Romeo and Juliet: A Modern Adaptation Project
Inquiry Framework
Question Framework
Driving Question
The overarching question that guides the entire project.In Romeo and Juliet, how do societal pressures, personal responsibility, and conflicting forces of love and hate intertwine to shape the tragic destinies of the main characters and captivate the audience?Essential Questions
Supporting questions that break down major concepts.- In what ways do social structures and familial expectations influence the choices and destinies of Romeo and Juliet?
- To what extent are Romeo and Juliet responsible for their own tragic ends, and what other factors contribute to their fate?
- How does the theme of love versus hate manifest itself in the play, and what message does Shakespeare convey about these opposing forces?
- In what ways does Shakespeare use dramatic irony and foreshadowing to build suspense and engage the audience in Romeo and Juliet?
Standards & Learning Goals
Learning Goals
By the end of this project, students will be able to:- Examine the influence of social structures and familial expectations on the characters' choices.
- Evaluate the extent of Romeo and Juliet's responsibility for their tragic ends.
- Explore the theme of love versus hate and its impact on the play.
- Investigate Shakespeare's use of dramatic irony and foreshadowing.
Ohio
Entry Events
Events that will be used to introduce the project to studentsThe #VeronaChallenge: Social Media in Shakespeare's World
Introduce a modern-day social media challenge (#VeronaChallenge) where students create content (TikToks, Instagram posts, tweets) imagining how characters from Romeo and Juliet would use social media to express their feelings, share news, and fuel the conflict. This activity encourages creative interpretation and highlights the role of communication (and miscommunication) in the play.'Forbidden Love' Playlist: Soundtrack of Verona
Students create a collaborative playlist representing the emotional landscape of Romeo and Juliet, selecting songs that capture themes of love, hate, family loyalty, and societal pressure. They must justify their song choices, analyzing the lyrics and musical elements to draw parallels with the play's narrative and character development.Verona's Urgent Plea: A Citywide Crisis Broadcast
A simulated news broadcast announces a surge in violence and unrest in Verona, directly linked to a long-standing family feud. Students act as investigative journalists, exploring the historical context and social dynamics fueling the conflict, setting the stage for understanding the play's core themes.Portfolio Activities
Portfolio Activities
These activities progressively build towards your learning goals, with each submission contributing to the student's final portfolio.Figurative Language Finder: Unearthing Shakespeare's Artistry
Students will identify and analyze examples of figurative language in Romeo and Juliet, explaining their effects on the play's meaning and tone.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA collection of analyzed figurative language examples from Act II, explaining their impact on the play.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with L.9-10.5 (Understanding figurative language) and L.9-10.3 (Apply knowledge of language).Evidence-Based Analysis: Tracing Themes of Love and Hate
Students will collect textual evidence to support their analysis of the theme of love versus hate in Romeo and Juliet. They will organize their evidence and write a short analytical paragraph.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityAn analytical paragraph with textual evidence supporting the analysis of love or hate in Act III.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with W.9-10.9 (Draw evidence from texts) and addresses the learning goal: Explore the theme of love versus hate.The Responsibility Verdict: Weighing Romeo and Juliet's Fate
Students will write an argumentative essay exploring the extent to which Romeo and Juliet are responsible for their tragic deaths. They will use textual evidence to support their claims and consider alternative viewpoints.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA five-paragraph argumentative essay arguing the extent of Romeo and Juliet's responsibility for their tragic fate.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with W.9-10.10 (Write routinely over extended time) and W.9-10.9 (Draw evidence from texts). Addresses the learning goal: Evaluate the extent of Romeo and Juliet's responsibility.Rubric & Reflection
Portfolio Rubric
Grading criteria for assessing the overall project portfolioRomeo and Juliet Portfolio Rubric - Grade 9
Figurative Language Analysis
Assessment of student's ability to identify, explain, and analyze the impact of figurative language in Romeo and Juliet.Identification of Figurative Language
Accuracy in identifying and extracting examples of simile, metaphor, personification, and hyperbole from the text.
