It
is impossible to say how first the idea entered my brain, but, once conceived,
it haunted me day and night. Object there was none. Passion there was none. I
loved my 8th grade English classes. They had never wronged me. They had never given me
insult. For their behavior I had no problem. I think it was their low grades!
Yes,
it was this! Some of their grades resembled that of a vulture -- a pale blue
'F' with a film over it. Whenever I wrote the 'F' my blood ran cold, and so by
degrees, very gradually, I made up my mind to improve the grades of my 8th grade English classes with an Edgar Allan Poe lesson that would incorporate a webquest
with questions, and thus rid the class of 'Fs' forever.
Websites
Look at these websites and videos and answer the associated questions.
Look at these websites and videos and answer the associated questions.
- The Edgar Allan Poe Museum Website: The main purpose of the site is to promote the museum. Fans of Poe, however, can find biographical information, a family tree of Poe, theories about his death, selected works, educational resources, and an online store. The site makes certain all information is credible and accurate.
- The Edgar Allan Poe Society of Baltimore Website: Don't let the poor web design and subpar formatting deter you from the site. It's full of useful biographical information, studies of his writings, and copies of his short stories and poems. The site's main goal is to promote the Poe Society of Baltimore.
- Poestories.com: This is the Edgar Allan Poe of Edgar Allan Poe websites. In addition to biographical information, his complete short stories and poems, and a timeline of his writing, Poestories.com contains a photo gallery, quotes, summaries, wordlists, guestbook, links, and a forum. It is the most thorough of all Poe websites.
- The Knowing Poe Website: This is the most fun for students. In fact, I spent the last 25 minutes looking at videos and listening to audio versions of "The Raven," reading about the Poe Toaster, and checking out Edgar Allan Poe every day allusions. The site includes an excellent section for teachers with internet activities and lesson plans, and a section for parents to share Poe with their families.
- The Raven Videos:
- Poe and addiction
- “I have absolutely no pleasure in the stimulants in which I sometimes so
madly indulge. It has not been in the pursuit of pleasure that I have
periled life and reputation and reason. It has been the desperate
attempt to escape from torturing memories, from a sense of insupportable
loneliness and a dread of some strange impending doom.”
― Edgar Allan Poe - Was Poe a Drug Addict? An article about the claims that Poe was addicted to drugs as many people believe.
- Was Poe a Drug Addict 2? Another article about the claims that Poe was addicted to drugs.
Webquest
Questions
- Provide the following biographical information: birthdate; birthplace; death date.
- What tragic childhood events influenced his writing?
- There are 13 theories on what caused Poe's death. List five of them.
- According to the Edgar Allan Poe Museum, what state did Poe call home?
- What does the Poe Society of Baltimore think about this claim?
- What famous military academy expelled Poe in 1831?
- Who did Poe marry? How old was she?
- What do you think about the marriage?
- What is "Murders in the Rue Morgue" the first of?
- When were "The Tell-Tale Heart" and "Fall of the House of Usher" written?
- When was "The Raven" published?
- Check out the Poe photo gallery. Which picture looks most like the Poe you envision while reading his stories?
- Post a comment below about your favorite Poe story. Appropriate posts only.
- Sign the guestbook at Poestories.com.
- Who is the Poe Toaster?
- List five examples of "Poe in Your Life."
- After reading the quote under Poe and addiction above, read the two articles, "Was Poe a drug addict?" and "Was Poe a drug addict 2?" Argue whether or not you believe Poe was addicted to drugs and crazy. Explain why you believe what you do.
- Read the following stories by Poe:
- "Tell-Tale Heart": you can find this on page 232 in the green literature book in the classroom, or you can read it online at poestories.com
- "Fall of the House of Usher": you can read this online at poestories.com or you can find a hard copy of it in the folder labeled Fall of the House of Usher.
- Read a Poe short story of your choice, You can find all of his short stories online at poestories.com
- If you have read "Tell-Tale Heart" or "Fall of the House of Usher", please find a different story by Poe to read.
- What are the conflicts in each of the stories you read? How is each conflict resolved? Make sure to include the title of the short story, so I know which story you are referring to.
- Summarize at least two Poe stories you have never read. Make sure to include the title of the short story.
