Overview and Background: Unit: Much Ado About Nothing

Carla Simmons : Cheney USD 268

Art, Drama, Music. English. : English : English IV

Cheney : Grades 12 - 12 : Aug. - Jun.

Title:	Much Ado About Nothing
Topics:	Shakespeare, drama, theater
Time Frame:	Four 85-minute blocks
Start Date:	-
Status:	Draft
Date Revised:

Other Designers:

Summary:
This unit follows a study of Macbeth and introduces them to Shakespeare's comedies. Students will read portions of Much Ado About Nothing and watch a movie version(I use Kenneth Branagh's 1993 movie). We stop and discuss the movie after each scene or act using a study guide I created from several sources.

Print Materials Needed:
Copies of the play--one for each student
The movie Much Ado About Nothing

Resources:
Cliffs Notes

Resource Attachments:

Internet Resource Links:
Link 1:http://imdb.com/
Link 2:http://www.jetlink.net/~massij/shakes/films/filmgen.htm
Link 3:http://www.penguinputnam.com/academic/resources/guides/shakes3/frame.htm
Link 4:http://www.puzzlemaker.com/
Link 5:http://teachwithmovies.org/guides/much-ado-about-nothing.html

Notes:

I am in the process of updating the original study guide I made several years ago, incorporating ideas from most of the sources listed.

Stage 1: Identify Desired Results

State:	KS
Title:	Reading, Writing, Literature
Standard(s):	Reading Standard 1: Learners demonstrate skill in reading a variety of materials for a variety of purposes. Benchmark 1: The proficient reader comprehends whole pieces of narration, exposition, persuasion, and technical writing. Benchmark 3: The proficient reader reads fluently. Benchmark 4: The proficient reader uses what he/she already knows about the topic and the type of text to understand what is read. Benchmark 5: The proficient reader draws conclusions supported by the text. Writing Standard 2: Learners write effectively for a variety of audiences, purposes, and contexts. Benchmark 1: A proficient writer uses ideas that are well developed, clear and interesting. Benchmark 4: The proficient writer uses effective word choice. Benchmark 6: The proficient writer uses standard American English conventions. Benchmark 7: The proficient writer uses a writing process that includes preparation, drafting, revising, editing, and publishing to produce a written document. Literature Standard 3: Learners demonstrate knowledge of literature from a variety of cultures, genres, and time periods. Benchmark 1: The proficient reader demonstrates knowledge of the effects of cultures on literature. Benchmark 2: The proficient reader identifies characteristics of a wide variety of literary genres in various formats. Standard 4 Learners demonstrate skills needed to read and respond to literature. Benchmark 2:The proficient reader evaluates literature with criteria based on purposes for reading and derived from time periods and cultures.

Understandings:
user	Youth cannot always know what is right because of inexperience. Even though times change, basic human nature does not. Literary themes transcend time.

Essential Questions:
User	How does inexperience make people make incorrect assumptions? How does inexperience cause people to make rash decisions? What aspects of human nature do not change? Why not? What makes literature appeal to audiences of all ages and times? What is love? Can you have love at first sight?

Knowledge and Skills:

K
William Shakespeare is available and accessible in our everyday lives.
The primary purpose of William Shakespeare's plays was to entertain an audience.
Human nature has changed little since the 1600s.
Decisions made in haste can lead to regret.

S
Recognize humor in Shakespeare's writings.
Analyze their own decisions and possible consequences.
Choose vocabulary reflecting understanding of the essential questions as they relate to Much Ado.

Stage 2: Determine Acceptable Evidence

Assessment Summary:
Alphabet book using concise words and explanations reflecting understanding of the essential questions as they relate to Much Ado About Nothing. The students are the author/illustrator of books for teenagers. Create an alphabet book for middle school or high school students who are not familiar with Much Ado About Nothing. One or more of these themes must be present in the book: Youth cannot always know what is right because of inexperience. Even though times change, basic human nature does not. Literary themes transcend time (love conquers all, people are not always honest with themselves, etc.). Use at least one word for each letter of the alphabet. Each word must include an appropriate explanation tying that word to the theme and the play. Include at least one illustration for every other letter.
Key Criteria: Accurate, relevant vocabulary; meaningful illustrations; valid explanations relating words or illustrations to the play; documentation of sources used. Rubric will include these traits from Six-Trait Writing: ideas & content, word choice, conventions.

Task/Prompt: Alphabet Book

Type:Performance Task

Topics: Shakespeare, drama, theater

Summary:
Alphabet book using concise words and explanations reflecting understanding of the essential questions as they relate to Much Ado About Nothing. The students are the author/illustrator of books for teenagers. Create an alphabet book for middle school or high school students who are not familiar with Much Ado About Nothing. One or more of these themes must be present in the book: Youth cannot always know what is right because of inexperience. Even though times change, basic human nature does not. Literary themes transcend time (love conquers all, people are not always honest with themselves, etc.). Use at least one word for each letter of the alphabet. Each word must include an appropriate explanation tying that word to the theme and the play. Include at least one illustration for every other letter.
Key Criteria: Accurate, relevant vocabulary; meaningful illustrations; valid explanations relating words or illustrations to the play; documentation of sources used. Rubric will include these traits from Six-Trait Writing: ideas & content, word choice, conventions.

Print Materials Needed:

Resources:

Resource Attachments:

Internet Resource Links:
Link 1: http://
Link 2: http://
Link 3: http://
Link 4: http://
Link 5: http://

Notes:

Student Directions:
You are the author/illustrator of books for teenagers. Create an alphabet book for middle school or high school students who are not familiar with Much Ado About Nothing. One or more of these themes must be present in the book: Youth cannot always know what is right because of inexperience. Even though times change, basic human nature does not. Literary themes transcend time (love conquers all, people are not always honest with themselves, etc.). Use at least one word for each letter of the alphabet. Each word must include an appropriate explanation tying that word to the theme and the play. Include at least one illustration for every other letter.

Key Criteria: Accurate, relevant vocabulary; meaningful illustrations; valid explanations relating words or illustrations to the play; documentation of sources used. Rubric will include these traits from Six-Trait Writing: ideas & content, word choice, conventions.

Other assessment evidence to be collected:
Selected Response/Short-answer test/quiz
	Quiz--on the entire play
Selected Response/Short-answer test/quiz
	Study guides on individual scenes and/or acts

Stage 3: Plan Learning Experiences and Instruction

Learning Activities:

1. Show students cover for video Much Ado About Nothing. Note popular actors featured in the production.
2. Discuss if basic human nature has changed since Shakespeare's time? What literary themes remain popular?
3. Study guides & class discussions--on individual scenes and/or acts. Use a study guide to guide students through reading and viewing.
Do some of the characters seem like people you know or know of?
4. Have you ever made a decision based on evidence that turned out to be wrong?
5. Quiz--on the entire play
6. Alphabet book over Much Ado about Nothing.