Where did the summer go, Poe?

Is August really ending? It seems like just yesterday I was packing up my classroom for the summer and patting my little 6th graders on the head as they move on to 7th grade.  Little did I realize I would be welcoming some of these children back into my room in the fall. This year I will be teaching 6th and 7th grade classes- something I haven't done since my first year of teaching.  As I looked over some of my 7th grade lesson plan leftovers, I realized how much I have grown as a teacher in the last 10 years.  None of it was usable.  So this summer, I spent planning my 7th grade curriculum.  First stop- Edgar Allan Poe.


Our English department loves Poe.  Each year, different grades study different Poe stories and poems.  The 6th graders read "The Raven," and the 8th graders read "The Tell-Tale Heart." The 7th graders, however, read one of my least favorite stories, "The Black Cat."  Having lost one of my kitties to kidney failure last May and suffering from pregnancy hormone overdrive, I knew I wouldn't be able to get through the story without crying.  So I looked for an alternative and settled on the "Masque of the Red Death." With that settled, I began tackling a 21st Century collaborative project that students could complete along with the reading.

Scenario: In this unit, a famous movie director wants his next film to be about the life and death of Edgar Allan Poe and has has tasked the film's head writer with researching the various theories surrounding Poe's death. 

Collaboration: Students will assume the role of writer, and together, they will research, create, and pitch their theory to the movie's development team. 

Research: Perfect for younger students as well as older students! In this unit, students are given a website to use in the research process, but more advanced students can use this website as a springboard, launching their investigation even further.

Communication: Students will examine the parts of the presentation, persuasive media literacy techniques, and communication skills in preparation for their pitch. The product created will be available in an online format, easily shared with the world beyond their classroom walls!

Creativity: Students have the option to create projects that appeal to a variety of learning styles. Student choices are endless! I have included a list of Web 2.0 websites my students have enjoyed using in the past as well as a few other project ideas.

In this download, you will receive the following:

• A 15 page teacher's manual including fully developed lesson plans with essential questions, materials list, and step-by-step directions with set inductions featuring links to Youtube videos.
• An ActivInspire flipchart for each lesson that uses sliders and revealer tools.
• A pdf student manual that houses all of the handouts for the entire unit in one easy to manage download.
• Ready to use grading rubrics! Available in a printable format or spreadsheet form (Google Docs)
• Student self-reflection activity also available in printable format or in Google Docs forms.
• This unit is 100% ready to use and would be the perfect technology project to accompany the study of any of Edgar Allan Poe's short stories or poems.

Download The Mysterious Death of Edgar Allan Poe: A 21st Century Collaborative Project.