Sixth-Grade Reading Classes Dramatize A Midsummer’s Night Dream and Freak the Mighty
By Paula Merwin, Sixth-Grade Reading Teacher

Additional Links:
Front Page
Communications Center

Sixth-grade reading students saw literature come to life this spring with two end-of-year productions. Working in separate groups, the girls presented Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream while the boys performed an adaptation of Rodman Philbrick’s Freak the Mighty, which, while full of adventure, also touches on themes of self-esteem, being different, and sensitivity to others.

Having gender-based classes throughout the year made the selection of the pieces much easier. They were two very different subjects: one classical, appealing more to the girls in content, and one contemporary, action-packed, and very age-and-boy appropriate.

“I had wanted to try A Midsummer Night's Dream for several years because I think early exposure reduces resistance to Shakespeare,” said sixth-grade reading teacher Paula Merwin, “and I guessed the subject would appeal more to the girls. Freak the Mighty was a timely opportunity, as I knew Philbrick's novels would be summer reading for rising 7th grade students, and he will be our visiting author in October.”

A Midsummer Night’s Dream
A Midsummer Night’s Dream in the original text was ambitious for such young students to attempt, but they came to grips with the meaning of the language as they worked with it, a more exciting approach than didactic analysis. While not everyone reached a point where they were comfortable letting go of the script and working from memory, many studied for hours, dared to let the script go, and manfully worked through it. The production was created by the students, improvised from materials at hand, with costumes and props generously provided and shared by the girls and their families. The fun of dressing up was a big part of the pleasure.

Freak the Mighty
The boys were already familiar with Rodman Philbrick’s work, having studied The Young Man and the Sea earlier in the year. Freak the Mighty is a story about two lonely and beleaguered boys who find strength in each other in the face of unkindness and pain. The boys were less interested in the costume aspect of this play, but were resourceful in creating makeshift sets. The students enacted the scenes well and showed glimmers of real insight into their characters. It was a rewarding experience and fun to watch.

The Productions
Though much guidance was provided initially, once the students began blocking and working with the dialogue, they began to interpret the works on their own and as their comprehension grew, they began to use more expression. Students provided all of the props and costumes and prepared the slides we used as back-drops. I am convinced the depth of comprehension accessible through drama is significant.

Switching Gender Roles
Role selection began with an introduction about the theatrical tradition of boys playing women in Elizabethan times. Students were asked to volunteer for the character they would like to play, and a lottery was held to select who would get each part. Girls were asked to be "brave" and try the men's parts; there were ample volunteers and no problem in performing them, apart from mild embarrassment at being "gallant" to a schoolmate, also a girl! The boys who volunteered for the roles of the "biker chick," the grandma, and the teacher had fun dressing up and really enjoyed it.

Experiencing literature in a slightly different and more creative way was a great way for sixth grade students to end the school year.