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Activity for Class Clown

Class Clown

Written by Robert Munsch
Illustrated by Michael Martchenko
JK – Grade 4

“‘I know that Mrs. Gomez is really, really, tired of me being the class clown, and I will probably get in big trouble, but I just HAVE to do something else funny.’ So Leonardo leaned over to the boy next to him and told a funny joke.”

Sure to be another storytime classic, Class Clown is an excellent choice for reading out loud! With a perfect mix of repetitive anticipation, classroom humour and pure slap-stick silliness, kids will love this story for the same reason they love other Robert Munsch books. Follow Leonardo through a lifetime of silliness to his final moment, when in all seriousness he promises his teacher, Mrs. Gomez, he will never be funny again. Hilarity ensues.

Storytime Suggestions

Before the story...

You can introduce this story with a few carefully chosen good jokes or riddles such as: “Knock, knock. Who’s there? Wanda. Wanda who? Wanda read stories with me?” (If you're looking for more try: 101 Cool Canadian Jokes by Erin O’Connor and illustrated by Bill Dickson.
Show them the cover of the book. Invite participation by asking them what the story might be about based on what they see. Who is the main character? How do they know?

During the story...

Tip: How you read this story to your children will have a big effect on how it will be received. Be sure to follow the text cues, and place emphasis where emphasis is due. Don’t be afraid to really shout, or put extra panache into the sound effects. “Soooooooooooo funny!”
If you still aren’t sure, you can listen to Robert Munsch tell some of his stories to a live audience at the official Robert Munsch website (www.robertmunsch.com).
In Grade 1, Leonardo becomes the class clown. Ask the children if they know a class clown. What makes them so funny? Do they know anyone else who is really funny? What do they think makes Leonardo so funny?
Discuss why it’s so funny when Mrs. Gomez tells the children not to think or remember in her class. You can use this opportunity to introduce the concept of irony.
Ask the children why Mrs. Gomez finally thought Leonardo was so funny. You can also use this as a great opportunity to introduce or reinforce the concept of irony.
Be sure to give lots of attention to Martchenko’s bright and beautiful illustrations throughout. They have plenty of detail and can lead to many fun conversations about what makes Leonardo so funny.

At the end of the story...

Brainstorm about what joke Leonardo could have told that was so funny. What face did he make? What drawing? Practice some of you own.
What are some of the funniest things your listeners have every done, seen or heard?
Ask the children to share some of their favourite jokes.
Leonardo wants to be a clown when he grows up. Discuss what the children want to be when they grow up. How did they discover this? What attracts them to that type of job? Build on this discussion. Do they know anyone who does that job? Have they ever tried parts of that job? Etc.

Related Activities

Talent Show

Ask each child to present a joke, rhyme or other funny talent. Work around the circle. Alternatively, if you are having a second session, ask each child to go home and think about their favourite joke. If they don’t know one or have one, recommend some joke books. Each child should come prepared to share their joke for the next class.

Funny Drawings & Games

Have children draw a funny picture of their choosing. Alternatively, use this as an opportunity to launch into a game of Pictionary. While you don’t have to only draw “funny things”, ultimately most games of Pictionary end up being pretty silly and full of giggles.
First write out some silly picture ideas for the class to draw. Write each one on a slip of paper and put it in a hat or can. For example: a clown, Leonardo, Mrs. Gomez, yourself, a banana peel, a whoopee cushion, a rubber chicken, an electric hand shaker, etc.
Have a volunteer choose one of the picture ideas. Once they have read it they will have a set amount of time (usually one to one and a half minutes) to draw what they read.
The class calls out guesses. Whoever guesses correctly is the next player.

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