ABSTRACT

“Impact on Student Learning - A Review of Teaching Strategies - Edgar Allan Poe” by Holly Sirka incorporates the literary devices used in Edgar Allan Poe’s writing as a model for students to learn and create literary conventions. Pre-assessment of literary devices and literary forms was used to determine the prior knowledge of students, as well as the concepts needed to be taught. Pre-assessment showed that a majority of students understood plot, setting, theme, point of view, mood, tone, personification, and simile. This is the foundation of learning for lesson planning. However, pre-assessment showed lack of knowledge in other areas; therefore emphasis of lessons would be on the form and devices used in poetry, as well as symbolism and imagery. Forms of assessment included informal as well as formal- diagnostic, formative, summative. The ongoing assessment allowed for differentiated instruction as well as guided decisions during lesson planning and analysis. Although the literature was focused on Edgar Allan Poe, approaches were designed to give opportunities for different performance modes. At the close of the unit, a post-assessment showed substantial student growth. Formative and summative assessments also showed further advancement in the understanding of literary devices, as well as the creation through students’ writing of literary devices. Data analysis of students before and after the unit demonstrated that instruction had a positive impact on learning for all students.