Edgar Allan Poe Master Bundle | 14 Differentiated Study Guides & Assessments for Students

A differentiated Edgar Allan Poe study guide bundle with 14 classic short stories—each with 3 text levels (Accessible/HILO, Leveled, Original) so every student can join the same discussion and exit quiz.

PROBLEM: Many classic short-story units fall apart in real classrooms because the original text can be challenging, and students often read at different levels—so teachers end up reteaching constantly or simplifying until the story loses its power.

SOLUTION: This Differentiated Edgar Allan Poe Short Stories Bundle solves that problem by giving you three aligned reading options for every title so the class can move together while students read the version that best supports comprehension today.

What You Get (Per Title)

• Original Text (best for advanced readers, extension groups, and quoting practice)
• Leveled Text (keeps the core plot and tone while simplifying syntax and clarifying references)
• Accessible Text (HILO) (very clear language to reduce cognitive load and support comprehension)
• Student worksheets/quizzes: Vocabulary, Short Answer, Challenge Questions, and a cross-version Multiple Choice Exit Quiz
• Teacher’s Guide & Answer Key: Discussion Questions, self-graded quiz version(s), and answer keys

Every discussion prompt, quiz item, and short-answer question is designed to be answerable from the Accessible (HILO), Leveled, or Original Text while still mapping cleanly to the original story for extension reading and text-evidence practice.

Quick Guide for Teachers

• Reading: Assign Accessible (HILO), Leveled, or Original based on student needs
• Whole-class discussion: Use the shared Discussion Questions across all reading levels
• Assessment: Use the cross-version Multiple Choice Exit Quiz (printable + self-graded option)
• Finishers/homework: Use Vocabulary, Short Answer, and Challenge Questions as time allows

Included Titles (14)

• [FREE DOWNLOAD] The Tell-Tale Heart
• The Black Cat
• The Cask of Amontillado
• The Masque of the Red Death
• The Pit and the Pendulum
• The Fall of the House of Usher
• The Murders in the Rue Morgue
• The Facts in the Case of M. Valdemar
• The Premature Burial
• The Imp of the Perverse
• William Wilson
• Ligeia
• Morella
• Berenice

Searchable Teacher Keywords

• Edgar Allan Poe study guide bundle
• differentiated short story unit
• high interest low reading level (HILO) literature
• close reading, theme, and text evidence
• self-grading exit quiz
• horror and Gothic short stories for ELA

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to teach the Original Text to use this bundle?

No. The discussions and exit quizzes are designed to be answerable from the Accessible (HILO) and Leveled texts, with clean mapping to the Original Text for optional extension and quoting practice.

What if my class has mixed reading levels?

Assign Accessible (HILO), Leveled, or Original by student needs. Everyone still completes the same Discussion Questions, worksheets, and Exit Quiz so pacing stays unified.

How can I use this across a quarter?

Use each story as a 1–2 day mini-unit (reading + discussion + exit quiz), then spiral skills (theme, point of view, structure, tone) across the set for a cohesive Poe/Gothic unit.

Common Core State Standards

• RL.8.1 / RL.9-10.1 / RL.CCR.1 — Cite textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text.
• RL.8.2 / RL.9-10.2 / RL.CCR.2 — Determine a theme or central idea of a text and analyze its development over the course of the text; provide an objective summary of the text.
• RL.8.3 / RL.9-10.3 / RL.CCR.3 — Analyze how and why individuals, events, and ideas develop and interact over the course of a text.
• RL.8.4 / RL.9-10.4 / RL.CCR.4 — Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in the text, including figurative and connotative meanings; analyze the impact of word choice on meaning and tone.
• RL.8.5 / RL.9-10.5 / RL.CCR.5 — Analyze how an author’s choices about structure and sequencing create effects such as mystery, tension, or surprise and contribute to meaning and style.
• RL.8.6 / RL.9-10.6 / RL.CCR.6 — Analyze how point of view and perspective shape what the reader knows and how the text creates effects such as suspense or irony.
• RL.8.10 / RL.9-10.10 / RL.CCR.10 — Read and comprehend literature at the appropriate grade-level text complexity band independently and proficiently.
• W.8.1 / W.9-10.1 / W.CCR.1 — Write arguments to support claims with clear reasons and relevant evidence.
• W.8.2 / W.9-10.2 / W.CCR.2 — Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas clearly through selection, organization, and analysis of relevant content.
• W.8.9 / W.9-10.9 / W.CCR.9 — Draw evidence from literary texts to support analysis, reflection, and research.
• SL.8.1 / SL.9-10.1 / SL.CCR.1 — Engage effectively in collaborative discussions, building on others’ ideas and expressing one’s own clearly.
• L.8.4 / L.9-10.4 / L.CCR.4 — Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases using context and a range of strategies.