Running head: FORMAL LESSON PLAN #1 1

Formal Lesson Plan #1

Jeremia Vergara

Raritan Valley Community College

Professor Kimberly Schirner

November 12, 2018

LESSON PLAN #1 2

I. Subject, Grade Level, Topic of Lesson:

English, Grade 10, The Trial of Edgar Allan Poe in The Tell-Tale Heart

II. Curriculum Standard:

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.9-10.1
Initiate and participate effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-
one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grades 9-10 topics, texts, and
issues, building on others' ideas and expressing their own clearly and persuasively (E.L.A
Standards Standards » Speaking & Listening » Grade 11-12, n.d.).

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.9-10.1.A
Come to discussions prepared, having read and researched material under study;
explicitly draw on that preparation by referring to evidence from texts and
other research on the topic or issue to stimulate a thoughtful, well-reasoned
exchange of ideas (E.L.A Standards Standards » Speaking & Listening » Grade 11-12,
n.d.).

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.9-10.4
Present information, findings, and supporting evidence clearly, concisely, and
logically such that listeners can follow the line of reasoning and the organization,
development, substance, and style are appropriate to purpose, audience, and task (E.L.A
Standards Standards » Speaking & Listening » Grade 11-12, n.d.).

III. Learning Objective and Assessments

Learning Objectives Assessments

Students will be able to analyze Edgar Teachers will be able to assess students’
Allan Poe’s The Tell-Tale Heart and use knowledge and comprehension by looking
evidence to prove if Poe is guilty or not, at their notes. Performance in the trial can
both orally and writing. Students will also also be assessed by looking for
be able to understand how to read a text participation from students. Writing
and use references from outside sources to portion can be graded by providing a
support an opinion and rebuttal. rubric created by the teacher.
IV. Materials
● Hard copy of The Tell-Tale Heart
● Notebook for recording notes and research
● Rubric
Optional materials:
● Costumes for suiting up in the trial, i.e. suits, inmate outfit, police officer uniform,
etc.
 LESSON PLAN #1 3

● Briefcase, or any other props to make the stage look more realistic

V. Pre-lesson assignments, knowledge and/or skills

Students will have read The Tell-Tale Heart and take notes upon how the speaker
talks. They should be able to see him in his “insanity” and motives. Students should also
be familiar with how a court looks and who is involved. Students will divide themselves
into a judge, two recorders, the accused, three to five defendants/prosecutors, one to two
witnesses, and a jury for remaining students.

VI. Lesson Beginning/Hook

Students will be introduced to Edgar Allan Poe, his style of writing, and then read
The Tell-Tale Heart together as a class.

VII. Instructional Plan

1. Students and teacher will read The Tell-Tale Heart together.
2. Students will analyze the characters and try to find out why the character is deemed
“insane”.
3. Class is split into three groups: party proving the accused is innocent one proving guilty,
and the jury.
4. Groups will nominate a “lawyer”.
5. A volunteer will be the one portraying the accused. Judge will be nominated by the whole
class.
6. Case arguments begin. Defendants will state their evidence then prosecutors will state
theirs. Witnesses should be called up during this time.
7. Judge will decide which side is more convincing. The jury should be taking notes,
thinking unanimously if the accused is innocent or not.
8. Recorders would write down crucial points of evidence.
9. Juries announce verdict, judge closes trial.

VIII. Lesson Wrap-Up

Students will hand in their notes plus the research used. Sources used should be
included on a “Works Cited” page.

IX. Culminating or Follow-Up Activity

Students will be asked to write a reflection based what they have seen in the trial.
They will then be asked themselves what they would have chosen if they could play the
judge. Ask questions like, “What would you do different?” or “What other
phrases/evidence from the story could you have used and proved?”.
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X. References

English Language Arts Standards » Speaking & Listening » Grade 9-10. (n.d.).

Retrieved from http://www.corestandards.org/ELA-Literacy/SL/9-10/