Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare, a famous play that has inspired love stories over hundreds of years. The story of two young lovers whose families are fighting a bloody feud that strikes at the heartstrings of people of all generations. In this course, we will take the opportunity to read the play together (both in class as a read-aloud and outside of class as independent reading). I firmly believe that Shakespeare should be read together in a class format because it gives us a chance to practice language; dive into the story, characters, relationships; learn about the cultural and historical significance of the play; and more! Join us for this class and see Shakespeare in a way that you have never seen before! We will then finish with John Knowle's novel, A Separate Peace in which we will study human nature in times of conflict.

Below is a weekly schedule that our class will be following. It is flexible as student conversation, interests, and needs will often dictate our conversations and Socratic discussions. Let me know if you have questions about them!

Week 1: Introduction to Semester Course
     - Introduction and Welcome
     - Student "Interviews" - Goals, Experiences, and Interests
     - Prompt Writing
     - Introduction to Google Drive
     - Introduction to the Play and Author
     - Capulets vs. Montagues
     - Read Aloud the Prologue
     - Shakespearean Language
     - History and Cultural Significance
Week Two: Act One
     - Read Aloud from Act One
     - Discussion of the Story and Language
     - Understanding the Feud
     - Capulets vs. Montagues Continued
     - Tips and Tricks for Reading
Week Three: Act One Continued
     - Read Aloud from Act One
     - Discussion of the Story and Language
     - Understanding the Feud
     - Capulets vs. Montagues Continued
     - Tips and Tricks for Reading
Week Four: Act Two
     - The Famous Balcony Scene
     - Solilqueys vs. Monologues
     - True Love or Simple Lust?
     - The Role of Friar Lawrence
     - Roles of Mentors and Mentees
     - True Love or Simple Lust?
     - The Role of Friar Lawrence
     - Roles of Mentors and Mentees
     - Friendship and Advice
Week Five: Act Three
     - Tybalt, Mercutio, Benevolio
     - Marriage and Fighting
     - Comedy Amidst Tragedy
     - The Words of a Prince
     - Still True Love or Simple Lust?
     - Friar Lawrence Continued
Week Six: Act Three
     - Enter Paris, Stage Left
     - The Story Gets More Complicated...
     - Desperate Times, Desperate Measures?
     - Misunderstandings
     - Friar Lawrence's Plans
     - Whose Choice is it Really?
     - Finishing the Play
     - The Aftermath of Decisions
     - Is the Feud Over?
     - Who is to Blame?

Week Seven: Act Four and Act Five
     - Welcome and Introduction
     - Essay Prompt Selection
     - Elements of an Argumentative Essay
     - Pre-Writing and Outline Set-Up
     - Thesis Statement Development
     - Feedback Review and Editing
     - Introductions and Hooks
     - Topic Sentences Born of Thesis Statements
     - Textual Evidence
     - Independent Writing Time

Week Eight: Act Five
     - Feedback Review and Editing
     - Continuation of the Previous Week
     - MLA Citation of Evidence
     - Warrants/Explanations
     - Independent Writing Time
     - Feedback Review and Editing
     - Transitions
     - Conclusions
     - Call-to-Actions
     - Independent Writing Time
     - Final Drafts

Week Nine: Introduction to A Separate Peace
     - Introduction to the Novel and Author
     - Introduction to the Historical Period
     - Theme Studies
     - Mini-Writing Prompt

Week Ten: A Separate Peace
     - Character Analysis
     - Quote Analysis Activities
          - Analyzing Quotes Chosen by the Teacher
          - Locating Supporting Evidence
          - Analyzing Your Own Evidence

Week Eleven: A Separate Peace
     - Building in Previous Skills:
          - Character Analysis
          - Quote Analysis Activities
               - Analyzing Quotes Chosen by the Teacher
               - Locating Supporting Evidence
               - Analyzing Your Own Evidence

Week Twelve: A Separate Peace
     - Character Development
     - Historical Connections and Symbolism
     - Developing Questions for Discussion
     - DOK (Depth of Knowledge)
     - Mini-Writing Prompt

Week Thirteen: A Separate Peace
     - Conflict, Climax, Resolution
     - Character Development
     - Interpreting Character Actions 
     - Lessons and Morals (Themes to the Novel)
     - Mini-Writing Prompt

Week Fourteen: Final Analysis Project
     - Student-Selected Projects
     - Topics and Controversies of the Novel
     - Selecting Topics
          - Analyzing Conflicts
          - Debating Topics
          - Developing Individual Projects
          - Presentation of Topics (If Time Allows)

*** Thank you for your consideration of my class. Please note that the proficiency levels and grades that are listed in the course description are recommendations but all students are welcome! Through professional training, I have developed classes with writing, reading, and discussions that can be modified to meet each student’s individual needs. For students who are interested in Honors and Advanced Options for transcripts, please reach out as soon as possible so that we can arrange transcript details for you!

Please note that while the course is designed with 9th and 10th-grade students in mind, I have a flexible age range. Students of varying ages are welcome if this class's curriculum, content, skills, teaching style, etc. fit their needs. I encourage all students and parents interested in my class to contact me with questions they might have! ***