Year 6: Macbeth

Year 6 began their new Literacy topic this week: Macbeth. After learning some key biographical facts about its author, William Shakespeare, the children couldn't wait to delve into the play. Recreating the eerie scene of the heath through drama, our budding actors met their first characters - Macbeth and his trusty comrade, Banquo. Both noble soldiers spotted something unusual on the heath during their journey home after a victorious battle against Norway: three witches. With many questions the children wanted answered whizzing through the classroom, their first task was to use sensory description to paint a picture of the heath with words.

"Norway has been defeated; I am victorious in battle. Alongside my faithful friend, Banquo, we will return to the King happy men. Scotland is safe and the King will surely reward me.

However, all is not well with me. I am confused by a strange event which took place as I returned home...

Perched on the broad backs of our horses, Banquo and I made our way across the mysterious heath, which was waterlogged with rain. Lightning illuminated the Heath although it was almost impossible to see through the thick, murky fog that enveloped it. Booming through the inky black sky was a deafening clap of thunder; the smell of smoke filled the air, almost disguising the putrid, foul smell that lingered on my tongue. With my horse's reins clutched tightly in my shaking hands, she bucked and reared with all of her might; my instincts willed me to go on. Nothing would stop me. That's when I saw them...three of them, lurking in the distance. Three cackling witches."

Megan


It was soon time to reveal what the witches wanted with Macbeth and Banquo. On the heath, the witches gave Macbeth a message:


"All hail Macbeth, Thane of Glamis,
All hail Macbeth, Thane of Cawdor,
All hail Macbeth, who shall be King hereafter."


Using freeze frame and thought tracking, they explored Macbeth's thoughts and feelings about the prophecy the witches had given him.


Children are looking forward to finding out more as the story unfolds over the coming weeks.