1. English I Lesson Plans Fourth Nine Weeks Unit 3: Romeo and Juliet
Overview: Students continue their study of The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet as they construct a multi-paragraph essay on Shakespeare’s use of motifs in the story.
Week of April 1 – April 5

2. Monday, April 1 BELLRINGER: You will need: Today we will:
Please take out your Culminating Writing Task handout and motif charts.
Today we will:
Complete topic sentences for the Culminating Writing Task
Complete CCA Corrections
Work on evidence chart for Culminating Writing Task
You will need:
CCA Corrections Template
Culminating Writing Task handout
Dialectic Journals
Pen or pencil

3. Review Last week, we completed the story of Romeo & Juliet.
Today, you will continue to work on the writing task as we complete the topic sentences and evidence chart.

4. TODAY’S GOAL Our goal today is to:
Gather the most relevant evidence possible to support your analysis of how Shakespeare uses motifs in The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet to develop a theme or central idea in the text.

5. Review the Writing Prompt
Last week, as a class you deconstructed and reconstructed the writing prompt to simplify it into terms everyone could better understand.
1st Period
Original Prompt
In The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet, how does Shakespeare use patterns or contrasts in language to reveal a central idea of the play ?
Revised Class Prompt
In The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet, how does Shakespeare use motifs in the text to uncover a moral of the story in the play?

6. Review the Writing Prompt
Last week, as a class you deconstructed and reconstructed the writing prompt to simplify it into terms everyone could better understand.
2nd Period
Original Prompt
In The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet, how does Shakespeare use patterns or contrasts in language to reveal a central idea of the play ?
Revised Class Prompt
In The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet, how does Shakespeare use a motif in the text to identify a theme of the play?

7. Review the Writing Prompt
Last week, as a class you deconstructed and reconstructed the writing prompt to simplify it into terms everyone could better understand.
3rd Period
Original Prompt
In The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet, how does Shakespeare use patterns or contrasts in language to reveal a central idea of the play ?
Revised Class Prompt
In The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet, how does Shakespeare use a motif in the text to reveal a main idea in the play?

8. Review the Writing Prompt
Last week, as a class you deconstructed and reconstructed the writing prompt to simplify it into terms everyone could better understand.
5th Period
Original Prompt
In The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet, how does Shakespeare use patterns or contrasts in language to reveal a central idea of the play ?
Revised Class Prompt
In The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet, how does Shakespeare use motifs to help the reader understand the main focus of the play.

9. Review the Writing Prompt
Last week, as a class you deconstructed and reconstructed the writing prompt to simplify it into terms everyone could better understand.
6th Period
Original Prompt
In The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet, how does Shakespeare use patterns or contrasts in language to reveal a central idea of the play ?
Revised Class Prompt
In The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet, how does Shakespeare use repetition of ideas or opposing ideas to develop a main idea of the play?

10. Reminders... Thesis statement must include the following:
Title and author of literary work
Key words from the prompt (including the motif you are analyzing)
Theme of the text
Theme cannot mention any of the following:
Title, author, characters, or any details from the play
Personal pronouns (me, you, us, we, etc.)
Each topic sentence should...
Begin with a transitional word or phrase
Clearly state the motif and how it is used in the play

11. Activity 3: Writing Topic Sentences
Using ideas from your Dialectic Journals, construct a rough draft of your topic sentences.
Make sure to clearly state the following in your topic sentences:
Motif being used
How and why it is used in the beginning of the play
How it is used to advance or change the plot in the middle of the play
How it is used to support or help develop the main idea or theme toward the end of the play

12. Activity 3: Writing Topic Sentences
Thesis Statement: In The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet, William Shakespeare uses the motif of light and dark in order to convey the idea that a secret, forbidden love formed from passion may sound romantic and exciting but it can also lead to dreadful consequences.
Topic Sentence #1: In the beginning of the play, the motif of light and fire symbolizes new love and passion as can be seen when Romeo and his friends are on the way to the Capulet party.

