Digital Unit Plan Template

Unit Title: Edgar Allan Poe: Man, Myth, or Monster?

Name: Emily Martin

Content Area: English

Grade Level: 11-12

CA Content Standard(s)/Common Core Standard(s):

Reading:

Cite strong and thorough textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from
the text, including determining where the text leaves matters uncertain.
Analyze the impact of the authors choices regarding how to develop and relate elements of a story or drama (e.g., where a story
is set, how the action is ordered, how the characters/archetypes are introduced and developed).
Writing:
Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, well-chosen details, and wellstructured event sequences.
Use precise words and phrases, telling details, and sensory language to convey a vivid picture of the experiences, events, setting,
and/or characters.

Big Ideas:

1.
2.
3.
4.

What is reality?
How do symbols enhance our understanding of literature?
How does Poe exemplify the Gothic Horror genre?
What personal and professional influences helped develop Poes work?

Unit Goals and Objectives:

of Poe's tragic biography.

familiar and identify short story and poetic components such as SOAPSTONE (Speaker, Occasion, Audience,
Purpose, Subject, and Tone).
-esque" (Gothic) short story or poem.

Unit Summary:

Man, Myth, or Monster? Nineteenth century American author, Edgar Allan Poe, led a tragic and dark life. Strange tales and gloomy
romanticized poetry, Poe is often referred to as the "Father of the Detective Story." His contributions to the emerging genre have
delighted audiences for years and influenced other authors like Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, creator of Sherlock Holmes. Allusions to his
work can be found in almost every medium and are so unconsciously embedded into our pop culture. Students will examine whether an
author must be mad himself to create horror stories or was his imagination simply outstanding?

Assessment Plan:
Entry-Level:

1.

Quickwrite (or in class essay) in

journals about fears/dreams and
what reality means to them.

Formative:

Summative:
2.
3.
4.
5.

Crossword puzzle of Poes

Biography.
Vocabulary Quiz
Newspaper Article based on TellTale Heart
Symbolism poster on Masque

6.
7.

Create own video of one of Poes

short stories.
Write own Gothic Short Story or
poem.

Lesson 1
Student Learning
Objective:

Students will assess

the symbols in
Masque and discuss
the overall value to
the genre and plot.

Acceptable Evidence:

Students will follow

along with lecture by
using skeleton notes
provided. Must also
respond to critical
thinking questions.

Instructional Strategies:
Communication
Collection
Collaboration
Presentation
Organization
Interaction

Lesson Activities:

Instructional Strategies:
Communication
Collection
Collaboration

Lesson Activities:

Guided Lecture & Notes. Symbolism in Masque

Lesson 2
Student Learning
Objective:

Students will be gain

Acceptable Evidence:

Students will fill out

Webquest handout with

Webquest on Poes Biography

knowledge of Poes
tragic life.

appropriate
information.

Presentation
Organization
Interaction

Acceptable Evidence:

Instructional Strategies:
Communication
Collection
Collaboration
Presentation
Organization
Interaction

Lesson 3
Student Learning
Objective:

Students will
demonstrate elements
of story.
Unit Resources:
Poemuseum.org
Smithsonian.com
Webenglishteacher.com
Discoveryeducation.com

Useful Websites:
Quizlet.com
Freeaudiobooks.co.uk
Youtube.com
Vimeo.com
Rubistar.4teachers.org

Students will create

own digital poster using
Popplet or Padlet to
diagram events of short
story.

Lesson Activities:

Graphic Organizer: Create diagram of one short story.