Macbeth
8th Grade Macbeth Teaching Unit

Macbeth

Drama Teaching Unit for 8th Grade (6 Lesson Plans)

This teaching unit introduces Shakespeare’s famous Scottish play to the students. Readings of extracts from the play are explored through a number of drama forms to help the students engage with the script, the plot and the characters. Theatrical forms include improvisation, physical theatre, frozen pictures, split scenes and mime.

Each lesson plan has clearly stated objectives and learning outcomes. They are structured to include introductory warm up, development and plenary sessions. A homework task is also included.

MacbethTooltip

The teaching unit contains 6 drama lesson plans.

  • Lesson 1: Castles
    Students look at castles and use physical theatre to portray different moods and atmospheres.

  • Lesson 2: Introduction to Macbeth
    The opening plot is introduced through a visualisation exercise and a class soundscape of the heath and the sea.

  • Lesson 3: Macbeth’s Motivation
    Props are used to support an improvisation session with characters from the play (props are included!), with the introduction of Lady Macbeth.

  • Lesson 4: A Guilty Feeling
    The concept of guilt is explored through mime, as the plot develops in Act 3, Scene 4.

  • Lesson 5: The Prophecy Fulfilled
    The end of the play is covered with a slow motion fight sequence performed with limited dialogue.

  • Lesson 6: Lady Macbeth and Macbeth’s Downfall
    A whole class improvisation is used to help understand the role of Lady Macbeth and her part in Macbeth’s downfall.

Supporting materials include

  • Macbeth, Act 1, Scene 3
  • Macbeth, Act 1, Scene 7
  • Macbeth, Act 3, Scene 5
  • Macbeth, Act 5, Scene 8
  • Cut-out props

Additional resources are included in the appendices

  • End Of Unit Self-Assessment Form

The document is supplied as a PDF file, readable on most computers.