“Flowers For Algernon”

Pre-Reading Activity:�“Getting the Gist”

Directions: Using the word list on the following slide, predict what the story “Flower for Algernon” will be about. You must use all of the words at least once. Your job is to create a one paragraph story summary. Do the best you can, and have fun with it. Remember, I do not expect you to know the plot line!

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6^th Groups:

• Grace B.
• Swarup
• Megan
• Jaime

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• Nick R.
• Sophie
• Ibrahim
• Anna
• Ben

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• Carter
• Danika
• Louis
• Kate

• Ethan A.
• Caitlin
• Ryan
• Chastity

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• Ethan K.
• Sydeny S.
• Mason
• Elizabeth

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• Amanda
• Kody
• Ryker
• Josie

5^th Groups:

• Jenna
• Thomas C.
• Nuntida
• Matthew

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• Jorge
• Trevor
• Howie
• Alex

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• Wesley
• Mike
• Jack
• Thomas H.

• Emily A.
• Ashley P.
• Connor
• Emily J.

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• Drew
• Makayla
• Grayden
• Ellie

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• Daniel
• Caden
• Mike
• Garrett

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• Emily S.
• Callie
• Morgan

4^th Groups:

• Faisal
• Stephanie
• Matt
• Adam

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• Tony
• Jarrett
• Fon
• Gianna

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• Brian
• Paige
• Nathan
• Leah

• Josh
• Jacob
• Erica
• Alexis

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• Eddie
• Carrie
• Gavin
• Emma

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• Zach
• Landon
• Taylor
• Abisai

Word Bank

• Rorschach Test
• maze
• Intelligent
• low IQ
• died
• lost job

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• Algernon
• Miss Kinnian
• teacher
• Charlie
• doctors
• regressed
• mouse

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REMEMBER: You must use each word at least one time.

Activity:

You have been given an experimental pill that will triple your intelligence.  This is a new pill that has been tested on animals with tremendous success.  It has not been tested on humans.  You must decide if you will take this pill.  Whatever your decision, assume that the rest of the class has made the opposite decision.  If you take it, you will be three times as smart as everyone else; however, you do not know the side effects.  

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On a sheet of paper make two columns. At the top of the first column, write the word FOR & list four to six reasons you might have FOR taking the pill.  At the top of the second column, write the word AGAINST and list four to six reasons you have AGAINST taking the pill.  On the bottom half of the page, number 1-3 and answer the following questions with at least two sentences each.

� 1. How will you fit in with the rest of the class?  

 2. How will others treat you?  

 3. Would you like being different  from everyone else?  Why or why not?

FOR OR AGAINST?

Lastly…

• Put your name and hour in the upper right hand corner and CIRCLE the word FOR or AGAINST.  This will indicate your ultimate decision in the matter.  

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Poll Everywhere/Journal #1

• Did you take the pill? Why or why not? Be specific.

Think About…

• What does it mean to be smart in our society?
• In your own words, define intelligence
• Intelligence is defined as: capacity for learning, reasoning, understanding, and similar forms of mental activity; aptitude in grasping truths, relationships, facts, meanings, etc. (dictionary.com)

Daniel Keyes�Author

• Read through the bio on Daniel Keyes
• Type “Daniel Keye BIO” into Google Search or go to the CLASS foler and clink on link
• Write down 8-10 interesting facts that you learned.
• Share

Notes: Part 1�Algernon day #2

• Thematic Apperception Test: A psychological test where a subject is required to explain or interpret what is happening in a picture or photograph

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• Rorschach Test (inkblot test): It is used to gain understanding of a person’s intellect or personality traits.
• Foreshadowing: Hints or clues that a writer uses to suggest what will happen next in the story.

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Reading Strategy: �Drawing Inferences

• Inference (copy in notes): Is an act or process of coming to a conclusion based solely on what one already knows.
• You draw conclusions based on clues in the text when you make inferences.
• We ALL make inferences with people everyday, meaning we make judgments about people based on their actions or words (ex: if the teacher has a scowl on her face, what can you infer?).
• Inferring is “reading between the lines.”

How to make inferences…

• Find words used to describe a character’s facial expressions, looks, and gestures.
• Study a character’s inner thoughts and think about their mood, feelings and personality.
• Consider the dialogue between characters.
• Think about the tone of voice a character is using and what it means.
• Use pictures to help you gain meaning.
• Find clues that give you ideas about the setting and theme.

Read “Progris Riport 1”

What can we infer about Charlie?

Read “Progris Riport 2”

What can we infer about Charlie now?

Read “Progris Riport 2”

• What can we infer about Charlie now?

Read “Progris Riport 3 & 4”

What do you think will happen to Charlie?

