This lesson is designed for a Year 9 English/Drama class studying Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. Students will analyze the balcony scene and present their interpretations using a PowerPoint presentation with their own dialogue in red underneath Shakespeare's text. They will include images and discuss the theme of love overcoming barriers of families and names. Students can choose to act out their interpretation or make a video posting it online for assessment and reflection.

1. This lesson is designed for a NSW Stage 5 Year 9 English/Drama class studying the theme of ‘Love and Barriers’ (in two lessons) analysing Shakespeare’s balcony scene from Romeo and Juliet. English 1.1 respond to and compose a range of imaginative, factual and critical texts which are increasingly demanding in terms of their linguistic, structural, cognitive, emotional and moral complexity 1.2 respond to and compose more sustained texts in a range of contexts 1.5 respond to texts from different reading positions as an aspect of their developing moral and ethical stances on issues 2.1 produce sustained spoken and written texts in rehearsed, unrehearsed and impromptu situations 2.2 use writing and representing as an aid to research, planning, classifying information and learning 2.5 assess the achievements of their own and others compositions and responses according to specific guidelines of effectiveness for purpose, audience and context 3.1 respond to and compose increasingly complex texts in different technologies considering the effects of the technology including layout and design on meaning 3.2 identify and critically evaluate the ways information, ideas and issues are shaped by and presented through technology 3.3 use advanced word processing tools including formatting of references and bibliographies, formatting multiple page documents including weblinks, importing data from internet and manipulating images to compose and format texts for different purposes, audiences and contexts, including the workplace 5.3 adapt their own or familiar texts into different forms, structures, modes and media for different purposes, audiences and contexts 7.1 ask perceptive and relevant questions, make logical predictions, draw analogies and challenge ideas and information in texts 9.2 relate the content and ideas in texts to the world beyond the texts 9.3 describe ways in which their own responses to texts are personal and reflect their own context 9.4 identify different reading positions and interpretations of particular texts and appreciate distinctions in meaning 9.5 draw conclusions about their own values in relation to the values expressed and reflected by texts, and their responses to them. Drama 1.1 manipulates the elements of drama to create belief, clarity and tension in character, role, situation and action 1.2 contributes, selects, develops and structures ideas in improvisation and play building 1.3 devises, interprets and enacts drama using scripted and unscripted material or text 3.1 responds to, reflects on and evaluates elements of drama, dramatic forms, performance styles, dramatic techniques and theatrical conventions

2. Romeo and Juliet Theme - Love and barriers The Balcony Scene