This weekend is Read a Book Day – but at DT+, we help bring literature to life every single day.
From theatrical productions of literary classics like Animal Farm and The Wind in the Willows, to bitesized resources that decode Shakespeare’s archaic language or unfamiliar contexts, our educational materials are designed with modern students in mind.
Here’s how DT+ can help you encourage even the most reluctant of readers…
Make literature feel 'relatable'
For many students, motivation is the biggest obstacle to inspiring a love for reading. Even the most avid of readers know the struggle of finishing a book you’re not enjoying, and for students who feel they are being ‘forced’ to read, this feeling is all too common.
By helping students to see themselves reflected in the story, the act of reading becomes more relatable, and this relatability helps improve attention span and comprehension levels.
When lesson time is already limited, theatrical productions are a great way to help students connect with the story. These filmed productions:
- Transplant the narrative into a media format that students are more familiar with
- Puts ‘faces to names’, helping students gain a deeper understanding of character
- Allow students to see diverse and varied interpretations, encouraging them to think critically and creatively about the nuance of the original text
The value of theatrical productions shines when it comes to Shakespeare, and DT+ is home to an ever-growing, varied selection, from true-to-text productions to modern reimaginings.
Our latest addition is an excellent example of this – watch the trailer for the Donmar Warehouse’s 2019 Macbeth starring David Tennant and Cush Jumbo below…
Unlock access to this production of Macbeth today...
Facilitate discussions about literature
Even once students have begun to ‘relate’ to a piece of literature, they may struggle to find the words to discuss it – and in a classroom setting, this can present as a lack of active participation.
Digital Theatre+ solves this challenge by providing e-learning materials that help students find the words, and explore new areas of a text in deeper, more meaningful ways.
Our Unlocked series is a great place to start. Each unlocked series focuses on a specific text or aspect of the arts (from genre, to style, to creating a character).
For example, if you are struggling to engage students with Great Expectations, our Unlocked series on the text can prompt discussion with:
- Short, accessible videos unlocking structure, theme, language, and character
- A 50-page study guide including an introduction to Charles Dickens, a plot summary of the text, overviews of key characters and themes, and a glossary of key terms
The e-learning videos and accompanying study guide include short, text-specific activities for students to work through, such as mapping the theme of ‘Ambition’ onto characters in the play, and encouraging students to find quotes from the text that explain their reasoning.
Explore the Unlocked series with a free trial to Digital Theatre+...
Build a consistent routine
Often, students begin studying a new text by reading it… and then, they move on to character analysis and historical research.
Instead, encourage your students to make reading a part of their daily routine. One day, they might read 50 pages in a single sitting, and the next, only manage five minutes before they fall asleep – remind them that this is the point!
As with any good habit, the goal is to stay consistent.
To help your students make a habit of reading, we’ve put together this ‘Book Recommendation’ poster.
Each week, choose one student to recommend a book they love. Over the next few days, encourage this student to talk about why they love this book, and take a show of hands to see who else has already read it.
!! Laminate this resource for a reusable classroom poster, or print a new copy each week and keep a record of all the books that have been recommended over the year!