The Scarlet Letter Project
Rubric and Explanation
Hester Prynne’s punishment for her adultery was to wear the “Scarlet
Letter A” on the exterior of her clothing. In a sense her sin is
continuously on public display for the world to view and hold her up
to ridicule and scorn.
We all have our own individual weaknesses or faults which plague
and embarrass us, areas of life we want to improve upon such as
procrastination, intolerance, impatience, laziness, a critical attitude,
arrogance, unforgiving attitude, gossip, rudeness, temper
(uncontrolled anger), rebellion or being a perfectionist. Most of us
want to conceal our weaknesses or imperfections from others.
However I am asking you to put your fault on public display at school
for One Day.
Your Task
 Identify a fault or weaknesses you possess; some area of life you
want to improve upon.
 Write your fault on a 3 by 5 card with your name and give it to
Mr. White by October 1.
 Taking the 1st initial of your fault create a letter to wear on the
exterior of your clothing on a designated school day. Letter
must be made of cloth, be creatively designed, at least 6” by 6”
and no larger than 8” by 8”. The product should be appealing to
the eye, demonstrate creativity and effort.
 As “punishment” for your fault, throughout the school day on
October 14 (Wednesday) wear your letter on the exterior of your
clothing from 7:30am to 2:30 pm.
 As students or adults ask you about the letter you are wearing
you must explain to them your fault and why you are wearing
the letter.
 Be prepared to write a reflection on your experience as part of
your quiz over The Scarlet Letter, October 15. How did it make
you feel to wear the “sinful” letter and be asked about its
meaning? How did people react to you wearing your fault out
there for all to see? What have you learned from this experience
and how does it change your perspective on Hester Prynne?
How has the experience inspired you to change and grow as a
person and student?
 You will turn your letter in for a grade on October 15.
Please know that this assignment is NOT designed to
encourage or condone bullying. It is not meant to subject a
student to ridicule or harassment. The activity is designed to
help us get into the mind of the Puritans who saw community or peer
pressure as a viable form of punishment and a way to encourage
conformity in society. In addition in causes students to reflect ways
they can grow as persons and academics.
Because some parents or guardians may have concerns over the
assignment I am asking parent to sign off giving their son or daughter
permission to participate. An alternate assignment is available for
those who cannot participate for whatever reason in the wearing of a
letter on October 14.
Permission forms are due by October 1, 2015