The Merchant of Venice: A Unit Plan for English Language Learners291

Introduction

William Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice is a classic play that explores themes of love, friendship, and prejudice. It is a challenging text for English language learners (ELLs), but it can also be a rewarding one. This unit plan provides a step-by-step guide for teaching The Merchant of Venice to ELLs. It includes activities that focus on vocabulary, comprehension, character development, and discussion of the play's themes.

Objectives

By the end of this unit, students will be able to:
Read and understand the text of The Merchant of Venice.
Identify and define key vocabulary words.
Summarize the plot of the play.
Analyze the characters in the play.
Discuss the play's themes.
Write an essay about the play.

Materials

The following materials are needed for this unit:
A copy of The Merchant of Venice
A dictionary
A whiteboard or chart paper
Markers
Handouts (optional)

Procedure

This unit is divided into five lessons. Each lesson includes a variety of activities that are designed to help students learn about the play. The lessons can be adapted to fit the needs of your students and your classroom.

Lesson 1: Introduction to the Play

Begin by introducing students to the play. Provide them with some background information about Shakespeare and his time. Then, read aloud the first scene of the play. As you read, stop and discuss the meaning of any unfamiliar words or phrases.

Lesson 2: Vocabulary and Comprehension

In this lesson, students will focus on vocabulary and comprehension. Begin by reviewing the vocabulary words from the first scene. Then, have students read the second scene of the play. As they read, have them identify any new vocabulary words and write down their definitions.

After students have finished reading, discuss the plot of the play. Ask them to summarize the events of the first two scenes. Then, answer any questions that students have about the play.

Lesson 3: Character Development

In this lesson, students will focus on character development. Begin by asking students to describe the main characters in the play. Then, have them identify the character traits of each character.

Next, have students discuss how the characters change throughout the play. Ask them to identify the events that cause the characters to change. Finally, have students write a paragraph about one of the characters in the play.

Lesson 4: Discussion of Themes

In this lesson, students will discuss the themes of the play. Begin by asking students to identify the main themes of the play.

Then, have them discuss how these themes are explored in the play.

Finally, have students write an essay about one of the themes of the play.

Lesson 5: Assessment

In this lesson, students will be assessed on their understanding of the play. The assessment can be a written essay, a oral presentation, or a group project.

Differentiation

This unit plan can be differentiated to meet the needs of all learners. For struggling students, provide them with more scaffolding and support. For example, you could read the play aloud to them, or provide them with a summary of the plot.

For advanced students, provide them with more challenging activities. For example, you could have them research the historical context of the play, or write a critical essay about the play.

Extension Activities

Here are some extension activities that you can use to supplement this unit:

Have students stage a scene from the play.
Have students write a sequel to the play.
Have students create a multimedia project about the play.

2024-11-13

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