The business of clowning

The business of clowning

Pencil and paper
Overview
Using this Resource
Connecting to the Curriculum
Marking Student Responses
Further Resources
This task is about finding information from an article.

Read Crackles the Clown by John Parker (pages 10-15, Junior Journal 20, 1999).

Then fill in the chart below.

a) At what age did Glen first start as a clown?

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b) How does Glen make himself look like a clown?

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c) What special equipment does Glen use most?

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d) What are some of the things that Glen does?

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e) Why did Glen become a clown?

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f) What type of events does Glen help people celebrate when he is dressed as Crackles the clown?

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Task administration: 
This task can be completed with pencil and paper.
 
Equipment:
'Crackles the clown', from Junior Journal 20, Learning Media, 1999.
Copyright: 
Crackles the Clown - Text was first published by Learning Media Limited on behalf of the Ministry of Education. © John Parker. 1999.
 
Source: Junior Journal 20, Learning Media, 1999.
Level:
2
Curriculum info: 
English, Making meaning, Reading
Key Competencies: 
Thinking
Keywords: 
comprehension, retrieval chart, junior journal, information skills
Description of task: 
An article about a clown is read by students who then complete a retrieval chart about his job.
Curriculum Links: 
Links to the Literacy Learning Progressions for Reading:
This resource helps to identify students’ ability to:
  • use comprehension strategies

as described in the Literacy Learning Progressions for Reading at: http://http://www.literacyprogressions.tki.org.nz/The-Structure-of-the-Progressions.

Learning Progression Frameworks
This resource can provide evidence of learning associated with
Making sense of text: processing system, set 3
within the Reading Learning Progressions Frameworks.
Read more about the Learning Progressions Frameworks.
Answers/responses: 
 

Y4 (10/1999)
a) ten (years old) very easy
b)
  • He wears make-up on his face.
  • He wears a clown costume.
 2 marks – moderate
1 mark – very easy
c) Any 5 of:

  • balls
  • clubs
  • balloons
  • yo-yos
  • crazy cycles/uni-cycle
  • face make-up/paint
 3 marks – easy
2 marks – very easy
1 mark – very easy
d) Any 4 of:

  • juggling
  • riding a uni-cycle
  • twisting balloons into funny shapes
  • balancing
  • doing tricks
  • tossing yo-yos
 3 marks – difficult
2 marks – easy
1 mark – very easy
e) Any 2 of:

  • He was interested in balancing and tricks.
  • He likes performing.
  • He likes making people laugh.
 2 marks – difficult
1 mark – moderate
f)
  • Birthday parties.
  • The opening of a shopping mall.
 2 marks – easy
1 mark – easy