Horror short stories have a unique way of capturing the dark side of our imaginations, and few do it better than Edgar Allan Poe. If you’re an English teacher who delights in disturbing teenagers for a living, then you’ll love teaching “The Pit and the Pendulum!” 😉 This gripping short story is full of suspense, rigor, and terror, making it the perfect mentor text to explore the horror genre.
Are you ready to plan your Pit and the Pendulum activities? Read on if you dare!
Hook Students with a Terror Trail
Start your lesson with fear and excitement by creating a “Terror Trail” in your classroom. This activity will get your students moving and discussing various phobias found in “The Pit and the Pendulum.” First, they will use their inferencing skills to deduce what the phobia is at each stop. Next, they will check their surmises by lifting the page to reveal the phobia etymology and definition on the back. Lastly, they will discuss the prompt and then move to the next stop on the terror trail. This interactive exercise will pique their curiosity and set the tone for the rest of the lesson.
Introduce the Elements of a Horror Short Story
Nothing beats learning from the best! Show your students a clip of Goosebumps creator R.L. Stine’s masterclass and ask if they have read any of his books. Discuss their memories and impressions. Teach them the four qualities of a good horror story—fear, revulsion, surprise, and terror—using insights from Stine’s masterclass. This will help them understand the essential elements that make good horror stories.
Teach The Pit and the Pendulum with Color-Coding
Using the elements of horror as a guide, engage your students in a color-coded close reading activity of “The Pit and the Pendulum” by Poe. Provide them with crayons or digital highlighters to color-code the elements of horror within the text. This hands-on approach will help them identify and understand the different components that create a sense of fear and suspense in the story.
For a fantastic audio version of “The Pit and Pendulum” by Poe, I recommend an abridged production read by David Horovitch. You can find the audio here:
Given that the full text is quite long, this abridged version is perfect for close reading because it allows time to enjoy the first read and then a look at the horror short story elements on the second read.
After listening and closely reading “The Pit and the Pendulum,” get your students moving again by revisiting the Terror Trail. Stories in hand, students will stop at each phobia and annotate the inclusion of that specific fear in the text.
Lastly, have your students discuss which phobia in the story induced the most fear in them. Was it the thought of being locked in a pit, the countdown pendulum, the rats, the poison, the darkness, the fear of dying, the fire, or being separated from the outside world? Move students to the fear they found most terrifying and facilitate a discussion. This personal connection will make the lesson more relatable and meaningful.
Create a 3D One-pager for The Pit and the Pendulum
Spark your students’ creativity by assigning a 3D One-pager project. Prompt them to create a “pit” that visually displays the mood, horror elements, and theme of “The Pit and the Pendulum.” Grade for completion, ensuring they have checked all the boxes on the 3D one-pager assignment. This activity allows them to express their understanding of the story in a unique and artistic way.
You can download this Poe 3D one pager template here: Horror Short Story: The Pit and the Pendulum by Edgar Allan Poe Lesson Plan
Close with Levity after Teaching The Pit and the Pendulum
End the lesson with a touch of levity and humor. Using the trend “haunted house but…,” have your students write about their personal terror pits. Recreate the story’s tension and intensity by flipping it using humor and sarcasm. Imagine the terrifying pit in a new, less terrifying way. Use the phrase “Poe’s Pit but…” to start their funny twist. Here are some examples to get them started:
- Poe’s Pit but it’s full of yellow Starbursts.
- Poe’s Pit but the pendulum swings to the beat of annoying elevator music.
- Poe’s Pit but the bottom is a math test you didn’t study for.
Teaching “The Pit and the Pendulum” by Edgar Allan Poe can be a challenging but fun experience for both you and your students. By incorporating interactive activities, multimedia resources, and creative projects, you can make this classic horror short story a hit in your classroom. Your students will gain a deeper understanding of the elements of horror, develop critical thinking skills, and enjoy the “Pit and the Pendulum” activities in the process!
Do you want “The Pit and the Pendulum” activities ready to go? Download your engaging lesson plan here: Horror Short Story: The Pit and the Pendulum by Edgar Allan Poe Lesson Plan, Art
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