- Watch and listen to the two videos of the Raven. What do you think of them? What is the mood of each? Which do you prefer and why? Do not simply answer that you like the Simpsons better because you like the Simpsons. Your response needs to be more thoughtful than that.
- Choose two additional poems by Poe to either read or listen to. Write down the title of the poem and what you think about it.
- Read through the Edgar Allan Poe Quotes listed on this webpage. In the comments section below, post a response to four of the eight quotes. Be very thoughtful in your responses. You are not allowed to post no comment, I don't know, or any other response that is negative towards your ability. In addition it must be obvious, which quote you are responding to. If you are unsure where to begin, begin your comment in one of the following ways;
- I agree (don't agree) with Poe's statement about _______ because_______.
- I think that the quote about ________ means______.
- I find the quote about _______ to be (creepy, suspenseful, strange) because ________.
- I was able to relate to Poe's quote about ________ because_______.
References
- Edgar Allan Poe Quotes: http://masspictures.net/edgar-allan-poe-quotes/
- Edgar Allan Poe Quotes about addiction: http://www.goodreads.com/quotes/tag/addiction
- Webquest idea/partial use: http://www.brighthubeducation.com/middle-school-english-lessons/31325-edgar-allan-poe-webquest/
Make sure to keep your comments appropriate and if you have any issues commenting, simply write your comments on a separate sheet of paper to hand in with the rest of your answers to the webquest.
ReplyDeleteI'm online for a few minutes if anyone has any questions.
ReplyDeleteHi its Dakota Merritt and i was wondering if I was aloud to use my phone to do the webquest?
ReplyDeleteYes, you are. Sorry, I missed this yesterday. must have not come through before I boarded the plane.
DeleteDo you have a remote for the smart board-Nathen ryan
ReplyDeleteNo, I do not.
DeleteOur favorite story was The Premature Burial. We like how he referenced what he was talking about. We also like how real he was about it, and how formal he was. How he never made the serious topics a joke.-- Caitlynn Parker & Felina Swallow
ReplyDeleteGreat response ladies. keep up the great work.
DeleteI have to say that the raven videos were the best
ReplyDeleteYour truly bookworm
I like the videos too, especially the one with Darth Vader's voice.
Deletewich one is that i might wach it
Deletewhere do I post a comment for question 13
ReplyDeletebrenden
Exactly where you posted this comment. Sorry, I missed this Wednesday.
DeleteMy favorite story was a descent into the maelstrom because it's bout adventure and I like adventure books and movies.
ReplyDeleteTaigen Freeman
I'm glad you found a story that you like.
DeleteIm really not into these types if stories but the murders in the rue morgue was my favorite because it was the first if it's kind of story.
ReplyDeleteRiver Woods
It is a great story and definitely paved the way for detective stories in the future.
DeleteMy Favorite story is the raven. I like how all of Poe's stories are very mysterious but the raven is my favorite
ReplyDelete-Elisabeth K
I love The Raven took. It's just an amazing poem and soooo mysterious, which is awesome.
DeleteI personally liked "Murders in the Rue Morgue" because I like thrillers like this story and how mysterious it is.
ReplyDelete-Noelle L
This is a great story and the fact that is is the first true detective story is really cool.
DeleteI liked murders in the rue rogue because I can not understand any of his oter poems or stories or whatever they are.
ReplyDeleteTice Burnabeu
You make me laugh. I'm sorry you are struggling to understand his stories and such. They can be difficult, especially if you have never read him before. Murders is a great story though, especially since it is the first true detective story.
Deletei liked the story "The cask of Amontinado" because it is about revenge and I always like storys that have revenge in them. I like that in the beginning the words ryme.
DeleteI like Tell-Tale Heart because it was really creepy but it kept me interested
ReplyDelete-Keely C.
"Tell-Tale Heart" is a very creepy story and I'm glad it kept you interested.
DeleteMy favorite Poe story is Tell-Tale Heart because its interesting and weird
ReplyDeleteAubrey Lopez
It is such an interesting story, and creepy. I'm glad you enjoyed it.
DeleteMy Favorite Poe Story is the "Tell-Tale Heart" because it was Creepy and very different.
ReplyDelete-Madison Davis
I'm glad you enjoyed the story. It is one of my favorite Poe stories.
