Unit: Romeo and Juliet vs.
West Side Story

Subject: Performing Arts

Grade: Eighth Grade

Instructional Goal: Students will
compare Romeo and Juliet to West Side
Story.

Created by: Mrs. Danielle LeNoir
Music Standards: Standards and
Grade Level Expectations
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Music Standard VII: Evaluating music and musical performances
• GLE 7.4 Discuss and evaluate the relationship between music and
human emotions
Music Standard VIII: Making connections between music, the other arts,
and other curricular areas
 GLE 8.3 Make connection with other disciplines as they relate to music
Music Standard XI: Understanding music in relation to diverse cultures,
times, and places
 GLE 9.6 Identify and explain the characteristics that cause a musical
work to be considered culturally, historically and/or geographically
significant.
Theatre Standards, Dance Standards, and
Grade Level Expectations
Theatre Standard VII: Responding to, describing, analyzing, interpreting, and
evaluating theatre works and performances
 GLE 7.4 Explain how dramatic elements (plot, character, action, diction, music,
spectacle, Aristrotle’s “Poetics”) combine to make a whole.
 Theater Standard VIII: Understanding theatre works in relation to cultures, times,
and places
 GLE 8.2: Analyze dramatic works in the context of the culture, times, and places

Dance Standard III: Understanding dance as a way to create and communicate
 Meaning
 GLE 3.1 Take an active role in a class discussion about interpretations of and
reactions to a dance
 GLE 3.2 Observe and explain how different accompaniment (such as sound,
music, spoken text) can affect the meaning of a dance
 GLE 3.7 Formulate and answer questions about how movement choices
communicate abstract ideas in dance
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Reading and Writing Common Core State
Standards
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Reading Standards for Literature Grade 8
Key Ideas and Details
 1.Cite the textual evidence that most strongly supports an analysis of what the text says explicitly as
well as inferences drawn from the text.
 2. Determine a theme or central idea of a text and analyze its development over the course of the text,
including its relationship to the characters, setting, and plot; provide an objective summary of the text.
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Reading Standards for Informational Text 8
Key Ideas and Details
 1. Cite the textual evidence that most strongly supports an analysis of what the text says explicitly as
well as inferences drawn from the text.
 2. Determine a central idea of a text and analyze its development over the course of the text, including
its relationship to supporting ideas; provide an objective summary of the text.
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Writing Standards 8
Text Types and Purposes
Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas, concepts, and information through
the selection, organization, and analysis of relevant content.
 a. Introduce a topic clearly, previewing what is to follow; organize ideas, concepts, and information into
broader categories; include formatting (e.g., headings), graphics (e.g.,charts, tables), and multimedia
when useful to aiding comprehension.
WEST SIDE STORY DAY 9

Students need their music folder, comparison chart, WWS
character chart ,and a pencil on their desk.

Activating Strategy: Think-Write-Discuss: What do you
know about the musical West Side Story (characters, scene,
plot)?

Instructional Activity: Students will watch West Side Story
0-30.

Essential Question: How would you describe the setting
of the West Side Story Musical?

Today students will:
watch West Side Story and complete the WSS character chart.
discuss the character’s, plot, and facts pertaining to the story.
complete the WWS setting portion of the Comparison Chart.
answer and discuss the essential question.
Day 9 Activating Strategy:
Think-Write-Share

Answer the question in your learning log.

What do you know about the musical
West Side Story (characters, scene,
plot)?
West Side Story Character Chart
Jets
Sharks
Non-gang Members
Character List
Puerto Rican
Riff
Chino
Tony
Anybody
Ice
Officer Krupke
Lieutenant Schrench
American
Bernardo
Anita
Maria
Baby John
DAY 9: Essential Question

How would you describe the setting of
the West Side Story Musical?
Day 9 Summarizing Activity

Comparison Chart: Students will complete
the West Side Story setting portion of the
Romeo and Juliet vs. West Side Story
Comparison Chart.

Character Chart: Students will complete the
West Side Story character chart.
WEST SIDE STORY DAY 10

Students need their music folder, comparison chart, WWS
character chart ,and a pencil on their desk.

