Fate Decides: A Valentine’s Day Romeo & Juliet Candy Heart Lesson
 
Looking for a Valentine’s Day ELA lesson that’s fun, meaningful, and actually standards-aligned?

This engaging one-day activity invites students to translate Shakespeare into modern language by turning Romeo & Juliet quotes into candy heart messages—all while analyzing tone, theme, and word choice.
 
Students will:
Review iambic pentameter in a quick, accessible mini-lesson
Learn the history of candy hearts and why short messages matter
Randomly pull a Romeo & Juliet quote from a “Fate Decides” box (optional)
Analyze the meaning and tone of the quote
Translate the line into a candy heart message that preserves the emotion
Justify their creative choices through discussion or an exit ticket
 
This activity blends close reading, interpretation, and creativity—perfect for February engagement without losing academic rigor.
 
What’s Included:
Complete lecture Google Slides (not editable)
Candy Heart Ready-to-Print Worksheet
31 Quotes (ready to print and cut)
Bonus Agenda Slide
 
Why Teachers Love This Lesson:
High engagement without chaos
Clear structure for creative work
Accessible for all learners
Students actually enjoy Shakespeare