Shakespeare's The Tempest: Character Cards for display and matching games (name, role, relationships)

As part of our curriculum teaching, we looked at the play The Tempest by William Shakespeare. Our children found it tricky to learn the names of the characters and work out who was related to who, who had done what to who (including before the play started with Prospero on the boat and Sycorax vs Aerial).

We therefore developed these character cards which we used for a range of activities.

Flashcards

The children learnt to read and pronounce the names of the main characters using the 16 main character cards (including the spirits - see the image files).

Colour coordination

We have colour coordinated each of the characters to link those characters who are related to one another or who have a very strong link to another character - again helping children to see the links within and across the characters.

Flashcards and character information

Once the children had learnt the pronunciation of the character names - they then used the character cards to say who the character was, e.g. Prospero - magician on the island, Miranda - Prospero's daughter. Once the children got the hang of this activity, we then introduced the 32 cards which provide further details about the 16 main characters. Children could then link the cards with the characters and learn more about each individual characters.

Speed Match

How fast can the children link the character profiles to the names of the characters? They can work in groups, pairs of individually to place all 32 profile cards alongside the 16 main character cards.

We found that this activity really invited the children into the world of the play. They understood the back story to Prospero, Caliban, Aerial and Sycorax and understood why Prospero came to be on the enchanted isle - and could therefore understand his desire for revenge, but ultimate forgiveness.

We hope that your children get as much from this activity as ours did!

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Best wishes

INSPIReducation