By Rosie Chavez Posted March 4, 2022
Mr. Brett Westmoreland’s sophomore English classes are performing Shakespeare’s play Macbeth instead of reading out of old textbooks.
Why would an English class do theater you may ask, “Shakespeare is meant to be experienced; it is not simply meant to be read,” said Westmoreland.“Students better understand by interacting with the script scenes and working on meaning-making.”
Other English II classes such as Mr. Jeff Setzer’s class are watching the play, reading it, and having discussions as they go on.
Westmoreland’s sophomore English classes are creating and getting a deeper understanding of Macbeth.
“By lifting the play from the pages [of the textbooks], they are able to live in the world of Macbeth and Shakespeare,” said Westmoreland. “They are doing phenomenal with this unit. Rather than dread Shakespeare, they are excited and engaged with the lessons. Students have been enjoying Shakespeare so much that they are working on the play at home and even asking if they can take the book home to work on their parts.”
Westmoreland is showing up time and time again with his creative skills in his English classes.
“The students gave me the idea to bring Macbeth to life,” said Westmoreland. “They have expressed their concerns and frustrations with Shakespeare and have given me feedback to meet their needs. Our class is constructed as a place of education through collaboration. Through collaboration between student and teacher, we decided to construct the world of Macbeth rather than just read Macbeth.”
