Gale Schools - Lesson Plans - Secondary - English

Disease

Title: Disease Lesson Plan

Grade Level: 9-12

Subject/Content: English/Literature Analysis of Gothic Writing

Summary of Lesson: Students research the bubonic plague for basic understanding of what it is, when it occurred and what impact it had on society. They then research Edgar Allan Poe and the gothic style of writing. The lesson culminates with the students writing a persuasive essay defending why the bubonic plague was a natural subject matter for Edgar Allan Poe to choose in his short story "The Masque of the Red Death."

Focus Questions: Why is the bubonic plague an ideal subject for Edgar Allan Poe to write about?

Databases(s): LitFinder, Science Resource Center, Twayne's Authors Series, What Do I Read Next

Procedures :

This lesson may be taught in conjunction with a biology course studying diseases. It may also be taught individually in an English class studying gothic writers and/or persuasive essays.
Steps/Activities by teacher: Before the activity begins ensure that students are familiar with the persuasive essay format. Also, ensure that students have been given a brief description and examples of gothic writing.
Provide students with access to Gale databases for topic research.
Instruct students to access the Science Resource Center database and research the bubonic plague.
Instruct students to access Twayne's Authors Series database and research the style of Edgar Allan Poe.
Lead discussion on their findings from both searches. Encourage them to try to infer how the two connect.
Instruct students to access and read Edgar Allan Poe's short story "The Masque of the Red Death" via LitFinder.
Assign persuasive essay.

Steps/Activities by student(s):

Access the Science Resource Center database and research the bubonic plague.
Access Twayne's Authors Series database and research the style of Edgar Allan Poe.
Respond to the following discussion questions:
What is the bubonic plague?
When and where did it occur?
What impact did it have on society?
Who is Edgar Allan Poe?
What works is he most known for?
What style of writing is Edgar Allan Poe most known for?
Do you think the bubonic plague would be a subject matter Poe would find interesting to write about? Why or why not?
If Poe wrote a story about the bubonic plague who do you think would be the character? What would the setting be? What would the plot be? What would the tone be?
Access LitFinder and search "Edgar Allan Poe."
Select "The Masque of the Red Death" and read the short story.
Write a five paragraph persuasive essay explaining why the bubonic plague is an ideal subject matter for Edgar Allan Poe. Focus on the bubonic plague, Edgar Allan Poe's style and how the two connect.

Outcome: Students learn about the historical relevance of the bubonic plague, the gothic style of Edgar Allan Poe and write a persuasive essay connecting the two.

Related Activities for Students:

Access the Gale databases.
Select "What Do I Read Next"
Select Horror/Gothic.
Select Search.
Choose a novel from the list provided.

Standard Date: Approved 1996

Content Standard(s):

Students read a wide variety of print and nonprint texts to build an understanding of texts, of themselves, and of the cultures of the United States and the world; to acquire new information; to respond to the needs and demands of society and the workplace; and for personal fulfillment. Among these texts are fiction and nonfiction, classic and contemporary.
Students read a wide range of literature from many periods in many genres to build an understanding of the many dimensions of human experience.
Students apply a wide range of strategies to comprehend, interpret, evaluate, and appreciate texts. They draw on their prior experience, their interactions with other readers and writers, their knowledge of word meaning and other texts, their word identification strategies, and their understanding of textual features.
Students conduct research on issues and interests by generating ideas and questions, and by posing problems. They gather, evaluate, and synthesize data from a variety of sources to communicate their discoveries in ways that suit their purpose and audience.
Students use a variety of technological and informational resources to gather and synthesize information and to create and communicate knowledge.

Performance Indicators:

At Level 1, the student is able to:
- Identify key elements and exhibit understanding of the bubonic plague, gothic writing, and Edgar Allan Poe as individual subjects.
At Level 2, the student is able to:
- Make connections between Poe's individual style of writing and the elements of gothic writing. Identify the plague as plausible subject matter in gothic writing.
At Level 3, the student is able to:
- Demonstrate understanding and comprehension of the bubonic plague, gothic writing and the style of Edgar Allan Poe by writing a persuasive essay explaining that Poe's selection of the bubonic plague was natural for his style of writing in "The Masque of the Red Death."

Computer Literacy and Usage Standards 9-12:

The student will develop skills using a variety of computer resources to increase productivity, support creativity, conduct research, and improve communications.

ISTE NETS for Students

Students are proficient in the use of technology.
Students use technology tools to enhance learning, increase productivity and promote creativity.
Students use technology to locate, evaluate, and collect information from a variety of sources.
Students evaluate and select new information resources and technological innovations based on the appropriateness for specific tasks.

Information Power; Information Literacy Standards:

Standard 1: The student who is information literate accesses information efficiently and effectively.
Standard 2: The student who is information literate evaluates information critically and competently.
Standard 3: The student who is information literate uses information accurately and creatively..
Standard 6: The student who is an independent learner is information literate and strives for excellence in information seeking and knowledge generation.