13. Activity 4: Gathering Evidence
Use your Dialectic Journals (motif charts) from Acts I, III, and V to gather evidence for your essay.
If you feel you do not have enough evidence or the examples you want to use are not recorded on one of the journals, go back to your copy of The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet to locate your evidence.
Record the evidence you intend to use in your essay on your Evidence Chart in your Culminating Writing Task handout.
As always, be sure to properly cite your evidence
(Romeo, )

14. Activity 4: Gathering Evidence
“she doth teach the torches to burn bright!” (Romeo, ).
“It is the East, and Juliet is the sun” (Romeo, 2.2.3).
Romeo describes Juliet using the imagery of light and fire.
Shakespeare uses light to show Romeo’s initial feelings of love for Juliet.
This emphasizes the idea of how exciting and passionate new love can be.
I & II

15. On Your Own...
Complete Activity 3: Topic Sentences for Body Paragraphs
The topic sentences should be precise claims.
Complete Activity 4: Choosing Evidence.
Record the evidence you intend to use for your essay on the evidence organizer chart.
You need only write the Character, Act, Scene, & Lines on the chart
You must use at least three pieces of evidence from the play (beginning, middle, and end).
Remember to properly cite your evidence using MLA parenthetical citation.
You are to work on your essay activities for the first half of the period. You may then work on CCA corrections during the second half of the period.

16. Monday, April 1: Homework
DUE TODAY:
HOMEWORK:
Nothing due today
Complete topic sentences and/or evidence chart for tomorrow.

17. Please take out your Culminating Writing Task handout.
Tuesday, April 2
BELLRINGER:
Please take out your Culminating Writing Task handout.
Today we will:
Write the introduction for the Culminating Writing Task
Complete CCA Corrections
You will need:
Culminating Writing Task handout
CCA Corrections Template
Pen or pencil

18. Review
Yesterday, we completed the topic sentences and evidence chart for the Culminating Writing Task.
Today, you will continue to work on the writing task as we complete the introduction of the essay.

19. TODAY’S GOAL
Our goal today is to:
Complete the introduction paragraph of the motifs essay on the Culminating Writing Task handout.

20. Writing your essay...
Now that you have a thesis statement and topic sentences, you can begin writing your essay. Look at Activity 5 on your Culminating Essay handout.
INTRODUCTION
Hook: Get the reader’s attention!
Background: Introduce the title, author, and overall plot.
Thesis: State the purpose of your essay.
BODY PARAGRAPHS
Topic Sentence: State your first subtopic/example. (use transitions between body paragraphs)
Quote Set Up: Describing the scene/situation
Text Quote: word-for-word with proper citation.
Ex: “It is the East, and Juliet is the sun! Arise fair sun and kill the envious moon…” (Romeo, ).
Analysis: Explain the quote and how it supports your point.
Concluding Sentence: Restate your point.
CONCLUSION
Restate Thesis: DO NOT REPEAT!
Summarize Subtopics: briefly review your main ideas
Final Thought: Should connect back to the hook.

21. Writing an Introduction
Now that you have a thesis statement and topic sentences, you can begin writing the introduction.
Begin with a hook. This should be a general statement to get the reader interested in what you have to say. It should somehow mention the overall topic but specifically give away your subject or thesis. DO NOT USE A QUESTION!!!
Connect your hook with the subject of your essay. Make a statement explaining how the hook relates to what your essay is about.
Provide background information. Offer a very brief summary of the plot along with the title and author of the story.
Thesis statement. The thesis statement should always be the last sentence in the introduction. Clearly state your subtopics (what each body paragraph focuses on) and purpose (the reason you are writing this essay or the author’s main purpose/message/theme). If you have already given the title and author of the literature you are analyzing, it is not necessary to repeat it here.

22. Writing an Introduction
Example:
Hook: When people allow their emotions to control their actions, they sometimes make decisions they will regret.
Connecting Statement: In Shakespeare’s “The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet,” the two main characters make many decisions without thinking about the consequences.
Background Statement: The story is about two young teens from rival families who fall in love and must keep their love a secret from their parents.
Thesis Statement: In The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet, William Shakespeare uses the motif of light and dark in order to convey the idea that a secret, forbidden love formed from passion may sound romantic and exciting but it can also lead to dreadful consequences.

23. Lightness and Darkness in Love
Model Introduction
Name
Teacher
Subject/Period
Date
Lightness and Darkness in Love
When people allow their emotions to control their actions, they sometimes make decisions they will regret. In Shakespeare’s The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet, the two main characters make many decisions without thinking about the consequences. The story is about two young teens from rival families who fall in love and must keep their love a secret from their parents. In The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet, William Shakespeare uses the motif of light and dark in order to convey the idea that a secret, forbidden love formed from passion may sound romantic and exciting but it can also lead to dreadful consequences.

