Who killed Romeo and Juliet?

Task Card

TASK: As a group, each member needs to contribute to a small group discussion about why your
designated character is responsible for killing Romeo and Juliet. This argument must be proven with
at least six points. Then, you must share your ideas in a whole class discussion and convince your
peers why you are right.

Directions:
1. Please read all directions thoroughly before beginning the task.
2. You will be put into groups by your teacher based on your strengths and multiple
smartneses.
3. Ms. Pollack will assign each group member one of the four roles; they must follow this role
during individual and whole class discussion.
4. Ms. Pollack will give you a character’s name on an index card.
5. As a group you are responsible for coming up with at least three reasons why this character
is responsible for killing Romeo and Juliet.
6. As a group you are also responsible for coming up with at least three reasons why this
character would want Romeo and Juliet dead.
7. Each group members must write the reasons they come up with on their individual note
taker as well as the group note taker.
8. Students have 30 minutes of small group discussions to compile their reasons, and
organize their thoughts to share with the class.
9. When signaled by Ms. Pollack, the groups will engage in a whole class discussion to
convince the other groups why YOUR designated character is responsible for killing Romeo
and Juliet.
10. During the class discussion each student is responsible for filling out the reasons
the other groups are giving on their characters to assist them with a later
assignment. It is important to fill out you individual note taker!
11. At the end of the class discussion the student will circle the character that they think is
responsible for killing Romeo and Juliet on their individual note taker. It is okay if it is your
own group’s character or if another group sways you.

Group Roles and Responsibilities

Role Responsibilities
Fact-finder This member should look up quotes & facts
to support your group’s argument.
Time keeper This member should keep the group on
track to complete the individual and group
part of the project.
Presenter This member is responsible to speaking to
the class during class discussion, and
sharing their group’s ideas.
Peace keeper This member will be the comic relief if
things get heated in class discussion. They
should also encourage their group to work
well together, and encourage positivity in
their group.
 Individual Final Product: Each individual will play their designated role in their group. They will
also fill out their own individual note taker with at least three reasons why their character is
responsible for killing Romeo and Juliet and a brief explanation about why their designated
character would want to kill Romeo and Juliet.

Group Final Product: The group will expand on their thoughts and ideas by convincing the other
groups why their stance of who killed Romeo and Juliet is correct. Each member must play their
designated role when sharing with the other groups, and be respectful of their peers. Groups
should back up their claim with direct evidence from the book/play.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Multiple Smartness Task
This task requires that the group be smart in several different ways. Someone in the group is
smart at:

1. Analyzing the characters of Romeo and Juliet and being able to explain the role their character
plays in Romeo and Juliet.
2. Understanding the effect different characters have on the death of Romeo and Juliet.
3. Reasoning logically and using evidence from the text to do so.
4. Asking clarifying questions.
5. Relying on others to bounce ideas or arguments.
6. Managing their time wisely and does not completely take over the discussion.

All group members have at least one of these skills, but all of you have something to
contribute to the success of our group. You are stronger together.

Norms:
1. Work together and help each other by discussing ideas between each other and manage your
time wisely.
2. Make sure your group members all have their Individual Final Product and Group Final Product
done by the end of the class period.
3. Use your electronic device correctly, or it must be put away.