Objective

By the end of this lesson, J will understand the basic themes of The Scarlet Letter, such as honesty, friendship, and making choices, through fun activities and discussions.

Materials and Prep

• Paper and crayons for drawing
• Storytime area with comfortable seating
• Simple props for role-play (hats, scarves, etc.)
• A timer for activity transitions
• Preparation of a short, child-friendly summary of The Scarlet Letter

Activities

• Storytime and Drawing:

  Begin by reading a simplified version of The Scarlet Letter. After the story, J can draw their favorite character or scene from the story using crayons.

• Character Role-Play:

  J can pick a character from the story and act out a small scene. Encourage them to use props and express how the character feels.

• Friendship and Choices Discussion:

  Discuss with J the choices the characters made in the story. Ask J to think about a time they made a choice and how it made them feel.

• Crafting a Letter:

  J can create their own letter with a drawing or message to a friend, inspired by the themes of the story. This can be a fun way to express feelings.

Talking Points

• "In The Scarlet Letter, there are characters who make choices. What do you think a choice is?"
• "The letter 'A' stands for a special word. Can you guess what it is? It's a little like a secret!"
• "How do you think the characters feel when they make good or bad choices? Can you share a time you felt happy or sad about a choice?"
• "Friendship is very important in stories. Who is your best friend, and what do you like to do together?"
• "If you had a letter to show how you feel, what would it look like? Can you draw it?"