The Tell-Tale Heart - Exploring Gothic Literature (Halloween Horror Series)
For learners who enjoy scary stories, Halloween, and literary classics: Explore Edgar Allan Poe's horror short story, The Tell-Tale Heart in this mini lesson. Engage in narrative analysis & demonstrate learning with a written reflection.
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What's included
1 pre-recorded lesson
1 week
of teacher support1 year access
to the contentAssignments
Learners will submit a written reflection responding to questions that encourage narrative analysis. A detailed grading rubric is provided for the assignment.Assessment
The graded written reflection to conclude the course serves as an assessment of the learner's mastery of the learning goals in the mini lesson.Class Experience
US Grade 9 - 12
This mini lesson on The Tell-Tale Heart is structured as follows: Short Story - video lesson including the audio dramatization of the tale with relevant visuals. Analysis - video lesson including the teacher's narrative analysis of the short story. Notes - provided in concise format in a lesson post. Written Reflection - assignment answering reflection questions on the text Assessment - Grading rubric for written reflection provided to guide learners Feedback - Written reflections submitted for grading and teacher feedback Students may ask content-related questions in the class posts as comments or send a direct message for asynchronous interaction with the teacher. All communication remains within the Outschool platform and is accessible by both the learners and parents.
Learning Goals
Analyze the themes of madness and guilt and examine how Poe develops these themes throughout the text, particularly through the narrator’s actions and psychological deterioration.Identify and cite key textual evidence from The Tell-Tale Heart to support their analysis of Gothic elements, such as obsession and guilt.
Syllabus
Standards
Aligned with Common Core State Standards (CCSS)1 Lesson
over 1 WeekLesson 1:
"The Tell-Tale Heart" by Edgar Allan Poe
Welcome to my lesson on Edgar Allan Poe’s "The Tell-Tale Heart." Explore this iconic short story and discuss how it fits into the Gothic literary genre. Let’s begin by immersing ourselves in the story by enjoying a video lesson containing a dramatic reading and video lecture on the classic horror tale. Demonstrate your understanding of the literary devices and Gothic elements with a written reflection that will be submitted for grading and feedback. 1 assignment
21 mins of video lessons
Other Details
Learning Needs
My lessons are inclusive and thoughtfully designed to support unique learning needs. The video lessons are engaging and all assignments use unique grading rubrics. Lesson notes are included. Message me to request additional accommodations.
Parental Guidance
The Tell-Tale Heart by Edgar Allan Poe is recommended for teens (14+), commonly studied in high school literature classes. The story explores themes of madness, guilt, and obsession, with a focus on psychological intensity rather than graphic violence.
Content Advisory:
Violence: Involves a murder, but it's not graphic; the emphasis is on the narrator's mental state.
Psychological Themes: Explores guilt and madness, which may be intense but offer valuable literary analysis opportunities.
This story encourages critical thinking about morality and human psychology, making it an excellent choice for teen readers interested in Gothic fiction.
Supply List
The short story text and audiobook are provided within the lesson. Edgar Allan Poe's works are public domain and available for free. Links provided within the lesson.
Joined June, 2024
New on Outschool
Teacher expertise and credentials
3 Teaching Certificates
Missouri Teaching Certificate in Elementary Education
Georgia Teaching Certificate in Elementary Education
Georgia Teaching Certificate
2 Degrees
Master's Degree in Education from Kennesaw State University
Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Education from Kennesaw State University
I hold a M.Ed in Instructional Technology and a Bachelor's in Elementary Education, with teaching certifications in both Georgia and Missouri. I have taught internationally in the UAE and South Korea, as well as in the United States, giving me a broad perspective on diverse educational practices. My fondness for Gothic literature combined with my experience in instructional design allows me to create engaging, accessible content that helps learners explore complex themes in a way that resonates with them.Reviews
Self-Paced Class
$30
for all content1 pre-recorded lesson
1 week of teacher support
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1 year of access to the content
Completed by 2 learners
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Ages: 14-18