DeleteThe best story for me in particular is " The Cask of amontillado". In my opinion its one of the darker stories Poe had written. Besides the fact that its about a guy chaining up a guy dressed as a jester and sealing up the only exit with bricks and cement with the man inside is pretty freaky. Then his choice in background is great.
ReplyDelete-Sam Hageman
I agree Sam. It is definitely one of his darker stories. You should read Pit and the Pendulum, which is also very dark and pretty well-known. If you have ever seen any of the saw movies, you have seen the storyline for Pit and the Pendulum.
DeleteI'll have to take a look into it. -Sam
DeleteI really enjoyed The cask of Amontillado because it was a very engaging story. Also it was heart racing at points, and it was very intense. BlakeDanni
ReplyDeleteI'm really glad you enjoyed this story. It is a great story with lots of intensity.
DeleteI liked the "The Cask of Amontillado" because it was a very interesting story yet a bit hard to follow at times. Very intense as well, may I add. Also, how's the trip going? Did you get to go to the CMA's? :)
ReplyDelete-Mikayla Portz
It is a very intense story and I find in very interesting as well. Unfortunately, I did not make it to the CMAs due to the weather. :(
Delete(posting these from top quote to last quote, if its #3 its the third one down)
ReplyDelete1.The first one about dreaming is a very obvious one that I like. I beleive It talks about how some who are way to dwon to earth dont get much joy in life.
2. The one about him hating what he indulges himself in isnt about a drug addiction. Its a fact that poe liked wine and whisky a bunch. Do you think the toaster would give hima bottle of cognac if poe didnt like it? Many enjoy fatty foods even though they know it terrible for them.
7. The one about words is pretty cool to me. What i thnk hes getting at is people are blind when it comes to people talking. They think everyone is jokingwith them but they arent laughing together. They are laughing at the person who they are cracking the joke at.
6. The one about his heart being touched is a very obvious one to a keen eye. What it means is that people see someone they think is cute and start kind of crushing on them, They "are insane" for that person.
-Sam Hageman
Sam, your responses to the quotes are very thoughtful. I agree with your response about the addiction quote. Most people who are addicted to something don't realize they are addicted until they hit rock bottom and Poe seems very insightful on the whole subject of the things that he enjoys and why he enjoys them.
DeleteI really enjoyed reading "The Pit and the Pendulum" because I found it really interesting. It was also dark and kind of heart racing for me, and that's the kind of things I like reading. This reminds me of the pendulum trap in one of the saw movies (I forget which one it is). But anyways, I thought this was a great story and I hope I can read more of his stories in the future.
ReplyDelete~Victoria Caraballo
Great connection to the Saw movie, specifically Saw V. There is a definite connection because the Saw uses the story of "The Pit and the Pendulum" for it's inspiration for that scene. It is definitely a dark and twisted story. I'm glad that you found it interesting.
DeleteMy Favorite Story is the raven ~ Joey Kinney
ReplyDeleteThe Raven is a great poem and I would love to know why it is your favorite of the Poe items you were supposed to read.
DeleteI have a theory that Edger Poe died from his enemy because he was bite by a dog and was beat to a pulp
ReplyDeleteYours truly Bookworm
LOL, ROFL
Deleteha funny but I am serious
Deleteyours truly bookworm
hi it's Antony Andrikopoulos, and I just wanted to say I haven't read an Edgar Allen Poe story. I'm really not the poetry kind of guy, and I have never been interested in his work. But I admit I am looking forward to reading the Raven.
ReplyDeleteAntony, I hope that once you actually read some of the stories, you will find them interesting and that you will find at lease one that you like.
Delete1. The words have no power quote I find very confusing and a little creepy because it sounds like when someone says something to someone else, the other guy doesn't understand it untill it happens to them.
Delete2.I think that the quote about being touched to the heart and being insane means that love changed the way he thinks and made him different in his actions.
3. I think that love with a love that is more than love is a little strange because I don't know anything that is more than regular love. There is no type of other love stronger than regular love that I can think of.
4.I find the quote about darkness to be very creepy and strange because it sounds like something bad will happen to the character. Usually every story that i read where it's in darkness is creepy which why I think this.
~Antony Andrikopoulos
My favorite story by Edger Allan Poe would have to be "The House of Usher".
