Center Stage: Lov’d AloneWe have taken the idea of readers’ theater to the next level by infusing it with interactive features. Lov’d Alone

tells the story of Edgar Allan Poe’s life and introduces readers to his close family members.

You can choose to project this play onto a big screen, have students read aloud from individual

computers, or use a SMART Board.

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Copyright © 2009 by Weekly Reader Corporation. READ is a federally registered trademark of Weekly Reader Corporation.

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“Where Once Poe Walked”

This poem by H. P. Lovecraft

is an honor bestowed on one

horror writer from another. The

poem’s narrator ruminates on

seeing Poe’s ghost float through

a cemetery.

Extension Activity: Have each

student write a tribute to Poe.

Short Film: The Tell-Tale HeartThis is arguably Edgar Allan Poe’s most famous short story. It explores madness, murder, and

conscience. READ has created a short film of the story—in two versions—for you to play for your

classes. Watch the regular version first, then watch it again with facts about Poe and his story.

Critical Thinking: The narrator tells us time and time again that he is not mad, although he is quite clearly deranged.

Discuss the idea of an untrustworthy narrator and how it affects a story.

Hip-Hop Video: The Pit and the PendulumThis is the story of a man imprisoned and tortured in a dungeon. This version of the story gets the

hip-hop treatment from an educational music group, Flocabulary.

Discussion: Discuss the contrast between the actual Poe story and the Flocabulary video.

Illustrated Story: The Masque of the Red DeathIn this story, a prince chooses to ignore the illness that is plaguing his land by throwing an ornate

masquerade. But no one can shut out the Red Death, who comes to the party in his own clever disguise.

Critical Thinking: What is the symbolic meaning of the mysterious character at the party?

Interactive LSI: “The Raven”The poem for which Poe is best known gets a READ close-up. We analyze a section of the poem

and link to the full text.

Extension Activity: Find five different literary devices that Poe uses in the poem.

Poe Birthday Video Contest WinnersThe winning student entries from our Poe video contest are posted in this section.

e-issue Teacher’s Guide

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Life Map: A Walk With PoeRiffing on H. P. Lovecraft’s poem, we present a map of Poe’s life. Poe moved around a lot, living

everywhere from Richmond, Va., to New York City. Follow him using this interactive map.

Extension Activity: Who owns Poe’s bones? There is a debate among scholars about where Poe’s rightful resting place

should be. Listen to the audio connected to the Poe map and then have students write a persuasive paragraph supporting

one of the arguments.

Take some time to familiarizeyourself with our Poe Website. Upon entering, you

will see H. P. Lovecraft’s poem“Where Once Poe Walked,” fol-lowed by the main menu page. Wehave highlighted the many featureshere to help you navigate the site (www.weeklyreader.com/poe).

Happy 200th birthday, Poe!

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Articles: “Poe Death Theories” and “The Poe Toaster”The circumstances of Edgar Allan Poe’s death are as mysterious as his work. Many theories of his

death have been suggested, but none can be proved. Also, who is the mysterious man who visits

Poe’s grave every year on the writer’s birthday?

Extension Activity: Ask each student to research one of the Poe death theories. Have him or her create a case for why

that theory is or is not plausible.

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Writing Center• Writing Prompt: “Jackpoe!”

This slot-machine-style interactive game

allows students to mix and match qualities

from Poe’s stories to create their own tales.

• Student Writing

Read the winning story from the Mystery

Writers of America contest. Also, find some

tips for writing mystery.

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Main Menu Page

Introduction

A Look Inside the Poe Web Site

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