FLOWERS FOR
ALGERNON
PROJECT HELP SLIDES
Project Info
THE DOCTORS’ SCIENTIFIC OBSERVATION of
Charlie’s Behavior (Story Prog. Reports 1-11)
•Choose whether you will assume the role of Prof. Nemur
(neurologist – focuses on Charlie’s intellectual growth) or
Dr. Strauss (psychiatrist – focuses on Charlie’s emotional
growth)
•Report as though you are one of the doctors, using textual
evidence from Charlie’s progress reports to evaluate
Charlie’s progress/regression.
•Write a paragraph for each Prog. Report, citing textual
evidence.
•Instructions and Samples at http://www.ehow.com/how_4812690_writemedical-progress-report.html, http://www.payfastway.com/Portals/0/c4_2.pdf, http://www.colemanchiro.com/tpnotes.pdf,
Project Info
LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION FROM
ALICE
•Ms. Kinnian believes that Charlie is the right
candidate for the operation because of his
determination to learn. Using textual evidence that
supports Miss Kinnian’s opinion of Charlie, write a
letter (at least one-and-a-half full, double-spaced
pages) from Ms. Kinnian to Prof. Nemur and Dr.
Strauss recommending Charlie for the operation.
•Samples at http://ministryhealth.org/images/corporate/bariatricletterofrec.pdf,
http://businessmajors.about.com/od/samplerecommendations/Sample_Recommendation_Letters_
Sample_Letters_of_Recommendation.htm
Project Info
CREATE A COMIC BOOK THAT DEPICTS:
1.One of Charlie’s childhood memories or experiences
2.Algernon’s changes in the story.
3.Charlie’s experiences at the bakery.
•Must incorporate at least three direct quotes from the story
•Must include a rationale (at least one full, double-spaced page) that
explains the emotional impact of the scene and how your comic book
version reflects this impact.
You may make a paper or digital comic.
See http://www.ehow.com/video_6198367_create-short-story-comic-book.html,
http://sites.google.com/site/kreyesmcc/lightenupwithcomicstrips , http://www.comic-bookand-strip-service.com/writing-a-comic-strip.html and
http://www.freetech4teachers.com/2010/12/10-ways-to-create-comics-online.html
Project Info
MIX-TAPE FOR CHARLIE
•Create a “mix-tape” cd or USB key for Charlie with songs
that encourage open-mindedness, growth, and patience.
•Include:
•3 songs (either on CD or USB key) with a CD case with
original artwork.
•Printed lyrics with bibliographic citations (see
www.NoodleBib.com to do it electronically)
Analysis (at least one full, double-spaced page) of how each
song reflects Charlie’s personality and life (textual
evidence) and encourages open-mindedness, growth, and
patience.
•Use only music you legally own!
Project Info
MAKE A VIDEO BOOK TRAILER.
1.Be sure it is at least 2-5 minutes long.
2.Be creative and include photos and/or video clips,
titles, credits, etc.
3.Research other book trailers on YouTube. (Get your
parent’s permission before going on YouTube.)
4.Beware of breaking copyright laws.
5.Add sound and music.
Make your viewers want to read the story!
Samples at: http://charlieandthemouse.blogspot.com/,
http://www2.scholastic.com/browse/video.jsp?pID=1640149541&bcpid=1640149541&bclid=578264
65001,
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qwxgXB6NKcs&safety_mode=true&persist_safety_mode=1,
http://www.teachertube.com/viewVideo.php?video_id=80110&title=Digital_Book_Trailer_Project,
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XXgaeqyiiwg&safety_mode=true&persist_safety_mode=1,
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5HNXppMc3rQ&safety_mode=true&persist_safety_mode=1,
Project Info
MAKE A BLOG.
1.Blog about Charlie’s experiences based on what you know
about the story through his progress reports.
2.Write from Charlie’s, one of the Doctor’s, or Miss Kinnian’s firstperson point of view.
3.Make at least 10 posts of a few paragraphs each.
4.Do not plagiarize from the story – use your own words and
pictures.
Your blog can really be digital for the internet or it can be on paper.
How to Blog: http://kidslearntoblog.com/how-to-start-a-blog-for-kidsunder-13/, www.blogger.com, http://wordpress.com/,
http://kidblog.org/home.php,
Sample at: http://flowers-4-algernon.blogspot.com/
Project Info
MAKE AN ADVERTISEMENT FOR THE OPERATION
CHARLIE HAD (but assume that it could be successful).
