The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne
Unit Plan Agenda
(subject to change if necessary)
During this unit it will be unnecessary to bring your textbook to class. I would suggest bringing your notebook/notes and Scarlet
Letter novel to class EVERY DAY.
Objectives: Students will:
 Practice reading complex sentence structures and archaic vocabulary
 Use foreshadowing to make predictions throughout the novel
 Analyze authors craft at creating characters using direct/indirect characterization
 Analyze author craft by interpreting symbols
 Follow the creation of a novel using Freytag’s Dramatic Plot Triangle
Assignments:
 Expect potential daily reading check quizzes (Minor grades) after EVERY home reading assignment (notice that
means EVERY DAY)

What’s Your Letter? Project (Minor) Create your own letter (based on given prompt) and wear it to school one
day between January 29st and February 1st. Write about your letter’s creation, symbolism, and your experience
wearing it for a daily grade. Due on your Unit Test Date. NO EXCEPTIONS!
 Unit Test/Vocabulary (MAJOR)
o Other daily grades/pop quizzes may occur such as class discussions, quizzes, etc.
Essential Questions:
 What are the effects of guilt?
 Can a person be an effective leader if he has moral flaws?
 Is sin black and white?
 How do we judge others?
 Are our judgments of others accurate and reliable?
DAY
Introduction:
1
 Nathaniel Hawthorne and his style
 In-Class Activity: Upon Which Scaffold Do You Stand Discussion
17/18
 Begin reading until the end of class
Homework:
 Read chapters 1-4
 Quiz next class over chapters 1 - 4
2
Intro to the Elements of This Novel/ Foreshadowing and Making Predictions:
 Chapter discussion – making heads and tails of the plot
22/23
 Chapter quiz 1 - 4
Homework:
 Read chapters 6 & 8
 Quiz next class over 6 & 8
3
24/25
4
28/29
6
30/31
7
1/4
9
5/6
Characterizations: Direct vs. Indirect
 Character focus: Dimmesdale and Chillingworth
 Discuss allusions, symbolic names, and rising action
 Quiz chapters 6 & 8
Homework:
 Read chapters 9 – 10, 12
 Quiz next class over chapters 9 – 10, 12
Characterizations: Direct vs. Indirect (continued)
 Character focus: Dimmesdale and Chillingworth
 Discuss allusions, symbolic names, and rising action
 Homework: Read chapters 13, 17 – 19
 Quiz next class over chapters 13, 17 - 19
Looking Beneath the Surface with Symbolism
In-Class Activity: Symbol Connections and Interpretations Poster
 Stems Quiz 8
 Analyze excerpts from omitted chapters
 Discuss foreshadowing, symbolism, and rising action
 Symbolism Activity
Homework:
 Read chapters 21 - 24
 Quiz next class 21 – 24
 Begin looking over notes for unit test
The End: Concluding the Novel
 Discuss 21 – 24
 Discuss climax, conclusion, foreshadowing
Homework:
Begin studying for SCARLET LETTER test
TEST OVER THE SCARLET LETTER
NEXT: Begin Research Paper Unit
NOTES FOR THE RESEARCH UNIT::
 Make sure that you are looking for the means to electronically save your work by the end of this unit (via flash
drive, rewritable CD, etc.). You will be working on your research paper on your own out of class as well as in
class.
 Also, if you don’t have a home computer or internet, please familiarize yourself with your local library or find a
friend or family member who has a computer you may borrow.