This document contains an agenda for an English language learning class. The objectives are to: 1. Read and discuss Act 2, Scene 5 of a play (likely Romeo and Juliet), answering comprehension questions. 2. Learn about and practice using the subjunctive mood in English. 3. Practice the reading strategy of monitoring and clarifying. 4. Finish reading Act 2 and begin Act 3 of the play, answering more comprehension questions.

1. Tuesday July 19, 2011
Hubbs Center - ELL 7
Agenda and Objectives

2. Objectives
• We will read Act 2, Scene 5 with a partner or to
ourselves. Then, we will answer comprehension
questions about Scene 5.
• We will discuss and practice the subjunctive
mood.
• We will practice the reading strategy called
monitoring and clarifying.
• We will finish Act 2 and begin Act 3.
• We will answer comprehension questions and
practice making inferences about ideas from Act
2.

3. Read to Self
• As a warm-up activity, you will either work with a
partner or by yourself to read Act 2, Scene 5.
• Before you begin reading, please make a
prediction about what you think Scene 5 might be
about.
• While you are reading, please write down any
questions or connections you make.
• After reading, please answer the comprehension
questions and check your prediction.

4. Act 2, Scene 5 Questions
Act 2, Scene 5
Questions
Before you read Act 2, Scene 5, make a prediction about what you think Scene 5 will be about:
I predict…
1. At what time did Juliet send the Nurse to see Romeo and find out the wedding plans?
2. How long has Juliet been waiting for the Nurse to return with the news from Romeo?
3. How does the Nurse act when she finally returns?
4. How do you think the Nurse feels about the marriage?
How do you know she feels that way?
Now, go back and check your prediction. Was your prediction correct?

5. “If only I were a glove on that hand...”
• The Subjunctive Mood:
• We use subjunctives mainly when talking about events that are not certain to happen.
• We use the subjunctive when talking about events that somebody:
* wants to happen
* hopes will happen
* imagines happening
• Examples:
* The President requests that you be present at the meeting.
* It is vital that you be present at the meeting.
* If you were at the meeting, the President would be happy.
• The subjunctive is typically used after two structures:
* the verbs: ask, command, demand, insist, propose, recommend, request, suggest + that
* the expressions: it is desirable, essential, important, necessary, vital + that
adapted from: http://www.englishclub.com/grammar/verbs-subjunctive.htm

6. “If only I were a glove on that hand...”
• The subjunctive were (or sometimes was) after
the word “if” (and other words with similar
meaning). Look at these sentences:
* If I were you, I would ask her. If I were If he I wish I
* Suppose she were here. What would you say?
younger, weren’t weren’t
Why do we say "I were", "he were"? I would so mean, so slow!
We sometimes hear things like "if I were you, I go. he would
would go" or "if he were here, he would tell
you". Normally, the past tense of the verb "to
buy one
be" is: I was, he was. But the if I were you
structure does not use the past simple tense of
for me.
the verb "to be". It uses the past subjunctive of
the verb "to be". In the following examples, She acts If I were I wish
you can see that we often use the subjunctive
form were instead of "was" after: as if she you, I the
* if
were would movie
* as if Queen! tell her. were
* wish
* suppose
longer.

7. Let’s Brainstorm a List of
Subjunctives!
• If I were you, I would...
• If I won the lottery, I would...
•

8. Strategy - Monitoring and
Clarifying

9. We will finish Act 2 and begin Act 3.
• Predictions
• Connections
• Questions
 Monitor and Clarify
• Capulets • Montagues • Neither
 Sampson
 Gregory  Abraham  Prince
 Tybalt  Balthasar
 Lord and Lady
Capulet  Benvolio
 Juliet  Lord and Lady
 Nurse Montague
 Servant  Romeo
 Paris
 Rosaline  Mercutio
 Cousin Capulet

10. Act 2
• Answer comprehension questions about Act
2.
• Make inferences about things that happened
during Act 2.