Romeo & Juliet Lesson 11: Introducing Juliet - Lesson Plan

In this engaging lesson plan designed for an English drama class studying Shakespeare, the primary learning objective is to explore how Shakespeare skillfully uses poetry and prose to develop and reveal character. Students are set to achieve this through an analytical approach, examining the text of "Romeo and Juliet" to discern the nuances in Shakespeare's writing style and its impact on character portrayal. The lesson is structured to assess progress through a targeted 'Verse and Prose' task, where students will demonstrate their understanding of these literary forms within the context of the play.

The lesson begins with a starter activity where students read up to the end of Act 2, Scene 4, setting the stage for the main teaching activity. This segment includes a series of tasks that delve into the characters of the Nurse and Romeo, allowing students to form initial impressions and explore their interactions. The central task involves pupils completing a 'Verse and Prose' exercise, where they will have 20 minutes to analyse the use of these literary devices. The lesson offers opportunities for differentiation, such as editing the PowerPoint presentation, personalising tasks, and balancing teacher guidance with independent learning. An extension activity prompts students to explain in detail why Shakespeare chose to use verse or prose in specific instances. The lesson rounds off with a plenary session for feedback and discussion of the 'Verse and Prose' responses, ensuring that students meet the expected outcomes ranging from conveying basic to detailed knowledge and understanding of Shakespeare's literary techniques.