As students read, they'll come across unfamiliar vocabulary. A great way to engage students with those new vocabulary words is to have them create storyboards that use vocabulary from "The Tell-Tale Heart." In the vocabulary board, students can choose between coming up with their use of the vocabulary word, finding the specific example from the text, or depicting the definition without words.
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Demonstrate your understanding of the vocabulary words in "The Tell-Tale Heart" by creating visualizations.
Introduce students to various dictionary types, such as general print dictionaries, internet dictionaries, and specialty dictionaries (such as bilingual dictionaries and thesauruses). Many dictionaries available online have audio options that can help students practice pronunciation as well. Students can research and select a dictionary they like the most.
Give students an order or a sequence in which they will be using the dictionary. Such as in Week One they will be focusing on three different alphabets. Teachers can also introduce effective ways to retain this information and get the most out of it.
Give students exercises or activities that call for the use of a dictionary. This might involve doing research on a word's definition, seeking synonyms, or utilizing it in a phrase. Students can use dictionaries for the assignment of any subject, not just English. Cooperate with teachers of other subjects to integrate this in their assignments.
Encourage the students to look up a word's definition in a dictionary after failing to grasp it in context. This improves their capacity for problem-solving. Provide some free time in class for an independent dictionary study. Students can use this time to familiarize themselves with new words and meanings with the guidance of teachers.
The title alludes to the narrator's claim that they can still hear the elderly man's heartbeat long after he has passed away. This represents the narrator's remorse and paranoia in physical form. Students can conduct their own research and come up with different reasons as to why the story is named this way. For instance, the old man’s heart beating loudly at the end was an illusion that made the narrator confess his crimes and tell his tale.
The elderly man's eye is symbolically referred to as a "vulture". It suggests that a predatory eye is monitoring and evaluating the storyteller. Additionally, it implies that the narrator's pain and terror are brought on by the sight. The use of such vocabulary by the narrator helps the readers understand his point of view and the reasons behind his madness which can not be justified.