Kellyn Klapaska

EDTP 645
Assessment Portfolio

The assessments herein center around The Tell-Tale Heart by Edgar Allen Poe. The proposed
unit and assessments address these 8th grade Common Core standards:

READING: LITERATURE
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.8.1
Cite the textual evidence that most strongly supports an analysis of what the text says explicitly
as well as inferences drawn from the text.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.8.2
Determine a theme or central idea of a text and analyze its development over the course of the
text, including its relationship to the characters, setting, and plot; provide an objective
summary of the text.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.8.3
Analyze how particular lines of dialogue or incidents in a story or drama propel the action,
reveal aspects of a character, or provoke a decision.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.8.4
Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative and
connotative meanings; analyze the impact of specific word choices on meaning and tone,
including analogies or allusions to other texts.

WRITING
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.8.1
Write arguments to support claims with clear reasons and relevant evidence
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.8.2
Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas, concepts, and
information through the selection, organization, and analysis of relevant content.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.8.3
Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique,
relevant descriptive details, and well-structured event sequences.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.8.4
Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are
appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.8.10
Write routinely over extended time frames (time for research, reflection, and revision) and
shorter time frames (a single sitting or a day or two) for a range of discipline-specific tasks,
purposes, and audiences.
 Multiple Choice Assessment: Lower Level

Read each of the following questions. Choose the most appropriate answer and circle the
letter beside it.

1. Why does the narrator kill the old man?

A. He wants the old man's money.
B. The old man insulted him.
C. He hates the old man's eye.
D. The old man's voice annoys him.

2. How did the narrator act toward the old man in the week before he killed him?
A. He followed him day and night.
B. He was kinder than ever before.
C. He couldn't stand to be near him.
D. He felt sad looking at him.

3.. What does the narrator bring with him each of the eight days?
A. Robe
B. Rope
C. Candle
D. Lantern

4. How does the old man respond to the noises at night?

A. By continuing to sleep.
B. Groaning in terror.
C. Laughing at the narrator.
D. Crying hysterically.

5. Where did the narrator hide the body?

A. In the closet
B. Behind the bed
C. Under the floorboards
D. By the shed

6. In what city did Poes birth and death take place?

A. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
B. Baltimore, Maryland
C. Richmond, Virginia
D. Brooklyn, New York

7. What were Poes final words?

A. Quoth the Raven, nevermore!
B. I have fought the good fight.
C Lord, help my poor soul.
D. Villians! Dissemble no more!

8. How did the narrator initially react to the arrival of the police?
A. He nervously hid in another room.
B. He was angry and out of control.
C. He smiled and gave them a tour.
D. He rolled his eyes in boredom.

9. Who is the protagonist in The Tell-Tale Heart?

A. The old man.
B. The police.
C. The neighbor.
D. The narrator.

10. On what does the narrator blame his mad behavior?

A. Inability to sleep
B. Overly sharpened senses
C. Weird dreams
D. Insanity

Multiple Choice Assessment: Higher Level

Read each of the following questions. Choose the most appropriate answer and circle the
letter beside it.

1. What did the narrator mean when he said, A watchs hand moves more quickly than did
mine?
A. He wants the reader to know he is slow and careful.
B. He finds the trips to the old mans room boring.
C. He wants the reader to think he doubts what he is about to do.
D. He keeps looking at the clock on the wall of the bedroom.

2. For what purpose might the narrator claim he will tell calmly the story?
A. Relate his boredom.
B. Help the reader understand.
C. Convince the reader hes sane.
D. Jog his memory.

3. The narrators claim that he has excellent hearing is an example of which literary device?
A. Allusion
B. Foreshadowing
C. Conflict
D. Tone
4. Why did the old man escape death on the first seven nights?
A. His eyes were closed.
B. He heard a noise and awoke.
C. He escapes each time.
D. The narrator was too scared.

5. What does the beating of the old mans heart symbolize?

A. The old mans ghost.
B. The police officers nervousness.
C. The neighbors eavesdropping.
D. The narrators guilt.

6. The beating and ringing described in the story is an example of what literary device?
A. Onomatopoeia
B. Allusion
C. Alliteration
D. Metaphor

7. The sound of the beating heart increases. It grew quicker and quicker, and louder and
louder. What is this quote an example of?
A. Personification
B. Parallel structure
C. Simile
D. Resolution

8. Which of the following is irony?

A. The vivid description of the old man's bedroom.
B. The narrator's attempt to cover up his crime causes his arrest.
C. The use of watches and clocks signifies the coming of death.
D. The author repeats the words frightening and shriek.

