Art thou ready to read Shakespeare? But of course! Here you will finde instructions, assignments, definitions, explanations, and other sundry ‘stuff’ which will make reading ‘Much Ado About Nothing’ a zephyr – that is, a breeze! This approach focuses on seeing the big picture, with only the most interesting of extra information included for thine own interest. Read the words of the beloved Bard aloud! Write some of your own! Explore the themes of ‘miscommunication’ and ‘a big fuss about nothing’. . . learn about comedy and tragedy, fashion, and Shakespeare’s humour . . . examine the text one more time, looking for details ‘divine and rare’ . . . memorize a few lines . . . and hark! It is done! Included here are the following: the complete play ‘Much Ado About Nothing’; seven separate sections each containing assignments and information; a glossary of Weird Words, a Biography, and Summaries of Acts and Scenes. This text is well-suited to homeschoolers who do not anticipate putting on the play, or doing other activities that involve collaboration with numerous other people. It is especially aimed at students who are not yet familiar with Shakespeare’s plays, and who will benefit from a light-hearted but meaningful approach to reading them; however, I do recommend beginning with ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ or ‘Julius Caesar’ before proceeding to the slightly more challenging ‘Much Ado About Nothing’. The sections and assignments are as follows: Hark! Methinks I’ll Read the Play (read aloud and learn about types of humour in Shakespeare’s plays) Hark! What Do I Understand? (copying, list, translation and learn about terms/roles/society in the 15th century when the play takes place) Hark! Methinks I Hear A Voice! (memorization of a conversation or a song, learn about the songs of Shakespeare’s theatre) Hark Methinks I’ll Look Again (underline certain features, learn about ‘comedy’ and ‘tragedy’, and whether Much Ado is one of these – or both!) Hark! Methinks I’ll Write Mine Own (Choose between a 5 paragraph essay on the theme of ‘misunderstanding’ or a report on the topic of ‘a big fuss about nothing’ within the play. Detailed guidelines are given. Learn about the importance of telling the truth in Shakespeare’s society.) Hark! Methinks I’ll Draw Awhile! (Contemplate the appearance of characters within the play, learn about ‘fashion’ in the play and in Shakespeare’s time and place.) Stay, Good Friend - There’s More! (Glossary of Weird Words, Brief Biography, Summary of Acts and Scenes, List of Characters and their relationships to one another.) Note: Parents should be cautioned that the play contains mature elements that are not appropriate for students younger than 12.

Art thou ready to read Shakespeare? But of course! Here you will finde instructions, assignments, definitions, explanations, and other sundry ‘stuff’ which will make reading ‘Julius Caesar’ a zephyr – that is, a breeze! This approach focuses on seeing the big picture, with only the most interesting of extra information included for thine own interest. Read the words of the beloved Bard aloud! Write some of your own! Explore the themes of ‘flattery’ and ‘honour’. . . draw three characters’ facial expressions . . . examine the text one more time, looking for details ‘divine and rare’ . . . memorize a few lines . . . and hark! It is done! Included here are the following: the complete play ‘Julius Caesar’; seven separate sections each containing assignments and information, and detailed Summaries of Acts and Scenes. This text is well-suited to homeschoolers who do not anticipate putting on the play, or doing other activities that involve collaboration with numerous other people. It is especially aimed at students who are not yet familiar with Shakespeare’s plays, and who will benefit from a light-hearted but meaningful approach to reading them. The sections and assignments are as follows: Hark! Methinks I’ll Read the Play (Read aloud and learn about the real Julius Caesar and Shakespeare’s historical plays.) Hark! What Do I Understand? (Copying, Lists, Translation and learn about the first edition, which was ‘qvite differente’.) Hark! Methinks I Hear A Voice! (Memorize and perform a speech, and learn about reading aloud effectively.) Hark! Methinks I’ll Look Again (Underline certain features, and look at a simple comparison between the class systems of ancient Rome and Shakespearean England.) Hark! Methinks I’ll Write Mine Own (Choose between writing a 5 paragraph essay on the topic of ‘flattery’ or a report on the topic of ‘honour’ within the play. Detailed guidelines are given. Write your own speech. Learn about men and women in Shakespeare’s theatre and Roman society.) Hark! Methinks I’ll Draw Awhile! (Add facial features to three prepared faces.) Stay, Good Friend - There’s More! (Brief and Ridiculous Comparative Biography of Shakespeare and Caesar, Detailed Summary of Acts and Scenes, List of Characters to keep nearby while reading the play) Note: ‘The Guide’ and ‘The Play’ are in two separate files - you may use your own edition of the play if you prefer, and only download ‘The Guide’.

