“Flowers for Algernon” by Daniel Keyes

I used these activities with my urban eighth grade students as we read the short story version of "Flowers for Algernon".  I have also included other links I found that may be of interest. I hope you can find something useful in these pages.

• I had students summarize progress reports.

• We discussed the definition of the root word “psych”.

• Students answered response questions that sparked class discussion.

• I had previously taught character maps and had students complete character maps for main characters.

• I had also previously taught point of view and we reviewed it with this story.

• Students complete three short writing pieces at different times throughout the course of reading the story.

• We did a graph in conjunction with a math unit on graphing.  It was hard to do well because Charlie's intelligence was not often quantified in the story.

• Students compared and contrasted Charlie's writing style on April 15 and May 15 using a Venn diagram.

• I copied actual Rorschach inkblot cards from the school psychologist and we did an inkblot test as a class. There are also ink blots on the web.  We discussed the differences in perception.

• We created our own inkblots using tempera paint and white paper. (This can get messy.) Students “tested” others then compared perceptions.

• We had a good discussion about dramatic irony and teasing when Frank and Joe were picking on Charlie and he didn't know it.

• Students practiced editing/proofreading skills by correcting Charlie's grammar from selected entries that I had copied from the story.

• New York State standardized tests include a listening and writing portion.  I used notes from the teacher's edition about the Rorschach test and other psychological testing as listening pieces.  Students responded to the passages.

• After we had finished the story the “Cross Curricular Connection: Science” provided nice reflection as well as connecting the story with some facts.  It sparked a lively discussion.

• Students created a book jacket.  I made available author information from Daniel Keyes Biography and FAQ's about Flowers for Algernon.

• Our final discussion question was:  Was Charlie a good subject?

• Also check out these other "Flowers for Algernon" links.

Last updated 4/16/01
clmkelly@i2eyenet.net