Shakespeare From Pat Hawkins, a ninth grade English teacher at Marshall Metro High School in Chicago, Illinois: ìWhen working on Romeo and Juliet, I find two assignments work especially well. The language is often difficult for students to grasp; after paraphrasing several passages, I ask students to rewrite a passage in modern day English or in modern slang. I am usually pleasantly surprised at their interpretation and their creativity. The second assignment is to be either Romeo or Juliet and write a letter to Lady Capulet, Lord Montague, Paris or Friar Lawrence. Most letters are about Juliet and Romeo getting married, or telling Paris that Juliet will not marry him, or Romeo asking for help getting out of Verona but still seeing Juliet. These are great way to make kids appreciate Shakespeare.î