Bringing literature into the classroom for adolescent English Language Learners poses challenges for both teachers and students. For teachers, knowing how to adapt language to make learning accessible for students can often result in limiting learning experiences. For students, barriers to understanding language can lead to frustration and withdrawal from interacting with challenging texts. This unit uses the Visual Arts to empower students to analyze adaptations of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet with a focus on visual and verbal metaphors. Using Art-Based Research teachers of both English and Art can imbed artmaking and English language concepts to reach a broad range of learners.

(Developed for Visual Arts, grade 10; recommended for Visual Arts, English Language Arts, English Language Learners/English as a Second Language, and Special Education, grades 7-12)