Edgar Allan Poe Honors Unit

home.germany.net/100-163279/ illeguan/poe.jpg

Themes:

1. The fear of being buried alive or imprisoned

2. The fear of losing someone or something valued

3. The fear of losing one’s mind or self-control

4. A fascination with death

5. A fascination with the dark side of human nature

6. An awareness of over-acute (intense) senses

Literature:

"The Tell Tale Heart"

"The Black Cat"

"The Pit and the Pendulum"

"Murders in the Rue Morgue"

"Annabelle Lee"

"The Raven"

Project Assignments: Quoth the Raven, "NEVERMORE"

illustrated by Alexandra

Choose one project to be completed by

see calendar for date

Draw or sketch a picture depicting one of the plots of a favorite POE story. Include a quote from the story that relates to the picture.

Construct a diorama of a favorite POE short story.

Write your own detective story following Poe’s guidelines. Must be typed or in pen.

Design a colorful book cover for one of POE’S stories.

Draw your favorite character from a POE story and write a description of the character.

Write a 1-page letter of advice to a character in one of POE’S stories.

Write a newspaper article using an account of one of the major crimes committed in a POE story.

Draw or make a mobile of the significant objects in one of POE’S stories. Explain the significance of each object.

Research the Spanish Inquisition.

Research tuberculosis in the world/United States.

Read a POE story that we will not read in class. Write a summary and explain how POE created the single effect of horror in the story.

Perform a dramatic reading from the “Tell Tale Heart” complete with costume.

Create a POE review game using the stories we have read and the facts of POE’S life.

Write a continuation of the “Tell Tale Heart.” What happens to the murderer?

Write a new ending to any of the POE stories we read in class.

Research the history of horror stories in America.

Research the history of the magazine in America.

Create an illustrated plot line for one of POE’S stories

Research rabies.

Create a 3-d model from any scene or setting in a POE story

Create a video featuring a POE story. Must include scenery, costumes and credits.

Perform a reading of “The Raven.”

Project Rubrics:

Oral Presentation Rubric

CATEGORY	Advanced Proficient	Proficient	Basic	Minimal
Time-Limit	Presentation is 5-6 minutes long.	Presentation is 4 minutes long.	Presentation is 3 minutes long.	Presentation is less than 3 minutes OR more than 6 minutes.
Speaks Clearly	Speaks clearly and distinctly all (100-95%) the time, and mispronounces no words.	Speaks clearly and distinctly all (100-95%) the time, but mispronounces one word.	Speaks clearly and distinctly most ( 94-85%) of the time. Mispronounces no more than one word.	Often mumbles or can not be understood OR mispronounces more than one word.
Props	Student uses several props (could include costume) that show considerable work/creativity and which make the presentation better.	Student uses 1 prop that shows considerable work/creativity and which make the presentation better.	Student uses 1 prop, which makes the presentation better.	The student uses no props OR the props chosen detract from the presentation.
Vocabulary	Uses vocabulary appropriate for the audience. Extends audience vocabulary by defining words that might be new to most of the audience.	Uses vocabulary appropriate for the audience. Includes 1-2 words that might be new to most of the audience, but does not define them.	Uses vocabulary appropriate for the audience. Does not include any vocabulary that might be new to the audience.	Uses several (5 or more) words or phrases that are not understood by the audience.
Uses Complete Sentences	Always (99-100% of time) speaks in complete sentences.	Mostly (80-98%) speaks in complete sentences.	Sometimes (70-80%) speaks in complete sentences.	Rarely speaks in complete sentences.
Posture and Eye Contact	Stands up straight, looks relaxed and confident. Establishes eye contact with everyone in the room during the presentation.	Stands up straight and establishes eye contact with everyone in the room during the presentation.	Sometimes stands up straight and establishes eye contact.	Slouches and/or does not look at people during the presentation.
Content	Shows a full understanding of the topic.	Shows a good understanding of the topic.	Shows a good understanding of parts of the topic.	Does not seem to understand the topic very well.
Volume	Volume is loud enough to be heard by all audience members throughout the presentation.	Volume is loud enough to be heard by all audience members at least 90% of the time.	Volume is loud enough to be heard by all audience members at least 80% of the time.	Volume often too soft to be heard by all audience members.
Collaboration with Peers	Almost always listens to, shares with, and supports the efforts of others in the group. Tries to keep people working well together.	Usually listens to, shares with, and supports the efforts of others in the group. Does not cause "waves" in the group.	Often listens to, shares with, and supports the efforts of others in the group but sometimes is not a good team member.	Rarely listens to, shares with, and supports the efforts of others in the group. Often is not a good team member.

