S+Tracy,+Samantha

**Office:** Room 103 **Office Phone: (207) 778-xxxx** **Office Hours:** Tues, Weds, Thurs 1-3 ** E-mail: stracy90@maine.edu **
 * Teacher: Miss. Tracy**

=Summary of Unit= This unit will include text from William Shakespeare's //The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet//. Within this unit, we will study how to translate the language into modern day and then from there, interpret what is going on in the play. There are also emerging themes throughout this play that we will go more in depth with as the semester goes on. Students will understand various aspects of the play and how they tie together to create these themes. Throughout the unit, we will focus on three questions: Why does this particular character act the way it does and how does that contribute to the meaning of the text? How does this play show how much I have improved as a reader? How does this text relate to previous ones and how are they different? Through focused readings, creative writing, role-playing, and multimedia projects students will have a deep understanding of the meaning of //Romeo & Juliet//. There will be a final project that asks students to analyze characters and theme development throughout the play and how music could show these themes and characters more clearly for beginning readers. Above all, we will have fun reading and analyzing the works of Shakespeare, because in fact, he really was a comedic man if one begins to understand his language more clearly.

=Establish Goals= Common Core State Standards Content Area: Reading Grade Level: 8 Domain: Literature //Romeo & Juliet// Standard: Craft and Structure

=Students will understand that= • they will read increasingly complex text • comparing and contrasting texts and characters contributes to its meaning • characters and audiences point of view create the theme in literature (such as humor, romance, suspense)

=Essential Questions= • Why does this character act the way it does and how does that contribute to the meaning of the text? • How does this novel show how much I've improved as a reader? • How does this text relate to previous ones and how are they different?

=Students will know= • Important Events and people:Montagues, Capulets, Romeo, Juliet, fight between the families, Mercutio, Tybalt, Benvolio

• Critical Details: Capulets and Montagues hate one another, Romeo and Juliet are forbidden lovers

• Definitions: drama, sonnet, tragedy, oxymoron, personification

=Students will be able to= • predict what each character is trying to say. • make meaning of Shakespeare's language. • decide how the families shape the whole play. • analyze how a character shapes the theme/meaning of the play. • consider the point of view of characters. • self-assess how much you learned from the text.

**Performance Task Overview** A new movie is being made for Romeo and Juliet and the production company is desperate for music to be included that will help connect audiences and create mood. Atlantic Records has graciously volunteered to help by offering to sign whichever composer can come up with the BEST soundtrack. This is where you come in. Your job is to create a soundtrack complete with album artwork and descriptions of where each song will be played in the movie. You are limited to 10-12 songs on this playlist which will be put together on Share My Playlist. Glogster will be used to create the album cover, be creative and make sure you portray the important motifs/themes in this play. Then, once you have created the soundtrack and it is placed online so the Record Executives can go back after your presentation and review it, you will then put the music and album cover onto Capzles. Capzles will be used to create a timeline of where each song is to be placed and justification for why that song is placed there. Best of Luck and most of all HAVE FUN! =Expectations=
 * __Absent/Late Policy__**: Because this class has vital information brought forth daily, attendance is a must. We are covering a wide range of topics and to be present in class every day means that you will receive a higher grade in this class than if you were absent all the time. It is not just for your own benefit though, other students will need peer feedback and you missing classes actually hurts them because they will not receive that guidance that you might be able to share with them. However, it is understandable that other extenuating circumstances arise and you will seem to be forced to miss class. If this happens, contact me to find out what you missed and I will give you the information that was taught in class that day. If there was a homework assignment or project due that day, email, call or come in during office hours (which are presented to you at the top of the syllabus). If you do not have time to do any of these things, you will miss vital information which will inevitably hurt your grade. I am here to help and willing to work around your schedule. Giving me notice that you are going to miss class will be very much appreciated because it shows me that you truly care about the content and shows your responsibility as a student.


 * __Assignment Expectations__**: The most important thing that I expect in this class is that you try your hardest. If you feel like you need help do not be hesitant to ask me. I want you to succeed just as much as you do and will do everything in my power to do that. If you try your hardest on assignments, it will show through because this class is definitely not one to just coast through. When I say "try your hardest" I mean that you edit your papers before handing them in (spell check works wonders, folks) and use evidence to support your opinions. Do not just say something because you think it sounds good, I want a good explanation of why you think this way, you might even be able to persuade me to think the same way! Participating in class is very helpful for you because you become more engaged with the topic by expressing your opinions and asking questions to clarify the work. No one is here to judge, so just ask appropriate questions and you will receive great feedback!


