Yesterday, I dared to suggest that Romeo and Juliet carries great relevance for teens today. Seriously. I presented the essential questions that will guide us in the study of this unit: What makes a good relationship? What makes healthy dating relationships? What makes happy parent/child relationships? What makes enduring friendships?
We began our preparation for the play with an autobiographical write. Students responded to three questions, each about a different kind of relationship: dating, parent/child and friendship. They wrote about their own experiences and observations of these relationships, and in particular, discussed what makes them work, or fall apart.
Then, we had a class discussion around some controversial statements. Students talked about whether teens are capable of falling in love, whether there are some things teens should keep secret from their parents, and whether they would back a friend in a physical altercation. Some really great discussion ensued....
I had students complete an exit slip before leaving class, asking them to tell me what they already know about Shakespeare/Romeo and Juliet, and asking them what they wonder about Shakespeare or the play. Students responses will form the basis of next class's lesson.
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