9. How do the policemen know the narrator is guilty?

A. They look underneath the floorboards.
B. He has blood on his hands.
C. He admits to the deed.
D. They hear the beating heart.

10. Its of no use for the old man to comfort himself because Death had stalked with his black
shadowand enveloped the victim. Which does the quote contain?
A. Simile
B. Metaphor
C. Foreshadowing
D. Personification
11. The Incredible Hulk picks up a car and slams it on the ground. He smashes a store window.
Which vocabulary word best describes his actions?
A. Dissimilation
B. Fury
C. Supposition
D. Hasty

12. What wise precaution did the narrator take?

A. Cleaning the crime scene.
B. Silencing the heart.
C. Creating an alibi.
D. Hiding the body.

13. Which is the exposition of The Tell-Tale Heart?

A. The narrator introduces himself and says hes not mad.
B. The narrator admits that he has done the deed.
C. The narrator conceals the body in the floor.
D. The narrator spies on the old man for seven nights.

14.What does the dismembering and death of the old man signify?
A. The rising action
B. The climax
C. The resolution
D. The falling action

15. Which quote is a simile?

A. The hellish tattoo of the heart increased.
B. A simple dim ray, like the thread of a spider, shot from out the crevice.
C. I sawthe hideous veil over it that chilled the very marrow in my bones.
D. It was thesound that arises from the bottom of the soul when overcharged with awe.
 Essay

On a separate sheet of paper, answer the following essay questions. Remember:

Each essay must be at least three paragraphs in length. Include an introduction and
conclusion.
Pay close attention to capitalization, grammar, punctuation, and spelling.
Use specific examples and details from the text.
Refer to the attached rubric to guide your writing.

1. In The Tell-Tale Heart, we only hear the narrators side of the story. Your job is to
create a new ending after the police arrived, but from a different characters (or
objects) point of view. You may choose to be a police officer, the dead man in the
floorboards, the clock on the wall, etc. Describe the narrator. How did he act? What did
he say?

2. Evaluate the reliability of the narrator. That is, do you believe how he described the
events of that day to be true? Why or why not? Use at least two specific examples from
the text to support your claim.

3. Tone is the way an author expresses an attitude in his writing, whether by setting, word
choice, etc. Analyze how Poe's tone contributes to the overall feeling of the story. Be
specific!
 Essay Rubric

4 3 2 1
Writing- Demonstrates a Demonstrates Demonstrates Demonstrates a
Conventions: strong good command some command limited
Correct spelling, command of of grade-level of grade-level command of
grammar, grade-level language language grade-level
punctuation, language conventions. conventions. language
usage conventions. There may be a There are grade conventions or
There may be few noticeable level errors in frequent errors
minor (not easily grade level C.U.P.S. that in C.U.P.S. that
noticed) grade errors in occasionally interfere with
level errors in C.U.P.S. but interfere with the meaning.
C.U.P.S. but they do not meaning.
they do not impede with the
impede with the meaning.
meaning.
Content- All information Subject Information was Information was
Essential was accurate knowledge was relevant, but confusing or
Question: and was evident. details and irrelevant. Had
Appropriateness, delivered Information examples did few supporting
relevance, details, effectively. included details not address the details or
and examples Subject and strong essential examples. Did
knowledge was examples that question. not answer the
thorough. provided a clear Subject essential
Extensive answer to the knowledge was question.
details and essential evident, but was Subject
relevant question. not used to knowledge was
examples were support not sufficient to
used to answer argument. make successful
the essential argument.
question.
Writing- All ideas were Ideas were Some ideas Writing was
Organization: presented in a presented in a were presented fragmented.
Clear, logical logical order. logical order. in logical order. Ideas were not
sequence Introduction was Introduction was Introduction, presented in
clear, body clear, body body, and logical order.
included many included many conclusion were Introduction,
details, and details, and included. body, and
conclusion conclusion conclusion were
summarized summarized not clear.
main idea. main idea.
Writing flowed
smoothly
throughout.
Writing-Voice Used personal Used emotion Conveyed very Conveyed no
(Essay 3 only): style and feeling and feeling to little feeling or feeling or
Gives reader a to engage the communicate a emotion in the emotion in the
sense of author's reader and message. piece. Opinion piece. No
opinions communicate a Opinion was was hard to opinion was
message. clear. determine or apparent.
Opinion was writer seemed
clear. ambivalent.

