8th Grade Novels‎ > ‎

Flowers for Algernon


Cash Course

Controversy of Intelligence: Crash Course Psychology #23

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9xTz3QjcloI

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Race and Intelligence
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ao8W2tPujeE

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Genre
First person narrative fiction

Introduction:
In this short story, doctors experiment with a surgical method to increase the intelligence of a mentally challenged man. 

Author Daniel Keyes
"[I am] fascinated by the complexities of the human mind." 
  • Born 1927 in Brooklyn, New York
  • Majored in Psychology at Brooklyn College
  • Worked in publishing and fashion photography
  • Taught at his old high school
  • Taught writing and literature at Ohio University
Anticipation Hook
Howard Gardner's Theory of Multiple Intelligence. Power point and mini-survey re: how YOU learn best.

video
Define
Theory behind the model
IQ Scores
Assessment
Print
(need to copy/paste)
Critics of multiple intelligence
Pros/cons

Essential Question:
How does intellect and character (traits) figure into identity (who you are)?

Objectives:
  1. Determine word meaning through context
  2. Review Plot Elements 
  3. Explore Theme (life lesson)
  4. Define and identify flashback (father)
  5. Define and identify foreshadow (what happens to Algernon happens to Charlie)
  6. Understand Symbolism (Algernon and Charlie)
  7. Introduce allusion (Adam and Eve)
  8. Analyze the value of adaptations (from a creative perspective)
Themes:
1.  The grass is not always greener on the other side of the fence (idiom--literal meaning vs. figurative meaning).

2. Using Human Subjects in Scientific Experimentation is a moral issue. 

3. Mistreatment of the Mentally Disabled
The fictional idea of artificially augmenting or diminishing intelligence enables Keyes to offer a telling portrayal of society’s mistreatment of the mentally disabled. 

As Charlie grows more intelligent after his operation, effectively transforming from a mentally retarded man to a genius, he realizes that people have always based their attitudes toward him on feelings of superiority. For the most part, other people have treated Charlie not only as an intellectual inferior but also as less of a human being than they are. While some, like his coworkers at the bakery, have treated him with outright cruelty, others have tried to be kind but ultimately have been condescending in their charity.

Charlie struggles with a tendency toward the same prejudice and condescension he has seen in other people. However, Charlie’s dual perspective allows him to understand that he is as human as anyone else, regardless of his level of intelligence.

4. The Tension between Intellect and Emotion
The fact that Charlie’s mental retardation affects both his intellectual and emotional development illustrates the difficulty—but not the impossibility—of developing both aspects simultaneously and without conflict. Charlie is initially warmhearted and trusting, but as his intelligence increases he grows cold, arrogant, and disagreeable. The more he understands about the world, the more he recoils from human contact.


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  1. Identify character traits through description, action, thought, dialogue. 
  2. Review and apply plot elements
English Lexicon Vocabulary/Concepts:
  • lexicon
  • identity
  • context
  • characterization--A writer develops a character by describing the character's physical appearance, through the character's speech, thoughts and behavior, or reveal the attitudes and reactions of others toward the character. These techniques are called 
  • genetic trait
  • character trait
  • perception (why did Charlie's change?)
In-Text Psychology Lexicon
IQ
Rorschach
inkblot
Thematic Apperception
maze
motivation
Einstein's Theory of Relativity
conscious
subconscious
neurosurgeon
inferiority complex
motor activity
progressive amnesia
cerebral convolutions
fugues
regression

Slang:
"He is a card when he is potted."
cracker

New In-text Vocabulary:
  1. absurd
  2. hypothesis
  3. impair
  4. introspective
  5. naivete
  6. opportunist proportional
  7. regression
  8. sensation
  9. shrew
  10. specialization
  11. statistically
  12. syndrome
  13. tangible
  14. vacuous
  15. deteriorate
Critical Thinking/Discussion Questions:
  1. Do you think the doctors should have performed the operation on Charlie? Why or why not? 
  2. Was Charlie happier before or after he became a genius?
  3. What, if anything, has Charlie gained by the end of the story?
  4. If Charlie were asked to take part in another experiment to increase his intelligence, do you think he would? Give reasons for your opinion.
  5. What kind of a society would we have if everyone became super-intelligent? How would society be different from the one we live in today? 
  6. "Flowers for Algernon" was first published in 1959 and has been translated into many languages around the world. Why do you think this story has such worldwide appeal?
  7. Why do you think Charlie's friends are uncomfortable around him when he is smart?
  8. In the beginning of the story, Frank Rielly and Joe Carp make fun of Carlie, but at the end, the stick up for him. Are they truly his friends? Why are why not? What are the characteristics of a good friend?  
Work Products:
  1. Plot Graph
  2. Characterization Graphic Organizer
  3. Charlie had a dream to get smarter. One page free write on your dreams (future, family, character, places--what do you want out of life). Show Victoria Falls Power point. Collage re dreams (pictures that symbolize them). 
  4. Letter of Recommendation--Pretend you are Mr. Donnegan, Charlie's boss, and write a letter of recommendation that might help him get a new job. 
  5. Final: Book Review using the plot graph (Honors): 
  6. Final: Need to be able to summarize the book using the plot graph.. (characters, setting, conflict, rising action, climax, falling action, resolution). Understand the definitions of symbolism, foreshadowing, flashback, theme, and allusion, and how they are shown in the short story.
  7. Practice Common Core Assessment in Drive  




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