Central Focus
In this integrated thematic unit (ITU), learners will grapple with real and imaginary stories of love, coming to an understanding of the transformative power of love in an individual’s life. Students will practice authentic conversation, building empathy to understand those who are different from them. Students will begin by reading and acting Romeo and Juliet, by William Shakespeare. They will conduct interviews with various audiences in the community: residents at a local senior living center, third grade students, and an adult couple. During this time, students will evaluate the cultural functions of various partnership customs, including arranged marriage and romantic love traditions. Students will respond to their understandings with wood-cut art pieces (including wood lanterns) for a public installation and evening of performance to which we will invite participating audiences.
Content Areas Included:
English Language Arts + World Cultures and Geography + Visual and Performing Arts + Service Learning
Note: This project was also integrated with Engineering, Physics, and Math
Enduring Understandings:
Love is transformative; love is influential.
Social scientists collect data through interviewing and seek to understand cultures objectively.
Romantic Love and Marriage rules/expectations vary from culture to culture. Sometimes the two go together, sometimes they don't.
Driving Questions:
What is love? What are the different types of love that we experience?
What is love to different age groups? How does our perception of love change over time?
What types of love are present in William Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet?
How can we have meaningful conversations with one another? With the people in our lives? With elementary school students? With the elderly?
Supports:
Note: All Supports can be found under the Resources Tab.
Differentiated Homework targeting comprehension
Adapted Reading
Group Reading Activity with Roles
Graphic Organizer for Planning Senior Center Visit
Multi-sensory Activity
Choice Activity
Assessment:
Work Ethic
Oral Communication
Content
In this integrated thematic unit (ITU), learners will grapple with real and imaginary stories of love, coming to an understanding of the transformative power of love in an individual’s life. Students will practice authentic conversation, building empathy to understand those who are different from them. Students will begin by reading and acting Romeo and Juliet, by William Shakespeare. They will conduct interviews with various audiences in the community: residents at a local senior living center, third grade students, and an adult couple. During this time, students will evaluate the cultural functions of various partnership customs, including arranged marriage and romantic love traditions. Students will respond to their understandings with wood-cut art pieces (including wood lanterns) for a public installation and evening of performance to which we will invite participating audiences.
Content Areas Included:
English Language Arts + World Cultures and Geography + Visual and Performing Arts + Service Learning
Note: This project was also integrated with Engineering, Physics, and Math
Enduring Understandings:
Love is transformative; love is influential.
Social scientists collect data through interviewing and seek to understand cultures objectively.
Romantic Love and Marriage rules/expectations vary from culture to culture. Sometimes the two go together, sometimes they don't.
Driving Questions:
What is love? What are the different types of love that we experience?
What is love to different age groups? How does our perception of love change over time?
What types of love are present in William Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet?
How can we have meaningful conversations with one another? With the people in our lives? With elementary school students? With the elderly?
Supports:
Note: All Supports can be found under the Resources Tab.
Differentiated Homework targeting comprehension
Adapted Reading
Group Reading Activity with Roles
Graphic Organizer for Planning Senior Center Visit
Multi-sensory Activity
Choice Activity
Assessment:
Work Ethic
Oral Communication
Content