Grade: 9

College Prep
Time (minutes)
86 minutes
Standard(s)
 RI.9.1 Cite strong and thorough textual evidence to support analysis of what a text states
explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text.
 RI.9.3 Analyze how complex characters (e.g., those with multiple or conflicting
motivations) develop over the course of a text, interact with other characters, and advance
the plot or develop the theme.
 W.9.1 Write arguments to support claims in an analysis of substantive topics or texts,
using valid reasoning and relevant and sufficient evidence.
 W.9.5 Develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, editing, rewriting,
or trying a new approach, focusing on addressing what is most significant for a specific
purpose and audience.
 SL.9.1 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.
Essential Question(s)
 What do a character’s actions, thoughts, words, appearance, and relationships reveal
about their personalities?
 How do characters impact the plot and main ideas of a story?
 How do characters change and develop over the course of a story?
Objectives
Students will be able to…
 Identify and analyze the development of complex characters over the course of the text.
 Create and develop arguments about characterization.
 Support their arguments using direct evidence from the text.
 Revise their writing based on feedback.
Instructional Materials/Resources/Tools
 Copy of Romeo and Juliet
 Chromebooks
 Romeo and Juliet (1968)
 Romeo and Juliet Act 2 Discussion Questions
 Grammar and Open Response Notebooks
Lesson Details
Lesson Opening
 Bell Ringer Writing Prompt
o How does Shakespeare characterize the Nurse in Act 2 Scene 4 of Romeo and
Juliet?
 Students will share their answers in a class discussion.
During the Lesson
  Students will watch Franco Zeffirelli’s Romeo and Juliet while they also follow along in
their books. The teacher will occasionally pause the movie for students to answer
questions on the text. These answers will be shared in a class discussion in order for the
teacher to address any important topics or questions before moving on.
 To ensure that students are still paying careful attention to Shakespeare’s use of language,
students are asked to answer each question using one quote from the text. Students are
asked to integrate their quote into their answer in a way that flows smoothly with their
writing. Quote integration was a skill that was reviewed during two class warmups.

Lesson Closing
 Students will use the remainder of class time to revise their “Capture a Scene” writing
assignment for the novel The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman
Alexie.
 During this revision process, students are asked to reply to two of the comments left by
the teacher on their documents to ensure that they understand the reasons why certain
revision should be made and that they don’t repeat these same mistakes in the future.
 Based on the results of the students’ first attempt at the “Capture a Scene” writing
assignment, the following skills were reviewed with students at the start of multiple class
sessions:
o Focusing more on analyzing a piece of literature rather than merely summarizing
it.
o Avoiding the use of run-on sentences.
o Integrating quotes in a way that flows smoothly with their writing.
Because students have developed a better understanding of these skills, the teacher has
asked that they focus on demonstrating these skills during the revision process.
 Discussion Questions – Romeo and Juliet
ACT 2 SCENE 5
Be sure to answer in your own words, write in complete sentences, and answer each question
using a quote.

1. How would you describe Juliet as she’s waiting for the Nurse?

2. Why does the Nurse take so long to answer Juliet? What does it tell you about how
different they are?

3. Why does the Nurse decide to help Juliet marry Romeo?

Discussion Questions – Romeo and Juliet

ACT 2 SCENE 6
Be sure to answer in your own words, write in complete sentences, and answer each question
using a quote.

1. What warning does Friar Lawrence give Romeo and Juliet at their wedding?
Mini Project #2: Capture a Scene
Created by Jessica Brittingham – Dartmouth High School

As you now know, Junior loves to draw cartoons. For this assignment, you are going to
draw a comic to go along with a scene in the book that was not illustrated. The scene
you select should include significant character development. You comic must represent
character (s).

When you have finished your drawing, you must write a paragraph that answers the
following:
 How does this scene impact characterization in the story?
o Remember to include a TOPIC SENTENCE to begin your response
o Remember to include 3 pieces of textual evidence (quotes) to support your
response.

These MINI PROJECTS count as PROJECT grades; therefore, you should take them
SERIOUSLY. They have a significant impact on your class average.

The written portion of this assignment must be:

 in MLA format
 “Turn [ed] In” on Google Classroom (attached to the assignment)