Lesson Title: The Cask of Amontillado

Lesson No./Date: 4/October 23, 2013

Lesson Objectives & Specific Learning Outcomes: SWBAT: [Students will be able to:] Cognitive (know/understand): 1. The definition of bias Affective (feel/value): 2. The perception of text is tainted by readers bias Performance (do): 3. Identify elements of bias/narrator reliability and unreliability 4. Practice higher level thinking skills such as prediction, inference, and analysis SOLs: 8.5 The student will read and analyze a variety of narrative and poetic forms. a) Explain the use of symbols and figurative language. b) Describe inferred main ideas or themes, using evidence from the text as support. c) Describe how authors use characters, conflict, point of view, and tone to create meaning. Materials Needed: The Cask of Amontillado audio: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A83fY64yQkw The Cask of Amontillado text Procedures/Instructional Strategies Beginning Room Arrangement: (rough visual) [Changes in this arrangement that become necessary later will be noted in the plan]

2 1. [10 mins.] Bridge: Do Now As students walk in, they will look at the board for Do Now instructions. The board will indicate that students need to pick up an anticipation guide for The Cask of Amontillado. After they have finished filling out the anticipation guide, we will briefly discuss student answers. 2. [35 mins.] Step 1: The Cask of Amontillado Read Through, Audio, and PowerPoint I will hand out The Cask of Amontillado, which we will read as a class. I will stop the class intermittently to discuss plot elements and address any questions. Afterwards, I will show the class a Google presentation to supplement their understanding of the text. Then, wwe will listen to the audio recording without stopping. 3. [20 mins.] Step 2: The Cask of Amontillado Graffiti Exercise I will have already divided students up into four groups, and each group will be assigned a question. Questions will rotate around the classroom in five minute intervals until every group has answered all questions. Students will be required to cite the text to support their arguments. As students are working in groups, I will walk around to facilitate and answer any questions as needed. 4. [20 mins.] Step 3: The Cask of Amontillado Discussion We will regroup as a class, and each group will pick a representative to present their answers to their initial questions. After each group presents, we will engage in scintillating discourse about their arguments, whether students agree or disagree and why. 5. [5 mins] Closure: Exit Slip At the end of class, I will ask students to write if they liked or disliked the short story and/or if they have any lingering questions. They will place these on my desk before they leave class. In addition, I will remind them of any upcoming assignments and/or tests. Methods of Assessment: (for evaluating the specific objectives listed above) Class discussion Materials Appendix: (Included are all supplementary texts, Ppts, overheads, graphic organizers, handouts, etc.) The Cask of Amontillado Anticipation Guide The Cask of Amontillado Supplementary PowerPoint The Cask of Amontillado Question Handout (questions from: http://www2.ivcc.edu/rambo/poequestions.htm)

3 The Cask of Amontillado Anticipation Guide 1. If someone insults me, I deserve revenge. I should always defend my reputation, no matter the cost. Its okay for me to punish others as I see fiteven if it means taking the law into my own hands. I keep my friends close and my enemies closer. When exacting revenge upon an enemy, it isnt enough for him to just be punishedhe has to know that it was me who punished him. A premeditated crime is worse than one committed in the heat of the moment. Time eases a guilty conscience. Guilt is relieved with confession. Agree Disagree

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Agree

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Agree

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Agree

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Agree

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Agree

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7. 8.

Agree Agree

Disagree Disagree

4 The Cask of Amontillado PowerPoint

5 *Each question is on a different sheet 1) "The Cask of Amontillado" is a chilling story, but Poe also uses ironic elements as the narrator recounts his experience with Fortunato. Can you identify elements in the story that might be regarded as ironic? What does the irony add to the story? Can you think of any other stories, books, or movies that blend horror and irony in a similar way? 2) "The Cask of Amontillado" uses a first-person narrator (a narrator that is a character in the story), and, sometimes, first-person narrators can be unreliable. How reliable or unreliable do you regard the narrator? Are there any ways that the narrator might be manipulating the truth? How would you describe the narrator's attitude toward himself and his actions? 3) Although the narrator seems to assume that his actions are justified, he certainly can be interpreted as a villain. What characteristics of the narrator make him an effective villain? Can you think of any other villains from stories, books, television shows, movies, or "real life" that share some of the narrator's villainous characteristics? Is there anything about the narrator that you find attractive or likeable? 4) The narrator never specifies why he hates Fortunato. Instead, he states only that Fortunato caused "a thousand injuries" to the narrator and eventually "ventured upon insult." What is your general impression of Fortunato? Do any of Fortunato's words and actions support the narrator's belief that Fortunato is worthy of hatred? Do any of Fortunato's words and actions refute the narrator's belief that Fortunato is worthy of hatred? 5) Every story must exist in a certain time and place, and we refer to the time and place of a story as the "setting." How does the setting of "The Cask of Amontillado" change as the story progresses? Why do you think Poe chose to bring together in this story the dreariness of the catacombs and the festival atmosphere of the carnival? What elements of the setting in this story would you consider typical of a horror story? What elements seem unusual?