Act 1, Scene 5--ACTION!

Today my students put on a relatively quickly-prepared performance of Act 1, Scene 5 of Romeo and Juliet (the party scene in which Romeo and Juliet meet).  We spent a couple of days last week in reading, interpreting, and blocking the scene.  I sent them home with masks to complete as homework, and today I taught them a simple Elizabethan dance (to the tune of "Love Story" by Taylor Swift) before we put the whole scene in motion.  Sounds like a fun activity, right?  But honestly, I was dreading this day all weekend. 

I really had no idea how it would turn out, as some of my kids LOVE this unit and others look like they want to stab their eyes out.  It's one thing to passively sit there and take notes or work on a handout, but it's another when a teacher asks you to get up out of your seat and DO something... to speak out... and to DANCE, even.  So I had my apprehensions about today.  There would be so much to juggle and so many students to win over.

First period was kind of a chaotic mess, as it is many times, because it's the first time I'm going through my lesson and I'm still figuring things out.  Just like birth order, though, my first period class is like the first born, generally fairly compliant and will go along with anything I come up with, so it's not usually a problem.  While my transitions were rough and the kids stumbled through their parts, we bumbled through together and students enjoyed the activity.

Third is my middle child--more rebellious, unpredictable, and sometimes more attitude, but also my class with some of the most talent.  I was worried that they'd roll their eyes at the dance and then just sit there when it was time to perform.  Surprisingly, they ALL participated in the dance, and I do believe I detected smiles and even laughter.  :)  They're also the ones who came up with having two boys play Romeo and Juliet (since I taught them that's how Shakespeare did it in the old days), which made for one of the more interesting scenes of the day.

Seventh, oh, seventh.  They definitely are the "baby" of my scholastic family--they make more noise, they demand more of my attention, and there needs to be more structure and rules in place.  But they are fun and full of life, and just like real babies-of-the-family, they hold a special spot in my heart.  Still, I am always wary and apprehensive about new lessons that give them more freedom.  I'm afraid they're going to go crazy.  Today had potential to be one of those days, but all in all, I'd have to say that they were pretty good.  Yes, they had to be reined in--many times.  But the fact that I can actually REIN THEM IN is such a contrast to the beginning of the year, and such a huge praise! 

Oh, and my Honors?  I never talk about them, because they are so good, but I really should.  They are all so excited each day to learn more Shakespeare!  "Mrs. To, are we going to read more Romeo and Juliet today??" "Mrs. To, I know you didn't assign it yet, but I finished reading the rest of the act, and it was so good!"   An educator's DREAM, I tell you!  I was so impressed by their masks and the effort they put into dancing and acting their scene!  I even heard squeals of, "This was the best class ever!" as some of them left for the next period.  Oh, Honors... I am so blessed to have you.

So I would rate Act 1, Scene 5 as a relative success.  Phew!  In the end, I have to keep my eye on my overall goal and objective.  Are my students understanding Shakespeare more because they are EXPERIENCING it, instead of just reading it?  Are they engaged in the activities which will, in turn, hook them into studying the play?  Are they connecting the themes in Romeo and Juliet to real life and able to see how those themes develop within the play?  Hm, a pretty tall order.  I would say that I'm definitely doing my best to fill it.  Act 1, Scene 5 was not the complete disaster that I was afraid of, and there were definite moments of success, so I'll take it!

Now just four more acts to go.................