4
-NiE ,
15 FEBRUARY 2017
Up to no good
INTERMEDIATE Poem
IN the poem News Break, we hear the surprise in a parent’s voice when he finds a sudden change in his child who has become affectionate, helpful and well-behaved. The parent wonders at the reasons for this remarkable change until the child takes out his unsatisfactory report card.
NiE Activity 1
Creative thinking
Critical thinking l Identify
l Organise
l Imagine l Brainstorm
Problem solving
l Connect l Invent
l Question l Present l Recreate
l Reason
Communicating l Oral l Aural
Read the poem and complete the activities.
Collaborating
l Written
l Contribute l Attain goal respectfully l Compromise
Activity A News Break Now why so loving, darling, And why the sudden kiss? You’d help me with some little jobs? For goodness sake, what’s this? Your face is clean for once, dear. Your clothes without a crease. You saved your luncheon money? Will wonders never cease? No dropping of your school books, No shrieking, childish treble. Today you are a lamb, love, Where yesterday a rebel. But surely you’re some stranger, No rage or hullaballoo. Come closer, let me look dear, Can this be REALLY you? Now were you struck by lightning Or were you stunned at sport? Ah … now I see the reason, You’ve brought your school report! – Max Fatchen
EXAMPLE Phrase from poem
From the poem, what are the changes in behaviour which the parent finds extraordinary in the child? How do you think the child usually behaves? Complete the table. Write down three changes, referring to lines or phrases from the poem as evidence. An example has been provided for you.
Sudden change in behaviour
Evidence from poem
Probable usual behaviour
l The child is unusually willing to
l You’d help me with some little
l He is probably not too eager to
help the parent.
Activity B In groups of four, look for phrases, words, pictures or headings from The Star that are related to any four of the following phrases from the poem. Cut them out and paste them on a sheet of A4 paper. Exchange papers with another group who will then add another related phrase, word, Your group: Relevant picture and phrase from The Star
No rage or hullaballoo
jobs?
help out with the chores at home.
Activity C picture or heading from The Star before they hand it back to you. l But surely you’re some stranger l No rage or hullaballoo l Why so loving, darling l You’d help me with some little jobs? l Where yesterday a rebel Another group: Relevant picture and phrase from The Star Road rage leaves two injured
In groups of four, create a short conversation (with each person speaking at least three lines) between the child and the mother based on any
EXAMPLE Conversation between child and mother:
of the verses in the poem. Use at least 10 words or phrases from The Star. Then, role-play your conversation in class.
Verse from the poem: Your face is clean for once, dear. Your clothes without a crease. You saved your luncheon money? Will wonders never cease?
Mum: I can’t believe it. Your face is so clean today. Child: Yes, mum, I didn’t go out and play with the other boys during the break. I sat quietly and read a book, instead. Mum: Really! That’s amazing! And your shirt is still white and neat. Child: I didn’t get into any fights either, mum. And see, I still have my lunch money. Mum: You didn’t have lunch?
Why so loving, darling
You’d help me with some little jobs?
A journey of shared love
Santa’s little helpers
Child: No, mum. I decided that from now on, I’m going to save my lunch money so that I can buy you a really nice present for your birthday next month. Let’s do what we can to make their lives better
Mum: Hmm…