Lesson 2: Cluster 1: Romeo & Juliet Lesson 1 - Vocabulary
Duration of Days: 2
Lesson Objective
Determine the meaning of words and phrases
Use new words in writing
Who am I?
What makes us unique?
Call
Different
Everyone
Everywhere
Friend
Like
Other
Unique
9.12.8 determine the meaning of words and phrases in oral presentations and literary and informational text.
Reading for comprehension
Writing for comprehension
Understanding and applying vocabulary
To expand morphology skills and decode figurative language/idioms.
DOK Level: DOK 1 (Identify, Define)
Family Conflicts and Traditions: Many cultures place massive emphasis on family loyalty, arranged marriages, or long-standing community/tribal rivalries. Students can connect the Montague/Capulet feud to traditional family expectations or rivalries in their own home countries.
The Importance of Surnames: In many cultures (e.g., Hispanic, East Asian), naming conventions carry deep ancestral weight, status, or maternal/paternal history. Juliet's willingness to give up her family name ("Capulet") is a major cultural sacrifice that students can compare to their own naming traditions.
Forbidden Love Tropes: Students can connect this to popular media from their own cultures (e.g., Telenovelas, Bollywood movies, K-dramas, or local folklore like Layla and Majnun) where two people from different social classes or warring factions fall in love.
The Meaning of "Oh Romeo, Romeo!": ESOL students often interpret this as Juliet calling out to Romeo because he is nearby. They may not realize she is speaking to the night sky (a soliloquy), unaware that he is hiding below and listening.
The Literal Rose: Students might think Juliet is talking about a literal flower or a person named Rose, rather than using the rose as a metaphor for identity and labeling.
The "Why is your name..." Question: The line "Why is your name 'Romeo Montague'?" (traditionally "Wherefore art thou Romeo?") can be misunderstood as Juliet asking for the historical origin of his name, rather than lamenting the fact that he belongs to an enemy family.
Modern vs. Classical Language: Because this text is heavily adapted and simplified for English learners, students might mistakenly assume Shakespeare wrote in plain, modern English, which can cause a shock when they encounter unadapted Shakespearean text later.
Sentence starters
Visual aids
Small group instruction
Student work
Student participation
Conversations
Exit Ticket
End of unit assessment