MY CRAZY MEDIA LIFE
PROGRAMME 1: MY BROTHER, THE BOY WHO WENT TO WAR
ACTIVITIES
Guidance
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Teachers may want to refer to information on the DfES's Teachernet website about handling controversial issues:
www.teachernet.gov.uk/wholeschool/behaviour/
tacklingbullying/racistbullying/preventing/controversialissues/
Talking to a person who has been bereaved
- Let them know that you are there for them
- Treat them normally, not as a poor person who needs help
- Help them look forward to something special like a film, concert or weekend away
- Let them know that they can talk to you about it if they feel the need to
- If you ever met the deceased person, share memories with the bereaved person
- Write to them if they live a long way away.
Before viewing
Ask the students to do this quiz on Iraq to see how much they know about a country that has been in the news every day since 2003:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/cbbcnews/hi/
newsid_4360000/newsid_4369600/4369651.stm
Activities based on the clips
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The video clips may contain a few seconds of extra material at the beginning and end. We have therefore included opening and closing descriptions to help identify the intended scene.
We hear about the young men who have died
Clip 1: 00:00 – 01:40
- In (beginning of programme – Jodie): 'It sort of was really manly, like – he's gonna join the army.'
- Out (Maxine): 'He was a real person who lived, you know, he wasn't just a soldier.'
This clip contrasts the strong young soldiers setting off to war with the reality of what awaited them there. Have a discussion in groups about the reasons young people might have for joining the army and what you know and think about this particular war.
Maxine reads a letter to Tony Blair
Clip 2: 16:30 – 17:30
- In (Maxine): 'To Prime Minister Tony Blair…'
- Out (Maxine): 'Yours Sincerely, Maxine Gentle.'
Listen to Maxine's letter to Tony Blair. What do you think of the content (comparing her brother to his sons, the reason for the war, Gordon is just a number to the PM)? Do you think she is right? What letter would you write to Gordon Brown in his new role as leader of the Labour Party?
Maxine appeals to the British public
Clip 3: 23:00 – 23:33
- In (Maxine): 'I think Britain forgets…'
- Out (Maxine): 'Don't forget.'
Is it easy to forget that there are soldiers fighting on our behalf in a far-off land? Do you switch channel when the news comes on the TV screen? Having watched the whole programme now, has your attitude changed since you watched clip 1?
Further activities
Read this short statement, putting the case for war in Iraq:
www.davidstuff.com/incorrect/charen2.htm
If you have time, read the background briefing on Iraq, which explains why British forces are there:
http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/FactSheets/
OperationsFactsheets/OperationsInIraqBackgroundBriefing.htm
and compare it to the articles on the anti-war site:
www.mfaw.org.uk
Decide how you think Britain should be involved and if you think soldiers should remain there. Write a newspaper article outlining your views.