1.Make it for TV, Radio or Web.
2.Make it 1-2 minutes long.
Research advertisements for other life-changing operations like bone
marrow transplants at St. Jude’s Hospital, lap band or stomach
bypass, pacemakers, kidney dialysis, etc. to see what your ad should
look like, sound like, etc.
Samples: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CghdbrN7Xhg&safety_mode=true&persist_safety_mode=1,
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RZ1r2pQbPS4&safety_mode=true&persist_safety_mode=1, http://vimeo.com/398134,
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JCGHx7tSof4&safety_mode=true&persist_safety_mode=1,
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FGp5uYCSTrU&safety_mode=true&persist_safety_mode=1,
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fc8HiA2eUek&feature=related&safety_mode=true&persist_safety_mode=1,
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RGQWsD26lv4&safety_mode=true&persist_safety_mode=1,
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Od_Vm3enyM&safety_mode=true&persist_safety_mode=1,
Project Info
CONVERSATION BETWEEN “CHARLIES”
1.Charlie’s mind creates a separation between “Charliebefore-the-operation” and “Charlie-after-the-operation.”
In his progress reports, Charlie depicts this “separate
Charlie” as another person that he sometimes interacts
with.
2.Write a scripted dialogue (at least one-and-a-half full,
double-spaced pages) between the two “Charlies” in
which they try to teach or give advice to the other.
Watch your punctuation and paragraph breaks!
The following slides will help.
Top 8 Tips for Writing Dialogue
By Ginny Wiehardt, About.com Guide
See More About:
writing style
writing dialogue
Writing dialogue -- realistic dialogue, anyway -- does not come easily to everyone. Done well, dialogue advances the story and fleshes out the characters
while providing a break from straight exposition.
However, just as realistic dialogue is one of the most powerful tools at a writer's disposal, nothing pulls the reader out of a story faster than bad dialogue.
It takes time to develop a good ear, but noting these simple rules and obvious pitfalls can make a huge difference.
1. Listen to How People Talk.
Having a sense of natural speech patterns is essential to good dialogue. Start to pay attention to the expressions that people use and the music of
everyday conversation. This exercise asks you to do this more formally, but generally speaking it's helpful to develop your ear by paying attention to the
way people talk.
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2. Not Exactly like Real Speech.
But dialogue should read like real speech. How do you accomplish that? Alfred Hitchcock said that a good story was "life, with the dull parts taken out."
This very much applies to dialogue. A transcription of a conversation would be completely boring to read. Edit out the filler words and unessential
dialogue -- that is, the dialogue that doesn't contribute to the plot in some way.
3. Don't Provide Too Much Info at Once.
It should not be obvious to the reader that they're being fed important facts. Let the story unfold naturally. You don't have to tell the reader everything up
front, and you can trust him or her to remember details from earlier in the story.
4. Break Up Dialogue with Action.
Remind your reader that your characters are physical human beings by grounding their dialogue in the physical world. Physical details also help break up
the words on the page: long periods of dialogue are easier for the reader's eye when broken up by description. (And vice versa, for that matter.) See the
link above for examples of how this can work.
5. Don't Overdo Dialogue Tags.
Veering too much beyond "he said/she said" only draws attention to the tags -- and you want the reader's attention centered on your brilliant dialogue,
not your ability to think of synonyms for "said."
6. Stereotypes, Profanity, and Slang.
Be aware of falling back on stereotypes, and use profanity and slang sparingly. All of these risk distracting or alienating your reader. Anything that takes
the reader out of the fictional world you're working so hard to create is not your friend. Read some examples of how to achieve the tone you want
without stereotypes, profanity, and slang.
7. Read Widely.
Pay attention to why things work or don't work. Where are you taken out of the story's action? Where did you stop believing in a character? Or,
alternatively, when did the character really jump off the page, and how did dialogue help accomplish that? You can start reading like a writer with the link
above, or pick up an anthology and start your own list of writers to learn from.
8. Punctuate Dialogue Correctly.
The rules for punctuating dialogue can be confusing: many writers need help getting them right in the beginning. Take some time to learn the basics. A
reader should get lost in your prose -- not feel lost trying to follow your dialogue.