'Cirque Du Freak': Novel Study

Course Overview

This is a suspense and horror-themed novel (age-appropriate horror!) for 9-12 year-olds. It is a brilliant book that can get the most reluctant readers engaged with reading and there are twelve books in the series, so plenty to keep students going after the book finishes! It follows the adventures of Darren Shan, who attends a local freak show and makes some questionable decisions following it. This text is available as a PDF upon enrolment in the course. Across the sessions, students will learn to analyse the chapters in each class using the key reading skills (retrieval, inference, prediction, summarising, explanation, all overlaid by vocabulary work). Time will be spent looking at the key intentions and decisions of the main characters. This character exploration will lead to some writing opportunities, led by the student's key interests. For example, it could consist of a diary entry, analysing and reflecting on their characters key actions. This course will have multiple sessions a week, as a platform for assisting upper Key Stage Two pupils. All sessions are planned with the upper Key Stage Two reading curriculum requirements in mind, with a secure knowledge of what is required to be a better reader.