Station 1: Impulsiveness

TASK: Impulsiveness plays a big part in Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. Before you begin, take about one minute to think about all the characters that acted impulsively. In your group, discuss each situation.

  1. Who acted impulsively and why?
  2. What were the causes and effects of such impulsiveness?
  3. What truth about life do you think Shakespeare is trying to relay to his readers?

As you discuss, be sure to

  1. listen attentively to each other
  2. be respectful; if someone else is speaking, wait for your turn
  3. let other people speak; do not hog the discussion
  4. agree to disagree; we are all unique and have our own opinions. A healthy debate is good, but make sure it stays “healthy!”
  • Impulse: A sudden wish or urge that prompts an unpremeditated act or feeling; an abrupt inclination (

Notes to be taken below:

Group members: ______

Note Taker: ______

Station 2: Love Is in the Air

TASK: You are to use your True Love Opinionnaire from the beginning of your unit as a basis for your discussion on love.

Items up for Discussion:

  1. How did you feel about the specific categories before and after the play? Did you change your mind about anything?
  2. How do these categories relate to the characters in Romeo and Juliet?
  3. Did your opinions differ from those of your parents? With your group, discuss the differences you have with your parents.
  4. When you put yourself in “Your Character’s” mind (middle column of opinionnaire), how did he or she feel about each category?

Notes to be taken below:

Group members: ______

Note Taker: ______

Station 3: Cause and Effect

TASK: As a group, create a graphic organizer which explains all the cause and effect relationships in Romeo and Juliet. You can use the graphic organizer that is on the table - you may add circles to this graphic organizer - or you can create your own organizer with the blank paper on the desk. As a group, make sure you discuss how cause and effect relationships play a big part in Romeo and Juliet. If you have time, fill out more than one graphic organizer!

Group members: ______

Person filling out the graphic: ______

Station 4: Shakespearean Times Research

Name: ______

Period: ______

TASK: Use the Internet to answer the following ten questions. If you do not finish today, you are to finish for homework.

  1. When was Shakespeare born?
  2. July 4, 1776
  3. April 23, 1564
  4. September 2, 1490
  1. In what town did Shakespeare grow up?
  2. London
  3. Dublin
  4. Stratford-upon-Avon
  1. Who were the two reigning monarchs during Shakespeare’s life?
  2. Henry VI and Richard III
  3. Elizabeth I and James I
  4. William and Mary
  1. Who was one of Shakespeare’s most well known contemporaries?
  2. Arthur Miller
  3. Christopher Marlowe
  4. Dante
  1. In what outdoor theatre did Shakespeare present most of his plays?
  2. The Rose
  3. The BearGarden
  4. The Globe
  1. Shakespeare first published his work in a Folio. What is a folio?
  1. Who helped publish Shakespeare’s First Folio after his death?
  2. His wife
  3. Two actors form his company, John Heminge and Henry Condell
  4. His lawyer
  1. What three genres were Shakespeare’s plays divided into in the First Folio?
  2. Comedy, History, and Tragedy
  3. Action, Drama, and Romance
  4. Slapstick, Western, Tragedy
  1. Who did not portray Hamlet on film?
  2. Mel Gibson
  3. Colin Farrell
  4. Ethan Hawke
  1. In what poetic meter did Shakespeare compose the majority of his plays and verse?
  2. terza rima
  3. anapestic trimeter
  4. iambic pentameter

Questions courtesy of the National Endowment For the Arts – “Fun with Shakespeare”

Station 5: Reflection

You will stay at this station for twenty minutes / two rotations

TASK: Reflection is a process in which you sit back and think about how something went. Your task is to respond in a structurally sound, well-written reflection on the following four things:

1.How did you make a connection to the play?

2.Did the play make you realize something or change your mind about something?

3.What are some main themes of the play and how do they apply to today’s world?

4.How did your group interact? Remark on any interesting conversations. (If you’re doing this station first, skip this question)

You may discuss these items with your group before you begin writing. You may finish this for homework if you do not finish in class.

Name: ______