Moravia Middle School students recently had a spooky-good time during ELA class thanks to an Edgar Allen Poe-themed activity.

After reading Poe’s short story “The Masque of the Red Death,” students in Sarah Birmingham’s class broke into small groups and participated in an escape room activity.

While Halloween-themed music played quietly in the background to help set the scene, students moved from station to station where they were required to decode different aspects of the story. Once they completed a station – or a “room” – they were able to move on to the next in an attempt to be the first group to complete every stage.

“The Masque of the Red Death” was published in 1842 and follows Prince Prospero’s attempts to avoid a dangerous plague by hiding in his abbey. While the plague is sweeping through area, Prospero’s believes he and his guests will be safe within the walls of his wealthy home. One night, he hosts a masquerade ball in the seven rooms of his abbey. However, as the night progresses, a dark, shadowy figure appears and enters each room one by one. The prince dies while confronting this unwelcomed figure, as do all his guests. It is revealed that the figure isn’t a person but is in fact the plague itself.