Title
“The Masque of the Red Death”: The Global Responses to Crises in Africa
Concept/Main Idea of Lesson
Using “The Masque of the Red Death”, students will identify the impact of avoidance
and ignorance of problems, man’s responsibility when faced with problems, and
organizations efforts to address and eliminate problems.
Intended Grade Level
9-12
Infusion/Subject Area(s)
Economics
Geography
Sociology
National Curriculum
I. Culture
III. People, Places, and Environment
IV. Individual Development and Identity
V. Individuals, Groups, and Institutions
VIII. Science, Technology, and Society
IX. Global Connections
X. Civic Ideals and Practices
I.
Instructional Objective
Students will be able:
to examine the allegories presented in a short story
to illustrate how “The Masque of the Red Death” relates to the HIV/AIDS
crisis
to judge the effectiveness of relief organizations
II.
Learning Activities Sequence
Day 1
a.
Set Induction/Lesson Initiating Behavior:
Ask students to name problems in the world today. Write student
responses on the board. Ask students what they have done in order to
alleviate/ solve the problems they listed.
b.
Learning Activities:
Read “The Masque of the Red Death.”
c.
Closure:
Have students complete the reading comprehension worksheet.
Day 2
a.
Set Induction/ Lesson Initiating Behavior:
Review the answers from “The Masque of the Red Death” worksheet.
Have students share their answers to the Free Response questions.
b.
Learning Activities:
Students will read the article “Turning Our Backs on HIV/AIDS in Africa.”
Lead a class discussion using the Discussion Questions.
c.
Closure:
HOMEWORK QUESTION: If you have access to any resource, how would
you deal with one of the crises African nations face (i.e. HIV/AIDS,
poverty, genocide, etc… )?
Day 3
a.
Set Induction/ Lesson Initiating Behavior:
Draw a chart with two column headings “Problem” and “Solution.”
Have students share their answers to the HOMEWORK QUESTION, and
record their responses in the chart.
b.
Learning Activity:
Have students discuss the feasibility of the solutions. What problems
could arise?
c.
Closure:
Ask students what has been done in response to the problems they’ve
listed.
III.
Evaluation
Students will research and present information on organizations that are working
in Africa in response to the problems they listed yesterday. (The organizations
students will research have been chosen because of their presence in popular
culture.)
Project Directions: The world has taken notice and many organizations
have been formed to combat and hopefully eliminate the problems. Some of
these organizations have even influenced popular culture. Working in small
groups, you will research and present information about one of the following
organizations.
(RED), Invisible Children, Save Darfur, Live Aid, Live 8.
The information each group gathers will be presented in booklet form. The
following topics should be addressed in the booklet: history of the
organization, country(ies)/region(s) aided by the organization, issue(s)
addressed by the organization, the organization’s solution(s), the
effectiveness of the organization, and your personal analysis of the
organization (each group member should provide a personal analysis).
IV.
Materials and Resources
Student Materials and Resources:
1. “The Masque of the Red Death” by Edgar Allan Poe
2. Reading Comprehension Questions worksheet
3. “Turning Our Backs on HIV/AIDS In Africa” by John Fanning
4. Discussion Questions
Teacher Materials and Resources:
1. “The Masque of the Red Death” by Edgar Allan Poe
2. Spark Notes: “The Masque of the Red Death”
3. “Turning Our Backs on HIV/AIDS In Africa” by John Fanning
4. Booklet Project Rubric
IV.
Internet Links
“The Masque of the Red Death” by Edgar Allan Poe
http://www.pagebypagebooks.com/Edgar_Allan_Poe/The_Masque_of_the_Red_Death/The_Masque_of_t
he_Red_Death_p1.html
“Turning Our Backs on HIV/AIDS In Africa” by John Fanning
http://ezinearticles.com/?Turning-Our-Backs-On-HIV/AIDS-In-Africa&id=838483
Spark Notes: “The Masque of the Red Death”
http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/poestories/section10.rhtml
APA Formatting and Style Guide – The OWL at Purdue
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/01/
V.
References
Fanning, J. (2007). The Masque of the Red Death. The Chief Engineer: America’s
Street Guide. Retrieved December 12, 2007, from EzineArticles database.
Rubenstein, J.M. (2005). An Introduction to Human Geography: The Cultural
Landscape (8th ed.). Upper Saddle River: Pearson Prentice Hall.