Here we are in Oct-POE-ber, and I have seven activities to try while studying Edgar Allan Poe. Don’t judge me too much, but the macabre vibe of fall, October, and Poe is just so satisfying. Take a look at these resources and let me know in the comments if you enjoy Oct-POE-ber as much as I do!
1. Research
Instead of giving information to students, give them this fact file organizer instead. This lets your students have the opportunity to learn the basics of Edgar Allan Poe’s life while also researching his literature, giving them space to decide what they think is most interesting. Putting the responsibility of gathering information on the students gives them ownership, and it might surprise you what they find most compelling as they research.
2. Read lesser known stories
By high school, students have probably gone through their fair share of Edgar Allan Poe’s greatest hits. And while some of his other works might not work for all students – bringing in some of his lesser known stories for upper grades might be a good pull for engagement. Consider titles like “Berenice,” “The Imp of the Perverse,” and “The Oblong Box.” You could even compare the well-known Sherlock Holmes to Poe’s lesser-known C. Auguste Duplin (look for “The Murders in the Rue Morgue,” “The Purloined Letter,” and “The Mystery of Marie Roget”). Looking for activities to do with any short story? Click here to check out my resource!
3. “Solve” the mystery of Poe’s demise
The events surrounding Poe’s death is so intriguing. Send students on assignment to “solve” the mystery. Students can research theories, present them to class or work in groups to decide what they think happened. You can also use this as an opportunity to reiterate the importance of finding valid sources and citing sources. This article from the Smithsonian Magazine is a great place to start.
4. Actively listen to a documentary
Provide students with a fact file organizer (like this one) or a blank piece of paper to write down facts and interesting information as they watch a documentary. You can find several options across the internet, like this Biography production on YouTube. PBS American Masters is also a goodie, but you’ll typically have better luck finding a DVD version at your library or purchasing it for your classroom.
5. Go on a virtual field trip
Bring your students on a virtual field trip as they learn about Poe. It’s a nice compromise between watching a documentary and researching. Poe Baltimore has a short video tour on their website here. They also have the option to schedule private live tours with classes, but there is a fee for this personalized tour. The Poe Museum has a virtual tour you can access here. Again, you can provide students with key information to look for or simply have them keep track of their most interesting finds.
6. Create a “Poe-a-Tree”
I was so excited to see this display. A Poe-a-Tree is basically an artistic display linked to poems or lines from poetry. After creating a visual, students add their art to the “branches”. No, it isn’t necessarily Poe-centered, but you can introduce the Poe-a-Tree with Edgar Allan Poe and have students create artwork to add to the tree as you study his works. Leave it up as you go through the rest of the year and have students add work from a variety of poets. You can see some examples here and more information behind the idea here. I absolutely love this idea so if you end up using it, tag me or share in the comments!
7. Compare reimagined tales
Have students compare Edgar Allan Poe’s original works to contemporary or reimagined tales. It’s a good way to compare themes and motifs and show students how “universal” Poe’s writings are. His Hideous Heart edited by Dahlia Adler is a collection of stories from various authors retelling the best of Poe’s works. You can find the Goodreads synopsis and reviews here and purchase through Amazon here.. (You can also see more of my thoughts on this compilation here.) This can also lead to an assignment where students reimagine one of Poe’s works and put their own spin on a tale.
BONUS TIP: Pair fiction and nonfiction for an added layer of rigor.
Are you teaching “The Black Cat” by Edgar Allan Poe? Try adding a high-interest reading on black cats to get students thinking about the animal before reading the short story.!
There you have it. If your students seem a little melancholy about the whole Poe study thing this month, try one of these activities. It’s great to hear from fellow teachers when they try something new, so let me know in the comments what you’ve enjoyed while teaching about Edgar Allan Poe.
Happy teaching!
