1. West Side Story Introduction Date:
Objectives
Introduce the comparison to Romeo and Juliet.
Understand the clear similarities of the stories and use the movie as a way to remember / understand the play.
By the end of this class, students should understand who the characters are and what they have to do during this movie.
Warm–up – the following are key words for the next story. Choose one and explain what you know about it.
New York City Street Gangs Musicals
Turfs (territory) Puerto Rico Racism Poverty

2. Synopsis
Based in 1957 on the harsh streets of the upper west side, two gangs battle for control of a turf. They are ‘The Jets’ & ‘The Sharks’. The situation becomes complicated when a gang member falls in love with a rival's sister.
On the following slide, see can you spot similarities to Romeo and Juliet.

3. Setting: 1950’s New York City
Characters and groups
Setting: 1950’s New York City
The Jets: A group of American teens
The Sharks: A group of Puerto Rican teens
Bernardo: The angry leader of The Sharks. He is a protector of his people, especially his little sister.
Riff: The cool leader of The Jets. He is like a brother to star, Tony.
Detective Schrank: Police officer who tries to end the fighting.
Tony: A former leader of the gang. He works an honest job now and likes a peaceful life.
Maria: Bernardo’s little sister. She has just arrived in the country to get married.
Anita: Bernardo’s girlfriend and like a big sister to Maria.
Other Jets:
Snowboy,
Big Deal and Anybody
Other Sharks:
Chino (Maria’s Fiancée)
Rosalia
Doc: Tony’s boss and friend.

4. After we watch the movie, you shall write a two page essay describing it. In the essay you shall describe the similarities of the following?
The settings are different.
The Jets are the Montagues
The Sharks are the Capulets
Bernardo is a mixture of Tybalt and Lord Capulet
Riff is a mixture of Mercutio and Benvolio
Detective Schrank is the Prince
Tony is Romeo
Maria is Juliet.
Chino is Paris.
Take notes during the viewing. You’ll have a class and a weekend to write the essay so relax.
You shall need to read over your notes from Romeo and Juliet as well.
Anita is the Nurse.
Doc is Friar Laurence.

5. Also note the following similarities in the plot.
A Street Brawl
A Threat
An Arranged Marriage
A Party Scene
A Balcony Scene
A Secret Wedding
A Death
A Plan
There are differences in the story as small as Tony not being as sad as Romeo at the start or as big as someone dying or not differently to the play. Note these and put them in your essay.
A Mistake
An End.

6. Also note the similarities in themes.
Love
Hate
Fate
Themes are when you can say ‘this is a movie about...’
There is love. There is hate. Are they the same or different than Romeo and Juliet.
Is there fate or destiny? Note if you feel a sense of ‘this was always going to happen’ during the movie.
Are there any new issues as well. Feel free to talk about the racism in the movie.

7. Without further ado then, let’s watch the movie

8. Cooldown Write any notes you wish to add to your essay later. Homework
You’re not going to be asked to do questions on a movie you may not have access to at home.
Read over your Romeo and Juliet notes and exercises.
Act 1 and 2 day one
Act 3 and 4 day two
Act 5 day thee.

9. Continue watching West Side Story. Compare it to Romeo and Juliet.
West Side Story day 2 Date:
Objectives
Continue watching West Side Story.
Compare it to Romeo and Juliet.
By the end of this class, students should have more notes for the essay they are writing.
Warm–up – This is a story of immigration as well. How do the Puerto Ricans feel in these lyrics? Read and discuss.
I like to be in America!
O.K. by me in America!
Ev'rything free in America
For a small fee in America!
I like the city of San Juan.
I know a boat you can get on.
Hundreds of flowers in full bloom.
Hundreds of people in each room!

10. Continue watching West Side Story. Compare it to Romeo and Juliet.
West Side Story day 3 Date:
Objectives
Continue watching West Side Story.
Compare it to Romeo and Juliet.
By the end of this class, students should have more notes for the essay they are writing.
Warm–up – This is a story of family as well. Read the following lyric and ask yourself: would you like to join Riff’s gang? Why or why not?
RIFF: “When you're a Jet,  Let them do what they can,  You got brothers around,  You're a family man!  You're never alone,  You're never disconnected!  You're home with your own--  When company's expected,  You're well protected!”

11. Continue watching West Side Story. Compare it to Romeo and Juliet.
West Side Story day 4 Date:
Objectives
Continue watching West Side Story.
Compare it to Romeo and Juliet.
By the end of this class, students should have more notes for the essay they are writing.
Warm–up – Students can be a little uncomfortable around the language of love but read the following lyrics. How do you think the couple felt felt before and after meeting each other?
Tony and Maria: “Today, the world was just an address,
A place for me to live in,
no better than all right.
But here you are
And what was just a world is a star”

12. Cooldown (last day of WSS viewing)
Homework
We’re going to examine key scenes, characters and themes in Romeo and Juliet next.
For the next class, re-read Act 1, Scene 1 (the brawl and Romeo sulking)