It's Kind of a Funny Story

Use this activity to engage all types of learners, while requiring that they refer to and incorporate details from the text over the course of the activity.

“Story Map”

In this activity, students will creatively translate the novel into a visual “map.”

It’s Kind of a Funny Story centers around Craig, who finds freedom in drawing imaginary maps of the people and places around him. The novel itself is designed like a map, with each part representing a piece of the “map” of Craig. In this Activity, translate the story you’ve just read into a form of a visual map using your own talents.

• Begin by noting the key elements from the story your map must represent. Consider:

o Which plot points should be included?

o Which characters will have larger/smaller portions of the map?

o How will you represent tone, mood, atmosphere, character arc, and other important literary techniques?

• Next, decide how you want to represent the story. Consider elements like color, shapes and patterns, chronology, and size in your visual map.
• It’s time to create! Remember that your “map” may look totally different than those of your peers. Just like Craig, you are using your unique gifts to represent the story.

Display the maps on the wall for a gallery walk. Discuss with your peers the similarities and differences that stand out among the maps. What can you speculate about the map’s creator based on how they decided to represent the story? What new information or ideas did you learn about the text based on others’ maps?

Teaching Suggestion: You may want to begin by helping students to broaden the definition of “map.” How are globes, diagrams, and instructions also “maps”? This may help students feel more creative freedom in their map creation.

Differentiation Suggestion: Students who benefit from more guidance or structure with creative assignments might access technology for inspiration and support. A rubric for these students should include a defined checklist of text elements in the story map such as 10-12 plot points; 5 characters in addition to Craig and their relationship to Craig; and indicators of the book’s viewpoint, tone, and style.

Use these essay questions as writing and critical thinking exercises for all levels of writers, and to build their literary analysis skills by requiring textual references throughout the essay.

Differentiation Suggestion: For English learners or struggling writers, strategies that work well include graphic organizers, sentence frames or starters, group work, or oral responses.

Scaffolded Essay Questions

Student Prompt: Write a short (1-3 paragraph) response using one of the bulleted outlines below. Cite details from the text over the course of your response that serve as examples and support.

1. Early in his time in the ward, Craig notes that “my problem might be too much thinking” (Chapter 22). Despite this revelation, over half of the novel—Craig’s entire time on Six North—takes place in less than a week.

• How does this structure provide readers with insight regarding how Craig’s brain works? (topic sentence)
• In the body of your essay, consider how Craig sees the world. Use multiple pieces of evidence from the text to explain how Craig’s depression has influenced how he perceives time and the people and events around him.
• In your concluding sentence or sentences, connect this idea of time and individualized experiences to the theme of The Impact of Mental Illness.

2. It’s Kind of a Funny Story, despite its subject matter, uses humor throughout the text.

• Why might the author have chosen to include humor in his novel? (topic sentence)
• In the body of your essay, closely analyze 3 particularly funny moments in the novel. Consider why these may have been included in the overall story, and how they help readers process the overall content and message of the novel.
• In your conclusion, argue with brief rationale which theme is best supported by this use of humor.

Full Essay Assignments

Student Prompt: Write a structured and well-developed essay. Include a thesis statement, at least three main points supported by text details, and a conclusion.

1. When Craig becomes anxious to be “cured” and discharged, the doctor states that “Life is not cured [...] life is managed” (Chapter 26). In a 3- or 5-paragraph essay, analyze and discuss the ways in which Craig proves the truthfulness of that statement over the course of the novel. Consider moments in which Craig both successfully and unsuccessfully “manages” his life. Using multiple pieces of evidence from the text, draw a connection between this quote and the theme of The Impact of Mental Illness.

2. Throughout the story, Craig struggles to come to terms with both his depression and his privilege. How does Craig see these as opposites? In a 3-paragraph essay, consider and discuss the ways in which Craig invalidates his own mental health experiences or conditions because of his perception of privilege. Support your answer with at least 3 pieces of evidence from the text.

3. Craig struggles to connect with others prior to being admitted to Six North. Why do you think Craig is able to make connections more easily during his stay on Six North? In a structured paragraph response, discuss what this novel implies about the theme of The Importance of Human Connection based on where/when Craig is best able to find connection. Support your answer with at least 3 pieces of evidence from the text. 

Multiple Choice and Long Answer Questions create ideal opportunities for whole-text review, exams, or summative assessments.

Multiple Choice

1. Throughout the novel, which of the following adjectives best describes Craig’s character?

A) Self-aware

B) Indulgent

C) Chill

D) Suave

2. How does marijuana make Craig feel the first time he tries it?

A) Energetic and hungry

B) Existential and empowered

C) Ignorant and self-conscious

D) Tired and oblivious

3. What detail regarding his mental illness does Craig consistently keep from his doctors?

A) The vomiting

B) The “tentacle” spirals

C) The “Army Guy” voice in his head

D) The “anchors” that support him

4. Which character in Six North is healing from cuts across their face?

A) Bobby

B) Jennifer

C) Noelle

D) Armelio

5. How does Craig’s father react to his son’s mental illness?

A) He ignores Craig.

B) He makes inappropriate jokes.

C) He cries a lot.

D) He does a lot of research about mental health.

6. Why does everyone celebrate Bobby during the card tournament?

A) He announces that he got into the group home.

B) He won the hardest hand.

C) He got into a fight with Humble.

D) He proved to beat his gambling addiction.

7. Why does Craig refer to so many of the residents by nicknames?

A) To imply he doesn’t see them as real people

B) To help him remember who they are

C) To show his connection through terms of endearment

D) To prove he cannot make connections with others

8. Which theme is best represented by Craig’s message from Jenna, a girl he’s never met who is also struggling with mental health?

A) The Impact of Mental Illness

B) The Importance of Human Connection

C) Unique Pressures of Young Adulthood

D) Illness as the New Normal

9. Which theme is best represented by the fact that Noelle, Craig, and Humble are all in the ward for similar reasons?

A) The Impact of Mental Illness

B) The Importance of Human Connection

C) Unique Pressures of Young Adulthood

D) Illness as the New Normal

10. What does Craig get from the residents in return for his “goodbye maps”?

A) They all draw him a different picture.

B) Everyone gives him a way to contact them later.

C) Each person offers a secret or insight into themselves.

D) They each give him a piece of their candy collection.

11. What is one way the author shows readers that Craig is getting better throughout the course of the novel?

A) Craig starts referring to himself in the third person.

B) Craig begins to isolate himself instead of relying on others.

C) Craig doesn’t hear the Army Man voice in his head as much.

D) Craig gains more freedoms than other residents in the ward.

12. How are Noelle and Craig similar?

A) They both physically hurt themselves before ending up in Six North.

B) They are both struggling with the pressures of prestigious schools.

C) They both come from very supportive families.

D) They both have a deep love for drawing.

13. What does Craig mean when he says to himself, “Take these verbs and enjoy them”?

A) That he has been given a kind of candy

B) That he misses the mundane routine of English class

C) That he should start “doing” more instead of thinking

D) That Noelle has given him something no one else can

14. What ultimately becomes Craig’s “anchor”?

A) Noelle

B) Quality family time

C) Volunteering

D) Drawing maps

15. Which of the following best describes the tone at the end of the novel?

A) Sarcastic and insincere

B) Hopeful and realistic

C) Downtrodden and remorseful

D) Overwhelmed and confused

Long Answer

Compose a response of 2-3 sentences, incorporating text details to support your response.

1. Why doesn’t Craig report his suicidal thoughts and plans to the doctor when he’s first asked?

2. What is the biggest difference between Nia and Noelle, the two girls Craig for whom has feelings during the novel?