Multimedia Project

CATEGORY	Advanced Proficient	Proficient	Basic	Minimal
Sources	Careful and accurate records are kept to document the source of 100% of the facts and graphics use.	Careful and accurate records are kept to document the source of 99-85% of the facts and graphics use..	. Careful and accurate records are kept to document the source of 84-75% of the facts and graphics use.	Sources were not accurately documented or were not kept on many facts and graphics.
Attractiveness	Makes excellent use of font, color, graphics, effects, etc. to enhance the presentation.	Makes good use of font, color, graphics, effects, etc. to enhance to presentation.	Makes use of font, color, graphics, effects, etc. but occasionally these detract from the presentation content.	Use of font, color, graphics, effects etc. but these often distract from the presentation content.
Requirements	All requirements are met and exceeded.	All requirements are met.	One requirement was not completely met.	More than one requirement was not completely met.
Mechanics	No misspellings or grammatical errors.	Three or fewer misspellings and/or mechanical errors.	Four misspellings and/or grammatical errors.	More than 4 errors in spelling or grammar.
Content	Covers topic in-depth with details and examples. Subject knowledge is excellent.	Includes essential knowledge about the topic. Subject knowledge appears to be good.	Includes essential information about the topic but there are 1-2 factual errors.	Content is minimal OR there are several factual errors.
Organization	Content is well organized using headings or bulleted lists to group related material.	Uses headings or bulleted lists to organize, but the overall organization of topics appears flawed.	Content is logically organized for the most part.	There was no clear or logical organizational structure, just lots of facts.
Oral Presentation	Interesting, well-rehearsed with smooth delivery that holds audience attention.	Relatively interesting, rehearsed with a fairly smooth delivery that usually holds audience attention.	Delivery not smooth, but able to hold audience attention most of the time.	Delivery not smooth and audience attention lost.
Originality	Product shows a large amount of original thought. Ideas are creative and inventive.	Product shows some original thought. Work shows new ideas and insights.	Uses other people's ideas (giving them credit), but there is little evidence of original thinking.	Uses other people's ideas, but does not give them credit.
Workload	The workload is divided and shared equally by all team members.	The workload is divided and shared fairly by all team members, though workloads may vary from person to person.	The workload was divided, but one person in the group is viewed as not doing his/her fair share of the work.	The workload was not divided OR several people in the group are viewed as not doing their fair share of the work.

Newspaper

CATEGORY	Advanced Proficient	Proficient	Basic	Minimal
Spelling and Proofreading	No spelling or grammar errors remain after one or more people (in addition to the typist) read and correct the newspaper.	No more than a couple of spelling or grammar errors remain after one or more people (in addition to the typist) read and correct the newspaper.	No more than 3 spelling or grammar errors remain after one or more people (in addition to the typist) read and correct the newspaper.	Several spelling or grammar errors remain in the final copy of the newspaper.
Articles - Purpose	90-100% of the articles establish a clear purpose in the lead paragraph and demonstrate a clear understanding of the topic.	85-89% of the articles establish a clear purpose in the lead paragraph and demonstrate a clear understanding of the topic.	75-84% of the articles establish a clear purpose in the lead paragraph and demonstrate a clear understanding of the topic.	Less than 75% of the articles establish a clear purpose in the lead paragraph and demonstrate a clear understanding of the topic.
Articles - Supporting Details	The details in the articles are clear, effective, and vivid 80-100% of the time.	The details in the articles are clear and pertinent 90-100% of the time.	The details in the articles are clear and pertinent 75-89% of the time.	The details in more than 25% of the articles are neither clear nor pertinent.
Graphics	Graphics are in focus, are well-cropped and are clearly related to the articles they accompany.	Graphics are in focus and are clearly related to the articles they accompany.	80-100% of the graphics are clearly related to the articles they accompany.	More than 20% of the graphics are not clearly related to the articles OR no graphics were used.
Who, What, When, Where & How	All articles adequately address the 5 W's (who, what, when, where and how).	90-99% of the articles adequately address the 5 W's (who, what, when, where and how).	75-89% of the articles adequately address the 5 W's (who, what, when, where and how).	Less than 75% of the articles adequately address the 5 W's (who, what, when, where, and how).
Requirements	All of the required content was present.	Almost all the required content was present.	At least 75% of the required content was present.	Less than 75% of the required content was present.
Articles - Interest	The articles contain facts, figures, and/or word choices that make the articles exceptionally interesting to readers.	The articles contain facts, figures, and/or word choices that make the articles interesting to readers.	The article contains some facts or figures but is marginally interesting to read.	The article does not contain facts or figures that might make it interesting to read.
Editorials - Worthwhile	The information was accurate and there was a clear reason for including the editorial in the newspaper.	The information was accurate and there was a fairly good reason for including the editorial in the newspaper.	The information was occasionally inaccurate or misleading, but there was a clear reason for including the editorial in the newspaper.	The information was typically inaccurate, misleading or libelous.
Use of Primary Sources	Reading of primary source material was thorough.	Reading of primary source material was fairly thorough.	Reading of primary source material was incomplete.	Reading of primary source material was not done.

