ABSTRACT
This text is meant for gifted program, talent development, or enrichment program teachers in upper elementary and middle school settings who are anywhere in the range of novice to expert on the subject of Shakespeare. Romeo and Juliet, Hamlet, and A Midsummer Night's Dream are the anchor texts for this standards-based curriculum which can be used in its entirety. Or, because each chapter is an individual standards-based module, certain modules can easily be selected to design a Shakespeare unit that meets individual program needs. This first chapter explains the structure of this text and how it can be used and that it has been based on the Understanding by Design framework. The chapter concludes with planning considerations for an engaging and effective unit of study, and establishes the first essential element of the overall unit which involves developing enthusiasm, building necessary background knowledge, and exploring the unit's essential question: What is the power of language?
