Back to the Future – Forthwith!

Introduction – Task – Process – Evaluation - Conclusion

Introduction

• You know you aren’t supposed to be playing in your genius little brother’s laboratory, but there’s nothing good on TV, and Mom has taken little Iago to the dentist to get his wisdom teeth pulled. You tinker around with all his latest experiments, then discover a large egg-shaped pod gathering dust in the corner. You sit inside the plush velvet seat, and the red blinking button on the dash calls out to you like a siren. You can’t resist and…..ZAP!! You are transported back in time to Elizabethan England. O slings of outrageous fortune!! What will you do?!

Task

• “My kingdom for a DeLorean!” You must get back to the future, but how? You remember reading a little plaque near the red button just before your fateful move. What did it say? “You must understand the past before you can progress to the future.” That’s it! Your task is to become completely immersed in the Elizabethan culture – this is the key to getting back home. (And when you get there, oh boy -- is Iaggy going to get it!)
• You and your teammates will perform a 15-minute sketch in class depicting a day in the life of some Elizabethan citizens – commoners, nobility, or both. You can discuss current events or re-enact an historical event from the era. You will have access to costumes from the drama department and you must speak in Elizabethan English; at least 1 minute of your dialogue must be spoken in iambic pentameter. You can include famous people in your sketch or quote short pieces of popular literature. The focus should be on capturing the spirit and flavor of the period. You will also complete a written report of your research into the different areas, dividing the workload among your team members. Make it real, or you won’t make it back to the future, McFly.

Process

· You must learn to live like an English citizen during the Elizabethan period. To accomplish this mission, you and your teammates will need to find out about:

· Elizabethan fashion and hygiene

· Art, entertainment and sports

· Language, food and customs

· The political and legal system

· The economic system

· Religion and education

· Science and medicine

· Daily life for the commoners and the nobility

· Current events and newsmakers

· Here are some good general sites:

Elizabethan England

Life in Elizabethan England

Teacher Resources

· This is a good Language site to help you learn the Elizabethan dialect.

Evaluation

· Written report (40% of final grade) to be graded by the teacher using the expository essay rubric given at the beginning of the semester. In your report you must show evidence of equal participation and contribution by all group members.

· Peer evaluation of in-class sketch (60% of final grade) using the oral presentation rubric given at the beginning of the semester.

Conclusion

· Alas, thou loggerheaded, urchin-snouted canker blossom, if thou hast completed thy task to the best of thine ability, thou knowest much ado about the Elizabethan age and all the enchantment therein. Art thou ready to meet the greatest Elizabethan of all? (Besides the Queen, thou spongy, flap-mouthed moldwarp!)