Short Answer Assessment

Answer the following short answer questions. Remember:

 Responses should be 4-5 sentences, including an introductory and concluding sentence.
Be sure to remember proper capitalization, grammar, punctuation, and spelling.
Use specific examples when appropriate.
Refer to the attached rubric to guide your writing.

1. Explain one way Poe uses personification in The Tell-Tale Heart.

2. Using the plot chart below, show the sequence of events in The Tell-Tale Heart. Write one
complete sentence for each event.

Exposition: _______________________________________________________

Rising Action: ______________________________________________________

Climax: __________________________________________________________

Falling Action: _____________________________________________________

Resolution: _______________________________________________________

3. Compare and contrast the behavior of the narrator from when the police first arrive to his
behavior at the end of the story.
4. Do you think the policemen could hear the beating heart? Explain why or why not.

5. Describe the narrators actions during the seven nights. Discuss why you think he returned
instead of committing the deed the first night.

Short Answer Rubric

4 3 2 1
 Writing- Demonstrates a Demonstrates Demonstrates Demonstrates a
Conventions: strong good command some command limited
Correct spelling, command of of grade-level of grade-level command of
grammar, grade-level language language grade-level
punctuation, language conventions. conventions. language
usage conventions. There may be a There are grade conventions or
There may be few noticeable level errors in frequent errors
minor (not easily grade level C.U.P.S. that in C.U.P.S. that
noticed) grade errors in occasionally interfere with
level errors in C.U.P.S. but interfere with the meaning.
C.U.P.S. but they do not meaning.
they do not impede with the
impede with the meaning.
meaning.
Content- All information Subject Information was Information was
Essential was accurate knowledge was relevant, but confusing or
Question: and was evident. details and irrelevant. Had
Appropriateness, delivered Information examples did few supporting
relevance, details, effectively. included details not address the details or
and examples Subject and strong essential examples. Did
knowledge was examples that question. not answer the
thorough. provided a clear Subject essential
Extensive answer to the knowledge was question.
details and essential evident, but was Subject
relevant question. not used to knowledge was
examples were support not sufficient to
used to answer argument. make successful
the essential argument.
question.
Writing- All ideas were Ideas were Some ideas Writing was
Organization: presented in a presented in a were presented fragmented.
Clear, logical logical order. logical order. in logical order. Ideas were not
sequence Introduction was Introduction was Introduction, presented in
clear, middle clear, middle middle, and logical order.
included many included many conclusion were Introduction,
details, and details, and included. middle, and
conclusion conclusion conclusion were
summarized summarized not clear.
main idea. main idea.
Writing flowed
smoothly
throughout.
Writing-Voice Used personal Used emotion Conveyed very Conveyed no
(questions 4 and style and feeling and feeling to little feeling or feeling or
5 only): to engage the communicate a emotion in the emotion in the
Gives reader a reader and message. piece. Opinion piece. No
sense of author's communicate a Opinion was was hard to opinion was
opinions message. clear. determine or apparent.
Opinion was writer seemed
clear. ambivalent.

True and False Assessment

Read each of the following statements. If the statement true, circle the letter T. If the
statement is false, circle the letter F.

1. Poe is known as the father of the modern detective story.

T F

2. Buzz and ring are examples of the literary device known as alliteration.
T F

3. The mood at the beginning of The Tell-Tale Heart is panic.

T F

4. The narrator admits that he is mad and the disease has made him crazy.
T F

5. The narrator pities the old man because he too knows how terror feels.
T F

6. The old man is not killed on the first night because the door was locked.
T F

7. When the police arrive, the narrator welcomes them and chats calmly.
T F

8. The beating heart is a symbol of the narrators fear.

T F

9. Like other authors of his time, Poe wrote honest, realistic representations of life in America.
T F

10. The narrator hides the old mans body under the floorboards of the room.
T F

Choice 1: Matching Assessment

Vocabulary Matching: Match the word of the left to the appropriate definition on the right.

