A Midsummer Night's Dream illustration by John Shelley

KS1 and KS2 | Objective: To become familiar with the setting and some of the characters of ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’, culminating in a live performance of the story of Titania and Oberon.

Duration: 60-70 minutes, can be divided into more than one session

  • Useful Resources
    Video summary of the play, such as: RSC Midsummer Night’s Dreaming: Billy Trailer (2 minutes), BBC Shakespeare in Shorts (3.5 mins), Shakespeare The Animated Tales (25.5 minutes)
  • A copy of the play script or a summary

Activities: 

  • Introduce the Play (10 minutes)
  • The Enchanted Forest (10 minutes)
  • Soundscape (10 minutes)
  • Rainstorm (5 minutes)
  • Stop, Go, Jump, Clap, Show Me (10 minutes)
  • Storytelling Whoosh (15 minutes)
  • Reflection (5 minutes)
  • Suggested Extension Activities

The complete 8-page lesson plan includes the full Storytelling Whoosh, which has been used by David Farmer and many other teachers with children ranging from 5 years to adults. It also includes a photocopiable illustration (A4 size) which children can annotate or colour in.

Click the button to download the full 8-page Midsummer Night’s Dream Drama Unit (PDF) for just £4.97 with PayPal.

‘I was particularly inspired by how to manage teaching Shakespeare and the real emotion provoked by the refugee unit! I will be rewriting our schemes of work to incorporate as many new ideas as possible.’

Jennifer Carr Course Participant, February 2019
Jennifer Carr