Detective Stories Unit - Short Stories by Doyle, Poe, Dahl; Sherlock Holmes film

In this fantastic detective stories unit, you will explore the characteristics of the detective story genre and apply them to great short stories by Edgar Allan Poe (The Murders in the Rue Morgue), Arthur Conan Doyle (Sherlock Holmes: The Adventure of the Speckled Band and The Adventure of Silver Blaze), and Roald Dahl (Lamb to the Slaughter).

Learn what makes a good detective story and then work like a sleuth to identify genre elements in E. A. Poe's and Arthur Conan Doyle's short stories. Analyze how Doyle drew on Poe's detective stories. Apply your knowledge when analyzing the 'anti-detective story' Lamb to the Slaughter. Finally, compare Doyle's Sherlock Holmes to Guy Ritchie's Sherlock Holmes movie.

Did you know that Poe invented the detective stories? He called them tales of ratiocination!

Short Stories and Film:

• The Murders in the Rue Morgue (Edgar Allan Poe)
• Sherlock Holmes: The Adventure of the Speckled Band (Arthur Conan Doyle)
• Sherlock Holmes: The Adventure of Silver Blaze (Arthur Conan Doyle)
• Lamb to the Slaughter (Roald Dahl)
• Sherlock Holmes movie (Guy Ritchie)

If you're pressed for time and can't complete all texts and activities, you can choose to adjust by omitting certain lessons and materials. The test is provided as a DOC file, so that you can make modifications as needed.

This resource includes complete lessons, worksheets with keys, texts, assessments, reading comprehension and discussion questions, and many useful links to online resources.

All worksheets have been turned into Easel activities that your students can complete and submit on their devices. Please see below for more information on Easel activities and assessments.

This unit is for high school and advanced middle school students.

Part 1: Frontloading and Genre Characteristics
Introduction to terms and characteristics of the detective genre; includes genre characteristics handout, nonfiction Harper's Magazine essay on detective genre with accompanying worksheet and key, YouTube link (Top 10 Movie Detectives)

Part 2: The Murders in the Rue Morgue, Edgar Allan Poe
Analyze short story and DS characteristics; includes text, vocabulary handout, two worksheets with keys, reading comprehension and discussion questions, YouTube link (Orangutan Facts)

Part 3: The Adventure of the Speckled Band, Arthur Conan Doyle
Analyze short story and DS characteristics; analyze how Doyle drew on Poe; includes text, vocabulary handout, two worksheets with keys, reading comprehension and discussion questions, YouTube link (Scene from Guy Ritchie's Sherlock Holmes movie)

Part 4: The Adventure of Silver Blaze, Arthur Conan Doyle
Analyze short story and DS characteristics, group work; includes text, vocabulary handout, worksheet with key, reading comprehension and discussion questions

Part 5: Lamb to the Slaughter, Roald Dahl: The 'Anti-Detective Story'
Analyze short story and discuss whether it is a detective story; includes text, worksheet with key, reading comprehension and discussion questions

Part 6: Guy Ritchie’s Sherlock Holmes Movie
Watch the movie and analyze Guy Ritchie's trademark directing; compare the representation of Sherlock Holmes in two different artistic mediums; includes worksheet with key

Detective Stories Assessments:

1. Essay: Write about the short stories and genre characteristics; includes suggested activities, prompt and printable essay planner
2. Unit Test: Based on short stories read in unit; students are asked to analyze The Adventure of the Beryl Coronet, Arthur Conan Doyle; includes text (edited & shortened) and test paper with key (DOC file)
3. Bingo: Game to prepare for test; includes printable bingo cards and term tickets
4. Assessment: The Adventure of the Speckled Band: multiple-choice quiz with key (PDF) or self-grading online Easel Assessment
5. Assessment: The Adventure of Silver Blaze: multiple-choice quiz with key (PDF) or self-grading online Easel Activity

EASEL BY Teachers Pay Teachers – Assign Online

You can assign texts and worksheets from this resource online using Easel in one of three ways:

(1) Through Google Classroom,

(2) By generating a unique URL and pasting it into the learning management system (LMS) of your choice, or

(3) By emailing the URL to your students.

Your students will get a code that allows them to complete the activity and turn it in to you for review — all online.

Click here for more information on how to use Easel: https://blog.teacherspayteachers.com/how-to-use-easel-by-tpt/

Thank you so much and enjoy,

Charlotte

Acknowledgements:

Bunny On a Cloud https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Bunny-On-A-Cloud

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Digital Classroom Clipart: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Digital-Classroom-Clipart

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NinjaWoman Clip Art Studio https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Ninjawoman-Clip-Art-Studio