Inquiry Framework
Question Framework
Driving Question
The overarching question that guides the entire project.How did Edgar Allan Poe's life and the world around him shape his mysterious and suspenseful stories, and how can we use art to reveal the hidden meanings in his work?Essential Questions
Supporting questions that break down major concepts.- How did Edgar Allan Poe's life experiences influence his writing?
- What are the common themes and symbols in Poe's stories and poems?
- How does Poe create suspense and mood in his writing?
- How did the historical context of Poe's time affect his work?
Standards & Learning Goals
Learning Goals
By the end of this project, students will be able to:- Understand Edgar Allan Poe's biography and its influence on his work
- Identify common themes and symbols in Poe's stories and poems
- Analyze Poe's techniques for creating suspense and mood
- Examine the historical context of Poe's work
- Create artwork that interprets and reveals hidden meanings in Poe's work
Portfolio Activities
Portfolio Activities
These activities progressively build towards your learning goals, with each submission contributing to the student's final portfolio.Poe's Life: An Interactive Biography
Students will create an interactive, digital biography of Edgar Allan Poe, focusing on how his life events, relationships, and locations influenced his writing. The biography will incorporate multimedia elements to enhance engagement and understanding.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityAn interactive, digital biography of Edgar Allan Poe, incorporating multimedia elements and detailed annotations to illustrate the key events, relationships, and locations that influenced his writing.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAddresses the learning goal: Understand Edgar Allan Poe's biography and its influence on his work.Theme and Symbol Scavenger Hunt
Students will read a selection of Poe's works and identify recurring themes and symbols, recording their findings in a journal.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA journal with detailed notes and reflections on the themes and symbols found in Poe's works.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAddresses the learning goal: Identify common themes and symbols in Poe's stories and poems.Suspense Architect
Students will analyze how Poe creates suspense and mood in his stories, focusing on specific literary techniques.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA presentation or essay analyzing Poe's techniques for creating suspense and mood.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAddresses the learning goal: Analyze Poe's techniques for creating suspense and mood.Poe's World Timeline
Students will research the historical context of Poe's life and work, creating a timeline of major events and cultural influences.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA timeline illustrating the historical context of Poe's life and work with an accompanying analysis.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAddresses the learning goal: Examine the historical context of Poe's work.Artistic Interpretation: Revealing Hidden Meanings
Students will create artwork that interprets and reveals hidden meanings in Poe's work, using visual elements to convey themes and emotions.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityAn original artwork that interprets and reveals hidden meanings in Poe's work, accompanied by an artist's statement.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAddresses the learning goal: Create artwork that interprets and reveals hidden meanings in Poe's work.Rubric & Reflection
Portfolio Rubric
Grading criteria for assessing the overall project portfolioEdgar Allan Poe Portfolio Rubric - Grade 4
Understanding of Poe's Biography (Life Map)
Demonstrates comprehension of Poe's life events and their influence on his writing through the creation of a visual life map.Accuracy and Detail
Presents accurate and detailed information about Poe's life, including key events, locations, and relationships.
Exemplary
4 PointsThe life map includes comprehensive and accurate information about Poe's life, demonstrating a deep understanding of key events, locations, and relationships. The map is meticulously detailed and reflects thorough research.
Proficient
3 PointsThe life map includes mostly accurate and relevant information about Poe's life, covering key events, locations, and relationships effectively. The map is detailed and demonstrates good research.
Developing
2 PointsThe life map includes some accurate information about Poe's life, but may be missing some key details or contain minor inaccuracies. The map lacks some detail and demonstrates basic research.
Beginning
1 PointsThe life map includes limited or inaccurate information about Poe's life, missing many key details and demonstrating minimal research.
Visual Representation
Effectively uses visual elements (e.g., images, symbols, annotations) to represent key aspects of Poe's life and their connections to his work.
Exemplary
4 PointsThe life map uses highly effective and creative visual elements to represent key aspects of Poe's life, making clear and insightful connections to his work. The visual design is engaging and enhances understanding.
