Cirque Du Freak - Lesson 2 - Blurb Analysis PowerPoint

In an engaging English teaching resource, students are invited to delve into the world of "Cirque Du Freak" through a comprehensive blurb analysis PowerPoint. The lesson begins with a fun competition, challenging students to create the longest word from the phrase 'CIRQUE DU FREAK'. This playful activity serves as an icebreaker and a way to pique interest in the novel. Students then embark on a 'learning journey', starting by jotting down their initial knowledge about the book in a speech bubble on their worksheet, setting the stage for the discoveries to come.

As the lesson unfolds, students are grouped together to read the blurb of "Cirque Du Freak" and use their inference and deduction skills to make predictions about the novel's plot and characters. The blurb reveals the story of Darren Shan, an ordinary schoolboy whose life takes a dark turn after attending the eponymous freak show with his best friend Steve. The show is home to peculiar performers, but the real shock comes when Steve recognises a vampire among them. The tension escalates when Darren, driven by a reckless impulse, decides to steal the vampire's performing tarantula, leading to dire consequences for both boys. After this analysis, students return to their learning journey, reflecting on their enhanced understanding of the book in a second speech bubble, marking their progress and setting the scene for further exploration of Darren Shan's eerie adventure.