GEN:Shakespeare question

[Lisa Handelman <HanLGT@AOL.COM>]

Hello everyone:

At what age do you think it is best to introduce Shakespeare as a class unit?
 Do you think it is proper to use an abridged version or one of those
storybook versions for elementary grades? ( We are discussing this at my
school and they want to know what everyone else does.)  Do you think young
kids are turned off by it if they hear and don't understand it at a young
age?  What is the average grade when a full length play is introduced?  And
which one is usually first?  Should 8th graders read Macbeth or something
like Romeo and Juliet?  Or do you wait for 9th or 10th grade?  I would really
like to know what the country is doing about this, especially in private
schools.  I have noticed that Shakespeare is introduced at younger and
younger grades and I find it disturbing.

Thanks for any ideas.

Lisa Handelman
Adat Ari El Day School
N. Hollywood, CA
HanLGT@aol.com

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