Making A Poster

CATEGORY	Advanced Proficient	Proficient	Basic	Minimal
Graphics - Originality	Several of the graphics used on the poster reflect a exceptional degree of student creativity in their creation and/or display.	One or two of the graphics used on the poster reflect student creativity in their creation and/or display.	The graphics are made by the student, but are based on the designs or ideas of others.	No graphics made by the student are included.
Graphics - Relevance	All graphics are related to the topic and make it easier to understand. All borrowed graphics have a source citation.	All graphics are related to the topic and most make it easier to understand. All borrowed graphics have a source citation.	All graphics relate to the topic. Most borrowed graphics have a source citation.	Graphics do not relate to the topic OR several borrowed graphics do not have a source citation.
Labels	All items of importance on the poster are clearly labeled with labels that can be read from at least 3 ft. away.	Almost all items of importance on the poster are clearly labeled with labels that can be read from at least 3 ft. away.	Several items of importance on the poster are clearly labeled with labels that can be read from at least 3 ft. away.	Labels are too small to view OR no important items were labeled.
Required Elements	The poster includes all required elements as well as additional information. Plus an important quote from the story.	All required elements are included on the poster. Plus a quote from the story.	All but 1 of the required elements are included on the poster. Quote used was from Poe but not related to poster.	Several required elements were missing. No quote
Knowledge Gained	Student can accurately answer all questions related to facts in the poster and processes used to create the poster.	Student can accurately answer most questions related to facts in the poster and processes used to create the poster.	Student can accurately answer about 75% of questions related to facts in the poster and processes used to create the poster.	Student appears to have insufficient knowledge about the facts or processes used in the poster.
Content - Accuracy	At least 7 accurate facts are displayed on the poster.	5-6 accurate facts are displayed on the poster.	3-4 accurate facts are displayed on the poster.	Less than 3 accurate facts are displayed on the poster.
Attractiveness	The poster is exceptionally attractive in terms of design, layout, and neatness.	The poster is attractive in terms of design, layout and neatness.	The poster is acceptably attractive though it may be a bit messy.	The poster is distractingly messy or very poorly designed. It is not attractive.
Title	Title can be read from 6 ft. away and is quite creative.	Title can be read from 6 ft. away and describes content well.	Title can be read from 4 ft. away and describes the content well.	The title is too small and/or does not describe the content of the poster well.
Mechanics	Capitalization and punctuation are correct throughout the poster.	There is 1 error in capitalization or punctuation.	There are 2 errors in capitalization or punctuation.	There are more than 2 errors in capitalization or punctuation.
Grammar	There are no grammatical mistakes on the poster.	There is 1 grammatical mistake on the poster.	There are 2 grammatical mistakes on the poster.	There are more than 2 grammatical mistakes on the poster.

Writing

CATEGORY	Advanced Proficient	Proficient	Basic	Minimal
Writing - Organization	Each section in the essay has a clear beginning, middle, and end. Has unique and creative cover and title.	Almost all sections of the essay have a clear beginning, middle and end. Has a creative cover and title.	Most sections of the essay have a clear beginning, middle and end. Has a cover and title.	Less than half of the sections of the essay have a clear beginning, middle and end. Is missing cover, title, or both.
Writing - Grammar	There are no grammatical mistakes in the essay.	There are no grammatical mistakes in the essay feedback from an adult.	There are 1-2 grammatical mistakes in the essay even after feedback from an adult.	There are several grammatical mistakes in the essay even after feedback from an adult.
Spelling & Proofreading	No spelling errors remain after one person other than the typist reads and corrects the essay.	No more than 1 spelling error remains after one person other than the typist reads and corrects the essay.	No more than 3 spelling errors remain after one person other than the typist reads and corrects the essay.	Several spelling errors in the essay.
Writing - Vocabulary	The authors correctly use several new words and define words unfamiliar to the reader.	The authors correctly use a few new words and define words unfamiliar to the reader.	The authors try to use some new vocabulary, but may use 1-2 words incorrectly.	The authors do not incorporate new vocabulary.
Writing - Mechanics	Capitalization and punctuation are correct throughout the essay.	Capitalization and punctuation are correct throughout the essay after feedback from an adult.	There are 1-2 capitalization and/or punctuation errors in the essay even after feedback from an adult.	There are several capitalization or punctuation errors in the essay even after feedback from an adult.
Content - Accuracy	All facts in the essay are accurate.	99-90% of the facts in the essay are accurate.	89-80% of the facts in the essay are accurate.	Fewer than 80% of the facts in the essay are accurate.
Attractiveness & Organization	The essay has exceptionally attractive formatting and well-organized information.	The essay has attractive formatting and well-organized information.	Essay has well-organized information.	The essay's formatting and organization of material are confusing to the reader.
Sources	Careful and accurate records are kept to document the source of 95-100% of the facts and graphics in the essay.	Careful and accurate records are kept to document the source of 94-85% of the facts and graphics in the essay.	Careful and accurate records are kept to document the source of 84-75% of the facts and graphics in the essay.	Sources are not documented accurately or are not kept on many facts and graphics.
Graphics/Picture	Graphics go well with the text and there is a good mix of text and graphics.	Graphics go well with the text, but there are so many that they distract from the text.	Graphics go well with the text, but there are too few to enhance the essay.	Graphics do not go with the accompanying text or appear to be randomly chosen.

