Midsummer Night's Dream

Standard:
1. CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.9-10.5 Demonstrate understanding of figurative language,
word relationships, and nuances in word meanings.
a. Interpret figures of speech (e.g., euphemism, oxymoron) in context and analyze
their role in the text.
b. Analyze nuances in the meaning of words with similar denotations

Learning Objective:
1. Modify an assigned scene into modern language based off of their interpretation of the
17th century figurative language.

Assignment:
In groups of 4 you will be picking a scene from A Midsummer Nights Dream and translating it
into modern day English. (Do not use No Fear Shakespeare. That is plagiarizing. I will know).

I have assigned each group an act from the play. From this act, you may choose a single scene to
translate. The scene must be 100 lines or more.
Along with your translation you will be creating a presentation of your choice (comic strip,
recording of your translation performance, or an in-class presentation, etc)
If you have an idea of a presentation outside of these options, please clear it with me before you
start planning.

If you are presenting your translation to the class through a performance (acting it out: either in
class or through recording), there is a 5-10 minute time limit. Meaning your performance MUST
last at least 5 minutes and no more than 10 minutes.

You each will be held accountable throughout this assignment. It is required that each group
member is assigned a job for his project. One person should NOT be the single translator -
everyone must contribute. There is a peer review section in his assignment. The point of this is to
make sure every member of your group is held responsible for their work: meaning you can not
just piggyback off of your group. YOU MUST CONTRIBUTE FOR A GOOD GRADE. I will
be considering your groups evaluation of you in your final grade.

Project Materials:
Brainstorm ticket (separate form):
1. Who are the main characters in this scene?
2. What is the significance of this scene in relation to the previous and following scenes?
3. What is the central theme?
4. Assign a role to each person in your group. (i.e. scribe, task manager, artist, etc.)
a. Name & Role:.....
The translation must be:
1. grammatically correct
2. follow the plot line
3. convey the significance/meaning.
Peer review questions: (would be a separate form)
 1. You must have a review for each group member
2. Constructive feedback is required (dont be cruel, but be honest).
3. You must use the compliment sandwich (compliment - constructive feedback -
compliment).
4. You must specify what each group member contributed.
Self reflection questions:
1. What was your role in the project?
2. What did you do well?
3. What can you improve on?
4. How will you fix what you need to improve on for the next project?
5. What grade would you give yourself? Why?
6. Must be 2 paragraphs (a paragraph is 5-7 complete and grammatically correct sentences).

RUBRIC 0 1 2 3 4

Grammar Did not 7 or more 4-6 grammatical 3-1 grammatical No grammatical

submit grammatical errors. errors. errors and
assignment. errors.

Accuracy Translation Translation has Translation has 3 or Translation Translations

doesnt match 5 or more major 4 major components accurately depicts accurately depict
the scene or components of of the scene missing meaning of the the tone,
does not the scene or overlooked. Still scene, but has 1 significance and
submit missing or conveys plotline with or 2 aspects plotline of the
assignment. overlooked. major deficiencies. missing or scene.
Does not misinterpreted.
properly convey
plotline.

Peer Does not Does not submit Submits peer review Submits peer
Review submit peer review for for each group review for each
assignment or all group member but doesnt group member
peer review members. include either with good
constructive criticism constructive
or use the criticism using
compliment compliment
sandwich. sandwich in a full
paragraph (per
group member)

Self- Doesnt turn Self reflection is Self reflection has 1- Self reflection has Self reflection
Reflection in self- missing more 2 requirments 1-2 requirements highlights each
reflection or than 2 missing and does not missing and fits requirement on
assignment. requirements meet 2 the 2 paragraph the assignment
and does not paragraph length limit. packet: what you
meet 2 requirement did, what you did
paragraph length well, what you can
requirement. improve on, and
how you can fix
that for the next
assignment.
Reflection also fis
length
requirement of 2
paragraphs.
 Brainstorm Did not Brainstorm ticket Brainstorm ticket is Brainstorm ticket
ticket submit is missing 2 or filled in, but was not was fully filled out
more completed descriptive answers. with descriptive
sections answers to each
section.

Turned in Did not Turned in more Turned in no more Assignment is

assignment submit than 1 day late than 1 day late turned in on time
assignment

Materials given to the students for this project below:

 Brainstorm Ticket
1. Who are the main characters in this scene?

2. What is the significance of this scene in relation to the previous and following scenes?

3. What is the central theme?

4. Assign a role to each person in your group:

Scribe: takes record of translations (you should all be collaborating on the translations; the
scribe just writes it down).

________________________

Task Manager: makes sure all group members including themselves is on task

________________________

Artist: encourages others to think outside of the box and be creative

________________________

Runner: liaison between teacher and group

________________________
 Peer Review Form
1. Who were your group members?
2. Specifically, what did each group member contribute to the group.
3. Give at least two compliments and one constructive feedback comment per group
member. (compliment sandwich)

Below, write your paragraph for each group member. Remember that a paragraph is 5 to 7
complete sentences. Use the back of this sheet if you run out of room
 Self-Reflection Form
1. What was your role in the project?
2. What did you do well?
3. What can you improve on?
4. How will you fix what you need to improve on for the next project?
5. What grade would you give yourself? Why?

Below, write your two paragraphs for your self-reflections. Remember that a paragraph is 5 to 7
complete sentences. Use the back of this sheet if you run out of room.