ReplyDelete-Jeremiah T Withers
"The Fall of the House of Usher is a great story and I would love to know why it is your favorite of the Poe stories.
Deletei think the raven is a chiller-alex w
ReplyDelete"Raven" is a great poem, but I don't understand what you mean by it being a chiller. Please expand your thought and explain in more detail.
DeleteI agree with poe about his love quote because he depicts love - Seth Davidson
ReplyDeleteBut what about it makes you agree with it. Please expand your thought and explain further.
DeleteHailey- The Tell-Tale Heart I think it was weird and disterbing
ReplyDeleteI disagree with him because words have lots of meaning - Seth Davidson
ReplyDeleteI agree with him he was not addicted but just crazy, also I agree that he is right that dreams are just what they seem - Seth Davidson
ReplyDeleteBrenden- I believe that words are what make people who they are today.
ReplyDeletewhether we are talking about jocks, nerds, goth people, or even drugies.
Even geniuses are incomplete. In there theories or there predictions. Not everybody is perfect.-Brenden
ReplyDeleteI really liked the tall-tale heart it was kind of weird but I like stories like that haha ~ Carisma
ReplyDeleteCarisma~ Love that was more than love I really think says a lot it means to love something like you have never loved anything before...
ReplyDeleteFor question 23 I agree with the genius and imagination quote because usually people who are smart seem to be more fancy. I also agree with the quote memories because usually when you think of memories it's stuff you remember that are ether good memories or bad ones.
ReplyDeletetwo quotes I disagreed with were the madness vs intelligence and daydreaming because some people that people call mad are vey smart but some aren't. I disagree with the daydreaming quote because just because you dream during the day doesn't make you smarter than a person who dreams only at night time.
Taigen Freeman
I'm not really into poetry but I hope I enjoy some of Poe's stories~ Anthony
ReplyDelete1.) "The true genius shudders at incompleteness..."
ReplyDeleteI think this quote means that a true genius only says what they really mean to say because Poe mentions "...usually prefers silence to saying something which is not everything it should be."
2.) "I was never really insane except upon occasions when my heart was touched"
I think this quote means that sometimes he could get a little unaware of his emotions.
3.) "We loved with a love that was more than love."
I think this quote is about his wife because even though there was a major age difference, they loved with something more than love, so things like that didn't really matter.
4.) "I have no pleasure in the stimulants in which I so madly indulge..."
I think this quote means that he doesn't particularly enjoy using drugs but they help him cope with his feelings and forget memories.
-Keely C.
(the quotes on this page starting from the top down.)
ReplyDelete1. The first quote was (or looked) very formal and straight to the point no fancy wording and set up.
2.This quote would look like this would be in his darker poems. The wording(fount) looks like it would be the setting of a darker poem.
4. This Quote is really deep and confusing and this feels like it would be in a more calm writing.
5. the quote was really strong and thoughtful. I found it calmer because it realated to him. Blake Danni
1. "We loved with a love that was more than love" this confuses me its like inception but with love
ReplyDelete2. The first quote was weird because he's saying that there is a lot of people who day dream to much in the day, but don't as much at night
3. The 2nd quote messes with my mind it states that we are in a dream in a dream
Joey+Jeremiah
1.) "Words have no power to impress the mind without the equisite horror of their reality." I think this quote means that words don't mean anything without a real meaning behind them.
ReplyDelete2.) "All that we see or seem is but a dream within a dream." I find the quote confusing because it I don't understand when it says "In a dream within a dream"
3.) "Those who dream by day are cognizant of many things which escape those who dream only by night" I think this is interesting because it opens your eyes and make you think it again.
4.) "We loved with a love that was more than a love" I think this quote is very engaging because it makes you think in a new perspective.
-Madison Davis
"Words have no power..." I think this means that for words to impress the mind, you have to show their true colors and the horror of their reality. They have to be told how it is so you can see the true meaning behind them.
ReplyDelete"I was never really insane..." I think this quote was directed towards Poe's writing style. It could mean that he didn't come up with these flamboyant ideas until his heart was really touched.
"All that we see, or seem..." I think this means that what we see or say or do is all just a dream inside a dream.
"Deep into that darkness..." This quote sounds like an excerpt from one of Poe's short stories or poems because it doesn't really finish its sentence.