Exemplary
4 PointsConsistently and accurately identifies a wide range of figurative language examples, demonstrating a sophisticated understanding of their nuances.
Proficient
3 PointsAccurately identifies most examples of figurative language, showing a solid understanding of common techniques.
Developing
2 PointsIdentifies some examples of figurative language, but with occasional inaccuracies or omissions.
Beginning
1 PointsStruggles to identify examples of figurative language, showing limited understanding of the concept.
Explanation of Effect
Clarity and depth in explaining the effect of figurative language on the reader and the play's meaning.
Exemplary
4 PointsProvides insightful and nuanced explanations of how figurative language enhances the play's themes, emotions, and imagery.
Proficient
3 PointsClearly explains the effect of figurative language on the reader's understanding and appreciation of the text.
Developing
2 PointsOffers basic explanations of the effect of figurative language, but may lack depth or specific examples.
Beginning
1 PointsStruggles to explain the effect of figurative language, providing vague or inaccurate interpretations.
Thematic Analysis with Evidence
Evaluation of student's ability to analyze the themes of love or hate using textual evidence from Romeo and Juliet.Selection of Textual Evidence
Relevance and strength of textual evidence chosen to support the analysis of the theme.
Exemplary
4 PointsSelects compelling and insightful textual evidence that strongly supports the chosen theme, demonstrating a deep understanding of the play.
Proficient
3 PointsSelects relevant textual evidence that clearly supports the chosen theme.
Developing
2 PointsSelects some relevant textual evidence, but the connection to the theme may be weak or unclear.
Beginning
1 PointsStruggles to select relevant textual evidence, or the evidence does not support the chosen theme.
Quality of Analysis
Depth and clarity of the analysis explaining how the textual evidence supports the chosen theme.
Exemplary
4 PointsProvides a sophisticated and insightful analysis, thoroughly explaining how the textual evidence supports the chosen theme with depth and nuance.
Proficient
3 PointsProvides a clear and well-supported analysis, explaining how the textual evidence relates to the chosen theme.
Developing
2 PointsOffers a basic analysis, but the explanation of how the textual evidence supports the theme may be superficial or incomplete.
Beginning
1 PointsStruggles to analyze the textual evidence or connect it to the chosen theme.
Argumentative Essay: Responsibility for Fate
Assessment of student's ability to construct an argumentative essay exploring Romeo and Juliet's responsibility for their tragic deaths.Thesis Statement
Clarity and focus of the thesis statement in presenting the student's argument.
Exemplary
4 PointsPresents a clear, focused, and insightful thesis statement that takes a strong position on Romeo and Juliet's responsibility.
Proficient
3 PointsPresents a clear thesis statement that states the student's position on Romeo and Juliet's responsibility.
Developing
2 PointsPresents a thesis statement that is somewhat unclear or lacks focus.
Beginning
1 PointsStruggles to develop a clear thesis statement or take a position on the issue.
Use of Evidence and Argumentation
Effectiveness in using textual evidence to support arguments and counterclaims.
Exemplary
4 PointsEffectively uses a wide range of textual evidence to support arguments and address counterclaims with sophistication and insight.
Proficient
3 PointsUses relevant textual evidence to support arguments and address potential counterclaims.
Developing
2 PointsUses some textual evidence, but the connection to the arguments may be weak or underdeveloped. Counterclaims may be overlooked.
Beginning
1 PointsStruggles to use textual evidence to support arguments or address counterclaims.
Essay Structure and Organization
Coherence and logical flow of the essay, including introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion.
Exemplary
4 PointsPresents a well-organized and coherent essay with a clear introduction, logically structured body paragraphs, and a strong conclusion that effectively summarizes the main points.
Proficient
3 PointsPresents a well-organized essay with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion.
Developing
2 PointsEssay structure is present, but organization may be inconsistent or lack coherence.
Beginning
1 PointsStruggles to organize the essay or develop a coherent structure.