Team Building: Intelligence

Two boxers are in a boxing match (regular boxing, not kick boxing). The fight is scheduled for 12 rounds but ends after 6 rounds, after one boxer knocks out the other boxer. Yet no man throws a punch. How is this possible?

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• It is two woman fighting

�Journal #2� �

• Make up a story about the picture below.

Rorschach Test

• Create a numbered list, 1-10
• Look at each inkblot closely. What do you see? Write it next to number one and wait for the next inkblot.

Rorschach Test�Day #3

#1.

#2

#3

#4

#5

Notes Part 2:

• Idiom: An expression whose meanings cannot be inferred from the meanings of the words that make it up (A phrase that doesn’t mean what it actually states. Ex. You are driving me up the wall!)
• Dramatic Irony: When the reader knows or understands something that the character does not.
• Symbolism: Something that represents something else (ex. heart = love)
• Allusion: A reference to something well known. It could be a person, place, event, piece or art, etc.
• Theme: A recurring idea.

Reading Strategy:

Make Connections

• Connecting new information to what you already know will increase comprehension

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• Types of Connections:
• Text-to-Self: relating characters to yourself
• Text-to-Text: finding common themes across different texts
• Text-to-world: building connections to our society

Read Progress Reports 5-8

• Add to comprehension worksheet

Journal #3

• What makes a good friend? What makes a bad friend? Describe your best friend.

Read Progress Report 9-April 18

Day 6�Strategy Focus: Questioning

• Why it’s important to ask questions before, during, and after you read:
• It helps to clarify confusion and help make sense of what you read
• Engages you and keeps you reading
• Helps solve problems
• Discover new information
• Takes us deeper into text

Track Charlie’s Changes

Record Charlie’s changes for the beginning part of this story

Day 4

• We are going to take an IQ test. It will take about 20 minutes. Do your best.
• When finished, begin reading quietly to yourself, April 3-20^{th (pg 62-66)}. While reading complete a double entry diary for journal #4. Make at least 3 entries.

Quote/page # My Connections

Day 5: �Class Warm-up: Idiomary

1.The vacation to Australia caught my eye.

2. You look tired. Why don’t you catch some Zs.

3. Fred will never ask Lucy for a date because he’s a chicken.

4. You’re going to be in trouble if you don’t cool it.

5. You need more exercise; you are a real couch potato.

6. You kids are making too much noise. Cut it out!

7. Did Amy really pain the picture, or are you pulling my leg?

8. Quick beating around the bush and tell me what you think.

9. When we heard the loud crash, we hit the deck.

10. He lived 92 years, but he finally kicked the bucket.

11. I put my foot in my mouth and regret saying it.

12. Keep your chin up, things will get better.

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Bell Curve IQ

Brain Teaser�Do on a separate sheet of paper in your group. Raise your hand when you think you have the answer and I will come and check.

A man has to get a fox, a chicken, and a sack of corn across a river. He has a rowboat, and it can only carry him and one other thing. If the fox and the chicken are left together, the fox will eat the chicken. If the chicken and the corn is together, the chicken will eat the corn. How does the man do it?

The Answer!

Man carries chicken, man leaves chicken and comes back, man gets fox, man leaves fox and gets chicken, man leaves chicken and gets corn, man leaves fox and corn to get chicken, man gets chicken.

IQ Secret…

• Your IQ scores were fake!

Journal #5

• How did your score make you feel?
• Did you share it with anyone? Why or why not?
• Did you participate differently in your group?
• Did people react differently to you when they found out your score?
• What should we judge people on?

How you go about asking questions before, during and after you read:

• Browse pictures, titles, boldface headings, charts, graphs, and words to generate questions to be answered.
• Use sticky notes while reading marking questions that come up.
• Construct a questions web

Read April 21-May 20�(page 66-77)

Journal #6

As you are reading, write 5-8 questions that you have about the text. Be sure to use complete sentences, and number your questions please.

Homework

• Work on your comprehension worksheet located in your journal.
• Start filling in the plot diagram located in your journal.

Day 7

Day 7:

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As a class:

Read May 23^rd-June 23^rd

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Charlie Letter:

• Write a letter to Frank and Joe
• Write in Charlie’s voice (as if you are Charlie)
• Explain what you went through to become smart
• Share your feelings about their actions and treatment
• Point out specific examples of their teasing and explain how this makes you feel
• On top of your paper identify the TONE you were trying to convey (angry, sad, desperate)

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TONE: the attitude the writer takes toward the audience, subject, or a character

DUE: Tomorrow, must be typed!

Plot Diagram�powerpoint

Journal # 7

Predict how you think the story will end. What is going to happen to Charlie?

Read June 30^th-End �(page 81-84)

When Finished:

• Complete comprehension worksheet
• Fill in plot diagram
• Make sure all journal entries are complete

Journals are due Friday, Oct. 3^rd!