Gothic Literature and Analysis
Through this unit, students will develop a deeper appreciation for gothic literature and its enduring relevance in contemporary society, while honing their analytical and writing skills.
Jordan Peele's film, "Get Out," and Charlotte Perkins Gilman's short story, "The Yellow Wallpaper," will provide a compelling exploration of social justice themes within the context of psychological horror. Students will engage with key concepts of the gothic genre, analyze gothic texts written by culturally diverse modern writers, and also important writers from the 19th century, including Harriet Jacobs. All the texts provided will allow students to examine the relevant historical and cultural context of the genre. The unit aims to deepen students' understanding of literary conventions, genre analysis, and thematic exploration while fostering critical thinking, writing, and research skills.
In this 5-week unit, each daily lesson plan is aligned to core standards, provides "I can" statements for a daily learning target, and is broken down by minutes. You are provided with a daily bell ringer, as well as lessons, materials, links to media and other materials, discussion questions, activities, and assessments with rubrics.
Standards:
The unit aligns with Common Core State Standards in English Language Arts, focusing on key skills such as reading literature, analyzing informational texts, conducting research, and writing informative/explanatory texts. Students will demonstrate proficiency in these standards through their participation in class activities, completion of assignments, and final assessments.
Day-by-Day Overview:
Days 1-2: Introduction to genre concepts and research on gothic literary conventions, including MLA citation skills.
Days 3-4: Research on gothic literary conventions and initial analysis of Charlotte Perkins Gilman's "The Yellow Wallpaper" through annotations.
Days 5-8: Analysis of "The Yellow Wallpaper," including close reading, thematic exploration, and historical context.
Day 9: Close reading and interpretation of the final scene of "The Yellow Wallpaper," along with an introduction to the Cult of True Womanhood/Cult of Domesticity and gender roles.
Days 10-11: Optional lessons on historical context, including analysis of primary source documents related to women's roles in the 19th century, including1. Fanny Fern’s short story, “How Husbands May Rule,” 1853, Catherine Beecher’s essay, “Peculiar Responsibilities of American Women,” 1842, and excerpts from Harriet Jacobs’ memoir, “Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl,” 1860
Day 12: Analysis of Nibedita Sen's "Advice for Your First Time at the Faerie Market" to evaluate its gothic elements.
Days 13-14: Reading and discussion of Carmen Maria Machado's "Horror Story" to further explore gothic themes and evaluate what makes a text a part of the gothic genre.
Days 15-20: Screening and analysis of Jordan Peele's film "Get Out," focusing on gothic conventions and themes around social justice.
Day 21: Reading and discussion of an interview with Jordan Peele on the film's exploration of systemic racism.
Day 22: Essay structure and organization activity in preparation for writing assignments.
Days 23-27: Writing composition, including informative/explanatory essays on gothic literature topics.
Through this unit, students will develop a deeper appreciation for gothic literature and its enduring relevance in contemporary society, while honing their analytical and writing skills.
Jordan Peele's film, "Get Out," and Charlotte Perkins Gilman's short story, "The Yellow Wallpaper," will provide a compelling exploration of social justice themes within the context of psychological horror. Students will engage with key concepts of the gothic genre, analyze gothic texts written by culturally diverse modern writers, and also important writers from the 19th century, including Harriet Jacobs. All the texts provided will allow students to examine the relevant historical and cultural context of the genre. The unit aims to deepen students' understanding of literary conventions, genre analysis, and thematic exploration while fostering critical thinking, writing, and research skills.
In this 5-week unit, each daily lesson plan is aligned to core standards, provides "I can" statements for a daily learning target, and is broken down by minutes. You are provided with a daily bell ringer, as well as lessons, materials, links to media and other materials, discussion questions, activities, and assessments with rubrics.
Standards:
The unit aligns with Common Core State Standards in English Language Arts, focusing on key skills such as reading literature, analyzing informational texts, conducting research, and writing informative/explanatory texts. Students will demonstrate proficiency in these standards through their participation in class activities, completion of assignments, and final assessments.
Day-by-Day Overview:
Days 1-2: Introduction to genre concepts and research on gothic literary conventions, including MLA citation skills.
