LESSON TWO: Julius Caesar Background

                             

LESSON DESCRIPTION

Students learn background information for Julius Caesar, and identify cast of characters.

 

GRADE-LEVEL EXPECTATIONS

R2A        Recognize the text features of drama in grade-level text.

 

LESSON MATERIALS

§         Source of Literature

o           Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare

 

§         Supplies 

o        Cast of characters handout/overhead

 

§         Handouts provided

o        Cast of characters

o        Definition of Terms – Text Features

o        About Julius Caesar

o        Summary of Act 1 Scene 1

o        Act I  Scene II

 

§         Words to know

o        grade-level

o        text features

 

FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT 

Students retell the action in Act 1 Scene 2 of Julius Caesar.

 

LEARNING ACTIVITIES

 

  1. Discuss point of view, dialogue, and text features of drama. Display on unit chart.

 

  1. Distribute About Julius Caesar handout and discuss background information.

 

  1. Explore characters from literature and/or films/television shows that display a desire for power. Students list power-hungry characters and identify common characteristics.

 

  1. Introduce cast of characters and distribute Cast of Characters handout. Summarize Act I Scene I.

 

  1. Students read Act 1 scene 2 through line 24.

                               Strategy

Teacher may choose to show the video, play the CD, assign parts or read silently. Teachers should keep in mind that students will eventually need to be able to understand the dialogue of Julius Caesar.

 

 

 

 

 

 Questions for

   Students

Who are the main characters in this scene?

What are the main events?

What conflicts exists at this point in the drama?

Which characters are aligned?

 

                               Idea

http://www.sparknotes.com/shakespeare/juliuscaesar/