aidemia--modules-lessonstartideas_type	Give a creative idea how to begin a lesson
Which subject	English
What age group	Year or Grade 7
What topic	Romeo and juliet
Quantity	1
Any other preferences

Creative Lesson Beginning: "The Heart of Verona"

Objective

To engage Year 7 students with the themes and characters of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet by creating a personal connection to the story.

Materials Needed

• Sticky notes (various colours)
• Markers
• Whiteboard or large sheet of paper
• Ambient music (optional): Something classical or instrumental to set the mood

Introduction Activity

Step 1: Set the Scene

Begin the lesson by dimming the lights slightly and playing soft, ambient music to create an engaging atmosphere. Then, enthusiastically announce that today they will step into the mystical world of Verona, where love and tragedy intertwine.

Step 2: The Sticky Note Challenge

Distribute sticky notes and markers to each student. Ask them to think about the following prompts and write their responses on the sticky notes:

• What does love mean to you?
• What challenges have you faced in friendships or relationships?
• Think of a time when you had to choose between right and wrong. What did you choose?

Step 3: Share and Connect

Invite students to stick their notes on a designated "Wall of Emotions" which could be a section of the whiteboard or a large sheet of paper. Allow a few minutes for them to read each other’s responses.

Encourage them to consider how these personal experiences resonate with the themes of Romeo and Juliet, such as love, conflict, and moral dilemmas.

Step 4: Class Discussion

Once the sticky notes are up, initiate a discussion by asking questions like:

• How do these feelings relate to the characters in our story?
• In what ways do you think their choices reflect our own experiences?

This not only warms up the students for the lesson but also helps to ground Shakespeare’s work in their everyday lives, making it more relevant and engaging.

Transition to the Lesson

Finally, explain that today’s lesson will dive deeper into the characters of Romeo and Juliet, exploring their motivations, relationships, and the turmoil that surrounds them, linking back to the emotions expressed on the Wall of Emotions.

Conclusion

By starting your lesson in this engaging, emotional way, students are more likely to connect with the text on a personal level, setting a solid foundation for their exploration of one of Shakespeare’s most famous works.