Study Guides and Lesson Plans for Science Fiction
Classics
About Flowers for Algernon
(Amazon.com Review):
Daniel Keyes wrote little science fiction, but is highly
regarded for one classic, Flowers for Algernon. As a 1959 novella it
won a Hugo Award; the 1966 novel-length expansion won a Nebula. The
Oscar-winning movie adaptation Charly (1968) also spawned a 1980
Broadway musical.
Following his doctor's instructions, engaging
simpleton Charlie Gordon tells his own story in semi-literate "progris
riports." He dimly wants to better himself, but with an IQ of 68 can't even
beat the laboratory mouse Algernon at maze-solving:
I dint feel bad because I watched Algernon and I lernd how to finish the
amaze even if it takes me along time.
I dint know mice were so smart.
Algernon is extra-clever thanks to an experimental brain operation so far
tried only on animals. Charlie eagerly volunteers as the first human
subject. After frustrating delays and agonies of concentration, the effects
begin to show and the reports steadily improve: "Punctuation, is? fun!" But
getting smarter brings cruel shocks, as Charlie realizes that his merry
"friends" at the bakery where he sweeps the floor have all along been
laughing at him, never with him. The IQ rise continues, taking him steadily
past the human average to genius level and beyond, until he's as
intellectually alone as the old, foolish Charlie ever was--and now painfully
aware of it. Then, ominously, the smart mouse Algernon begins to
deteriorate...
Reading level: Ages 9-12
Check Amazon.com for Flowers for Algernon in
paperback,
hardcover.
Flowers for Algernon : A Unit Plan
by Barbara M. Linde
Complete lesson plans for teaching Flowers for
Algernon by Daniel Keyes. Includes introduction to the unit, unit
objectives, reading assignments, unit outline, study questions (short
answer), study/quiz questions (multiple choice), vocabulary worksheets,
daily lessons planned, related nonfiction reading assignment, oral reading
evaluation, biographical info about the author, three detailed writing
assignments (inform, persuade, personal opinion), vocabulary review games &
activities, unit review games & activities, at least one group activity
assignment, discussion questions on all levels (factual, critical,
interpretive, personal response), 2 short answer unit tests, 2 multiple
choice unit tests, 1 advanced short answer unit test, unit and vocabulary
crossword puzzles, unit and vocabulary extra worksheets & games, bulletin
board ideas, ready-to-copy student materials, answer keys, and more!
CD-ROM: 113 pages
Publisher: Teacher's Pet Publications, Inc.;
ISBN: 1583371761; (August 1, 2000)
List price $19.95
Check price at Amazon for
Flowers for Algernon Unit Plan
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