Author:
Brenda Sporkman
Subject:
Literature, English Language Arts, Reading Literature
Material Type:
Lesson Plan
Level:
Middle School
Grade:
8
Tags:
  • Essay
  • Flowers for Algernon
  • License:
    Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial Share Alike
    Language:
    English

    "Flowers for Algernon" Essay

    Overview

    Students will read the short story version of "Flowers for Algernon," taking notes on the positive and negative aspects  Charlie's life before and after the operation to increase his intelligence.  Upon completion of the story, and after reviewing their notes, students will write an essay in which they take a stand as to whether Charlie was better off BEFORE the surgery and should not have had it done, or whether he was better AFTER - in other words it was a good idea.

    "Flowers for Algernon" - Read and Take Notes

    As students are reading "Flowers for Algernon" they will use the notetaking templates posted in Classroom to take notes about what Charlie and his life were like BEFORE and AFTER the surgery.

     

    Upon completion of the reading and notetaking, post and go over the description of the essay assignment.

     

    Go over the rubric to clarify how the essay will be scored before they begin writing.

    As you are reading "Flowers for Algernon" from our literature text, use the notetaking templates posted on Classroom to take notes on Charlie and his life BEFORE and AFTER the surgery.  Notice that the right hand column is for notes about anything that is POSITIVE, while the right hand column is for anything NEGATIVE.  Put a page number next to each note so you can easily refer back to that idea later if you choose to include it in your essay.

     

    Read through the essay description that is posted on Classroom.

     

    Go over the scoring rubric that is posted on Classroom.