-Mikayla
"All that we see or seem is but a dream within a dream" I think this means that everything we do is a dream whether its a actually dream or not. You never know one day you could wake up and your entire life could have been something you dreamed about.
ReplyDelete- Noelle Lowry
"We loved with a love that was more than love" This quote is very deep. But its true because love is a very powerful thing to feel and witness. So some people don't even understand it and what it can do.
" I was never really insane expect upon occasions when my heart was touched" This quote was meant for the people who thought Poe was insane because of his writing style when in all reality he only wrote when something happened that truly changed him by touching his heart.
"Words have no power to impress the mind without the exquisite horror of their reality" This quote is very much true. Words will not impress someone unless they receive the full meaning of the word and its true reality.
"We loved with a love that was more than love" was really confusing because if your in love then its just love.
ReplyDelete"Deep into that darkness" this is like really cool because it tells you that you can go into a darkness of any kind.
"I was never really insane" I think this means like they way he wrote was not his actual life if you know what I mean.
"All that we see. or seem" is like what we see is really there but do we seem it would be different.
Erik Oliver
Cool
Delete1. To me, the first poem means that people who dream by day don't have near as much to dream about, and in the dreams of those who dream at night, they escape all the struggles of their daily lives.
ReplyDelete2. I think that the second poem means that when you're looking into darkness, it leaves you wondering what is there and also makes you doubt that anything is there.
4. The poem about love to me means that if you love something so much it doesn't even feel like love it feels like a totally different emotion.
6. I think this poem is very true because all words have a diiferent meaning to everyone, and how they portray to reality is how they affect everyone in their own unique way.
~Dakota Merritt
1. The quote "we loved with a love that was more than a love" is really thoughtful and almost deep. 2. The quote "all that we see or seem is but a dream within a dream" is kind of confusing but understandable. 3. The quote "words have no power to impress the mind without the exquisite horror of their reality" means that words really don't mean anything without the horrific meaning behind them. 4.the quote "deep into the darkness peering, long I stood there, wondering, peering, doubting'" is simply creepy. -Aubrey L.
ReplyDelete(comments on quotes from top to bottom)
ReplyDelete1(I think he is saying that felt something that impressed hi more than he can say.
2( he was passionate when something touched him.
3(I think he meant words only have power when the are true.
4(A geniuses wants to know the complete truth and nothing less.
Tyce Bernabeu.
DeleteI think that the quote "Words have no power to impress the mind without the exquisite horror of their reality." Quote means that if you say something and don't mean what you say, it doesn't matter because it's all just a lie. Lying doesn't mean anything.
ReplyDeleteRiver Woods
1)"All that we see or seem is but a dream within a dream"
ReplyDeleteI really like this quote because I always have those thoughts and never really come to a conclusion.
2)"We loved with a love that was more than love"
I agree with this quote because it really makes sense to me when I think about it. others may say it is confusing but I don't agree.
3)"Words have no power to impress the mind without the exquisite horror of reality"
I think this quote means people don't take interest until there is a strike of reality. most people don't like reality though. that is why it is referred as a horror.
3)" I was never really insane except upon occasions when my heart was touched"
I think this quote is deep and explains me haha.....
-Mackenzie Hairfield
my favorite Poe story was "Tell-Tale Heart" because it was exciting to me even though it was kind or mellow. I like those kinds of stories.
ReplyDelete-Mackenzie H
the poem I liked was the Raven
ReplyDeleteNicholas woodruff
1) the old man only wanted the truth out of him.
ReplyDelete2) we should always remember what we want to and not forget it at the last.
6) we should always have dreams because if we don't there is there will never be any thing to look up to in the future!!
Jaydenn Bazal
pic #2- I think that the quote about peering into the darkness means that the more you look into something negative, you start doubting that it could get any better.
ReplyDeletePic #3- I agree with Poe's statement about the dream within a dream because I can see it as We could be 'far away' inside this "reality" which is really seen as a dream.
Pic #4- I agree with this because you could love someone that feels like more than love. Something like not finding any words about how much you love them.
Pic #5- I agree because it makes me think about if you've never really felt touched in your heart, then you'll get confused about how to act and you might end up doing something "not normal"
~Victoria Caraballo