Subject:
English Language Arts
Material Type:
Lesson Plan
Level:
High School
Grade:
11
Provider:
Pearson
Tags:
  • Grade 11 ELA
  • Writing
  • License:
    Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial
    Language:
    English

    Characters Reactions

    Characters Reactions

    Overview

    In this lesson, students will continue with their reading of Much Ado About Nothing and see how the characters react to yet another deception—the news of Hero’s “death.”

    Preparation

    • Read the lesson and student content.
    • Anticipate student difficulties and identify the differentiation options you will choose for working with your students.
    • Assign small groups for the reading of act 5, scenes 2 and 3. There are four parts to read in scene 2: Benedick, Margaret, Beatrice, and Ursula. There are three parts in scene 3: Claudio, Lord, and Don Pedro.

    Act 5, Scene 1 Quick Write

    • Return Dialectical Journals from act 4.
    • Before you get into the specifics that students have about the problems of the scene given for homework, have them do a Quick Write explaining exactly what their problems are with the scene.
    • Establish a time limit for writing to the Quick Write prompt.
    • Allow students a few minutes to share with partners when they’ve finished their Quick Writes.
      • ELL: This can be a good place to check for understanding with ELLs to make sure that they are following the plot as they begin the final act.

    Opening

    Before you discuss with your teacher and class any questions you have, complete a Quick Write in response to what you read in act 5, scene 1.

    • What finally convinces Claudio that he was wrong about Hero?
    • What does it say about him that he needed this kind of proof and wasn’t able to take Beatrice and Hero’s word, as Benedick did?
    • What do you think will happen in what remains of the play?

    Open Notebook

    When you’ve finished, share your thoughts with a partner.

    Act 5, Scene 1 Class Check-In

    • Project or display the student instructions for easier viewing.
    • Facilitate a group discussion of the action in act 5, scene 1.
    • Allow students a few minutes to review and edit their Character Charts, if necessary.

    Work Time

    Share your thoughts and questions with the class to clear up any questions you have about act 5, scene 1.

    • Be sure to address both the questions you wrote down while you were reading and the responses you and your partner had to the questions in the previous task.
    • When the discussion is finished, return to your Much Ado About Nothing Character Chart and add to it or change what you have already written in it.

    Act 5, Scene 2 Read Aloud

    • Before having students resume their reading, read aloud the summary of act 5, scene 2.
    • Remind them to continue with their Dialectical Journal entries.
    • Remind them to sign up for their presentations.
      • SWD: If you have students who are finding the Read Alouds particularly difficult, you can choose to have them follow along with a recorded version of the play, whether a film or an audio recording.

    Work Time

    With a small group, read act 5, scene 2. There are four parts in this scene: Benedick, Margaret, Beatrice, and Ursula.

    • Assign parts within your group. You might give one part to each person.
    • Another possibility is to take turns, changing readers on each page. Maybe your group has one or two able readers who can read for your group.
    • Pause your reading after each page to discuss what happened and make sure that everyone understands.
    • Keep your voices soft so as not to bother the other groups.

    Act 5, Scene 2 Comprehension

    • Facilitate a brief review of the action in act 5, scene 2.
    • Have students explain what we learn about the relationship between Beatrice and Benedick in this scene.
    • Review the five-act arc of the play. Act 5 is the resolution, or denouement.
    • Remind students to continue with their Dialectical Journal entries.

    Work Time

    Share with the whole class your understanding of what takes place in act 5, scene 2.

    • Be sure to ask any questions that your group still has.
    • When you’ve finished, if time remains, make entries for this scene in your Much Ado About Nothing Dialectical Journal.

    Act 5, Scene 3 Read Aloud

    • Before having students resume their reading, read aloud the synopsis of act 5, scene 3 from the scene summaries.

    Closing

    Read act 5, scene 3 with your small group. There are just three parts this time: Claudio, Lord, and Don Pedro.

    • This is a very short scene, so if you finish early, be sure to make your entries in your Much Ado About Nothing Dialectical Journal for this scene.

    Act 5, Scene 3

    • Remind students that the next scene will be the play’s last. If they have fallen behind, it's extremely important that they catch up as soon as possible.

    Homework

    • If you haven’t finished act 5, scenes 2 and 3 in class, do so for homework.
    • Make sure to take notes on what is confusing and continue working on your Much Ado About Nothing Dialectical Journal.