My students come from all types of backgrounds and socioeconomic statuses. The students embrace their diversity and value one another despite their differences. Many of these students do not have much, but they are compassionate and give what they can during many service projects throughout the year. They are full of personality, and I love having them fill my classroom.
My freshmen are inquisitive and energetic learners who do much better when they can make connections with what they are reading.
They love to participate, especially when it means they can get out of their seats.
My Project
Shakespeare didn't mean for his works to be passively read by bored students, so I don't want to teach his works that way. In addition to reading a more traditional copy of Romeo and Juliet, I want to supplement my curriculum with a graphic novel and other resources that will enable my students to have fun and engage with the text.
We will be acting, having sword fights, creating poetry, making masks, comparing media, writing, reading, and drawing.
We will explore the structure of Shakespeare's language and poetry by using magnetic poetry on cookie sheets. To introduce the students to the characters, each student will have a name tag and character description as they circulate throughout the room and greet other characters during a "cast party." They will be performing the text as they read it, including having epic sword fights with foam swords. They will use the craft materials to create masks for the masquerade. They will also compare some scenes in the regular text to the version in the graphic novel to interpret the characters' reactions to certain plot events.
Students learn better when they work together and have fun. With the right materials, this unit can be something students remember.
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