Inspired by: Circus - Week 3

Exploring the art of clowning, students are invited to delve into the world of circus performers through an engaging activity centered on conjunctions expressing time and reason. Mario and Felek, a pair of clowns, are tasked with creating an instructional film titled 'How to become a Clown'. In pairs, students must brainstorm and script what the clowns would narrate during six video stills, capturing the transformation process into their clown personas. This creative task not only ignites the imagination but also encourages the use of present tense and sequential language to effectively communicate the steps involved in clown makeup and costume preparation. The final product will be a video demonstration, aligning with the criteria set by the World Clown Association, intended for showcasing at the Clown Convention's 'Clowning Around' public workshop.

Another facet of the circus theme is the exploration of famous clowns, prompting students to retrieve and record information from non-fiction sources. The activity begins with a discussion on well-known clowns and their expected characteristics, followed by viewing a clip from Charlie Chaplin's 'The Tramp'. Students reflect on Chaplin's portrayal and his poignant quote about the significance of laughter. They are then encouraged to compare modern circus clowns with Chaplin's character, examining similarities and differences. This leads into further research on the history of clowns, including the influential English entertainer Joseph Grimaldi. Additionally, students are tasked with creating a biographical fact file for Charlie Chaplin, using organisational devices such as headings and sub-headings to structure their findings, thereby enhancing their understanding of non-narrative material and the legacy of one of cinema's greatest comedic talents.