1. Dissimulation _______ a. excessive speed; hurriedly

 2. Supposition _______ b. listen; hear

3. Cunningly _______ c. passionate; intense

4. Vex _______ d. small; unimportant

5. Wane _______ e. faking; deceit

6. Suavity _______ f. stop oneself; hold back

7. Vehemently _______ g. clever; skillful

8. Trifle _______ h. a guess; uncertain belief

9. Gesticulation _______ i. anger; rage

10. Hearken _______ j. annoy; frustrate

11. Unperceived _______ k. decrease; lessen

12. Refrain _______ l. imagine; think

13. Hastily _______ m. charm; sophistication

14. Fury _______ n. not seen; not known

15. Fancy _______ o. hand movement; signal

Extra credit: Choose one word from the above list. Draw an illustration or symbol to

demonstrate your understanding of its meaning. Create a sentence using the word.
______________________________________________________________________
 Choice 2: Online Discussion Assessment

Students previously completed the following graphic organizer:

 Online Discussion Assessment Continued

Using your completed news report organizer and the text, create a news report detailing the
events occurring in "The Tell-Tale Heart." Pretend your reader is not familiar with the
situation. It should be clear from the report that you read and comprehend the text. Describe in
detail the characters, setting, course of events, etc. You may also include quotes! Be sure to
write in third person.

The news report should be four paragraphs in length. Here's the twist! The fourth paragraph
should continue the ending; that is, tell us what happened after the narrator shrieks, "Villains!
Dissemble no more!" Be creative. Was the narrator arrested? Did the police find the corpse?

Post your report by Thursday at 11:59 p.m. You must post two thoughtful responses to other
classmates by Monday at 11:59 p.m. Responses may be additional thoughts, questions, or
suggestions. Remember that it is okay to disagree, but it must be respectful.

Refer to the rubric as you compose your news report and responses.

Online Discussion Rubric

Criteria 3 2 1 0
Critical Discussion postings Discussion Discussion Discussion postings
Analysis: display an postings display postings repeat show little or no
Understanding excellent an and summarize evidence that readings
of Readings understanding of understanding of basic, correct were completed or
the required the required information, understood. Postings
readings and readings and but do not link are largely personal
underlying underlying readings to opinions or feelings, or
concepts including concepts outside "I agree" or "Great
correct use of including correct references, idea," without
terminology. use of relevant supporting statements
Postings integrate terminology research or
an outside specific real-life
resource, or application and
relevant research, do not consider
or specific real-life alternative
application (work perspectives or
experience, prior connections
coursework, etc.) between ideas.
to support
important points.
Participation Discussion postings Discussion Discussion Discussion postings do
in the actively stimulate postings postings not contribute to
Learning and sustain further contribute to the sometimes ongoing conversations
Community discussion by class' ongoing contribute to or respond to peers'
conversations. postings. There is no
 building on ongoing evidence of replies to
peers responses. Discussion conversations. questions.
postings are on
Discussion postings time and Discussion Discussion postings are
are on time and respond to most postings are late or contributions are
distributed postings of peers late or respond only posted on the last
throughout the within a 48 hour to most day of the module.
module (not period. postings of
posted all on one peers several
day or only at the days after the
beginning or only initial
on the last day of discussion.
the module).
Etiquette in Written Written Some of the Written interactions on
Dialogue with interactions on the interactions on written the discussion board
Peers discussion board the discussion interactions on show disrespect for the
show respect and board show the discussion viewpoints of others.
sensitivity to peers' respect and board show
gender, cultural interest in the respect and
and linguistic viewpoints of interest in the
background, sexual others. viewpoints of
orientation, others.
political and
religious beliefs.
Quality of Written responses Written Written Written responses
Writing are free of responses are responses contain numerous
grammatical, largely free of include some grammatical, spelling or
spelling or grammatical, grammatical, punctuation errors. The
punctuation spelling or spelling or style of writing does not
errors. The style of punctuation punctuation facilitate effective
writing facilitates errors. The style errors that communication.
communication. of writing distract the
generally reader.
facilitates
communication.