Challenge 13

I am currently not teaching in a regular public classroom.  I teach at-risk female adolescents in a girls' group home.  At the current time, I am on maternity leave.  I do however think that this project would be fun if I were to be teaching in a regular public classroom.  Romeo and Juliet is a topic that I feel very passionately about, and I think that if students were able to understand the content within all of the confusing language, they too would truly enjoy Romeo and Juliet.

Project Name: Romeo and Juliet Hot Topic

Website URL: to be created

Location: Any 9th grade classroom studying Romeo and Juliet

Communication: Asynchronous and synchronous

Generation: 9th grade students studying Romeo and Juliet; teacher

Information: Students should create a blog, upload information, participate in peer discussion

Time: This project will last during the time span it will take to finish Romeo and Juliet approximately two weeks.
Learning Legacy: Students will take with them the memories and relevance to the characters in Romeo and Juliet.  Students will gain knowledge about the topic and peer interaction.

Curriculum: English/Language Arts, Romeo and Juliet. Technology will play a very important part in this project.  All students must have Internet connection, a blog, and a computer to work from.

Guiding Question: What is the inspiration behind the characters and the plot of Romeo and Juliet?

Project Aims: Students will discuss the each scene and act from Romeo and Juliet in a blog discussion.  They will gain a broad spectrum of opinions, cultural differences, and an understanding of Shakespeare's language.

Focus Questions: Who is Shakespeare?
                             Who are Romeo and Juliet?
                             Why are the families fighting?
                             Who are all of the characters? To which family do they belong?
                             What is the basic plot of the play?
                              Compare the way of life then and now.
                              What ultimately happens to each of the characters?
Standards:

1.) Identify genre, tone, and plot in short stories, drama, and poetry and identify organizational structure in essays and other nonfiction text to comprehend recreational reading materials.

Examples: plot--exposition, conflict, rising action, climax, falling action, denouement
•  Reading predominantly world literature

2.) Compare the use of language and literary elements and devices, including rhythm, rhyme scheme, tone, and plot, in various selections, cultures, and genres.

Examples:
- language--Standard English usage versus dialect, length and complexity of sentences, diction
- literary elements and devices--flashback, personification
•  Interpreting symbolism and other figurative language

•  Recognizing foreshadowing to anticipate events

•  Making inferences about characters and their motives

•  Determining effectiveness of diction

•  Recognizing use of analogy

 

4.) Identify literary components that contribute to authors' styles.

Examples: length and complexity of sentences, diction, Standard English usage versus dialect

6.) Determine word meaning in world literature selections using word analysis and context clues.

•  Identifying the etymology of words

9.) Identify factors that influence the development of language.

Examples: geographic location, wars and revolutions, technology, mass media

ISTE NETS-S

Prerequisites and Skill Level: The use of Web 2.0 technologies and blogs.  Students will also need to be familiar with the Internet.  Students will need to have an email and know how to respond and send messages.

Required Outcomes: Student are required to post comments on other student's blogs and write their own opinions and answer questions provided by the teacher on their blog. 

Optional Outcomes: Students will need to pass a written exam with 80% accuracy.

Team Structure: Students will work with other students by digital interaction by commenting on each other's blogs.

Required Inputs: Students are expected to "handshake" with other students via email and blogs.  Participation is required in order to maintain the digital discussions. 

Optional Inputs: Students will need to manage their time and engagement of the project on a regular basis to maintain teacher requirements.

Assessment: Blog posts, discussions, and comments will be graded based on a rubric provided by the teacher. 

Evaluation: Students will submit a survey on each peer who participated in the project.  The teacher will provide the survey for each student.  Students will also take an in class written exam provided by the regular classroom teacher.  Students are also encouraged to reflect on their blog to discuss if the project enhanced their understanding of Romeo and Juliet.