Art thou ready to read Shakespeare? But of course! Here you will finde assignments, definitions, explanations, and other sundry ‘stuff’ which will make reading ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ a zephyr – that is, a breeze! This approach focuses on seeing the big picture, with only the most interesting of extra information included for thine own interest. Read the words of the beloved Bard aloud! Write some of your own! Explore the theme of ‘dreams’ . . . draw a character . . . examine the text one more time, looking for details ‘divine and rare’ . . . memorize a few lines . . . and hark! It is done! Included here are the following: the complete play ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’; seven separate sections each containing assignments and information; a glossary of Weird Words, a Biography, and Summaries of Acts and Scenes. This text is well-suited to homeschoolers who do not anticipate putting on the play, or doing other activities that involve collaboration with numerous other people. It is especially aimed at students who are not yet familiar with Shakespeare’s plays, and who will benefit from a light-hearted but meaningful approach to reading them. The sections and assignments are as follows: Hark! Methinks I’ll Read the Play (read aloud and learn theatre terms) Hark! What Do I Understand? (copying, list, translation and learn about iambic pentameter) Hark! Methinks I Hear A Voice! (memorization, learn about ‘soliloquy’) Hark Methinks I’ll Look Again (underline certain features, learn more about Shakespeare’s quill and ink) Hark! Methinks I’ll Write Mine Own (Choose between a 5 paragraph essay or a report on the topic of ‘dreams’ within the play. Detailed guidelines are given. Learn about editing and copyright.) Hark! Methinks I’ll Draw Awhile! (Draw a main character, learn about costume and set design.) Stay, Good Friend - There’s More! (Glossary of Weird Words, Brief Biography, Summary of Acts and Scenes. Invent a word and define one from the play that you’ve never seen before.)

Who better to show the usefulness of a well-asked question - and the importance of a clear and concise answer - than Sherlock Holmes? Join Holmes and Watson as they take to the fresh air of Devonshire in search of a horse thief – and likely murderer! When the prized racehorse known as Silver Blaze disappears only days before a race, Holmes presumes that the mystery will solve itself. After all, who could hide a horse for long? The murder of its trainer, however, requires serious attention. This story is suitable for young readers who are ready for a classic murder mystery! (There is a small amount of ‘gory’ detail.) Contents: • The full, original tale of ‘The Adventure of Silver Blaze’, divided into ten short sections Following each section: o Five questions to be answered separately in a student’s notebook o Vocabulary, in alphabetical order, with definitions or synonyms (making the word comprehensible in the story’s context), from the chapter just read o A ‘looking up close’ page, exploring one main theme of the section just read, such as Dartmoor, horseshoes, 19th century farms, walking sticks, etc. (with pictures) Directions: • Read one section of the book at a time. Use the vocabulary list to help with understanding the story (and practise looking things up in alphabetical order). Answer the questions in a separate notebook. Read the ‘looking up close’ page for fun. Enjoy a good, old-fashioned, Sherlock Holmes mystery! Bonus! Includes a set of notebooking pages that can be used to answer questions, write out vocabulary, or in any other way you see fit!