Proficient
3 PointsThe life map uses effective visual elements to represent key aspects of Poe's life, making clear connections to his work. The visual design is appropriate and supports understanding.
Developing
2 PointsThe life map uses some visual elements, but they may not always be relevant or clearly connected to Poe's life and work. The visual design is simplistic and may not fully support understanding.
Beginning
1 PointsThe life map uses few or ineffective visual elements, failing to represent key aspects of Poe's life or connect them to his work. The visual design is confusing or detracts from understanding.
Analysis of Themes and Symbols (Scavenger Hunt)
Identifies and analyzes recurring themes and symbols in Poe's works, demonstrating an understanding of their significance.Identification of Themes and Symbols
Accurately identifies common themes and symbols in selected Poe stories and poems.
Exemplary
4 PointsThe journal identifies a wide range of relevant themes and symbols in Poe's works, demonstrating a sophisticated understanding of their presence and function.
Proficient
3 PointsThe journal identifies several relevant themes and symbols in Poe's works, demonstrating a solid understanding of their presence and function.
Developing
2 PointsThe journal identifies some themes and symbols in Poe's works, but may miss some key elements or misinterpret their significance.
Beginning
1 PointsThe journal identifies few or irrelevant themes and symbols in Poe's works, demonstrating a limited understanding of their presence or function.
Contextual Analysis
Provides insightful reflections on how themes and symbols contribute to the overall meaning of Poe's works.
Exemplary
4 PointsThe reflection offers profound insights into how the identified themes and symbols contribute to the overall meaning and emotional impact of Poe's works. Analysis is exceptionally thoughtful and well-articulated.
Proficient
3 PointsThe reflection provides clear insights into how the identified themes and symbols contribute to the overall meaning of Poe's works. Analysis is thoughtful and well-articulated.
Developing
2 PointsThe reflection provides some insights into how the identified themes and symbols contribute to the overall meaning of Poe's works, but the analysis may be superficial or incomplete.
Beginning
1 PointsThe reflection offers little or no insight into how the identified themes and symbols contribute to the overall meaning of Poe's works. Analysis is minimal or absent.
Understanding Suspense Techniques (Suspense Architect)
Analyzes Poe's techniques for creating suspense and mood, providing specific examples from selected stories or poems.Identification of Literary Techniques
Identifies specific literary techniques used by Poe to create suspense and mood (e.g., foreshadowing, imagery, pacing, sound devices).
Exemplary
4 PointsThe presentation/essay identifies a comprehensive range of literary techniques used by Poe to create suspense and mood, demonstrating an exceptional understanding of their function and impact.
Proficient
3 PointsThe presentation/essay identifies several literary techniques used by Poe to create suspense and mood, demonstrating a strong understanding of their function and impact.
Developing
2 PointsThe presentation/essay identifies some literary techniques used by Poe to create suspense and mood, but may miss some key elements or misinterpret their function.
Beginning
1 PointsThe presentation/essay identifies few or irrelevant literary techniques used by Poe to create suspense and mood, demonstrating a limited understanding of their function.
Analysis of Emotional Impact
Analyzes how these techniques affect the reader's emotions and create a sense of unease or anticipation.
Exemplary
4 PointsThe presentation/essay provides a highly insightful and nuanced analysis of how Poe's literary techniques affect the reader's emotions, creating a palpable sense of unease and anticipation. The analysis demonstrates exceptional critical thinking.
Proficient
3 PointsThe presentation/essay provides a clear and thoughtful analysis of how Poe's literary techniques affect the reader's emotions, creating a sense of unease and anticipation. The analysis demonstrates strong critical thinking.
Developing
2 PointsThe presentation/essay provides some analysis of how Poe's literary techniques affect the reader's emotions, but the analysis may be superficial or incomplete.
Beginning
1 PointsThe presentation/essay offers little or no analysis of how Poe's literary techniques affect the reader's emotions. Analysis is minimal or absent.