 * __Class Expectations__**: I expect everyone in this class to be accepting of one another. I will not tolerate bullying, name calling, rude comments, etc. Classmates need to respect and support one another. A comfortable classroom environment makes learning best for students and if you truly wish to learn, then you will respect your classmates. Positive feedback on your peers work is also expected. I do not want to see negative comments that put them down or get too personal. Just as I have an expectation to teach you kiddos all about the wonderful world of English and Literature, you are expected to be a positive, accepting, fun, and awesome student!


 * __Plagiarism Policy__:** When it comes to plagiarism, try to play it safe by always citing your sources! I cannot stress this enough. Plagiarism has serious consequences because you are stealing other peoples work. You would not want one of your greatest ideas to be stolen by someone else and then them take credit for it would you? No. This is why you need to respect other people and their ideas by citing them. Plagiarism is against school policy, so this is not just in my classroom but all of your classes and even in the real world. It is best that you practice safe researching and writing by giving credit to those whose information you get it from. If you ever have any questions about whether or not to cite a specific source or how to do so, come see me! I am glad to help because I would not want you getting in trouble, believe it or not, I have your best interests in mind!

=Benchmarks= __Total points for Unit:__ 250


 * Podcast: ** Students will get into groups of three and create a podcast that explains the plot line of //Romeo & Juliet// in the first act of the play. They can include music, pictures, or sound effects to their liking as long as it is appropriate and relates to the story line. The teacher will then create a rubric of the information that they expect to be on the podcast. **25 pts.****iMovie**: act out your favorite scene from Act I or II from //Romeo and Juliet// with groups of five who have also chosen that scene as their favorite. Groups are expected to include important quotes in that scene and are allowed to interpret it in any way they wish. If you want to make the //Romeo & Juliet// characters modern day, that is fine. You could even go out of the box and see how Romeo & Juliet would act in ancient times, the 1920's, or any era of your choosing. The most important thing is to show me that you have a good understanding of this scene through your expression in the movie. Costumes, props, makeup, scenery is all accepted and might get some extra points :) **40 pts.**


 * Garage Band: ** Students will make a radio talk show interviewing Romeo and/or Juliet and how they would expect them to act in modern society. This can include appropriate sound effects and if you wish to include other characters in the talk show, speak with me about it first. The main goal of this assignment is to see how you think the characters would act and/or feel in today's society. **25 pts.****Biography:** The goal of this assignment is to write a biography (to be published) on one of the characters from //Romeo and Juliet.// You will include important quotes, and explain how they were important to the story. You will work with a group of four based on your choice of your favorite character. These biographies will be published online so keep it clean and professional! **25 pts.**


 * ComicLife: ** Students will be assigned to make a comic on the story of //Romeo & Juliet.// This comic can have humorous aspects but make sure that you stay true to the story and do not leave important parts out. All of the major characters should be included as well as their important quotations. You are free to create this in modern day language, just make sure that you use the correct quotations used in the text. **30 pts.**

**Blog:** This blog is to reflect on your learning throughout reading //Romeo & Juliet.// To make this easier, it is beneficial to keep a journal of what you learn along the way and then you can reflect on this in your blog entries online. These must include important definitions, characters, plots, misconceptions, or anything else you feel inclined to put onto your blog. This is your chance to reflect on the story but I do not want a summary, I want what you have specifically learned throughout this unit. You may choose to share your blog with the class for extra credit. **15 pts.**


 * Performance Task- Soundtrack:** Your job is to create a soundtrack to //Romeo & Juliet//. You will choose songs and their specific placement in the story and then justify why you chose them. You will also create an album cover for it which displays major themes/motifs throughout the story. These songs will be created into a soundtrack and uploaded to Share My Playlist. Then, you will upload all of this information onto Capzles in sequential order with your album cover, songs, and justification statements. Be sure to cite your sources and be aware of appropriate copyright laws of songs. The best bet is to create 30-45 second clips of the song! HAVE FUN! **90** **pts.**

=Grading Scale= **A** (93 -100), **A-** (90 - 92), **B+** (87 - 89), **B** (83 - 86), **B-** (80 - 82), **C+**(77 - 79), **C** (73-76), **C-** (70 - 72), **D+**(67 - 69), **D** (63 - 66), **D-** (60 - 62), **F** (0 - 59).