The Scarlet Letter Lesson Plans and Teaching Resources

THWT-TLWT Summer 2006 Workshops

Simonsays teach.com: The Scarlet Letter
These printable educators' resources feature discussion questions and activity suggestions are designed to stimluate discussion, creativity, and interest that extends beyond the pages of the book into related historical, scientific, or social concerns.

 

Religion and the Founding of American Republic (Library of Congress)
Part of a special exhibit by the Library of Congress, this site provides an interesting mix of images, primary text, and background information on the role of religion in the European settlement of America. "America as a Religious Refuge: The 17th Century" looks at religious persecution in Europe that drove so many to British North America where settlers often established colonies often centered on passionate religious convictions.

 

The Scarlet Letter
Follow this link to NPR 's now-cancelled talk show, "The Connection" and hear an amazing discussion of The Scarlet Letter. Highly recommend for your own edification or for your students. Scroll down and see a link TO HEAR THE SHOW.

Hawthorne in Salem
Diverse and informative site with many excerpts from scholarly discussions of Hawthorne. Major sections of the site include Life and Times, Literature, Buildings and Houses, Explore, Scholars' Forum, and Archives. (When you click a topic on the left, sub topics appear.)
In the Literature section I would suggest the following subtopics:

Faith and Religion (subtopics: Hawthorne and the Ideas of Good and Evil and Framework of Faith)
Explore Activities Related to Hawthorne and Ideas of Good and Evil
http://www.hawthorneinsalem.org/Literature/Faith&Religion/Hawthorne&TheSatanic/Explorations.html

Critical Commentary Related to Hawthorne and Ideas of Good and Evil

Lectures and Articles Related to Hawthorne and Good and Evil

Women in Hawthorne

Scarlet Letter - The Classic Text: Traditions and Interpretations
From the University of Minnesota. Offers biographical information on Hawthorne, the history of early editions, and literary commentary. Hit the "Next" button at the bottom of the page to work your way through the six pages.
Popular site on Hawthorne, but with less depth and variety than Hawthorne in Salem site.

WBUR special on Nathaniel Hawthorne for his 200th birthday. You can listen to The Connection show. includes a photo tour, interview with Phillip McFarland, author of Hawthorne in Concord. There is also a discussion by New England scholars on why Hawthorne's works are relevant in today's world.

Hawthorne: Author and Narrator (lesson plan)
Edsitement lesson plan to recognize the difference between a narrator and an author; to explore the impact of an author's personal history on his or her creative life, particularly in the context of American society.
Has suggested activities and resources.

Nathaniel Hawthorne: Classroom Issues and Strategies
Brief overview from Georgetown University. Covers: Major Themes, Historical Perspectives, and Personal Issues

The Scarlet Letter (teaching unit)
From Discveryschool.com; grades 9-12. Features vocabulary, focus questions, additional links, and classroom activities. Materials are available for download. The Discovery video is available; students can view a clip of the video online.

Study Guide - Scarlet Letter
From Glencoe Literature Library. Link to an extensive 29-page teacher's guide.

Teacher's Guide to Classical Edition of Scarlet Letter
From Penguin Books. Before, during, and after reading questions. Discusses many key themes of the book.

Puritan Beliefs in Literature (teaching unit)
11th grade American literature; interdisciplinary approach that blends history, religion, and literature.

Interactive Approach to The Scarlet Letter
Joe Mason, who teaches at the Amphi High School in Tucson, Arizona, has tried to make the teaching of the novel more interesting through the use of poetry, diaries, and presentations.

Hawthorne, Nathaniel. The Scarlet Letter
Electronic text of the Scarlet Letter, from the University of Virginia Library. (I have found two other electronic versions of the novel as well.)
Passages could be inserted into a Word document for adding comments and links.

 


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