Fā'aluma

Fā'aluma

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Overview
Using this Resource
Connecting to the Curriculum
Marking Student Responses
Further Resources
This task is about finding and using information from a text.
 
Read Fā'aluma by Tauanu'u Pule from Choices - Smile, 1998. Then, use the information you find in the text to answer the questions that follow.

Question 1Change answer

a)  Select the correct meaning in English for each Sāmoan word.
     i)    luma                          crickethouse of spirits or a short playsomeone who makes people laugh by embarrassing them or othersembarrassment/shamea person of stupid couragerugby
     ii)   ulavale fa'avalevalea crickethouse of spirits or a short playsomeone who makes people laugh by embarrassing them or othersembarrassment/shamea person of stupid couragerugby
     iii)  faleaitu                      crickethouse of spirits or a short playsomeone who makes people laugh by embarrassing them or othersembarrassment/shamea person of stupid couragerugby
     iv)  kirikiti                       crickethouse of spirits or a short playsomeone who makes people laugh by embarrassing them or othersembarrassment/shamea person of stupid couragerugby
     v)   fā'aluma mālie           crickethouse of spirits or a short playsomeone who makes people laugh by embarrassing them or othersembarrassment/shamea person of stupid couragerugby

Question 1Change answer

b)  What was the original role of the fā'aluma?
     

Question 1Change answer

c)  What has that role now become?
     

Question 1Change answer

d)  Why did that role change?
     

Question 1Change answer

e)  Name a character in a culture other than Sāmoan that has a role similar to the fā'aluma.
     

Question 1Change answer

f)  Do such roles as the fā'aluma have an important part in our society? YesNo   (Select one)

     Write two ideas to support your view.
Task administration: 
This task can be completed with pencil and paper or online (with some auto-marking).
 
Equipment:
 
Copyright: 
Material from Smile (Fā'aluma) by Tauanu'u Pule, Illustrations by Rob des Tombe - Text and Illustrations reproduced with permission of the publishers Learning Media Limited, PO Box 3293, Wellington, New Zealand. Copyright © Crown, 1998.
 
 
Level:
4
Curriculum info: 
English, Making meaning, Reading
Key Competencies: 
Using language, symbols, and texts
Keywords: 
comprehension, retrieve, inference, choices, locate information, Pasifika
Description of task: 
An extract about Sāmoan life provides the context for this assessment with its focus on retrieving information and making inferences. Text available.
Curriculum Links: 
Links to the Literacy Learning Progressions for Reading:
This resource helps to identify students’ ability to:
  • locate and summarise information and ideas 
as described in the Literacy Learning Progressions for Reading at: http://www.literacyprogressions.tki.org.nz/The-Structure-of-the-Progressions.
Learning Progression Frameworks
This resource can provide evidence of learning associated with
Acquiring and using information and ideas in informational texts, set 4
within the Reading Learning Progressions Frameworks.
Read more about the Learning Progressions Frameworks.
Answers/responses: 
 

Y8 (10/2000)

a)
luma - embarrassment/shame
ulavale fa'avelvalea - person of stupid courage
faleaitu - house of spirits or a short play
kirikiti - cricket
fā'aluma mālie - someone who makes others laught by embarrassing them [NOTE: fāluma = person; fā'aluma – generic to embarrass].
very easy
easy
easy
very easy
easy

b)

To mock the enemy during war to boost morale.

moderate

c)

Entertainer and cheerleader in sports and competition.

moderate

d)

Cultural changes, i.e., Christianity/less inter-tribal wars.

moderate

e)

Any 1 of: 

  • comedian
  • jester
  • stand-up comic
  • clown
  • juggler

moderate
f)
Two ideas clearly expressed.
Yes - Any 2 of: 
  • Entertain.
  • Make us laugh.
  • Make us forget our problems.
  • Relieve stress.

No - Any 2 of: 

  • Society changing.
  • Old traditions fading.
  • Many Sämoans growing up in NZ or USA.
  • Changing sensitivities, e.g., mocking opponents is not politically correct.
2 correct -difficult
1 correct -easy