The Black Cat Lesson Plan

Teaching Poe’s classic short story “The Black Cat”? Practice close reading with these focused handouts. “The Black Cat” Unit Plan resource includes everything you need to cover this short story by the master of suspense - Edgar Allan Poe. No prep needed - just print and go!

Lead your students through an introduction to Edgar Allan Poe and several focused close reading handouts. Each handout zooms in on a specific literary device to help students hone their skills in each area. Every page can be used individually, allowing you to reinforce the specific skills you’re studying at the time.

Need a quick lesson to fill in some gaps? Use just the vocabulary and reading questions. Want to expand your discussion of the story and delve a little deeper? Use any (or all) supplemental activities to get students thinking about specific aspects of the text.

What’s included:

• Poe introduction Prezi (including link, offline version, and PDF version)
• Fill-in-the-blank notes for introduction material
• Vocabulary practice (context clues, Frayer models, practice exercises, and quiz)
• Four key focus handouts
• Three writing extensions with sample rubric
• Suggested answer keys

Key focus handouts include:

• Reading comprehension - characterization, theme, mood, and more
• Plot diagram
• Conflict - Examine five passages. Identify the type of conflict and explain.
• Narrator Reliability - Determine if the narrator is reliable and provide textual evidence
• Suspense - Provide textual evidence as well as how the excerpt contributes to the suspense, mood, plot, and/or theme.

TEACHERS LIKE YOU SAID…

5 STARS - Theresa says, “ “The Black Cat" Is one of Poe’s more challenging stories, but this has made it easier for my struggling freshmen. The bio Prezi is incredible! My kids all agreed the vocabulary work helped them understand the text much better. Great purchase for us!"