Extra!! Extra!! Teen Love End in

Tragedy

A Web Quest for 8th Grade and up (LA/Social Studies/Journalism)

Introduction

We have been reading the play Romeo and Juliet. William Shakespeare Combines many themes in the play such as unconditional love, hate, family honor, family feuding, suicide

Task

First, have students brainstorm the many different sections that are featured in a newspaper.

1. Then explain to them that they will be creating their very own newspaper based on the play "Romeo and Juliet."

2. Explain to them that their newspaper title and all that the paper contains must be about the storyline.

3. Here are some examples of the titles and articles that some of my students have used in the past:

Title: The Verona Times

Articles: 1. A feature story about Romeo and others who crashed the Capulet party (where Romeo first meets Juliet)

3. Announcements

Write the marriage announcement the Capulets might have provided for Juliet and Paris.

4. An advice column where Juliet writes in for advice about her forbidden love for Romeo

5. Obituaries of Tybalt, Mercutio, Romeo, Juliet

6. Students write their articles out and then type them to cut and paste their newspaper.

7. Letter to the Editor

(From a citizen or a specific character in the play)

8. Gossip Column

Cover the Capulet party

Consider mentioning the following: the guests; the costumes and masks; the food served; the music played; any other entertainment, like dancing, games, etc.

9. Tabloid Reporting

Write an article in the exaggerated style of The National Enquirer, The Star, etc. Write the gossipy and suggestive report. Consider exaggerating the facts to interest your audience. Be sure to create an outrageous and saucy headline for your story.

Idea: Imagine that you are a tabloid reporter who happens to pass by the Capulet Orchard and overhears an exchange between Romeo and Juliet.

What other ideas can you think of for tabloid reporting?

10. Advertisements

Create individual ads that relate to the time period and, perhaps, the play.

11. Horoscopes

Use the theme of fate to cast some interesting horoscopes.

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Process

1. Begin by quickly scanning the play to refresh your memory of its contents.

2. Study these links to help you develop ideas that go beyond the book.

3. Links to look at for your Quest:

Life in Elizabethan England: Masters and Servants

http://renaissance.dm.net/compendium/14.html

Life in Elizabethan England: Services and Occupations

http://renaissance.dm.net/compendium/3.html

Life in Elizabethan England: Children and Childhood

http://renaissance.dm.net/compendium/40.html

Life in Elizabethan England: Household Management

http://renaissance.dm.net/compendium/30.html

Life in Elizabethan England: What Every Schoolboy Needs to Know

http://renaissance.dm.net/compendium/54.html

Life in Elizabethan England: Money

http://renaissance.dm.net/compendium/6.html

Life in Elizabethan England: Language

http://renaissance.dm.net/compendium/8.html

Elizabethan Period Costumes

http://www.renfaire.com/Costume/index.html

Middle Class and Noble Men's Garments

http://www.directcon.net/wander/upmen.htm

Elizabethan Jewelry

http://www.directcon.net/wander/lizjewel.htm

Elizabethan Fashion

http://www.alphalink.com.au/~okayb/page4.html

Medieval and Renaissance Wedding Feast

http://www.regia.org/food.htm

Hairstyles of the Elizabethan Period

http://www.springfield.k12.il.us/schools/springfield/eliz/hairstyles.html

Renaissance Court Gowns

http://www.yosa.com/catalog/gowns/tudorgown.html

Elizabethan Food and Drink

http://renaissance.dm.net/compendium/19.html

Medieval and Renaissance Wedding Feast

http://www.godecookery.com/how2cook/howto08.htm

Renaissance Wedding Ceremony

http://www.pemberley.com/janeinfo/compraym.html

4. In your creative work teams, brainstorm some ways to accomplish the task.

5. Divide up the task of completing the writing. Use members of another creative work team as critical friends to improve your drafts periodically.

6. Present your new work to the rest of the class.

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Evaluation

You will be graded on two concepts; first how well you worked with your team and second the final product. The three categories are beginning, which mean that you and your group are in the preliminary stages of your product. The developing stage is when you and your group have some of the project done. The expert stage is when you and your group have completed the project and it is done to perfection.

Beginning 0-2 points	Developing 3-4 points	Expert 5-6 points
Works toward group goals only when prompted. Contributes to the group only when prompted. Needs occasional reminders to be sensitive to the feelings of others. Participates in needed changes when prompted and encouraged.	Works toward group goals with occasional prompting. Contributes to the group with occasional prompting. Shows sensitivity to the feelings of others. Participates in needed changes, with occasional prompting.	Consistently and actively works toward group goals. Is sensitive to the feelings and learning needs of all group members. Willingly accepts and fulfills individual role within the group. Consistently and actively contributes knowledge, opinions, and skills. Values the knowledge, opinion and skills of all group members and encourage their contribution. Helps group identifies necessary changes and encourages group action for change.
Does not attempt to gain attention of audience no visuals, facts, just starting research for articles	Very little detail, some visuals, developing stages of articles	Gives details or an amusing facts, very colorful visuals and very descriptive and informative articles
Many errors in grammar, capitalization, spelling and punctuation make my paper hard to read.	My spelling is correct on common words. Some errors in grammar and punctuation. I need to revise it again.	I use first-person form, and I use correct sentence structure, grammar, punctuation and spelling.
Student work is disorganized and no interpretation of historical events through perspective of those living in that setting.	Student organizes historical information and some interpretation of events through perspective of those living in that setting.	Student creatively organizes historical information and excellent interpretation of events through perspective of those living in that setting.

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Conclusion

After completing this Web quest you will have an understanding of the time period in which Romeo and Juliet lived in. After gaining all of this knowledge; do you think that you would have like living in this time period? What do you like the best and what aspects do you dislike the most?

Credits & References

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Last updated on (11-25-03). Based on a template from The Web Quest Page