"Figurative Fables: Romeo & Juliet Remix"

9th Grade

Project
1 week

"Figurative Fables: Romeo & Juliet Remix"

Lizzy Flood

Purpose

This project aims to immerse 9th-grade students in the rich figurative language of "Romeo and Juliet," enabling them to analyze and interpret its impact on character development, plot progression, and thematic expression. By engaging in creative, hands-on activities such as designing posters and performing scenes, students will deepen their literary analysis skills and appreciate the artistry of Shakespeare's language. Collaborating with a graphic design company and presenting their work at an interactive fair will provide students with real-world applications of their learning, fostering both critical thinking and effective communication skills.

Learning goals

Students will analyze and interpret figurative language in Romeo and Juliet, enhancing their comprehension of the play's characters, plot, and themes. They will develop skills in identifying metaphors, similes, and personification, and articulate their significance in the text. Through collaboration with a graphic design company, students will also learn to effectively communicate their interpretations visually, culminating in the creation of engaging posters.

Standards

Common Core - CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.9-10.4: Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in the text, including figurative and connotative meanings; analyze the cumulative impact of specific word choices on meaning and tone.
Common Core - CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.9-10.1: Initiate and participate effectively in a range of collaborative discussions with diverse partners on grades 9-10 topics, texts, and issues, building on others' ideas and expressing their own clearly and persuasively.
Common Core - CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.9-10.6: Use technology, including the Internet, to produce, publish, and update individual or shared writing products, taking advantage of technology's capacity to link to other information and to display information flexibly and dynamically.

Products

Throughout the project, students will create visually engaging posters that showcase their analysis of figurative language in key scenes from Romeo and Juliet. These posters will highlight one example of figurative language, explaining its significance and impact on the text. By the end of the week, students will participate in a 'Language and Design Fair' where they will present their posters, engage visitors with interactive quizzes or mini-games, and demonstrate their understanding of how figurative language enhances the play's characters and themes.

Launch

Kick off the project with 'Figurative Language Live!', an engaging session where students perform selected scenes from Romeo and Juliet. During each performance, students will spotlight and discuss the figurative language used, emphasizing its role in enhancing the narrative. This dynamic launch will set the stage for deeper exploration throughout the project.

Exhibition

Host an interactive 'Language and Design Fair' where students present their posters and discuss the figurative language from Romeo and Juliet. Each booth will feature student-designed posters, along with engaging activities like quizzes or mini-games that challenge visitors to identify and interpret figurative language. Invite community members, including the graphic design company partners, to attend and provide feedback, fostering a collaborative and celebratory learning environment.

Week 1	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4	Day 5
Activities	Activity 1: Kick off the project with 'Figurative Language Live!' where students perform selected scenes from Romeo and Juliet, highlighting and discussing the figurative language used.	Activity 2: Conduct a workshop with the graphic design company where students learn about effective poster design principles and receive guidance on how to visually represent figurative language.	Activity 3: Facilitate group analysis sessions where students collaboratively identify examples of figurative language in key scenes from the play and discuss their impact on the text.	Activity 4: Begin designing the posters in groups, incorporating feedback from the graphic design workshop and focusing on one chosen example of figurative language per group.	Activity 5: Host daily reflection circles where students share insights on their understanding of characters, plot, and themes as enhanced by the figurative language they are studying.
Deliverables	1. Deliverable 1: Completed and visually engaging posters that identify and explain the significance of one example of figurative language in Romeo and Juliet, ready for presentation at the 'Language and Design Fair'.
Preparation	1. Prep Task 1: Arrange a performance space and select scenes for 'Figurative Language Live!' ensuring a variety of figurative language examples are included. 2. Prep Task 2: Coordinate with the graphic design company to schedule the workshop and gather any required materials or resources for students. 3. Prep Task 3: Prepare extracts of key scenes from Romeo and Juliet, highlighting instances of figurative language for group analysis activities. 4. Prep Task 4: Gather art supplies and digital tools necessary for poster creation, ensuring students have access to both physical and digital design resources. 5. Prep Task 5: Set up a reflection journal or digital platform where students can document their daily reflections and insights.