Historical Context (Poe's World Timeline)
Examines the historical period in which Poe lived, identifying major events, social trends, and cultural influences that may have affected his writing.Historical Accuracy
Accurately presents major events, social trends, and cultural influences of Poe's time.
Exemplary
4 PointsThe timeline accurately and comprehensively presents major events, social trends, and cultural influences of Poe's time, demonstrating thorough research and a deep understanding of the historical context.
Proficient
3 PointsThe timeline accurately presents several major events, social trends, and cultural influences of Poe's time, demonstrating good research and a solid understanding of the historical context.
Developing
2 PointsThe timeline presents some events, social trends, and cultural influences of Poe's time, but may contain minor inaccuracies or omissions.
Beginning
1 PointsThe timeline presents limited or inaccurate information about the events, social trends, and cultural influences of Poe's time, demonstrating minimal research.
Connection to Poe's Work
Analyzes how the historical context influenced Poe's themes, style, and subject matter.
Exemplary
4 PointsThe analysis provides profound and insightful connections between the historical context and Poe's themes, style, and subject matter, demonstrating exceptional critical thinking and a deep understanding of Poe's work.
Proficient
3 PointsThe analysis provides clear and thoughtful connections between the historical context and Poe's themes, style, and subject matter, demonstrating strong critical thinking.
Developing
2 PointsThe analysis provides some connections between the historical context and Poe's themes, style, and subject matter, but the analysis may be superficial or incomplete.
Beginning
1 PointsThe analysis offers little or no connection between the historical context and Poe's themes, style, and subject matter. Analysis is minimal or absent.
Artistic Interpretation (Revealing Hidden Meanings)
Creates artwork that interprets and reveals hidden meanings in Poe's work, using visual elements to convey themes and emotions.Interpretation of Poe's Work
Demonstrates a clear understanding of the chosen Poe story or poem through the artwork.
Exemplary
4 PointsThe artwork demonstrates a sophisticated and nuanced understanding of the chosen Poe story or poem, revealing hidden meanings and complexities through visual representation.
Proficient
3 PointsThe artwork demonstrates a clear and thoughtful understanding of the chosen Poe story or poem, effectively conveying key themes and emotions through visual representation.
Developing
2 PointsThe artwork demonstrates some understanding of the chosen Poe story or poem, but the interpretation may be superficial or incomplete.
Beginning
1 PointsThe artwork demonstrates limited or inaccurate understanding of the chosen Poe story or poem. Interpretation is minimal or absent.
Artistic Expression
Effectively uses visual elements (e.g., color, composition, symbolism) to convey themes and emotions.
Exemplary
4 PointsThe artwork uses visual elements with exceptional skill and creativity to convey the themes and emotions of Poe's work. The composition, color choices, and symbolism are highly effective and impactful.
Proficient
3 PointsThe artwork uses visual elements effectively to convey the themes and emotions of Poe's work. The composition, color choices, and symbolism are well-considered and appropriate.
Developing
2 PointsThe artwork uses some visual elements to convey the themes and emotions of Poe's work, but the execution may be simplistic or lack impact.
Beginning
1 PointsThe artwork uses few or ineffective visual elements to convey the themes and emotions of Poe's work. The composition, color choices, and symbolism are confusing or detract from the overall message.
Artist's Statement
Provides a clear and insightful artist's statement explaining the choices made and how the artwork reflects the interpretation of Poe's work.
Exemplary
4 PointsThe artist's statement is exceptionally clear, insightful and provides a comprehensive explanation of the choices made in the artwork and how the artwork reflects the interpretation of Poe's work.
Proficient
3 PointsThe artist's statement is clear, insightful and provides a good explanation of the choices made in the artwork and how the artwork reflects the interpretation of Poe's work.
Developing
2 PointsThe artist's statement is somewhat clear and provides some explanation of the choices made in the artwork and how the artwork reflects the interpretation of Poe's work.
Beginning
1 PointsThe artist's statement is unclear or missing and provides little or no explanation of the choices made in the artwork and how the artwork reflects the interpretation of Poe's work.