Below is a sample lesson for Romeo and Juliet. The Romeo and Juliet Unit Plan available at www.EnglishUnitPlans.com is full of amazing lessons, assignments, handouts, etc.
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1. Distribute Handout #2 – Character Chart
2. Today we are going to start a character chart to keep a record of what each character is like. Just put them in the order in which they appear. Start with Benvolio and Tybalt since we read and watched their parts yesterday.
3. Discuss Romeo as he appeared in the film version of scene 1. Point out how brooding and emotional he is. Who is he in love with (it’s not Juliet)? Watch it again if the students need reminding.
4. Now enter Romeo into the character chart as well.
5. Arranged Marriage Pros and Cons – create a web with the words “Arranged Marriage” in the middle. List the pros on the left on the cons on the right. Have the students spend five minutes listing them individually before you discuss it as a group and fill in more. Push them to think of positives for arranged marriage.
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6. Now read Scene 2 together. In this very short scene, Paris (a respected nobleman), is asking Capulet for his blessing for Paris to marry Juliet (who is only 13). Capulet tells Paris to be patient, to wait a bit for Juliet to grow up, and to win her heart. Paris isn’t concerned with Juliet’s age and points out that “Younger than she are happy mothers made.”
7. Discuss how things have changed in our society.
8. Add Paris to the Character Chart.
9. Opinion Paragraph – At what age are people ready for marriage? (opinion, reasons, examples, conclusion)
10. Discuss opinions.
