Wednesday, November 12, 2014

Shakespeare's Julius Caesar: The Power of Words



Enduring Understanding:  Words and actions, purposely chosen, have a great impact on the individual as well as society.


Objective:  The students will read the historical tragedy by William Shakespeare in its entirety in class.  They will discuss the historical importance of the play as it applies to the Roman Empire, The Elizabethan Age and modern society.  We will see how Shakespeare used words to create a powerful drama that is still applicable today.

Performance Activity/Assessment:

The Roman Newspaper (Writing)
Newspaper Rubric

The One Minute One Slide Power Point Presentation 

Ides of March Dress-Up Day:  Roman Clothing Power Point

                                                          
Focus:  Research and Writing.  Speaking and Listening

Common Core Standards Covered:    Reading:                                1,2,3,4,5, 6, 7
                                                              Reading Informational Texts:    1,2                                                               Writing:                                      2 a,b,c,d,e                                                                                                                 4,5,6,7,8,9
                                                              Speaking and Listening:           1 a,b,c,d
                                                                                                                2, 4, 5      

Duration:  5-6 Weeks

Essential Questions: 


1.      How does a drama, novel, short story, poem, essay or article reveal an author’s point of view? 
2.      How is effective propaganda used? 
3.      How does one persuade or influence another person.
4.      When do a person’s actions speak louder than their words?
5.      What is a hero?  And what is a Tragic Hero?
6.   How far should someone go in order to better society?

What do we want our students to know?
  • Reliable vs. Unreliable Sources
  • Vetting important information and details
  • Citing sources
  • How to read and understand Shakespearean Language
  • The Elements of a Drama
  • Historical Background of the drama
  • Shakespeare's use of poetic devices and figurative language.

Literature/Texts
  • Julius Caesar

Tuesday, November 11, 2014

Week 1 Pre-reading Activities

1.  Research in Library for Julius Caesar One-Minute Presentations

2.  "Julius Caesar" Timeline Discussion (political background to the play)
                Blank Handout
                Completed Handout

3.  Julius Caesar Intro Notes using Holt Book
                Blank Handout with Questions
                Completed Handout

4.  Act I Vocabulary
                Vocabulary Table Handout
                Act I Vocabulary Exercises 

5.  One Slide and One Minute Power Point Presentations
               Note Sheet Handout for Students


Plutarch and his works
Renaissance
The Globe
Elizabethan Actors
Elizabethan Stage (Main Stage Parts)
Elizabethan Audience (The Groundlings)




King Tarquin
First Triumvirate
Pompey
Veni, Vedi, Veci
Roman War Prisoners




Monday, November 10, 2014

Act I Activities

Presentations:



Festival of Lupercalia
Julius Caesar
Marcus Brutus
Cassius
Tiber River
Soothsayer


Activity 1:  Act I Soliloquy Translation

Activity 2::  Act I Review

Sunday, November 9, 2014

Act II Activites

Presentations



Astrology
Augury
Year of Confusion and the Julian Calendar
Slavery in the Roman Empire
Marcus Cato
Roman View of Suicide


Activity 1:  Act II Vocabulary Exercise

1. interpose (v)

2. spurn (v)

3. disperse (v)

4. insurrection (n)

5. hideous (adj)

6. semblance (n)

7. cognizance (n)

8. redress (v)

9. construe (v)

10. carrion (n)


Activity 2:  Act II Soliloquy Translation

Activity 3:  Act II Review

Activity 4:  Act I and Act II Story Board Handout

Saturday, November 8, 2014

Act III Activities

Presentations



Tragedy and tragic Hero
Roman Clothing
Role of Roman Women
The Roman Senate
Marcus Cicero
Artimidorus  of Cnidos
Rhetoric and Oration
Marc Antony
Helvis Cinna


Activity 1:  Act III Vocabulary Exercise

1. reek (verb)

2. cumbersome (adj.)

3. enfranchisement (noun)

4. oration (noun)

5. couch (verb)

6. compel (verb)

7. leaden (adj.)

8. abridge (verb)

9. fond (adj.)

10. apprehensive (adj.)

Note: 6 on synonyms: make leaden. Leaden means dull, not

sharp in this play.


Activity 2:  Act III Translation

Activity 3:  Act III Review

Friday, November 7, 2014

Avt IV Activities

Presentations



Second Triumvirate
Portia
Calphurnia
Phillippi


Activity 1:  Act IV Vocabulary Exercise

1. grudge

2. plunder

3. contaminate

4. conspirator

5. nimbleness

6. deceitful

7. knave

8. cynical

9. endure

10. grieve


Activity 2:  Act IV Translation

Activity 3:  Act IV Review

Tuesday, November 4, 2014

Additional Helpful Sites

Curriculet:  The Julius Caesar Page:  This is a digital copy of the play with embedded text based questions, annotations, videos, and quizzes.  You can also add your own