Winter Park 9th Grade
Elizabethan Arts and Culture Festival
Student Responsibilities
Over the course of this 9-week marking period, students will participate in a deep investigation of the renascence
of arts and culture that occurred during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I of England. Of course, this means tackling
the works of The Bard and engaging in rigorous historical research to cement our understanding in an appropriate
societal context.
However, what makes this experience truly meaningful is the performance requirement. As we progress through
our learning objectives, students will actually develop their own Elizabethan persona. With extensive research,
costume design, dramatic performance, and cooperative event planning, students will host a one-day festival and
share their remarkable efforts with their peers through a fully immersive educational experience.
Participation in the festival, including some attempt at period correct costuming (regardless of performance option),
will also be mandatory.
Classing it Up (research)
The modern perspective on Elizabethan England is shaped largely by the deep, deliberate divisions in social class
that existed during the time period. In order to enrich our understanding of class dynamics and their effects on the
individual, students will draw lots to determine their station in life. After learning their fates, students will begin
the process of researching their assigned class and choosing a performance option that best complements their skills.
Students will show their proficiency in period research by submitting a formal research proposal and composing a
1000-1200 word paper with appropriate citations.
Like the IR projects of previous marking periods, this properly formatted submission will represent 10% of a
student's 9-week grade. However, many additional grades for related class activities may be input in the
'Classwork/Homework' category at the discretion of your child’s instructor. We only include this detail to clarify
that our investigation of Elizabethan culture and the works of Shakespeare will comprise far more than 10% of a
student's overall grade.
All the World’s a Stage (performance)
In addition to the traditional research requirement, students must choose from three available performance options
that will contribute to the ultimate success of the festival. Students will be assessed throughout the marking period
based on their consistent effort and successful collaboration.
Option #1 – Design, create, and wear a costume that accurately portrays clothing worn by a member of your
assigned social class
OR
Research, plan and craft a tangible product demonstrating knowledge of a specific trade or
profession within your assigned class
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First design and plan your concept in intricate detail.
o Create hand-sketches, digital illustration, small-scale modeling, or collage
o Design or source any props or accessories
o The planning for this effort will be assessed and graded
Next, establish a method for keep an ongoing record of your efforts
o Utilize a photo journal or detailed logbook (traditional or digital)
o Note successes, failures, innovations or changes in your process
Finally, your costume must be fabricated and worn on the day of the festival OR your tangible product (or
evidence of its completion) must be submitted according to a schedule pre-arranged with your instructor
o Rubrics for final grading breakdowns will be provided, but are subject to change at the discretion of
your instructor
Option #2 – Create a booth to share the research and knowledge of your Elizabethan social class
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Students interested in this option must submit a proposal to be vetted by a panel of experts
Participants may be absent from other classes during the festival and will be responsible for making up any
work missed
Collaborate with 1-2 peers assigned same social class (you may only collaborate with students that are not
in your class if they share the same instructor or class period)
Provide a table of appropriate size
Information should be presented in concise and visually engaging manner
o Original graphic design or artwork (posters/banner)
o Video or audio accompaniment
Involve some interactive elements
o DAQRI
o Hands-on activities
o Gifts, or prizes for small competition
Option #3 – Select, rehearse and perform a piece of Shakespearean drama for the stage
OR
Select, rehearse and perform music that was popular during the Elizabethan Era
OR
Produce and execute a wandering performance in the minstrel or troubadour tradition
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Students interested in this option must rehearse and audition in front of a panel of experts
Participants may be absent from other classes during the festival and will be responsible for making up any
work missed
Deliver a monologue or collaborate with 1-2 peers on a scene (you may only collaborate with students that
are not in your class if they share the same instructor or class period)
Wear appropriate costuming
o Means by which students costume will not be assessed for this option (rental/purchase acceptable)