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Othello Unit Plan

This is a sample of what a larger unit of Shakespeare's Othello would be in a 10th grade English CP classroom. The class would not only analyze the play but see how the themes of identity and fear also relate to the outer world. 

Essential Questions

  • What is the tragedy of Othello? Is it just the deaths of the characters or is it more? (death of the character, trust, relationship, etc.)

  • Is fear a powerful motivator?

Objectives:​

♣ Read the play Othello

♣  Participate in various workshops that explore the literary and grammar techniques to improve their writing

♣  Complete writing journals that allow them to explore their views on various themes from the play

♣ Annotate a literary text to explore various themes and make connections to real life

Themes:

♣  Fear the motivator

♣ Identity   

♣  Discrimination (disassociate with the “other”)

♣ Gender Roles

Goals:​

  • explore the effects of fear in the lives of the characters in the play and in current events

  • question and explore the issue of discrimination and gender roles in the play and in current events

  • explore the theme in multiple textual and multimedia platforms

Lesson Plan 1
Lesson Plan 2
Othello-poster.gif
Othello's_Lamentation.jpg
Othello Quiz

Unit Plan/Reading Schedule

 

  • Week 1: Acts 1-2

    • Mon: Intro to play

      • Learn about Shakespeare and the background of Othello

      • Research the name of the main characters

    • Tues: Act 1.1

      • Is fear a powerful motivator?

    • Wed: Act 1.2-3

      • How does fear make the characters disassociate themselves with the “other?”

    • Thurs: Act 2.1-2

      • How does fear solidify gender roles?  

    • Fri: Act 2.3

      • Quiz and Writer’s Workshop

  • Week 2: Acts 3-4

    • Mon: Act 3.1-2

      • What are the instigators for characters’ distrust of others and themselves?  

    • Tues:  Act 3.3

      • What are the instigators for characters’ distrust of others and themselves?  

    • Wed: Act 3.4

      • What are the instigators for characters’ distrust of others and themselves?  

      • How are gender roles and discrimination solidified in these acts?

    • Thurs: Act 4.1

      • What are the instigators for characters’ distrust of others and themselves?  

      • How are gender roles and discrimination solidified in these acts?

    • Fri:

      • Quiz and Writer’s Workshop

  • Week 3: Act 5

    • Mon: Act 4.2

      • Is fear the main motivator?

    • Tues: Act 4.3

      • Is fear the main motivator?

    • Wed: Act 5.1

      • Is fear or love the main motivator?

    • Thurs: Act 5.2

      • What is the tragedy of Othello?

    • Fri:

      • Quiz and Writer’s Workshop

  • Week 4:

    • Mon:

      • Review and Presentation Prep

    • Tues:

      • Presentation Prep  

    • Wed:

      • Presentation Preparation

    • Thurs: Final Project Presentations

      • Students will have the chance to create a critical yet creative piece to discuss the topics presented or issues they would love to discover themselves

        • Make the play modern

        • Write an essay but must present

        • Video project

    • Fri.: Final Project Presentations

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