OER Shakespeare in context
This collection of OER materials introduces Shakespeare’s life, historical era, language, and stagecraft through engaging worksheets and varied task formats. The resources help contextualize Shakespeare’s work within his times. They can be used as an introduction before studying specific plays, as a while-reading lesson when focusing on a particular play, or as a stand-alone mini teaching unit on Shakespeare.
OER materials: Information
Learning group
Area of competence
Keywords
OER materials: Downloads
Overview Shakespeare in Context
Authors
Susanne Heinz
Contents
The embedded lesson plans and worksheets were created in a seminar on “Teaching Shakespeare” by students studying for their Master of Education at Kiel University in the winter term 2024/25. Lesson flow chart and material set of different worksheets is part of the download package for each group material which also includes all the worksheets, expectation grids and further materials.
These materials provide teachers:
with a selection of ready-made or easily adaptable worksheets and teaching scenarios that contextualize William Shakespeare and his works through his times, life, language and stage practice.
short lesson flow charts give an overview of phases and activities to implement when using these worksheets.
they can be used as an introduction before studying specific plays, as a while-reading lesson when focusing on a particular play, or as a stand-alone mini teaching unit on Shakespeare.
The M.Ed. students were encouraged to make use of AI tools to generate initial ideas for reading comprehension quizzes and for their annotations as language scaffolding if they also created text sheets with extracts from the play for classroom use.
Format
PDF / Word
License
Citation
“Overview Shakespeare in Context” by Susanne Heinz (Kiel University, CAU) under CC-BY-4.0-International.
Shakespeare in Context – Age 1
Authors
Lasse Gaußmann / Erik Jacobsen / Frithjof Jans / Malte Stötera
Contents
This OER material focuses on historical and social contexts of Shakespeare’s life, particularly the impact of the plague on Elizabethan society. Students engage critically by comparing these experiences to the Covid-19 pandemic, developing both language and analytical skills.
Format
PDF and editable source files (includes reading text, video link, annotated worksheet, and Kahoot quiz)
License
Citation
“Shakespeare in Context: Times” by Lasse Gaußmann, Erik Jacobsen, Frithjof Jans & Malte Stötera (Kiel University / Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel, CAU) under CC-BY-NC-SA-4.0-International.
Shakespeare in Context – Age 2
Authors
Jona Behnke / Lennart Kalke
Contents
This lesson introduces students to the social structures and belief systems of the Elizabethan Age. Through a fact sheet, comprehension tasks, and vocabulary support, learners build foundational knowledge for understanding Shakespeare’s plays in their historical context.
Format
PDF and editable source files (includes fact sheet, comprehension worksheet, and vocabulary support)
License
Citation
“Shakespeare in Context: Times” by Jona Behnke & Lennart Kalke (Kiel University / Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel, CAU) under CC-BY-NC-SA-4.0-International.
Shakespeare in Context – Language 1
Authors
V.A.
Contents
This OER lesson explores the function of Shakespeare’s language within the theatre context. Students analyze how his words convey stage action, setting, and atmosphere, and apply this understanding to a passage from Macbeth.
Format
PDF and editable source files (includes vocabulary aids and comprehension tasks)
License
Citation
“Shakespeare in Context – Language 1“ von V.A. (Universität zu Kiel, CAU) unter CC-BY-NC-SA-4.0-International.
Shakespeare in Context – Language 2
Authors
Carolyn Block
Contents
Students discover Shakespeare’s idioms and their meanings through reading, analysis, and practice tasks. By exploring idioms still used in modern English, learners expand their vocabulary and deepen cultural awareness of linguistic heritage.
Format
PDF and editable source files (includes comprehension tasks, solutions, and online quiz link)
License
Citation
“Shakespeare in Context: Language” by Carolyn Block (Kiel University / Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel, CAU) under CC-BY-NC-SA-4.0-International.
Shakespeare in Context – Language 3
Authors
Jana Fehr
Contents
In this lesson, students explore idioms coined by Shakespeare that remain in today’s English. Through illustrated examples, creative texts, and comprehension tasks, they learn about non-literal meaning and deepen their language awareness.
Format
PDF and editable source files (includes AI-generated illustrations, stories, and quizzes)
License
Citation
“Shakespeare in Context: Language” by Jana Fehr (Kiel University / Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel, CAU) under CC-BY-NC-SA-4.0-International.
Shakespeare in Context – Life 1
Authors
Frankie Arndt / Antonia Richter
Contents
In this lesson, students explore Shakespeare’s family background and the key events that shaped his work as a playwright. Activities include a creative “Wanted Poster,” a fun facts worksheet, and a Kahoot quiz for consolidation.
Format
PDF and editable source files (includes printable worksheets and quiz link)
License
Citation
“Shakespeare in Context: Life” by Frankie Arndt & Antonia Richter (Kiel University / Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel, CAU) under CC-BY-NC-SA-4.0-International.
Shakespeare in Context – Life 2
Authors
Johanna Hamdorf / Lara Marquardt / Jacqueline Peters
Contents
This set of OER worksheets introduces students to William Shakespeare’s life. After reading a short informational text, students reconstruct a timeline of key events and reinforce their knowledge through a Kahoot quiz. The lesson serves as an engaging first encounter with Shakespeare and his historical background.
Format
PDF and editable source files (includes metadata and links to external resources)
License
Citation
“Shakespeare in Context: Life” by Johanna Hamdorf, Lara Marquardt & Jacqueline Peters (Kiel University / Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel, CAU) under CC-BY-NC-SA-4.0-International.
Shakespeare in Context – Life 3
Authors
Madeleine Mörtzschky
Contents
This OER lesson introduces William Shakespeare and his cultural significance. Students learn about his biography and legacy through a video, reading text, and comprehension quiz. The material is designed as a foundation before reading one of his plays in class.
Format
PDF and editable source files (includes embedded video link and quiz worksheet)
License
Citation
“Shakespeare in Context – Life 3“ von Madeleine Mörtzschky(Universität zu Kiel, CAU) unter CC-BY-NC-SA-4.0-International.
Shakespeare in Context – Stage 1
Authors
Annemarie Jessen / Paula Paelke
Contents
This lesson focuses on the playhouses of Shakespeare’s time. Students compare historical and modern theatre design and strengthen their reading and media literacy through comprehension and visual tasks.
Format
PDF and editable source files (includes visual comparison materials, fact sheet, and reading quiz)
License
Citation
“Shakespeare in Context: Stage” by Annemarie Jessen & Paula Paelke (Kiel University / Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel, CAU) under CC-BY-NC-SA-4.0-International.
Shakespeare in Context – Stage 2
Authors
Melissa Schaefer / Jan Schwellnus / Toni Wohlmann
Contents
This OER lesson introduces students to the special effects used in the historical Globe Theatre. The unit combines reading comprehension with visual material and annotation activities to foster textual and contextual understanding.
Format
PDF and editable source files (includes AI-generated image, fact sheet, annotations, and quiz)
License
Citation
“Shakespeare in Context: Stage” by Melissa Schaefer, Jan Schwellnus & Toni Wohlmann (Kiel University / Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel, CAU) under CC-BY-NC-SA-4.0-International.
