Editor's note: For the teaching of Shakespeare, Gina recommended the use of "fun facts" and biography in order to pique students' interest. While Shakespeare's language may not be immediately understood and appreciable, the facts about his life may be appealing and amusing.

In addition to giving biographical information about Shakespeare, Gina recommended having students render this information into poetry, as she has done here. Writing such poems helps retention, and students can give themselves exposure to language in verse by writing their own poems.

Gina's poem about Shakespeare recalls dedicatory poems written to Shakespeare in the 17th century, such as Ben Jonson's "To The Memory of My Beloved the Author, Mr. William Shakespeare." Thus, such "fun fact" poems about Shakespeare or any author--written before or after students read their works--can function as a catalogue of critical appreciation.

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William Shakespeare was the
Best British writer of all time
His many works are about life,
Love, death, revenge, grief, jealousy,
murder, magic, mystery and crime.
He wrote blockbuster plays
Some include Macbeth, Romeo and Juliet, and Hamlet.
He married a lady name Anne Hathaway
Shakespeare wrote 38 plays and 154 sonnets.
He never wore a wig or a bonnet.
William Shakespeare lived to the age of 52.
Uniquely he was born and died on the say day too!