Activating Strategy: Think-Write-Discuss: How would you
describe the setting of the West Side Story Musical? How
would you describe the two gangs and who are their leaders?

Instructional Activity: Students will watch West Side Story
30-102.

Essential Questions: Who are the characters in West Side
Story and which gangs are they associated with? Who is the
first meeting between and where is the meeting taking place?

Today students will:
 watch West Side Story and complete the character chart.
 discuss the character’s, plot, and facts pertaining to the story
 complete the WWS first meeting portion of the comparison
chart.
 answer and discuss the essential questions.
Day 10 Activating Strategy:
Think-Write-Share

Answer the question in your learning log.

How would you describe the setting of
the West Side Story Musical?

How would you describe the two gangs
and who are their leaders?
DAY 10: Essential Question

Who is the first meeting between and
where is the meeting taking place?
Day 10 Summarizing Activity
 Comparison
Chart: Students will
complete the WWS first meeting
portion of the comparison chart.
 Character
Chart: Students will complete
the West Side Story character chart.
WEST SIDE STORY DAY 11

Students need their music folder, comparison chart, WWS
character chart ,and a pencil on their desk.

Activating Strategy: Entrance Ticket: How would you
describe the first meeting between Tony and Maria?

Instructional Activity: Students will watch West Side Story.
1:03-1:36 before the rumble

Essential Question: How would you describe the marriage
between Tony and Maria?

Today students will:
 watch West Side Story and complete the character chart.
 discuss the character’s, plot, and facts pertaining to the story
 complete the WWS marriage portion of the comparison
chart.
 answer and discuss the essential questions.
Day 11 Activating Strategy:
Entrance Ticket

Answer the question in your learning log.

How would you describe the first
meeting between Tony and Maria?
DAY 11: Essential Question
 How
would you describe the marriage
between Tony and Maria?
Day 11 Summarizing Activity
 Comparison
Chart: Students will
complete the WWS marriage portion of
the comparison chart.
Character Chart: Students will complete the
West Side Story character chart.
WEST SIDE STORY DAY 12

Students need their music folder, comparison chart, WWS
character chart ,and a pencil on their desk.

Activating Strategy: Entrance Ticket: Why are the Jets
and Sharks planning to fight?
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Instructional Activity: Students will watch West Side Story.
1:36-2:11 message

Essential Question: How would you describe the rumble
scene?

Today students will:
 watch West Side Story and complete the character chart.
 discuss the character’s, plot, and facts pertaining to the story
 complete the WWS conflict/rivalry portion of the comparison
chart.
 answer and discuss the essential questions.
Day 12 Activating Strategy: Entrance Ticket

Answer the question in your learning log.

Why are the Jets and Sharks planning
to fight?
DAY 12: Essential Question
 How
would you describe the
rumble scene?
Day 12 Summarizing Activity

Peer Share: Students will discuss with their
table partner the following question: Why
would you describe the rumble scene?
 Comparison
Chart: Students will
complete the WWS conflict/rivalry
portion of the comparison chart.
WEST SIDE STORY DAY 13

Students need their music folder, comparison chart,
WWS character chart ,and a pencil on their desk.

Activating Strategy: Entrance Ticket: How would you
describe the rumble?


Instructional Activity: Students will watch West Side Story.
2:05-end

Essential Question: How does the musical conclude?

Today students will:
 watch West Side Story and complete the character chart.
 discuss the character’s, plot, and facts pertaining to the story.
 complete the WWS conflict/rivalry portion of the comparison
chart.
 answer and discuss the essential questions.
Day 13 Activating Strategy:
Entrance Ticket

How would you describe the rumble?
DAY 13: Essential Question
 How
does the musical conclude?
Day 13 Summarizing Activity

Turn and Talk: Students will discuss with
their table partner the following question:
How does the musical conclude?

Comparison Chart: Students will complete
the remaining sections of the Romeo and
Juliet vs. West Side Story Comparison Chart.
WEST SIDE STORY DAY 14

Students need their music folder, RnJ Notes
comparison chart, WWS character chart ,and a pencil
on their desk.

