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
A Midsummer Night's Dream illustration by John Shelley

A Midsummer Night’s Dream (5-11 years)

Drama activities based on ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’, including a live performance of the story of Titania and Oberon
Cinderella - Listen To Me - Restorative Justice (5-11 years)

Cinderella – Listen To Me – Restorative Justice (5-11 years)

Explore bullying issues through the story of Cinderella using drama, writing and restorative justice techniques
Commedia dell'arte Drama Unit

Commedia dell’arte Drama Unit

Commedia dell’arte began in the marketplaces of 16th-century Europe as improvised theatre which was rude, funny and satirical.
Drama Games for Language Teaching (teenage to adult)

Drama Games for Language Teaching (teenage to adult)

14 easy to use drama games and activities suitable for a range of ages and language levels.
Funnybones Drama and Dance Unit (5-7 years)

Funnybones Drama and Dance Unit (5-7 years)

Practical and funny drama and dance activities linked to this evergreen story (5-7 years)
Introducing Augusto Boal  (12 years to adult)

Introducing Augusto Boal (12 years to adult)

3 full-length practical sessions introducing the work of the revolutionary Brazilian theatre maker.
The Gruffalo Drama Activities (4-7 years)

The Gruffalo Drama Activities (4-7 years)

Explore familiar themes and characters through improvisation and role play.
The King's Sentence - a world without words

The King’s Sentence – a world without words

Lesson plan and original story for KS2 exploring non-verbal communication through gesture and sign language.
The Musicians of Bremen Script

The Musicians of Bremen Script

Sparkling short play script of the Brothers Grimm tale for KS2 performance.
The Refugee Cat Drama Unit (5-11 years)

The Refugee Cat Drama Unit (5-11 years)

The incredible real-life story of a refugee family and their cat told through storytelling, discussion and drama activities.
The Tiger Child Drama Unit

The Tiger Child Drama Unit

A range of drama and storytelling activities based on a traditional Indian folk-tale for KS1 and reception.
World War Two Evacuees Drama Unit

World War Two Evacuees Drama Unit

Explore the experience of World War Two evacuees using media, drama strategies and a fictional story.