We don't have too much time to settle in today. We are finishing Romeo and Juliet and we need most of the hour to read Act 5, scene 3. As students get their books and notebooks out, I will assign character roles. There are 13 speaking parts in this scene, so almost everyone will get to read today. I will start by asking students haven't read lately to select their roles and work from there. Since it's the last time we get to read in this way, I want to give everyone a fair chance to participate.
It will take most of the hour to read and discuss the final scene of the play. This last scene beautifully captures the essence of the whole play: it is simple, yet complex, and we will study it all. I think of this scene in terms of three sections, pausing after each to discuss key questions:
Before: Paris and Romeo
During: Romeo enters the tomb and both commit suicide (RL.9-10.4)
After: Everyone arrives and reacts
The at the end of the scene, we will discuss it as a whole: How does the structure create tension and reveal mood and purpose? (RL.9-10.5).
Before we end for the hour, I want to give students a chance to rate this play. I will ask that they simply rate the play on a scale from 1-5, using one hand to show their rating. It is a quick and effective way for me to get a sense of their thoughts. Take a look at some of their scores.