1. Holt Chapter 1 Patterns of Meaning
Flowers for Algernon
Pages 22-56

2. “Flowers for Algernon” By Daniel Keyes
This is a story about a mentally impaired man named Charlie Gordon who undergoes an experimental surgery to improve his intelligence.

3. Class Poll
By raising a quiet hand, vote in this class poll:
Would you rather be the most popular person in your school, or the smartest person in your school?
Most popular? Smartest?

4. What sacrifices do people make to fit in?
8 Minute Quick Write
In your journal, respond to these questions:
What are the advantages and disadvantages of popularity? of intelligence?
What sacrifices do people make to fit in?
What is good or bad about being unusual?

5. Literary Focus: Subplots and Parallel Episodes
A minor plot that relates in some way to the major story.
Parallel Episodes:
An instance where the writer repeats certain elements of the plot.
Example: “Goldilocks and the Three Bears” Goldilocks repeats the same action over and over.

6. Using Context Clues
If you don’t know the meaning of a word,
context clues, the words and a sentence surrounding it, can sometimes help you guess the meaning.
Charlie often has trouble with spelling. Be sure to sound out his misspelled words and use context clues to figure them out.

7. Vocabulary Development
You will have to know these words as you read
“Flowers for Algernon”
Pages 22-23

8. misled
v.: fooled; led to believe something wrong.
Example:
“Joe and Frank misled Charlie into thinking they were his friends.”

9. tangible
Adj.: capable of being seen or felt.
Example:
“An early tangible benefit of Charlie’s operation was his improved skill at spelling.”

10. refute
v.: prove wrong using evidence.
Example:
“Charlie used his research to refute the research of Drs. Nemur and Strauss.”

11. “Charlie’s co-workers invariably laughed at his mistakes.”
adv.: always.
Example:
“Charlie’s co-workers invariably laughed at his mistakes.”

12. regression
n.: return to an earlier or less advanced condition.
Example:
“After his regression the mouse could no longer find his way through the maze.”

13. verified
v.: confirmed.
Example:
“Charlie wanted the results of his research verified by other scientists.”

14. obscure
V.: hide.
Example:
“Charlie wanted to obscure the fact that he was losing his intelligence.”

15. deterioration
N.: used as adj.: worsening; decline.
Example:
“Because of his mental deterioration, Charlie could no longer read German.”

16. hypothesis
N,: theory to be proved.
Example:
“The doctors’ hypothesis was that they could improve intelligence through surgery.”

17. introspective
adj.: looking inward.
Example:
“Charlie kept an introspective journal of his thoughts and feelings.”

18. Portfolio Overview
Each day we will read progress reports and complete the accompanying “As You Read” questions.
You must select three additional activities to complete on your own from the options provided by your teacher.