The Scarlet Letter

The Scarlet Letter

Changing Understanding

in the

Discipline and Punishment

of Children

A WebQuest

for Readers of The Scarlet Letter

for Future Psychologists and Parents

Karen Layman

Karen1234L@Netscape.net

Introduction

A group of Puritans has been discovered near Boston. The community has been living under the same rules and laws as their ancestors who arrived in the 1600s. In fact, they believe that children should be strictly brought up. Nathaniel Hawthorne's comment in The Scarlet Letter still applies to their views on child rearing:

The discipline of the family, in those days, was of a far more rigid

kind than now. The frown, the harsh rebuke, the frequent application

of the rod, enjoined by Scriptual authority, were used, not merely in

the way of punishment for actual offenses, but as a wholesome

regimen for the growth and promotion of all childish virtues.

You are a modern child psychologist and have been asked, along with your team, to prepare a report discussing the use of corporal punishment at home and in school. You will research what the experts have to say. You will prepare a written report discussing modern views on corporal punishment in the discipline of children and suggest ways of promoting cooperation and good behavior at home and in school. After you prepare your written report, you will appear on a famous talk show (No, not Jerry Springer!) along with members of the Puritan community to discuss your findings.

The Task

1. You will research ideas concerning the effectiveness of corporal punishment (especially spanking) at home and in school.

2. You will write a 3 - 5 page report on your findings.

3. You will present your findings in a talk show format.

The Process

1. You will complete an online survey exploring your thoughts about corporal punishment. http://www.opinionpower.com/Surveys/74602103.html

2. You will be assigned to a group of 3 - 4 students who will research expert opinions about the effectiveness of corporal punishment on the rearing of children.

3. As part of a group, you will investigate the sites listed. A minimum of three sources (sites) should be used from each of the two divisions.

4. Each group will gather the following information based on the research.

a. What can parents do to create cooperative children?

b. Is spanking helpful at home?

c. Is corporal punishment appropriate at school?

d. What are some of the alternatives to spanking?

5. Each group will complete the Public Policy Analyst worksheets:

a. Defining the Social Problem

http://www.maxwell.syr.edu/plegal/TIPS/select.html

b. Evaluating existing public policies

http://www.maxwell.syr.edu/plegal/TIPS/existing.html

6. You will write a carefully organized three to five page paper.

7. You will add your findings to a group report that will be presented in the format of a serious talk show.

8. You will again take the survey on http://www.opinionpower.com/Surveys/74602103.html

Internet Resources

Corporal Punishment at Home

http://www.aap.org/advocacy/archives/aprspr2.htm

http://www.come-over.to/fasstar/kersey.htm

http://familyeducation.com/article/0,1120,5-2014,00.html

http://www.positiveparenting.com/nospank.html

http://familyeducation.com/article/0,1120,5-286,00.html

http://www.aap.org/advocacy/childhealthmonth/spank.htm

http://allsands.com/Kids/tempertantrums_gf_gn.htm

http://allsands.com/Kids/disciplinechild_ryl_gn.htm

http://redbook.women.com/rb/family/features/65valu21.htm

http://www.alternativeparenting.com/family/Gentle_discipline.htm

http://www.stophitting.com/

Corporal Punishment in Schools

http://www.stophitting.com/NCACPS/NCACPS_facts_about_corporal_punishment.htm#

http://familyeducation.com/article/0,1120,5-3980,00html

http://familyeducation.com/article/0,1120,1-172-0-2,00.html

http://www.aacap.org/puclications/policy/ps14.html

http://www.aft.org/lessons/two/elements.html

http://www.hrw.org?about/projects/crd/child-violence.htm

The Evaluation

Your work will be evaluated as part of your group and individually. The group will be evaluated according to the talk show presentation. Your written report will be your individual evaluation.

1. Team participation / Public Policy Worksheets 20 points

2. Written report 50 points

a. Three to five pages of report

b. Typed, double spaced, size 12 font

c. Bibliography (record of all sources)

d. MLA style

To access:

www.mla.org/

Click on

MLA Style

Frequently asked questions about MLA style

How do I document sources from the World-Wide Web in

my works-cited list?

3. Team presentation 20 points

4. Attendance 10 points

Conclusion

You have researched some of the leading respected views on disciplining children at home and in school. At the same time, you have utilized the following High School English Language Arts Performance Standards:

E1c Read and comprehend informational materials.

E2a Produce a report of information.

E3b Participate in group meetings.

E3e Listen to and analyze a public speaking performance.

E4a Independently and habitually demonstrate an understanding of the rules of the English language in written and oral work.

E4b Analyze and subsequently revise work to improve its clarity and effectiveness.

E7b Produce functional documents appropriate to audience and purpose.

In addition, you have used the following High School Social Studies Performance Standards:

SS1 History of the United States and New York

SS2 World History

SS3 Geography

SS5 Civics, Citizenship, and Government

Finally, you have employed

Creating, Performing and Participating in the Arts from the High School Arts

Performance Standards.