HyperStudio/Powerpoint Appearance and Content:

CATEGORY	Advanced Proficient	Proficient	Basic	Minimal
Sounds -planning	Careful planning has gone into sounds. All sounds improve the content or "feel" of the presentation.	Some planning has gone into sounds. Most enhance the content or "feel" of the presentation, but 1-2 seem to be added for no real reason. None detract from the overall presentation.	Sounds that are chosen are appropriate for the topic, but some detract from the overall presentation.	Sounds are not appropriate for the presentation.
Originality	Presentation shows considerable originality and inventiveness. The content and ideas are presented in a unique and interesting way.	Presentation shows some originality and inventiveness. The content and ideas are presented in an interesting way.	Presentation shows an attempt at originality and inventiveness on 1-2 cards.	Presentation is a rehash of other people's ideas and/or graphics and shows very little attempt at original thought.
Text - Font Choice & Formatting	Font formats (e.g., color, bold, italic) have been carefully planned to enhance readability and content.	Font formats have been carefully planned to enhance readability.	Font formatting has been carefully planned to complement the content. It may be a little hard to read.	Font formatting makes it very difficult to read the material.
Content - Accuracy	All content throughout the presentation is accurate. There are no factual errors.	Most of the content is accurate but there is one piece of information that might be inaccurate.	The content is generally accurate, but one piece of information is clearly flawed or inaccurate.	Content is typically confusing or contains more than one factual error.
Content - Accuracy	All content throughout the presentation is accurate. There are no factual errors.	Most of the content is accurate but there is one piece of information that might be inaccurate.	The content is generally accurate, but one piece of information is clearly flawed or inaccurate.	Content is typically confusing or contains more than one factual error.
Spelling and Grammar	Presentation has no misspellings or grammatical errors.	Presentation has 1-2 misspellings, but no grammatical errors.	Presentation has 1-2 grammatical errors but no misspellings.	Presentation has more than 2 grammatical and/or spelling errors.
Sequencing of Information	Information is organized in a clear, logical way. It is easy to anticipate the type of material that might be on the next card.	Most information is organized in a clear, logical way. One card or item of information seems out of place.	Some information is logically sequenced. An occasional card or item of information seems out of place.	There is no clear plan for the organization of information.
Use of Graphics	All graphics are attractive (size and colors) and support the theme/content of the presentation.	A few graphics are not attractive but all support the theme/content of the presentation.	All graphics are attractive but a few do not seem to support the theme/content of the presentation.	Several graphics are unattractive AND detract from the content of the presentation.
Effectiveness	Project includes all material needed to gain a comfortable understanding of the topic. It is a highly effective study guide.	Project includes most material needed to gain a comfortable understanding of the material but is lacking one or two key elements. It is an adequate study guide.	Project is missing more than two key elements. It would make an incomplete study guide.	Project is lacking several key elements and has inaccuracies that make it a poor study guide.

rubistar.com

Mock Trial: Create two mock trial plays in which the defendants are the protagonists from "The Black Cat" and the protagonist from "The Tell Tale Heart." After one week preparation each trial will have three days to complete the trial before it goes to the jury. This is NOT a formal mock trial.

Quizzes / Tests:

Poe's biography quiz

Poe final essay exam

Poe vocabulary exam

See calendar for dates

Resources:

illustrated by Alexandra

Time-Limit

Speaks Clearly

Props

Vocabulary

Content

Volume