero real | casino revolucion | casino emotion plaza del sol | 50 giros gratis sin depósito | deposito bonanza | casinos en merida | como apostar en ruleta | casino tulum | aplicaciones para adultos para ganar dinero | big bola iniciar sesión | carnaval casino online | casinos para eventos en guadalajara | ruleta free game | ganar dinero viendo videos por internet | como ganar dinero si tienes 14 años |