Born in 1927 in Brooklyn, New York City. He is best known for his award-winning novelette “Flowers for Algernon” which he adapted into his same-name first novel (1966).

Charlie Gordon is a man who is chosen to partake in a science experiment that will double his IQ. Algernon is a lab mouse who undergoes the same experiment with Charlie.

Rather than having chapters to separate its sections, it uses “progress reports” that Charlie is required to write as data for the experiment. Point of View: First Person – Charlie Gordon

1. How can you tell someone is intelligent? 2. What is an example of an action that is not intelligent? 3. How do you personally show intelligence?

Is it the ability to use reason and logic Is it the ability to use reason and logic? Is it the ability to write and speak clearly? Is it limited to one’s performance in school? Is it behavior in social situations? How about knowing when you’re wrong?

The ability to think abstractly Plan Gather information Understand complex ideas Solve problems Reason Adapt effectively to the environment Overcome obstacles Learn from experience Adapt to a new situation

If I have a mental age of 13, and an actual age of 27, what is my IQ? The intelligence quotient (IQ) is simply the ratio of mental age to chronological age multiplied by 100: IQ=MA/CA x 100 If I have a mental age of 13, and an actual age of 27, what is my IQ?

Severely challenged (Less than 1% of test takers) 40 - 54 Severely challenged (Less than 1% of test takers) 55 - 69 Challenged (2.3% of test takers) 70 - 84 Below average 85 - 114 Average (68% of test takers) 115 - 129 Above average 130 - 144 Gifted (2.3% of test takers) 145 - 159 Genius (Less than 1% of test takers) 160 - 175 Extraordinary genius

Nine chickens, two dogs, and three cats have a total of how many legs? A farmer has 17 sheep. All but 9 break through a hole in the fence and wander away. How many are left? 27 minutes before 7 o'clock is 33 minutes past 5 o'clock. True or False? Nine chickens, two dogs, and three cats have a total of how many legs? If the word, "quane," is understood to mean the same as the word, "den," then the following sentence is grammatically correct: "Looking out from my quane, I could see a wolf enter quane."  True or False? If Richard looks into a mirror and touches his left ear with his right hand, Richard's image seems to touch its right ear with its left hand.  True or False? On day 59. Remember, it doubles every day. Nine sheep. It is just a matter of careful reading. Three socks. The ratio information is irrelevant. Allow both glasses to drain simultaneously. As soon as the 7-minute glass empties, flip it over (7 minutes have expired). Then, flip it over again after the 11-minute glass empties (11 minutes have expired). Fifteen minutes will have passed when the 7-minute glass empties. The answer is five. The task here is to realize that the relation is no the sequence of their presidency but which denomination of bill upon which each face appears.

Nine sheep. It is just a matter of careful reading. False. It is 33 minutes past 6 o’clock. 38 legs. 9 x 2 = 18; 2 x 4 = 8; 3 x 4 = 12; 18+8+12 = 38. False. The second “quane” does not make grammatical sense when replaced with “den.” Try it with my mirror!

Charlie, the main character, has an I. Q. of 70 Charlie, the main character, has an I.Q. of 70. What does this mean according to this scale? What predictions can you make about Charlie based on this score? In other words, how do you expect him to behave? This scale is hardly ever used anymore in education. Why do you think it is seldom used?

In “Flowers for Algernon,” the main character Charlie has to take a test called a Rorschach Test. He calls it a “raw shok” test. In this test, a person is shown ink blots and asked what he/she sees. A psychologist analyzes the person’s response and draws a conclusion about his/her intelligence, sanity, or thought processes.

1. Mistreatment of the Mentally Disabled: based on how society treats Charlie with his low IQ. In addition, it includes Charlie’s perspective of the disabled and how he continues to be treated after his operation.

2. Intellect vs. Emotion: Charlie’s situation certainly illustrates the difficulty of developing both intellect and emotion without conflict. The story also has characters that represent both “ends”: pure intellect and pure emotion.

Mental retardation is a term still used, but because of its negative connotations, the term intellectual/developmental disability is now appropriate.

Works Cited Mrs. Alexander’s 8th grade Classroom Website Flowers for Algernon Introduction ppt.