Edgar Allan Poe
Lesson plans, biography, and teaching resources

|Biography and other Poe-related sites| |"The Black Cat"| |"The Cask of Amontillado"| |"The Fall of the House of Usher"| |"The Gold Bug"| |"Ligeia"| |"The Masque of the Red Death"| |"The Murders in the Rue Morgue"| |"The Pit and the Pendulum"| |"The Purloined Letter"| |"The Raven" and other poetry| |"The Tell-Tale Heart"| |"William Wilson"|

Biography & Background

"The Black Cat"

"The Black Cat"
Printable text of the story.

"The Black Cat"
This 8-page vocabulary packet supports 26 words drawn from the story. Adobe Acrobat Reader or compatible application required for access.

"The Cask of Amontillado"

"The Cask of Amontillado"
Printable text of the story.

"The Cask of Amontillado"
Vocabulary, a handout with emphasis on literary terms, and a post-reading activity.

"The Cask of Amontillado"
Online text of the story with vocabulary support.

"The Cask of Amontillado"
Worksheets, vocabulary practice, and related links.

"The Cask of Amontillado"
This 7-page packet supports 26 vocabulary words drawn from the story. Adobe Acrobat Reader or compatible application required for access.

"The Cask of Amontillado"
Literal, inferential, and evaluative post-reading questions. Access requires Adobe Acrobat Reader or compatible application for access.

Edgar Allan Poe, "The Cask of Amontillado"
Nine questions for discussion and/or writing. This document requires MS-Word or comparable application for access.

"The Fall of the House of Usher"

Creating Atmosphere
This activity uses the opening of "The Fall of the House of Usher" as a model text. Students analyze the first paragraph, then write an opening with an equally vivid atmosphere. Access requires Adobe Acrobat Reader or compatible application.

"The Fall of the House of Usher"
Printable text of the story.

"The Fall of the House of Usher"
Extensive questions to guide student comprehension.

"The Fall of the House of Usher"
Eight questions for discussion and/or writing. This document requires MS-Word or compatible application for access.

"The Fall of the House of Usher"
This 10-page packet supports 52 vocabulary words drawn from the story.

"The Gold Bug"

"The Gold Bug"
Printable text of the story.

"Ligeia"

"Ligeia"
Printable text of the story.

"The Masque of the Red Death"

"The Masque of the Red Death"
This 8-page packet supports 30 vocabulary words drawn from the story.

"The Masque of the Red Death"
Online text of the story with links to some vocabulary.

"The Masque of the Red Death"
Printable text of the story.

"The Murders in the Rue Morgue"

"The Murders in the Rue Morgue"
Printable text of the story.

"The Pit and the Pendulum"

"The Pit and the Pendulum"
Follow links for a downloadable audio file OR to listen and read at the same time.

"The Pit and the Pendulum"
Audio file of the story read by actor Basil Rathbone. Available in both MP3 and Real Media formats.

"The Pit and the Pendulum"
Printable text of the story.

"The Purloined Letter"

"The Purloined Letter"
Printable text of the story.

"The Raven" and other poems

"Alone"
Follow links for a downloadable audio file OR to listen and read at the same time.

"Annabel Lee"
Follow links for a downloadable audio file OR to listen and read at the same time.

Exploring Poetry: "Annabel Lee"
This page includes a copy of the poem; a Power Point presentation on the standards, learning outcomes expected, and themes; and notes on poetic form and structure.

"A Dream Within a Dream"
Follow links for a downloadable audio file OR to listen and read at the same time.

"El Dorado"
Follow links for a downloadable audio file OR to listen and read at the same time.

POEtry-A Close Look at "The Raven" by Edgar Allan Poe
Following a close reading of the poem, students use multimedia to illustrate it.

Edgar Allan Poe Poetry Readers Theater
A fun project that serves as a good introduction to both Readers Theater and four poems by Poe: "The Raven," "The Bells," "Eldorado," and "Annabel Lee."

The Interactive Raven
As students work online through each stanza, they learn alliteration, assonance, and internal rhyme. Vocabulary words are also indicated. An excellent example of using technology for education.

"The Raven"
Background analysis and emphasis on vocabulary.

"The Raven"
Follow links for a downloadable audio file OR to listen and read at the same time.

"The Raven"
Audio file of the poem read by actor Basil Rathbone. Available in both MP3 and Real Media formats.

"The Raven": Present at the Creation
Background information about the poem from NPR's Morning Edition. Includes related links.

Repeat After Us
Audio files of "Annabel Lee," "Eldorado," "Sonnet - To Science," "The City in the Sea," "The Raven," "To Helen." A good site for LD students, ELL students, and for those who read well and might like to record and contribute. Files are in alphabetical order by poet; scroll down.

"The Tell-Tale Heart"

The "Producing Edgar Allen Poe" Challenge
Students produce "The Tell-Tale Heart" as a dramatic work. This unit is carefully planned.

"The Tell-Tale Heart"
Follow links for a downloadable audio file OR to listen and read at the same time.

"The Tell-Tale Heart"
Online text of the story with vocabulary support.

"The Tell-Tale Heart"
Plot summary, figures of speech, more.

"The Tell-Tale Heart"
Printable text of the story.

"William Wilson"

"William Wilson"
In this Webquest students reflect upon, analyze, annotate and illustrate Edgar Allan Poe's short story, "William Wilson."