1. Before, During, and After Reading Skills
Flowers for Algernon
By Daniel Keyes
Before, During, and After Reading Skills

2. Preparing to Read
1. Identify five text features seen throughout this story.
2. Identify and define the two Literary Focus elements of this text.
3. Identify and define the Reading Focus skill used in this text.
What is the Writing Focus assignment and what are you asked to look for as you read the beginning of the text?
Which Vocabulary words did you not recognize? How does this text help you learn new words?

3. Author Information 4. Read the “Meet the Writer” section on page 54.
Make a list of at least three important facts you learn about the author.
Circle the detail you think is the most important.

4. What adjectives could you use to describe this picture?
Analyzing Visuals
What adjectives could you use to describe this picture?

5. Quick Write Compassion What does the word “compassion” mean to you?
When has someone shown compassion toward you or tell about a time you have shown compassion to someone else.
Why do you think it is important to be a compassionate person?

6. Vocabulary
Choose four of the five vocabulary terms below. For each word you choose, write the definition, copy the sentence the word is found in the story, write an original sentence to demonstrate your understanding of the word, and create a small illustration that also demonstrates your understanding of the term.
MISLED
REGRESSION
OBSCURE
DETERIORATION
INTROSPECTIVE

7. Literary Response
Flowers for Algernon
Read the text carefully and note the way the author includes parallel episodes or subplots to tell the story.
What does Charlie gain and lose as he participates in a medical experiment?
Explain your thoughts and ideas and use evidence from the text to support your response.

8. During Reading Skills Tracking Story Events
Remember that tracking story events will help you to analyze and remember subplots and parallel episodes.
Note how the author incorporates parallel episodes throughout the story.
Construct “Tracks” as you read… Remember to use a variety of tracking sentence starters.

9. Should Charlie have been given this opportunity?
Stop and Think!!!
What are the risks and benefits of participating in a medical experiment?
Should Charlie have been given this opportunity?

10. Clips… http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sJPcp9l9tpc (part six)
(story/movie trailer)
(part one)
(part two)
(part three)
(part four)
(part five)
(part six)
(part seven)
(part eight)
(part ten)
(part eleven)

11. Final Analysis Question
Would Charlie have been better off if he had not had the operation?

12. Extended Question
Do you believe it is ethical to allow Charlie (or anyone with his IQ) to decide to be used in an experimental medical procedure?

13. How does Charlie’s condition affect the plot of the story?
Extended Question
How does Charlie’s condition affect the plot of the story?