Teaching Shakespeare to Elementary & Middle School

Living room (2019), Brick wall (2020), Treehouse (2020), Witch hat (2021), Tea time (2022), Top right (last week)

As we close the curtain on what may possibly be our final Shakespeare performance, I find myself reflecting on the journey that brought us here. For anyone feeling overwhelmed at the thought of introducing the Bard of Avon to their littles, I have a story that I hope will encourage you.

Starting Out: Overwhelmed and Unsure

When I first began researching homeschooling, I kept seeing the same awe-inspiring mix of subjects—families regularly incorporating Latin, nature journaling, Plutarch, and Shakespeare.

I didn’t understand why anyone would study Latin. I had little personal interest in nature. I’d never heard of Plutarch. And to be completely honest, I had nearly failed my Shakespeare class in college. What was I going to do with that?

Six years later, I can proudly say that three out of those four subjects have become a normal part of our homeschool routine. (Nature still gets outsourced to moms who know the names of trees.)

The First Semester: A Spark of Curiosity

In our very first semester of homeschooling (2019), a friend from church asked if I’d like to bring my kids to her house weekly for Shakespeare. I was intrigued.

She poured tea into fancy cups for our combined ten children (I was fostering two at the time), and we sat around listening to a dramatized version of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. I remember sweating anytime she paused the audio or looked up—was I supposed to know who just spoke? What was so funny?

My kids dreaded those sit-downs, and I clumsily followed along in my book while her oldest delighted in it, narrating summaries with ease.

Growing in Understanding

Looking back now, those memories make me smile. The literature I’ve read with my children over the years has steadily grown in complexity and depth, and that growth became unmistakably clear a few months ago when we started listening to The Taming of the Shrew.

All three kids—now in middle school—smiled and sighed with relief.

“Finally,” one said, “this one’s easy.”

Plays Are Meant to Be Performed

Shakespeare wrote plays—not private novels to be read in isolation. His words were written to be performed.

The last day of that first semester, my friend tossed a blanket over some kitchen chairs, handed out lines, and let the kids act out their favorite scenes. The next week, she moved away. But I was determined to continue the path we had started.

Finding Resources and Courage

Ken Ludwig’s book How to Teach Your Children Shakespeare took my hand and brought us further than I ever thought possible. The ArkAngel performances on Audible became our go-to, and the Playing with Plays series gave us kid-friendly versions of nearly every play we explored—plus other classics in the same style.

Armed with these resources, I invited every homeschool family I knew to my house for Shakespeare Tea Time. We broke many thrifted teacups and consumed more sugar than I care to admit, but I left each gathering feeling elated. I was teaching as I was learning—and everyone was growing.

Building Performances Together

We started each play by reading a simple, illustrated synopsis. Then each child picked a character, a peg doll, and some googly eyes to craft their own cast. As we listened, I’d point to the corresponding child’s doll when their character spoke.

Ludwig’s method gave us a thoughtful order to follow and key lines to memorize. We repeated them in funny voices, recited them before we encountered them, and slowly gained confidence.

As my kids took acting classes, our living room performances moved to the backyard. My husband built a stage out of a crib mattress, and a friend painted a brick wall on canvas. Later, with sewing skills, the costumes grew more elaborate too.

From Living Room to Stage

By our fourth play, Macbeth, we had begun meeting at our church—which had a full stage. After finishing the audio and assigning roles, the kids came up with a bold idea:

“Can the kids do it by ourselves? Without any parents?”

We gave them the chance. And they amazed us.

Behind closed doors, they practiced, argued, solved problems, and eventually set their own performance date. They invited us in only when they were ready.

New Groups, New Challenges

Over the years, families came and went. San Diego is a transient city. Military life is unpredictable. Puberty changes things. But social media brought us new families—kids who loved theater for its own sake.

This group introduced auditions, anonymous voting, and a whole new energy. They pushed through challenges—toddlers wandering onstage, last-minute role changes, emotions running high. And they learned resilience, teamwork, and grace.

Lessons Learned Through Shakespeare

We’ve had families disappear, props forgotten, scripts lost, and plenty of tears. But we’ve also had laughter, creativity, and performances that left me speechless.

These kids have grown in confidence, collaboration, and character. They’ve hated Shakespeare, they’ve loved Shakespeare, and they’ve learned through it all.

This last play had me teary-eyed. It was the best they’ve ever done—even though they insisted they were the least prepared.

And just as I thought it might be the end, a phone call came in: a co-op in Oklahoma City wants me to teach Shakespeare. Perhaps we’re off again.

Want to Bring Shakespeare to Life in Your Homeschool?

You don’t have to start with a stage and spotlight. Maybe just brew some tea, press play on an audio performance, and let the kids doodle while they listen. Or gather a few families and laugh your way through a scene together. The goal isn’t perfection—it’s connection. And sometimes, connection begins when you’re willing to try something bold, even if it feels a little ridiculous at first.