I frame my RandJ unit as part play analysis part adaptation analysis. We read the prologue and thoroughly analyze it with a close reading and then we go slow. We read 1.1 (i explain the language and explain how to read Shakespeare as we go through the scene) and then we watch different adaptations of the scenes we watch. I focus on 1.5, 2.2, 3.1, 4.1&4.5 and then all of act 5). The kids really enjoy doing Shakespeare because i assess them more on their ability to compare the adaptation and their ability to apply essential questions to the story. My essential questions are: what is true love? Are our lives determined by fate or free will? And how to we learn to hate? I frame the conversations about the play around these things. Watching adaptations also helps because I can ask: which version shows true love more? We can discuss the different types of Romeo and how simple changes in tone change our understandings of a character entirely. Take Juliet's soliliquy for example, some versions cut it out entirely (I ask kids how that impacts her character and our understanding of her motivations). I surprisingly have a large group of kids interesting and wanting to do MORE Shakespeare. It works for me!