Activating Strategy: Think Write Share: How is
West Side Story and Romeo and Juliet similar to each
other?
Summarizing Activity: Complete RAFT
Assignment
 Today students will:
 Discuss the character’s, plot, and facts pertaining to
Romeo and Juliet and West Side Story.
 answer EQ: How is West Side Story and Romeo
and Juliet similar to each other?
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Day 14 Activating Activity:
Entrance Ticket/Essential Question

How is West Side Story and Romeo and
Juliet similar to each other?
Day 14 Instructional Strategy
Day 14
Summarizing Activity
Students will be completing the RAFT
assignment for Romeo and Juliet and West
Side Story.
 Students will choose

 ROLE:
R
 AUDIENCE: A
 FORMAT: F
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T:You have just learned about the life-altering events in Romeo and
Juliet/West Side Story. You must now choose three ideas /themes
to compare and contrast
WEST SIDE STORY DAY 15

Students need to:
 Sit in assigned seats
 Have your folder, paper, pencil, R and Juliet Notes, Character Chart, Comparison
Chart on your desk
 Wait quietly for instructions

Activating Activity: Exit Ticket How has this assignment prepared you for
reading Romeo and Juliet (the play) in high school?
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Summarizing Activity: Complete RAFT Assignment
Today students will:
 Discuss the character’s, plot, and facts pertaining to Romeo
and Juliet and West Side Story.
 answer EQ: What are the similarities between Romeo and
Juliet and West Side Story?
Day 15 Activating Activity:
Entrance Ticket/Essential Question

How has this assignment prepared you for
reading Romeo and Juliet (the play) in high
school?
Day 15 Instructional Strategy
Day 15
Summarizing Activity
Students will be completing the RAFT
assignment for Romeo and Juliet and West
Side Story.
 Students will choose

 ROLE:
R
 AUDIENCE: A
 FORMAT: F
 T:You have just learned about the life-altering events in Romeo and
Juliet/West Side Story. You must now choose three ideas /themes to
compare and contrast
WEST SIDE STORY DAY 16

Students need to:
 Sit in assigned seats
 Have your folder, paper, pencil, R and Juliet Notes, Character Chart, Comparison
Chart on your desk
 Wait quietly for instructions

Activating Activity: Think-Write-Share How can peer proofreading help you
with your writing assignment?
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Instructional Strategy: Peer-Proofreading
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Summarizing Activity: Complete RAFT Assignment
Today students will:
 Discuss the character’s, plot, and facts pertaining to Romeo
and Juliet and West Side Story.
 answer EQ: What are the similarities between Romeo and
Juliet and West Side Story?
Day 16 Activating Activity:
Think-Write-Share

How can peer proofreading help you with
your writing assignment?
Day 16 Instructional Strategy
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Peer-Proofreading: Students will provide a
classmate with three positive comments
and three suggestions regarding
classmates' RAFT assignment
Day 16
Summarizing Activity

Students will be completing the RAFT
assignment for Romeo and Juliet and West
Side Story.
WEST SIDE STORY DAY 17

Students need to:
 Sit in assigned seats
 Have your folder, paper, pencil, R and Juliet Notes, Character Chart, Comparison
Chart on your desk
 Wait quietly for instructions

Activating Activity: Turn and Talk: How can an illustration tell a story?

Instructional Strategy: Finish RAFT Assignment Students
will be completing the RAFT assignment for Romeo and Juliet
and West Side Story.

Summarizing Activity: Students will draw a picture
illustrating the tragedy in Romeo and/or Juliet and/or West Side
Story.
Today students will:
 Discuss the character’s, plot, and facts pertaining to Romeo
and Juliet and West Side Story.
 answer EQ: What are the similarities between Romeo and
Juliet and West Side Story?

Day 17 Activating Activity:
Turn and Talk

How can an illustration tell a story?
Day 17 Instructional Strategy

Students will be completing the RAFT
assignment for Romeo and Juliet and
West Side Story.
Day 16 Summarizing Activity
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RAFT ASSIGNMENT TURN IN ORDER:
Rubric
Comparison Chart
Final Draft
Character Chart
Rough Draft
Students will create a picture illustrating the tragedies
in Romeo and Juliet and/or West Side Story.
 Guidelines:


Choose a category from your comparison chart for your illustration
Must be in color and fully represent category you choose from your
comparison chart