Activity 1: Recite the Story Information
- Before and after reading or listening to the story, recite aloud the title and author of the play.
Activity 2: Narrate the Story
- After reading or listening to the story, narrate the events aloud in your own words.
Activity 3: See the Playwright and Poet William Shakespeare
- Study the controversial 'Cobbe portrait' below, which may be a real-life portrait of Shakespeare.
- The portrait contains the Latin phrase 'Principum amicitias!' which means 'The alliances of princes!'
Activity 4: Map the Play
- Much of the play takes place in Paris, France.
- Find Paris on the map of France.
- Zoom in to find Paris, France on the map of Europe. Next find Florence, Italy, where Bertram and Helena traveled in the play.
- Point to the locations of France and Italy on the map of the world.
Activity 5: Can You Find It?
During the week, zoom in to study the painting, 'Helena and the Countess,' by John Masey Wright. Find the following:
- Countess
- Helena
- Vase
- Open Book
- Terrace
- Duster
- Foot Stool
- Handkerchief
Activity 6: Cast the Characters
- Serve as the casting director and audition actors and actresses for parts in your play.
- Reuse the same laminated actors and actresses you employed for prior plays.
- Color, cut out, laminate, and attach the names of the characters found on page 136 of 'Third Grade Shakespeare Theater Pages.'
- Using what you know from reading the story, cast each character by Velcroing a label to the box under the actor or actress you feel is best suited for the role.
Activity 7: Create a Character Map
- Cut out the relationship connectors on page 137 of 'Third Grade Shakespeare Theater Pages.'
- Using what you know from reading the story, place the relationship connectors between the characters to show their relationships.