Shakespeare Unit:

Romeo & Juliet

Objectives:
Students will have a working knowledge of the

Driving Question:
How can we assist teenagers to
navigate the universal concerns
that have faced them throughout
time?

life of William Shakespeare, methods he used

to create his various works, and the relevance his
works carry over into our society today.
Students will be able to compare and contrast
specific events from Romeo and Juliet to the life
of teens today.
Students will take events from the literary work
and be able to apply them in non-traditional ways
to current trends.
Students will be able to create real-life resources
that will benefit teens today using evidence and
support from Romeo and Juliet using various
technological programs (Web 2.0).
1

Discover
As we read through the play, work in pairs to make notes about the issues or
events that occur in the play and that also occur in your life (or the lives of teens
today in general). This will require that you look deeper into the roots of what
Shakespeare is saying, and may require that you use tools that you have been
provided, or through research, to truly understand the words being spoken.
You may want to create a mind map to show your findings. SimpleMind+ is a
useful app. You can also simply create a mind map using Office programs, or
any other online source you may desire.
Some ideas could be (but are not limited to):
the need for effective communication with parents
hate crimes/violence
suicide
bullying
2

Discover
Choose one of the following aspects to research the common universal concerns from
Shakespeares time. Use Shmoop to answer the following:
Themes/ issues: What are the common universal concerns? Identify, describe, provide
evidence.
Characters: What can we learn from the characters about how to deal with the universal
concerns? Identify, describe, provide evidence, link to theme/issue/conflict.
Setting: Compare and contrast the setting from R&J to today. In what way does the
setting influence common universal concerns? Identify, describe, provide evidence, link to
character and theme/issue/conflict.
Symbols and motifs: Identify the symbols/motifs that are relatable to our world. If they
are not the same, what do we have that is similar?
Create a short documentary film to present your information. Include a dramatic presentation
of part of the play to help present your ideas. You may include this as part of your survival kit
that you will prepare over the next few weeks.

Create: The Project

Work in groups of 3 to create a universal survival kit for teens to help them survive the teenage years.This kit should
be useful for generations that have been and generations to come. You will use a resource known asTackk to compile
your toolkit.This will be strictly online.
Include:
Common problems, issues and conflicts.
You should make sure to choose at least 5 different options.
Advice, possible solutions and helpful media.
Per problem, issue, or conflict, you should at least 4 different mediums under this category (see options
below, or choose your own).
See next page for full details.
SurvivalTools:
You may want to create a song playlist, advice brochure/newsletter, film documentary of problems and advice
from experts, podcasts of interviews with teens,Twitter hashtags, Facebook page, a Pic Collage promoting a list
of films and books etc.
BE CREATIVE in what you do, and actually think about how this could help someone.The best resource will be
given a prize. Products will be provided for the ENTIRE school to view, and they will vote on the best overall
resource. Teachers will also be voting, so content quality is key!
4

Project Must Haves

Survival Kit MUST HAVES:
At least 5 common problems, issues
and conflicts.
Examples from Romeo and Juliet for
each. Explain what happened to the
characters and how they dealt with the
problem, issue or conflict.
Advice on how to deal with each
problem.
At least 4 SurvivalTools.
You may also come up with your own
survival tools in addition to the ones
discussed on page 4.

BLOG POSTS:

Compose 3 blog posts as though

you were one of the characters from the
play.

Create a relevant title and then

create a journal/diary entry expressing
your feelings about what is happening
around you.

Refer to other characters in your

blog post. i.e. If you are Romeo you should
make references to Juliet, Rosaline,
Mercutio, Lord and Lady Montague,
Tybalt, etc.

Demonstrate that you can think

like your chosen character.
ONE PER GROUP MEMBER!!
5

Create- Essay
EssayReflect on how specific conflicts or issues from
Romeo and Juliet connect to modern times. Explain
what we can learn for ourselves from these conflicts or
issues.

Write at least 450 words.

Include quotes and examples from your text.

Share- Presentation
Present your survival kit to the class. It must be
published onTackk.
You might like to use the following to make your project more
appealing:
Relevant Images
Relevant Songs/Readings
YouTube Videos/Podcasts
Quotes
Original Songs/Raps Created to inspire (E.C.)
Well Designed and Organized
Color
7

Reflection/Project Wrap Up
1. Peer feedback on presentation
2. Create a blog post on your CLA Student Weebly to answer

the following questions (we will be working to complete this to

allow you to create a portfolio for your work for the year):
Describe your role in the creation of your survival kit.
What was the key thing that you learnt from this
project?
If you could change anything, what would it be and why?
Did you enjoy the project? Explain why/why not.