With support, young adolescents crave the challenge of learning about serious ideas through serious literature. Middle-level learners also enjoy opportunities to become immersed in activities that foster a deeper understanding of serious ideas. After discussing the value of using serious narrative literature, a rationale is provided for supporting…

Students frequently react negatively to the idea that they are going to study Shakespeare, but many teachers get students excited about studying Shakespeare by involving them in their learning. In this article, the author describes how she developed and implemented a plan to engage students in Shakespeare. She set the stage by transforming the…