24. On Your Own...
You are to work on your essay activities for the first half of the period. You may then work on CCA corrections during the second half of the period.
Now that you have gathered your evidence, revisit your thesis statement to make sure that it is worded in the best way
Rewrite the thesis changing any words or ideas necessary
Using your final thesis, complete the introduction portion of Activity 5: Culminating Writing Task Essay Outline
Include a...
Hook
Background
Thesis Statement

25. Tuesday, April 2: Homework
DUE TODAY:
HOMEWORK:
Nothing due today
Complete essay introduction.

26. Please take out your Culminating Writing Task handout.
Wednesday, April 3
BELLRINGER:
Please take out your Culminating Writing Task handout.
Today we will:
Work on body paragraphs for the Culminating Writing Task
Complete CCA Corrections
You will need:
Culminating Writing Task handout
CCA Corrections Template
Pen or pencil

27. Review
Yesterday, we completed the introduction for the Culminating Writing Task.
Today, you will continue to work on the writing task as we learn how to organize the body paragraphs of the essay.

28. TODAY’S GOAL
Our goal today is to:
Complete the body paragraphs of the motifs essay on the Culminating Writing Task handout.

29. Writing a Body Paragraph
In the body of the essay, the topic you have chosen must now be explained, described, or argued. Each body paragraph must clearly make a connection to your thesis by explaining how your claim is seen through the text.
Begin with a topic sentence to introduce your first subtopic. Be sure to clearly state your point.
Introduce your supporting evidence. This is a good place to lead into your quote by explaining what is going on in the story and who is involved.
Use a quote from the text (include page #). If you are using a character’s dialogue, make sure to state who is speaking to whom.
Explain the example you chose and how it relates to your topic.
Finally, conclude your paragraph with a closing statement that restates your topic.
Use transitions to connect ideas
Should be 5-8 sentences.

30. Writing a Body Paragraph
Example:
Topic Sentence: In the beginning of the play, the motif of light and fire symbolizes new love.
Quote Set Up: Romeo and Juliet first meet and fall in love the night of the Capulet’s party.
Text Quote: The first time Romeo sees Juliet at the party, speaking his thoughts aloud, Romeo proclaims “she doth teach the torches to burn bright!” (Romeo, ). Later, when he sees her on her balcony, he uses a metaphor to compare her to the sun claiming, “It is the East, and Juliet is the sun” (Romeo, ).
Analysis: Shakespeare uses light to describe the feelings Romeo experiences the first time he encounters Juliet.
Closing Sentence: Therefore, through the imagery of light, Shakespeare conveys the excitement and passion of new love.

31. Model Body Paragraph
In the beginning of the play, the motif of light and fire symbolizes new love. Romeo and Juliet first meet and fall in love the night of the Capulet’s party. The first time Romeo sees Juliet at the party, speaking his thoughts aloud, Romeo proclaims “she doth teach the torches to burn bright!” (Romeo, ). Later, when he sees her on her balcony, he uses a metaphor to compare her to the sun claiming, “It is the East, and Juliet is the sun” (Romeo, 2.2.3). In this case, Shakespeare uses light to describe the feelings Romeo experiences the first time he encounters Juliet. As a result, through the imagery of light, Shakespeare conveys the excitement and passion of new love.

32. Writing a Body Paragraph
After you are done, ask yourself the following:
Does my paragraph begin with a transition and a topic sentence?
Does it include strong textual evidence in the form of quotes to support my ideas?
Does it clearly explain the part of the text in which the quote takes place?
Did I remember to include proper parenthetical citation?
Does it clearly explain how the quotes support my ideas?
Does it conclude with a closing sentence that restates my topic and ends the paragraph?
Does it include one and ONLY one topic? Do the sentences flow from one idea to the next?

33. Using Transitions Effectively
Transitions join, or glue, ideas together. They make your sentences flow better and add variety.
During your editing and revising, make sure to add transitions appropriately. Each paragraph should have at least 2-3 transitions.
Below is a list of possible transitions you can use.
For example
For instance
In addition
On the other hand
After that
Meanwhile
However
Consequently
In general
In fact
After awhile
Furthermore
In conclusion
Therefore
As a result
To clarify

34. On Your Own...
Work on the body paragraphs on your Activity 5: Culminating Writing Task Essay Outline
Use your evidence chart to include appropriate and relevant evidence and analysis.
Be sure to include the proper parenthetical citation
You are to work on your essay activities for the first half of the period. You may then work on CCA corrections during the second half of the period.

