Romeo and Juliet: Insight into Ourselves

Lesson Summary:
Students use Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet to look at personal responsibility, the individual's freedom of choice, and the effect of one's actions on others.

Students will research the historical background of the story, as well as Shakespeare's time, to better understand the play. Students will pair with assigned epals and discuss the differences they see between Shakespeare's time and their own, their impressions, and reflections. They will present arguments in Verona's court to support whether Romeo and Juliet's deaths were the result of fate, other people's decisions and actions, or their own choices. Using these arguments, students will then write a jury statement (essay) discussing their findings and who or what they find guilty.

After reading the play, students will apply the themes and issues within the play to modern life and work on solutions to age-old problems, such as communicating with parents, combating hate crimes/violence, and preventing suicide. Students will work in teams to make plans and products targeting their chosen issue to positively impact their communities. They will research the current needs and resources of the community and determine a course of action.

Unit Plan
Romeo and Juliet Unit Plan

Implementation Plan

Student Samples
Teenager-Parent Communication (PowerPoint)

     Action Plan

     Research Form

     Presentation Handout

     Script

Suicide Prevention Brochure (Publisher file)

     Action Plan

     Research Form

Student Support Materials
Action Plan Template

Brochure Template

Epal Discussion Form

Jury Report Checklist

Research Form

Reading Shakespeare's Plays: Understanding Elizabethan English

Teacher Support Materials
Literary Terms

Ranking Social Offenses Activities

Romeo and Juliet Act 1 Quiz
Romeo and Juliet Act 2 Quiz

Romeo and Juliet Act 3 Quiz

Romeo and Juliet Act 4-5 Quiz

Romeo and Juliet Unit Test

Evaluation Tool

Romeo and Juliet Project Rubric