Last night, we took a break from packing to go see a local college's (FREE!!!) production of  "Taming of the Shrew". I sent the girls to a cousin's house. I knew they would appreciate the sets and the costumes, but that would last about 10 minutes. So just my 11 and 13 yr. old boys went with me. Now, I don't know about you, but I wasn't expecting a whole lot from two outdoorsy, adolescent boys concerning a Shakespeare play, The language can be difficult, the times portrayed are foreign and some of the humor was probably still a little out of reach for them. I was requiring them to go and I figured they would be very relieved when it was over.

What a surprise when we were leaving!! My 11 year old claimed he understood every word! Lofty claim, becasue I was having trouble keeping up with the dialogue at several points. My 13 year old said he liked it alot. Is my crew actually tameable??? This may have been a fluke, but both boys came home and told their dad what a good play it was. After hearing the boys tell of  it, the girls were begging to go to a Shakespeare play! I will check with my husband this morning to make sure that I am not simply relating a dream to you: )

Taming of the Shrew was a good first Shakespeare because it included lots of physical comedy. The actors and actresses did a great job conveying the dialogue with body language. The costumes and set were, indeed, beautiful! I laughed out loud many times during the play. Great stuff!!

Several years ago we used a curriculum called, "Shakespeare for Children." It introduces young elementary students to Shakespeare in hopes that they will build a positive mindset towards it early on. It was fun and we enjoyed our study, then. But last night was the real test. So far, so good. My kids still don't know that Shakespeare is a drag and too difficult to understand.

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Posted by ApplesofGold

Wow-that sounds like an awesome opportunity!!
We have listened to The Taming of the Shrew & A Midsummer Night's Dream-it was thoughtly abridged and narrated by Jim Weiss.
The kids loved it!
I hope to take them to a Shakespeare Play someday.
Holly

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Posted by ktneis

I tis amazing what our kids can grasp, they are homeschoolers your know, hehe We haven't seen any Shakespeare around here yet, my brother-in-law does drama in school but he is into western musicals more. I enjoyed all your pictures, your kids look alot like you, those genes are working well, so cute. You guys have a eye for interesting picture taking. My pics are basic angles. Enjoying FL I miss it.

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Posted by sockmonkey

First of all, I LOVE the slideshow! You have some real photographers there! Second, I didn't know you had a daughter named Jenna...we have that in common! Third, my dad (and mom) also live in (well, near) Tampa, where I went to college (U of Tampa). Hope you've had a good time at Lowry Park and Ft. DeSoto. My kids like MOSI near USF...have you made it there?

I've been *way* busy and I'm trying to catch up on your blog. I'm interested in that Shakespeare for Kids curriculum....I'm going to look that up. Glad y'all had fun and your young scholars can understand the King's English! Blessings!

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Posted by CarpeBanana

Sounds like a wildly successful outing. :)

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