35. Wednesday, April 3: Homework
DUE TODAY:
HOMEWORK:
Nothing due today
Complete body paragraphs of the essay.

36. Please take out your Culminating Writing Task handout.
Thursday, April 4
BELLRINGER:
Please take out your Culminating Writing Task handout.
Today we will:
Work on the conclusion of the Culminating Writing Task
Turn in all CCA Corrections
You will need:
Culminating Writing Task handout
CCA Corrections Template
Pen or pencil

37. WILL NOT DUE TODAY!!! CCA Test Corrections are due TODAY! CORRECTIONS
BE ACCEPTED NEXT WEEK!!!
Essays will be due next Thursday, April 11th.
We will not be working on them during class – you are on your own to complete them.

38. Review
Yesterday, we worked on body paragraphs for the Culminating Writing Task.
Today, you will continue to work on the writing task as we learn how to construct the concluding paragraph of the essay.

39. TODAY’S GOAL
Our goal today is to:
Complete the concluding paragraph of the motifs essay on the Culminating Writing Task handout.

40. DO NOT INTRODUCE NEW IDEAS IN A CONCLUSION.
Writing a Conclusion
The conclusion is the final paragraph of the essay. It reminds the reader of the points you made and is your last chance to convince the reader that your ideas are valid. A good concluding paragraph should be at least three sentences and :
Restate the thesis (using different words).
Summarize the main points of the essay.
Make a final comment about the essay's main idea and somehow connects back to the beginning/hook of the essay.
Leave the reader with a final thought
DO NOT INTRODUCE NEW IDEAS IN A CONCLUSION.
A conclusion only restates or gives further commentary on ideas already discussed in the essay.

41. Writing a Conclusion Example:
Restate thesis: In conclusion, the repetitive use of light and dark imagery enables Shakespeare to illustrate that too much passion in love can lead to irreversible consequences.
Summarize Main Points: Romeo and Juliet thought that their love was perfect, but their secrecy and excessive emotions caused their world to come crashing down. The extremity of light and darkness in the play effectively conveys their emotional extremes. The reader learns to associate light with the joy Romeo and Juliet experience when they are together and darkness with sorrow of their consequences.
Final Thought connecting to meaning/hook: In the end, allowing their emotions to rule their choices, Romeo and Juliet chose what they believed was the only way they could be together.

42. Model Conclusion
In conclusion, the repetitive use of light and dark imagery enables Shakespeare to illustrate that too much passion in love can lead to irreversible consequences. Romeo and Juliet thought their love was perfect, but their secrecy and excessive emotions caused their world to come crashing down. The extremity of light and darkness in the play effectively conveys their emotional extremes. The reader learns to associate light with the joy Romeo and Juliet experience when they are together and darkness with sorrow of their consequences. In the end, by allowing their emotions to rule their choices, Romeo and Juliet chose what they believed was the only way they could be together.  

43. Writing a Conclusion
On your essay outline worksheet, write a concluding paragraph for your essay. When you are done, ask yourself:
Does the conclusion clearly remind the reader of the thesis statement?
Is the thesis stated in different words than in the introduction?
Does the conclusion summarize your main points?
Does the conclusion seem to be linked to the beginning of the essay?
Does the conclusion leave the reader with something interesting to think about?

44. On Your Own...
Work on the body paragraphs and/or conclusion of your essay on your Activity 5: Culminating Writing Task Essay Outline
Use your evidence chart to include appropriate and relevant evidence and analysis.
Be sure to include the proper parenthetical citation
Don’t forget to restate your thesis IN A DIFFERENT WAY in your conclusion and make a connection back to your hook at the end.

45. Thursday, April 4: Homework
DUE TODAY:
CCA Test Corrections are due TODAY!
CORRECTIONS
WILL NOT
BE ACCEPTED NEXT WEEK!!!
Essays will be due next Thursday, April 11th.
We will not be working on them during class – you are on your own to complete them.

46. Tomorrow... I will not be here tomorrow. You will have a substitute.
You will be allowed to continue working on Activity 5: Culminating Writing Task Outline
When you have completely finished your outline, you will be required to type your essay.
Your final typed essay is due next Thursday.