Author(s): Alex Rudkins

What Does This Coding Activity Involve?

Students will create a tableau of a key scene from Macbeth. They will code in different actions so that the user can click various objects/characters and uncover key information “behind the scene”.

Lesson Introduction:

Sort students into groups. Give each group 10  minutes to re-create a scene from Macbeth as a group using whatever they have in the classroom. Emphasize the importance of staging, where characters are facing, and how the “room” is organized. Have each group present their tableau, and then discuss as a class the extra layer of meaning that staging can bring to a play.

How to work on it:

Students will pick a key scene from Macbeth, and create a tableau of that scene in scratch. They will work on a code that will allow people to click various characters/items in the tableau. They can code in a variety of actions that they believe will add to the tableau:  a pop-up of key information about that character/object, a specific motion/action for that character, the character moving to another location and talking, certain music playing, etc. The placement of those items and characters should be intentional, aiming to replicate what the scene might look like on stage.

The consolidation portion:

Students will set up their scratch programs, and have a class gallery where they can walk around and explore their classmate’s tableaus.

How are students learning to code?

Students will learn how to make sprites do specific actions, as well as how to smoothly transition sprites between scenes.

How are students coding to learn?

Students will use this coding to learn and practice critical thinking skills regarding plays, staging, and intention.

Further resource information:

Cost: Free for basic levels

URL Link: https://codecombat.com/play

Tags: Coding, scene, shakespeare, macbeth, tableau, clues, context