The document discusses a passage from the novel Cirque Du Freak where boys find a flyer for a freak show and want to attend, while their teacher Mr. Dalton strongly objects to freak shows. It provides discussion points about the different views and asks students to consider whether they side with the boys or Mr. Dalton on the issue. The document will be used as a basis for a writing activity comparing the characters' perspectives on freak shows.

1. Tuesday 15th May
A Mysterious
Piece of Paper
Learning Objective:
1. To recognise how sentences
are organised in a paragraph
2.To expand the range of
link words and phrases in our
writing
Starter: Can you sum up what
has happened in Cirque Du
Freak chapters one and two?

12. Should a 9PM Curfew be imposed on all
children under the age of 16? Discuss.
Introduction
What is a curfew? If such as law was passed by
parliament, it would mean that any child under
the age of 16 would have to be home before
9pm by law. Some people argue that monitoring
criminals’ whereabouts and keeping teenagers
off the streets after a certain time would cut
down the crime rate. However, others believe
that this is an infringement of civil liberties.

13. Second paragraph
Firstly, such a curfew would mean children and teenagers
would be off the streets and therefore out of danger. Nobody
can deny that darkness hides danger; criminals lurk in
shadows waiting to pounce on their innocent victims. In
addition, many crimes take place during the evening or night
as fewer people are out. By imposing a curfew, children can be
taken away from these dangers. Wouldn’t, if you were a
parent, be happy to know your children were safe every
night? Another argument in favour of a curfew is that large
groups of teenagers together can sometimes be a danger to
themselves. It could be argued that a curfew would cut out a
lot of underage drinking and the possibility of drug
experimentation, as teenagers would have to be home earlier,
away from temptation.

14. Third paragraph
On the other hand, even if teenagers are ‘off the streets’ after
a certain time, it does not necessarily mean that they will be
out of danger. There are many hazards within the home – in
fact, a very high proportion of all accidents happen when
people are in their own houses. Furthermore, there are
crimes occurring at all times of the day so unfortunately
parents cannot guarantee the safety of their children at
whatever time they are unsupervised. Finally, just because
some young people behave inappropriately and find
themselves in trouble with the police – whether they have
acted individually or as a group – it is unfair to label all
teenagers in the same way. Why should everyone under the
age of 16 be forced to surrender their freedom because of a
small minority of petty offenders?

15. Conclusion
In conclusion, there are clearly valid arguments
both in favour of and against a curfew, both for
the safety and benefit of all those under 16, and
also for other members of the community.
However, I feel that the government should
think very carefully before imposing any such
curfew, which would undoubtedly be seen as a
sudden punishment by many young people.

16. The history of freak shows
A ‘freak show’ was an exhibition of rarities and performances
intended to shock the audience, which were extremely
popular in Europe and America in Victorian times. They were
often connected to travelling circuses or carnivals. As early as
the 16th century, there are records of animals and humans
being put on display at farmer’s fairs. By the Victorian era, the
shows also included displays of talent. One example was
Madame Rosina, who had no arms but used to crochet with
her feet and paint using her mouth. Other artistes might
include Siamese twins, bearded ladies, contortionists or
people covered in tattoos. Many of these characters became
famous across Britain. Perhaps the best known of these was
Joseph Merrick, the Elephant Man, whose extreme physical
deformity made him a popular attraction.

17. The history of freak shows
An important part of the entertainment was the
showman, who would draw crowds with
amazing stories about the performers (many of
which were made up). They also included
wonderful and medically impossible reasons to
explain the artistes’ physical differences.

18. The history of freak shows
Although they continued to thrive in America
through the 1920s and ’30s, freak shows had
died out in Britain by the end of the 19th century
and many people saw them as inhumane and
barbaric. Unfortunately, many of the performers
found themselves without alternatives to
carnival work. It was not until the 1970s that a
structure was put into place to help families
cope with disability.

19. Task: Working in pairs
Look back at Chapters 2 and 3 and note down
three reasons why the boys are fascinated by
the flyer about the freak show and want to
go, as well as three reasons why their
teacher, Mr Dalton, reacts so strongly against
them

20. Development
We are going to be writing a short discussion
text (since the text we opened with today) that
compares the characters’ different views of the
freak show – ie. The boys’ reaction versus their
teacher’s opinion.

21. Example opening
In the novel Cirque Du Freak, one of the
characters finds a flyer advertising a freak show,
or some sort of travelling circus. Freak shows
became popular during Victorian times because
people were fascinated by seeing others with
physical differences. The boys in the novel are
intrigued by the idea of the freak show but their
teacher, Mr Dalton, has a different view. He, like
many others, feels that any freak show is cruel
and barbaric.

22. Complete the spaces below with
information from Chapters 2 and 3
• There are many reasons Mr Dalton gives in his arguments against
freak shows. Firstly, ______________________________________
• In addition, ______________________________________
• Furthermore, ________________________________________
• On the other hand, Darren and his friends disagree with their
teacher and want to see the freak show. This is
because, _______________________________________________
• Secondly, ____________________________________
• Also, __________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
____
• In conclusion, ____________________________

23. The conclusion
Are you siding with the boy’s view on freak shows or Mr Dalton’s?
Sum up your personal feelings on the post-it provided and come and
stick them on the whiteboard
The boys Mr Dalton