Charlie Before and After
by Marsha  Chaisson, mchaisso@allen.k12.la.us

Content Area(s)
English/Language Arts

Grade Level(s)
8, 

Overview
This activity is designed to assess students' understanding of the changes that take place in Charlie Gordon, the main character in "Flowers for Algernon".

Software
Inspiration

Technology
Projector
Morgie
Printer
Print Boy
Computer

Objectives
TLW…create a web
TLW….. write a comparison/contrast essay of a story’s character

Procedures
This activity may be used after students have read the story, “Flowers for Algernon”.
1. Distribute the handhelds and have the students open the Inspiration program.
2. The teacher will display Inspiration using the projector and the Morgie.
3. The teacher will demonstrate the first step of the activity by typing “Charlie Before the Operation” in the circle. After watching the teacher, the students will do the same.
4. Next, ask a volunteer to give a characteristic of Charlie before the operation.
5. Once a student has given a suitable answer, the teacher will demonstrate how to use the Rapid Fire key to connect supporting details to the main idea.
6. The students will list at least five more characteristics of Charlie before the operation.
7. Once the students have completed the activity, they will save it and print it.
8. The students will open a new application. The main idea will be “Charlie after the operation”. Follow the same procedures for this activity.
9. The students will use their webs as a guide to write a rough draft comparison/contrast essay of Charlie Gordon before and after his operation.
10. After having a peer edit their essay, the student will type their paper using a laptop computer.
*Note: There is a comparison/contrast template on the Inspiration program which could be used for this activity. I chose to use the document feature because my students have never used Inspiration. I wanted to stick to the basics the first time and as we use the handhelds more, I will introduce them to the other templates.

Other Supporting Material

Submitted on: 12/8/2004 2:30:59 PM