Max Fatchen

NEWS BREAK

Learning Outcomes:
Students should be able to:
1) Recite the poem ‘News break’
2) Relate the messages conveyed in the poem
to the students’ life.
3) Describe their feelings using
correct adjectives.
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 hullabaloo,
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!
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 wonder
never cease?
No dropping of your school books

No shrieking, childish treble.

 Today you are a lamb, dear,

Where yesterday, a rebel.

But surely you’re some stranger,
No rage or hullabaloo
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!
Can you think of some suitable adjectives to
describe his positive attitude?
Can you think of some suitable adjectives to
Let’s talk about it!
describe his positive attitude?
When I received my UPSR results, at first
I felt……… It was because………………

Later, I felt…….. because…………

My father…………
My mother………..
How did you feel?
Stanza 1
 The parent is surprised that the child has
a sudden change in behaviour.
 The child has become a loving person and
even gives a kiss
 The child also suddenly helps with house
chores.
 The parent is bewildered
Stanza 2
 The parents cannot believe that the child’s
face is clean and his clothes are neat
without any wrinkles
 The child also saved his lunch money
 The parent is totally dumbfounded
Stanza 3
 The child also does not drop any of his/
her book around the house.
 The child also does not scream and shout
 That day, the child is as innocent and
gentle as a lamb, unlike his/ her usual
rebellious attitude
Stanza 4
 The parent begins to wonder if the child
is a stranger
 The child does not make any noise
 The parent wants to have a clearer look
to confirm the identity of the child
Stanza 5
 The parent wonders if lightning has struck
the child, or if he was shocked while
playing sports.
 However, the parent finally finds out the
truth
 The child has brought home his school
report
Setting
 No specific time frame is mentioned, but
the child probably just returned from
school
 Place : At home
Persona
 A parent who is puzzled to see his/her
child’s sudden change of behaviour.
 Themes
Having an
ulterior motive
* The child is rather sly
* He is behaving well for a
reason
* He brought home is report
card which may contain bad
grades
* He tries to win his parent’s
heart by behaving well
Disobedient
* The child is describe
to be naughty and
disobedient most of
the time
* That is why the
parent is very
surprised to see him
behaving well
 We must try to behave
well at all times and not
only on certain
occasions
MORAL
VALUES We must have the
courage to face
unpleasant
consequences instead
of finding excuses