P R O J E C T

D E S I G N :

O V E R V I E W

Name of Project: Acting It Out

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Duration: More than 30

Subject/Course: English

Teacher(s): English and Art Teachers

Grade Level: 9th

Other subject areas to be included, if any: Public Speaking, Arts

Significant Content
(CCSS and/or others)

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.9-10.4, CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.9-10.5, CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.9-10.7, CCSS.ELALITERACY.RL.9-10.9, CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.9-10.1, CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.9-10.2, CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.9-10.3,

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.9-10.1, CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.9-10.2, CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.9-10.3, 9.1.12.A, 9.1.12.B,
9.1.12.C, 9.1.12.D, 9.1.12.F, 9.1.12.H, 9.2.12, 9.3.12

21st Century Competencies Collaboration

(to be taught and assessed)
Communication

Creativity and Innovation

Other: Writing

Critical Thinking
Project Summary
(include student role, issue,
problem or challenge, action
taken, and
purpose/beneficiary)

Students will be in groups of five (class of 20 students; 4 groups). Two groups will work on "Romeo and Juliet" and two groups
will work on "Julius Caesar." Each group will summarize their play into a 20-minute skit. This project will include: writing a
script, acting (possible singing and dancing if the students choose to do so), creating props, writing a rationale (why students did
what they did, how they did it, etc.), a final paper discussing the differences between "Romeo and Juliet" and "Julius Caesar," and
a presentation of those papers.

Driving Question

How does changing the language change the meaning?

Entry Event

A video clip from Mad Mechanics

Products

Individual: Final paper and presentation

Specific content and competencies to be assessed: Final paper and

presentation

Team: Skit, script, props, rationale

Specific content and competencies to be assessed: Skit, script,

props, rationale

P R O J E C T
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Public Audience
The class, other English teachers and possibly their classes, Art teachers and possibly their classes
(Experts, audiences, or
product users students
will engage with during/at
end of project)

Resources Needed

On-site people, facilities: Art teachers, English teachers, classroom

Equipment: props, scripts
Materials: craft supplies
Community Resources:

Reflection Methods
Journal/Learning Log
(Individual, Team, and/or
Whole Class)
Whole-Class Discussion

Focus Group

Fishbowl Discussion
YES

Survey

Other: Final paper and presentation

YES

Notes: Students will talk about the two works as a whole, then break into small groups and begin working.

PR OJECT

DESIGN:

ST UDENT

LEAR NING

GUIDE

Project: 20-minute Skit, Final Paper, Presentation, Script, Props, Rationale

Driving Question: How does changing the language change the meaning?
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Final Product(s)

Learning Outcomes/Targets

Checkpoints/Formative Assessments

Instructional Strategies for All Learners

Presentations,
Performances, Products
and/or Services

content & 21st century competencies

needed by students to successfully
complete products

to check for learning and ensure

students are on track

provided by teacher, other staff, experts; includes

scaffolds, materials, lessons aligned to learning
outcomes and formative assessments

To learn how changing the words of something

can change its meaning.

Meetings with the teacher to identify progress on Guided discussions

skit, scripts, props, and rationale
Mini lessons
Teachers and students of other content areas
The skit, scripts, props, and rationale

To learn the process of scriptwriting.

Mini lesson on scriptwriting

Mini lesson
Handout of outline of a script
Guided discussions
Extra help writing scripts if students need it

The script

In groups, students
will create a skit,
script, props, and To understand and summarize (in their own words The skit, script, props, and rationale
and actions) either Romeo and Juliet or Julius
rationale.

Intro lesson from day 1

Mini lessons
Teachers and students of other content areas
Guided discussions
Extra help if students need it

Caesar.

To learn and understand the process of prop and

scene making

Props

Mini lessons
Teachers and students of other content areas
Guided discussions
Extra help if students need it
Examples of props

To demonstrate understanding of how changing

the words of something can change its meaning.

The final paper and presentation

Extra help if students need it

Explanation of the differences between
Shakespearean language and modern English
Guided discussion
Handouts and audio on Shakespearean language

The final paper and presentation

Extra help if students need it

Guided discussion
Handouts and audio on Shakespearean language
Additional resources on the meaning of,
themes, motifs, and symbols in both
works.

Students will write

a final paper and
To demonstrate knowledge of Romeo
create a
and Juliet or Julius Caesar
presentation for it.

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