"The Bells" by Edgar Allan Poe
Lesson plans and teaching resources

"The Bells"
In this Web-based activity, students can hear the poem. They can select voice, music, and sound effects to determine what each adds to their understanding.

"The Bells"
Text and analysis of the poem.

"The Bells"
In this worksheet students identify alliteration, personification, and onomatopoeia. 2 pages (includes possible answers); Adobe Reader required.

"The Bells"
Students use this handout to analyze the poem by sections. Word processor required for access.

"The Bells"
The poem read aloud by Tom O'Bedlam. YouTube video (3:59) includes text of the poem.

"The Bells"
Text of the poem with 9 vocabulary words underlined. Definitions follow.

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."

Onomatopoeia: A Figurative Language Minilesson
Students are introduced to the literary device of onomatopoeia and explore how the technique adds to a writer’s message. Students brainstorm a list of onomatopoeic words and then find examples of the technique in "The Bells." Once they find examples, students reflect on how the onomatopoeic words add to the poem and the writer’s message. They then apply their knowledge of the technique by choosing sound words in response to sounds they hear in an online tool. Following the lesson, students can look for additional examples of the literary device in their reading or look for places to add onomatopoeia to their writing.

Poe's Vocabulary in "The Bells"
15 vocabulary words in context.

Top 10 Unusually Long and Interesting Words
The last word in this slide show is tintinnabulation , and the script mentions Poe's "The Bells." This would be an unorthodox opening to a lesson, but it could be an effective one.

Vocabulary for Edgar Allan Poe's "The Bells"
A list of 26 words and definitions from the poem.