As Amy lament's Jo's decision to rid herself of her singular beauty, Marmee puts a hand to her mouth, awed by her daughter's generosity. Watch the pivotal scene from a Masterpiece production of Little Women, and lead a language arts class in a discussion about Jo's strength of character.

Concepts

little women, female writers, character development, louisa may alcott

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Additional Tags

english language arts

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Instructional Ideas

• Assign a short argument essay in which writers decide whether or not Jo should have cut her hair
• Encourage pupils to think about a time when they sacrificed something they loved for someone they loved
• Pair with a reading of O. Henry's "The Gift of the Magi"

Classroom Considerations

• Best used after learners have read the novel, or concurrently with the corresponding chapter
• Video requires access to the Internet

Pros

• Includes a lesson plan and discussion materials
• Production value is high and engaging
• Scene is not found in other productions of the novel, making it valuable for those who benefit from visualizing the text

Cons

• None

Common Core

RL.8.3 RL.9-10.7