The Father of the Detective Story: Edgar Allan Poe

This is meant to be an introductory lesson to introduce a mystery and suspense unit that I teach to middle school students to pique their interest in poetry and short stories.  I also use mystery and suspense vocabulary, examples of Agatha Christie's work, and a suspense movie in this unit.

Standards

IN 8.3.7--Analyze a work of literature, showing how it reflects the heritage, traditions, attitudes, and beliefs of its author.
This is also an introductory activity that leads into using the following standards:
IN 8.3.2--Evaluate the structural elements of the plot, plot development, conflict resolution
IN 8.3.3--Compare and contrast the motivations and reactions of literary characters from different historical eras confronting either similar situations and conflicts or similar hypothetical situations
IN 8.3.4--Analyze the importance of the setting to the mood, tone, or meaning of the text.
IN 8.3.5--Identify and analyze recurring themes.
IN 8.3.6--Identify significant literary devices which define a writer's style and use those elements to interpret the work.
IN 8.3.9--Analyze the relevance of setting to mood, tone, and meaning of text.
CC 8.RL.2--Key ideas and Details
CC 8.RL.10--Range of Reading and Level of Text Complexity
CC 8.RL.6--Craft and Structure
CC 8.RL.3--Key Ideas and Details