Who better to show the usefulness of a well-asked question - and the importance of a clear and concise answer - than Sherlock Holmes? In ‘A Scandal In Bohemia’, Holmes finds himself assisting none other than the king of Bohemia! The problem seems trivial until the lady involved, one ‘Irene Adler’, proves to possess unexpected cleverness and charm. Could the great Sherlock Holmes find himself outwitted - by a woman? For young readers who are ready for their first Sherlock Holmes mystery (but who would rather not read about murders or ghosts), this story will surely entertain! Contents: • The full, original tale of ‘A Scandal In Bohemia’, divided into ten short sections Following each section: o Five questions to be answered separately in a student’s notebook o Vocabulary, in alphabetical order, with definitions or synonyms (making the word comprehensible in the story’s context), from the chapter just read o A ‘looking up close’ page, exploring one main theme of the section just read, such as cabinet photographs, what a bijou villa is, a Victorian wedding, what iodoform and nitrate of silver are, etc. (with pictures) Directions: • Read one section of the book at a time. Use the vocabulary list to help with understanding the story (and practise looking things up in alphabetical order). Answer the questions in a separate notebook. Read the ‘looking up close’ page for fun. Enjoy a good, old-fashioned, Sherlock Holmes mystery! Bonus! Includes a set of notebooking pages that can be used to answer questions, write out vocabulary, or in any other way you see fit!

Who better to show the usefulness of a well-asked question - and the importance of a clear and concise answer - than Sherlock Holmes? In ‘The Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle’, Holmes’ great detective skills and Watson’s faithful support of his friend are at their most admirable. The disappearance of the famous blue jewel is easily explained . . . or is it? Set at Christmastime in old London, Holmes solves this case with his usual flair - and also, perhaps, saves a man from a life of crime. For young readers who are ready for their first Sherlock Holmes mystery (but who would rather not read about murders or ghosts), this is an excellent tale to start with! Contents: • The full, original tale of ‘The Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle’, divided into ten short sections Following each section: o Five questions to be answered separately in a student’s notebook o Vocabulary, in alphabetical order, with definitions or synonyms (making the word comprehensible in the story’s context), from the chapter just read o A ‘looking up close’ page, exploring one main theme of the section just read, such as hats of the time period, how people lit their homes, the difference between supper and dinner, what betting is, keeping warm in old London, etc. (with pictures) Directions: • Read one section of the book at a time. Use the vocabulary list to help with understanding the story (and practise looking things up in alphabetical order). Answer the questions in a separate notebook. Read the ‘looking up close’ page for fun. Enjoy a good, old-fashioned, Sherlock Holmes mystery! Bonus! Includes a set of notebooking pages that can be used to answer questions, write out vocabulary, or in any other way you see fit!

Who better to show the usefulness of a well-asked question - and the importance of a clear and concise answer - than Sherlock Holmes? In ‘The Adventure of the Red-Headed League’, Holmes and Watson are presented with an odd and seemingly innocent set of clues. Why was the pawn-broker hired by the Red-Headed League – and so suddenly dismissed? It could be that there is more to this mystery than at first meets the eye! In fact, the fortunes of two daring thieves, and a fortune in gold, are at stake. For young readers who are ready for their first Sherlock Holmes mystery (but who would rather not read about murders or ghosts), this is an excellent tale! Contents: • The full, original tale of ‘The Adventure of the Red-Headed League’, divided into ten short sections Following each section: o Five questions to be answered separately in a student’s notebook o Vocabulary, in alphabetical order, with definitions or synonyms (making the word comprehensible in the story’s context), from the chapter just read o A ‘looking up close’ page, exploring one main theme of the section just read, such as pipes, what a pawnbroker is, transportation in Holmes’ time, the Encyclopaedia Britannica, etc. (with pictures) Directions: • Read one section of the book at a time. Use the vocabulary list to help with understanding the story (and practise looking things up in alphabetical order). Answer the questions in a separate notebook. Read the ‘looking up close’ page for fun. Enjoy a good, old-fashioned, Sherlock Holmes mystery!