Lesson Plan: Themes in Dracula

Instructor Name: Audry Brown Subject/Grade: English IV Estimated Time Frame: 90 minutes
Standard(s):
11-12.L.CSE.2 Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English capitalization, punctuation, and spelling when writing;
when reading and writing, use knowledge of punctuation to enhance sentence style to support the content of the sentence; write
and edit work so that it conforms to a style guide appropriate for the discipline and writing type.
11-12.RL.CS.5 Analyze how an author’s choices concerning the structure of specific parts of a text contribute to its overall structure,
meaning, and aesthetic impact.
11-12.R.IKI.9 Analyze how text addresses themes or topics in order to build knowledge or to compare the approaches an author
takes
11-12.W.TTP.2 Write informative/explanatory texts to analyze, synthesize, and convey complex ideas, concepts, and information
clearly and accurately through the effective selection and organization of content.
Big Idea(s)/Essential Question(s):
● Identifying and analyzing themes in Bram Stoker’s Dracula
● How do incidents in the plot support the novel’s themes?
● Explain how the themes relate to the overall novel and search for deeper meaning in the text.
New Learning:
Vocabulary –
● Theme- the moral/lesson of a story
● Epistolary novel- a novel written in a series of documents (loosely connected incidents rather than an
integrated plot)
● Occult- supernatural, mystical, or magical beliefs, practices, or phenomena
● Motif- an image, sound, action, or other figure that has a symbolic significance, and contributes toward the
development of a theme
Concepts – development and application of theme
Skills – identifying and analyzing theme, discussing with peers, writing organized paragraphs while using proper grammar
and punctuation
Applications - understanding theme in gothic novels allows one to better understand and further study the gothic genre
Learning Target(s)/Objective(s):
TSW…
● Summarize chapters 1-6 of Dracula, while finding connections between incidents in the novel
● List themes present in Dracula and give examples of each theme
● Analyze how theme is developed and theme’s role in the overall novel/genre
● Listen to, comprehend, and discuss ch. 7 of Dracula
● Write 3-4 paragraphs analyzing the themes in Dracula
Summative Assessment:
The student will write a 3 paragraph essay discussing 3 of the 5 themes we covered in class. The student will give specific examples
of the themes from the text and explain how the theme is manifested in the novel. The student will be thorough in their analysis of
theme, and take time to proof-read and edit their essay before submission.
Instructional Strategies/Activities:
Introduction: review chapters and concepts discussed in previous lessons and introduce theme topics
Reading: TTW read ch. 7 of Dracula and ask comprehension questions to check for understanding of the text. Students are
encouraged to discuss text and make connections as a class
Assessment: TSW complete “Themes in Dracula” writing assessment on Canvas
Materials and Resources:
Chromebooks, written copy of Dracula chapters 7-8, Canvas, Google Docs., dry and erase board

INSTRUCTIONAL STEPS
BEGINNING ANTICIPATED LEARNING
DIFFICULTIES/
MISUNDERSTANDINGS AND
ASSESSMENT STRATEGIES TO ADDRESS THEM
● Summarize: Students take notes during every lesson
○ TTW initiate conversations and submit notes at the end of the week ● The purpose of the lesson’s
amongst students pertaining to for a grade. We have been practicing this beginning is to hopefully
previous chapters read in Dracula. semester on taking proper notes in counteract possible
 ● Review:
○ TTW review terms and concepts
from previous Dracula lessons
that students will need for this
lesson (ex. theme, main idea,
epistolary, plot)
preparation for post high school
education. We began with thorough
powerpoint notes provided by me, the
teacher, and are now taking notes with
little to no visual prompting. The notes
must include the lesson’s main points.
misunderstandings that may arise
during the main lesson. This way,
students who have been absent or
confused about previous readings
can have a chance to get caught
up and still participate in the
lesson despite their being absent.

MIDDLE
Content Input (I do):
● TTW read chapter 7 of Dracula aloud to
the class, prompting discussion when
necessary.
Guided Practice (We do):
● TTW write the following theme topics
on the board: 1) writing, journaling, and
messaging 2) illness, madness, and
confinement 3) Christianity, science,
and the occult 4) romantic love,
seduction, and sexual purity 5) life,
death, and the un-dead.
● TSW provide examples from the novel
of each thematic topic. TTW prompt
students as necessary to make
connections between incidents and
ASSESSMENT
TTW ask comprehension
questions about the text while
reading. TSW provide
examples of theme from the
novel. TSW complete the
summative assessment
“Themes in Dracula” before
leaving class. We identified
themes and examples of
theme within the text already.
This assessment will require
them to analyze the meaning
of incident and the theme it
addresses, recognizing the
theme’s development, and
connecting it to the gothic
ANTICIPATED LEARNING
DIFFICULTIES/ MISUNDERSTANDINGS
AND STRATEGIES TO ADDRESS THEM
● Students quickly lose interest
when it comes to reading or listening
to the teacher read aloud. I try to
always have some sort of movement,
even if it is one student walking up to
the board or me circling their desks to
keep them involved. The
comprehension questions throughout
the reading helps with attention as
well, but it also lets me, the teacher,
know if a student is confused or lost.
● Students, despite previous
exposure, still pause in the face of any
writing assignment, especially one
that requires paragraphs and
 themes.
Independent Practice (You do):
● TTW direct students to the “Themes in
Dracula” assignment on Canvas. TTW
explain the assignment, then provide
an example to clarify expectations.
● TSW complete “Themes in Dracula”
assignment independently.
genre overall. They have organization. I address this by always
identified it, now they must leaving an example on the board for
discover its meaning and them to refer to and providing
purpose. checkpoints. The checkpoint for the
summative assessment in this lesson:
raise your hand after completing the
first paragraph. This allowed me to
conference with students one-on-one
and provide feedback and directions
before they complete their
assignment.

END
The student will write a 3 paragraph essay discussing 3 of the 5 themes we covered in class. The student will give specific
examples of the themes from the text and explain how the theme is manifested in the novel. The student will be thorough in their
analysis of theme, and take time to proof-read and edit their essay before submission. The assignment is found on Canvas.
Students are assigned Ch. 8 to read independently.