YES Prep Makes Learning Relevant

TL;DR

Ninth grade English teacher at YES Charter School uses creative methods to engage students in studying Shakespeare and analyzing his plays.

Transcript

Rachel: My name is Rachel Arthur, I teach ninth grade English, and I'm also the ninth grade level chair. >>Friar Lawrence is really upset, right? Why would Friar Lawrence be so upset? >>The students really got into, "Romeo and Juliet." I just started with teaching them about Shakespeare, William Shakespeare, the person, and then also we just talk... Read More

Key Insights

• 😒 The use of creative outlets can enhance students' understanding and enjoyment of challenging literature like Shakespeare.
• 🧑‍🎓 Personal connections to the material, such as relating it to contemporary terms, make it more relevant and engaging for students.
• 🧑‍🎓 Building positive relationships and creating a supportive environment in the classroom can foster student motivation and academic success.

Questions & Answers

Q: Why is Friar Lawrence upset?

Friar Lawrence is upset because of the problems that might arise from Romeo not having received a crucial letter yet, leading to potential misunderstandings and conflicts in the play.

Q: How do students at YES Charter School express their understanding of Romeo and Juliet in contemporary terms?

Students at YES Charter School have the opportunity to translate the play into contemporary terms through creative outlets such as creating sonnets, poems, raps, and visual representations.

Q: How does the teacher encourage student engagement and participation?

The teacher builds positive relationships with students and creates an environment where they feel cared for and supported, contributing to their engagement and participation in the classroom.

Q: Why is this approach to education worth it despite the challenges?

The teacher believes that the long hours and hard work are worth it because they witness the transformation in individual students, their families, and even the city as the school addresses the problems within the education system.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The teacher introduces students to Shakespeare and Elizabethan terms to familiarize them with the language.

• Students collect evidence from the play to analyze and write an analysis paper by the end of the unit.

• Creative outlets like creating sonnets, poems, raps, and visual representations are used to encourage artistic expression.