Turning Boring Lessons into Engaging Experiences: Lessons from Key & Peele
Posted by Kewanta Greer on Mar 3rd 2025
Teaching isn’t always about the fun, exciting topics. Sometimes, you have to teach the lesson that feels as dull as watching paint dry. But here’s the thing—it doesn’t have to be boring! A seemingly snooze-worthy lesson can become something students actually want to learn. And when students are engaged, academic achievement increases, and discipline issues decrease. Isn’t that what every teacher wants?
Netflix, Chillout n’ Teach
Welcome to a series called, Netflix, Chillout n’ Teach, where we find creative ways to make learning fun! Today, we’re taking inspiration from the comedic geniuses Key & Peele and their hilarious sketch, They Really Did That to Othello. This skit takes the classic Shakespearean tragedy and flips it into a modern, relatable, and engaging conversation. So, let’s break down how you can take their approach and transform dull lessons into dazzling ones!
A Passion Infusion
Right from the start, the Key & Peele characters are fully immersed in what they just watched - the first act of Othello. They’re animated, passionate, and emotionally invested. That’s the energy you need to bring to your classroom! When you show excitement for the material, your students will feed off your energy. Passion is contagious.
Another tactic used in the skit is mixing the language of Shakespeare with modern-day slang. You can do the same by updating the language of older texts, using analogies, and finding contemporary references to create interest. Give students a reason to care!
Make It Relatable
One of the most powerful moments in the sketch is when the characters realize how unique Othello’s story is. This moment highlights the importance of representation and relatability. When students see themselves in the material, they feel more connected and engaged.
To apply this in the classroom, draw connections between historical events and current issues. Use characters from pop culture to explain classic literary figures. Find ways to highlight the relevance of what students are learning in their everyday lives.
Humor Can Increase Engagement
Key & Peele’s approach to Shakespeare is hilarious because it makes fun of the outdated aspects of the play while making it accessible. Humor is a powerful teaching tool! Whether it’s through jokes, memes, or funny reenactments, laughter can make even the driest lesson come alive.
Encourage students to rewrite parts of a story in a comedic way. Have them act out exaggerated versions of historical events. When students are laughing, they’re learning!
If You Know, You Know
"Moor, Please!"
In the sketch, the line "Moor, please!" is an inside cultural reference. This kind of “if you know, you know” humor makes students feel like they’re in on something special.
You can create this dynamic in your class by encouraging students to use what they’ve learned in creative ways. Have them create memes or inside jokes based on the lesson. The more personally invested they are, the more they’ll remember!
Reframing for Better Understanding
Key & Peele playfully reframe Shakespeare’s plot in a way that makes it more digestible. You can do the same in your teaching. Encourage students to reinterpret difficult material in their own words. Have them retell a story in a different genre (e.g., turning Hamlet into a sci-fi adventure). Let them transform lessons into something fun and memorable.
Make It Personal
In the sketch, the characters take the events of Othello very personally, reacting as if it just happened in real life. This is a great way to deepen engagement. Ask students to connect personally with the lesson. How would they have felt in that situation? What alternative choices could they have made?
You can also let students rewrite history. What if a historical event had gone differently? What if a character had made a different decision? These kinds of discussions get students thinking critically and emotionally about the lesson.
Redefining Vocabulary
The skit cleverly redefines words to fit modern contexts. You can do this in your teaching by helping students put key vocabulary into their own words. Have them create modern definitions, use the words in creative sentences, or compare them to something they’re familiar with.
Representation Matters
At the end of the sketch, the characters demand a new black hero on stage. This highlights the importance of representation in storytelling and education. In your classroom, make sure students see themselves in the material you teach. Encourage them to explore different perspectives, write from alternative viewpoints, and create projects that reflect their own experiences.
Ride the Momentum
Once you’ve hooked your students with an engaging lesson, keep the momentum going! Use their newfound interest as a bridge into your next topic. Engagement breeds curiosity, and curiosity leads to deeper learning.
Your Challenge: Make a Boring Lesson Exciting
Now it’s your turn! Pick that one lesson you dread teaching and give it a Key & Peele spin. Get creative, be unexpected, and make your students laugh, think, and engage. They’ll thank you for it!