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 CURRICULUM

Julius Caesar: Two Sides to Every Story

Unit Overview

JULIUS CAESAR: TWO SIDES TO EVERY STORY

10th grade
 9 lessons
Students read selected scenes from Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare with omitted scenes summarized by the teacher. (Teachers may choose to read the entire play) Students analyze point of view, dialogue, and tone. In small groups, students rewrite specific passages into modern English while maintaining point of view, tone, and correct dialogue format.
list any specific strategies
This unit consists of nine lessons. The lessons focus on point of view, dialogue, and tone.
Handouts including graphic organizers
Formative and Summative Assessment
Glossary

Unit Plan: Lessons

Students

  Characteristics of Point of View and Dialogue Word HTML (with links to documents)
Julius Caesar Background Word HTML (with links to documents)
  Choosing Sides Word HTML (with links to documents)
  Let the Leader Beware Word HTML (with links to documents)
  Bridging the Language Gap Word HTML (with links to documents)
  The Unraveling Word HTML (with links to documents)
  Analyzing Solutions in Julius Caesar Word HTML (with links to documents)
  Words, Words, Words Word HTML (with links to documents)
  Hear, Hear Word HTML (with links to documents)

 Essential Questions:

How can a reader understand and interpret classic drama?
How do point of view and tone help the reader understand characters and their side of the story?
What is the purpose/role of dialogue in drama?
How do readers evaluate proposed solutions and why is this skill important?
What is the value of interpreting less familiar, more difficult form of English such as old English, technical manuals, and the language of contracts into modern, formal English?
How does the study of Julius Caesar help students understand political intrigue and assassination in recent historical events?

Summative Assessment and Scoring Guides:

 Students complete selected response, constructed response, and performance event portions of the assessment over the course of two days. 

Part I  Part I  Scoring Guide
Part II Part II Scoring Guide
 
 

PREVIOUS LEARNING

TARGETED LEARNING

FUTURE LEARNING

Students must be able to paraphrase in order to comprehend and interpret text

 

 R1H   Apply paraphrasing skills to comprehend, interpret, and translate text in modern English

                  

 Students must be able to comprehend and interpret materials and have a process for doing so

Students have read and studied at least one other Shakespearean play.

 R2A   Locate and recognize the text features of drama in grade-level fiction text

           

Students must be able to recognize text features so that they can read and understand plays.

Students must be able to use the table of contents and glossary

 R2C   Analyze point of view, dialogue, and tone evidenced by text details

Students must be able to analyze the fictional text elements in order to become life-long readers

Students must be able to apply their understanding of point of view, dialogue, and tone

 R2C  Analyze proposed solutions in fictional text using details from the text to support their position

Students must be able to evaluate proposed solutions in order to become life-long problem solvers

Students must be able to evaluate the problem-solving process of characters and the consequences of their actions

W3C  Write a dialogue with originality and individual perspective that interprets the text into modern English

         

          

Students must be able to write effectively in various forms and be able to interpret and comprehend various types of text

Students must be able to utilize the writing process

LS1  Listen for enjoyment and to evaluate own and other's effectiveness in presentations using provided criteria

Students must be able to evaluate messages to become critical listeners

Teacher Reflection

1. Did students understand dialogue and how it moves the plot of drama?

2. Did students understand tone?

3. Did students understand dialogue?

4. Did students follow the plot and understand the alliances in Julius Caesar?

Bibliography

Johns, JL., Lenski, S.D. (1997). Improving Reading: A Handbook of Strategies. Dubuque: Kendall-Hunt

Marzano, R., Pickering, D., Pollock, J. (2001). Classroom Instruction that Works. ASCD.

Reeves, D. (2002) Reasons to Write. New York: Kaplan Publishing.

Sousa, D. (2002). How the Brain Learns: A Classroom Teacher's Guide. Crown Press.

http://shakespeare.about.com/library/weekly/aa/103100a.htm

This site offers comprehensive information on Shakespeare

www.unitedstreaming.com

This site can be subscribed to for video clips and images, videos, cassettes, and CDs of Julius Caesar and Folger's Library

which has an ongoing exhibition of text and visual materials that relate to Shakespearean period.

 

 

 


Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
Division of School Improvement - Curriculum Services
Email: webreplyimprcurr@dese.mo.gov
Phone: 573-751-2625

Revised: September 14, 2006

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