Mary Shelley
Lesson plans for Frankenstein

The Bakken's Frankenstein Exhibit
An interactive multimedia exhibit from the Bakken Museum in Minnesota.

Behind the Cover: Researching the History and Context of a Written Work
Students consider literary works and research their respective "back stories." They then design posters illustrating their information and display them in the school's library. This lesson uses a reference to Frankenstein but is adaptible to other literary works.

Book-A-Minute Classics: Frankenstein
Just for fun, the novel condensed to a one-minute read.

Curriculum Guide to Frankenstein
Five activities with printable handouts. This 18-page document requires Adobe Acrobat Reader or compatible application for access.

Discerning Literary Criticism
After reading the novel students analyze and interpret a critical essay. Includes rubrics.

Dr. Frankenstein and his Monster Meet Dr. Phil
In this post-reading activity students explore what might happen if Frankenstein and the monster tried to talk through their differences. They write a script in the form of a popular TV show.

Elements of the Gothic Novel
Background and analysis of the genre. This 2-page handout requires MS-Word or compatible application for access.

Frankenstein — Frankenfolio
An extensive list of during-reading and post-reading activities.

Frankenstein: The Making of a Monster
Vocabulary, focus questions, additional links, classroom activities. Supporting video available.

Frankenstein: Penetrating the Secrets of Nature
Background information, including a link to an e-text of the novel.

Frankenstein Study Guide
Extensive questions divided by section.

Glencoe Literature Library: Frankenstein
This page includes a brief introduction and some related stories. Scroll down to find a link to an excellent teaching guide in PDF format. Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader or compatible application.

Ideas for Analyzing Frankenstein
In addition to traditional discussion-question prompts, this site also offers suggestions for computer analysis of the text.

It's Alive!
This extensive unit asks students to compare and contrast film versions, and consider the ethical implications of cloning. It also has terrific ideas for adaptations and cross-curricular extensions. Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader or compatible application for access.

Science and Technology -- Monsters we have Created
Designed to go with Shelley's Frankenstein and Hawthorne's "The Birthmark" but could be used with either one alone. From Outta Ray's Head.

Study Questions on Mary Shelley
This page contains questions for Frankenstein for writing or discussion.

Tales of the Supernatural from EdSitement
Students explore the origins and development of horror and Gothic fiction; investigate how shared imaginative concerns link the members of a literary period; examine the evolution of a literary tradition; and compare works of literature from different eras.