Days 3-4: Research on gothic literary conventions and initial analysis of Charlotte Perkins Gilman's "The Yellow Wallpaper" through annotations.
Days 5-8: Analysis of "The Yellow Wallpaper," including close reading, thematic exploration, and historical context.
Day 9: Close reading and interpretation of the final scene of "The Yellow Wallpaper," along with an introduction to the Cult of True Womanhood/Cult of Domesticity and gender roles.
Days 10-11: Optional lessons on historical context, including analysis of primary source documents related to women's roles in the 19th century, including1. Fanny Fern’s short story, “How Husbands May Rule,” 1853, Catherine Beecher’s essay, “Peculiar Responsibilities of American Women,” 1842, and excerpts from Harriet Jacobs’ memoir, “Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl,” 1860
Day 12: Analysis of Nibedita Sen's "Advice for Your First Time at the Faerie Market" to evaluate its gothic elements.
Days 13-14: Reading and discussion of Carmen Maria Machado's "Horror Story" to further explore gothic themes and evaluate what makes a text a part of the gothic genre.
Days 15-20: Screening and analysis of Jordan Peele's film "Get Out," focusing on gothic conventions and themes around social justice.
Day 21: Reading and discussion of an interview with Jordan Peele on the film's exploration of systemic racism.
Day 22: Essay structure and organization activity in preparation for writing assignments.
Days 23-27: Writing composition, including informative/explanatory essays on gothic literature topics.
Through this unit, students will develop a deeper appreciation for gothic literature and its enduring relevance in contemporary society, while honing their analytical and writing skills.
Jordan Peele's film, "Get Out," and Charlotte Perkins Gilman's short story, "The Yellow Wallpaper," will provide a compelling exploration of social justice themes within the context of psychological horror. Students will engage with key concepts of the gothic genre, analyze gothic texts written by culturally diverse modern writers, and also important writers from the 19th century, including Harriet Jacobs. All the texts provided will allow students to examine the relevant historical and cultural context of the genre. The unit aims to deepen students' understanding of literary conventions, genre analysis, and thematic exploration while fostering critical thinking, writing, and research skills.
In this 5-week unit, each daily lesson plan is aligned to core standards, provides "I can" statements for a daily learning target, and is broken down by minutes. You are provided with a daily bell ringer, as well as lessons, materials, links to media and other materials, discussion questions, activities, and assessments with rubrics.
Standards:
The unit aligns with Common Core State Standards in English Language Arts, focusing on key skills such as reading literature, analyzing informational texts, conducting research, and writing informative/explanatory texts. Students will demonstrate proficiency in these standards through their participation in class activities, completion of assignments, and final assessments.
Day-by-Day Overview:
Days 1-2: Introduction to genre concepts and research on gothic literary conventions, including MLA citation skills.
Days 3-4: Research on gothic literary conventions and initial analysis of Charlotte Perkins Gilman's "The Yellow Wallpaper" through annotations.
Days 5-8: Analysis of "The Yellow Wallpaper," including close reading, thematic exploration, and historical context.
Day 9: Close reading and interpretation of the final scene of "The Yellow Wallpaper," along with an introduction to the Cult of True Womanhood/Cult of Domesticity and gender roles.
Days 10-11: Optional lessons on historical context, including analysis of primary source documents related to women's roles in the 19th century, including1. Fanny Fern’s short story, “How Husbands May Rule,” 1853, Catherine Beecher’s essay, “Peculiar Responsibilities of American Women,” 1842, and excerpts from Harriet Jacobs’ memoir, “Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl,” 1860
Day 12: Analysis of Nibedita Sen's "Advice for Your First Time at the Faerie Market" to evaluate its gothic elements.
Days 13-14: Reading and discussion of Carmen Maria Machado's "Horror Story" to further explore gothic themes and evaluate what makes a text a part of the gothic genre.
Days 15-20: Screening and analysis of Jordan Peele's film "Get Out," focusing on gothic conventions and themes around social justice.
Day 21: Reading and discussion of an interview with Jordan Peele on the film's exploration of systemic racism.
Day 22: Essay structure and organization activity in preparation for writing assignments.
Days 23-27: Writing composition, including informative/explanatory essays on gothic literature topics.