Romeo and Juliet Activities
Good Morning,
I am pleased that you find the Romeo and Juliet assignments useful.
It's fine if you paste them on your web page. I want you to know,
however, that all of these are not my original ideas. They come from
years of courses, reading, and discussion.
I tried to fix up the messy copy that was posted. It follows this note.
Should you decide to use the project, credit as:
Margaret Murray, Lynn Classical High School, Lynn, MA
Seventy percent new material in Atwell's book? That's certainly worth
the money. I look forward to your review.
I tried to use the workshop in my freshman English classes last year. It
was very time consuming and I had to limit it. I do think that allowing
the students directed choice, time to read, and response time is very
important. The students enjoy it as well, and if they become students
who love to read, then I am delighted. I am hoping that the second
edition will have material for teachers like me who have a full
curriculum to cover.
I do teach one upper level course which I am trying to run as a reading
workshop. Last year was the first year. They chose books from a class
collection, kept journals, chatted with me, read in class as well as
outside, and wrote for me. The class was a little to quiet though - not
much student-to-student activity. I am looking for ways to perk it up?
Did I ask you for ideas yet? (25 student and 25 different titles)
Margaret
Literary Portfolio Romeo and Juliet
(These activities should be done during our reading of the play and
following the presentations based on research into Shakespearešs world.)
Compile a list of ten favorite quotations from the entire play.
Following each quotation, in at least two sentences explain why the
quotation is important.Consider: Does it characterize? Does it indicate
a complication? Is a theme implied? Does it demonstrate point of view?
Is the impact of the setting revealed? Include five Wšs. Due within two
days following our completion of the play .
Upon completion of an act, assume the persona of a character. Write the
diary entry that this character might have written as a result of
his/her experiences during the act. You must assume the persona of a
different character for each act. Each diary entry must be at least 150
words. Respond. Do not summarize, but do include specific evidence from
the text.Submit each response within two days of completion of the act.
Be an active reader.During your reading of each act, record five
questions you would ask the characters if you could. Tell why you want
these questions answered.
Imagine you are a reporter for the Verona Times. Write a news story
about an important event in the play.Use at least 150 words.Do not write
about the scene in the tomb.
Imagine that a character from Romeo and Juliet has been
transplanted to Lynn in 1997. In complete sentences answer at least five
of the following questions.Be sure to explain your answers.
What in our world would shock this character? What would let anyone
know this character is not the average citizen? What serious matters
could you and the character talk about? About which important values
would you disagree? What would your parents think about this
character? What social causes would this character support? What TV
program would most appeal to this character? What religious beliefs
would appeal to or appall this character? Your choice...
Write a summary of Act VI. What happens to the survivors one, five, or
ten years later? Select one character on which to focus. Your
predictions must be logical extensions of the characterization by
Shakespeare.
Choose one of the following activities:
Create an 8 1/2 x 11 visual aid demonstrating any five Shakespearean
terms, such as aside, allusion, etc.Consult your notes or the
instructional materials at the end of each act of the play. (5 visuals)
Illustrate with relevant art five of the significant quotations you
collected. (5 visuals)
Create a five-panel mural for one element of fiction: theme,
characterization, setting (5 visuals). Each panel should be 8 1/2 x
11inches.
Imagine you are a drama critic during Elizabethan times. Write a review
of an imaginary Elizabethan production. Comment on the entire theater
experience. (three paragraphs)
Imagine you are Oprah. Write the script of a show featuring the
Montagues and the Capulets. (2 pages)
Design magazine advertisements for five products which would appeal to
an Elizabethan audience. Include pictures and print. (5 visuals)
Create a five page scrapbook for any character in the play with the
exception of Romeo and Juliet. Include a few sentences to indicate the
significance of each souvenir.
Email: kglee@webtv.net
