Janeth Cuevas

9 May 2017
Professor Bailey
EDU 220

Walking in Macbeths Shoes

Essential Question: What internal conflict is Macbeth facing and what external conflicts are
affecting how he handles the situation?

Materials
Copy of Shakespeares Macbeth Act I
Character list
Student journals

Grouping Strategy
Students will be assigned to one of seven groups, all of which will be given a scene from
Shakespeares Macbeth Act I. Each group will read their scene(s) out loud and discuss what they
just read. Each group will then present a synopsis of their assigned scene(s) to the rest of the
class and act out a few lines they felt are vital moments in the scene.

Nevada Area Content Standards

RL 9-10. 3 Analyze how complex characters (e.g., those with multiple or conflicting
motivations) develop over the course of a text, interact with other characters, and advance the
plot or develop the theme.
RL 9-10.4 Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in the text, including
figurative and connotative meanings; analyze the cumulative impact of specific word choices on
meaning and tone (e.g., how the language evokes a sense of time and place; how it sets a formal
or informal tone.

Objective

Students will analyze a section of Shakespeares Macbeth in a group; they will examine the
characters and their actions and motives the language used and how it sets the tone of the
scene. Students will demonstrate an understanding of the content by describing and dramatizing
their assigned scene to their classmates.
Introduction

Introduce the characters of Macbeth to students, assign groups and scenes and explain the
objective.

Modeling

Assign a scene to each group. Allow students the time to get their writing journals from the
journal box. Provide students with directions on the assignment. Assign roles in each group
including: leader, recorder, speaker, and timekeeper. Each group may decide which lines to act
out and who will act them out.
Group 1: Act I Scene I-II
Group 2: Act I Scene III (first half)
Group 3: Act I Scene III (second half) this scene will be divided due to length
Group 4: Act I Scene IV
Group 5: Act I Scene V
Group 6: Act I Scene VI
Group 7: Act I Scene VII

Guided Practice

After reading their assigned scene, each group will demonstrate an understanding of it by
presenting a summary to the class. They will then act out a few lines of their choosing.

Independent Practice

Students will each write a journal entry in their writing journals on what they read in class. The
entry must be written from the point of view of one of the major characters in the first act of
Macbeth. In the entry, students must demonstrate an understanding of the internal and external
conflicts and how other characters affect these. Students must describe the setting and plot in a
way that shows their comprehension of the text. This will be submitted to the teacher the
following day.

Closure Activity

Allow for a small class discussion on Macbeth Act I. Encourage students to express their
thoughts on the reading and generate predictions for subsequent readings.