This web page contains links to other websites that are neither controlled nor maintained by Channel 4 Television. Channel 4 Television is not responsible for the content of these sites and does not necessarily endorse the material on them.
To view 4Learning video clips you will need Windows Media Player for PC or Mac, which is free to download from Microsoft:
www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/
player/download/download.aspx
The video clips may contain a few seconds of extra material at the beginning and end, so we have included opening and closing descriptions to help identify the intended scene.
The programme can be used as the focus of a stand-alone lesson. These activities support a variety of individual, paired and group work and can be chosen and adapted to suit the needs of the students involved.
For further information, websites and other resources, see Find out more.
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/
If you haven't already done so, consider undertaking the Group agreement activity from Programme 1 to help to establish a safe environment for young people to engage with potentially sensitive issues.
The Background information on communication skills will help to identify the areas where this family is failing to communicate effectively. Item 10 is of particular interest for the Who wants a family day out? activity.
For the How important is a father figure? activity, they should also look at the Background information on fathers, and visit some of the websites listed in Find out more.
How important is a father figure?
Several times during this programme, Mrisi says he wishes that his father was at home and that he prefers his dad's stricter approach. How much do you think the way that people act as parents depends on their gender and how much on their personality? Are fathers always stricter than mothers? What other factors might influence the way an adult brings up their child?
How important is it, in your opinion, for boys to have a strong male role model in their lives? Is a father figure important for girls as well? Why? Is there anything this family could do to give Mrisi a stronger male role model in his life?
Who wants a family day out?
Is Mrisi's refusal to go on the day out reasonable, in your opinion? How important is it for families to do things together? Could Jackie try to create a sense of family in any other way? In a small group, each list three things that your family does together, then compare your lists. Do you enjoy these family events? What do you think comes out of them?
Jackie thinks she and Mrisi would be more likely to talk if they were away from the house, doing something different from usual. Do you agree that this might happen? In your family, when are the times that family members are most likely to talk openly to each other? How could you create more opportunities to talk?
What does it take to be creative?
Jackie wants Mrisi to realise that creativity calls for lots of underlying effort, which can be boring. Do you think she learns anything about Mrisi's creativity from watching the film? What creative activities do you do? How much hard work do they involve? What do you get from being creative? Is the hard work worth it?
When trivial disagreements take over
Clip 1: 10:43 – 12:44
When Jackie and Mrisi argue about the chicken, do you think that either of them is over-reacting? Does either of them really understand the other's point of view? Role-play the argument so that the outcome is better for both of them.
Think of examples from your own family where a disagreement about something very trivial has indicated a bigger disagreement or problem under the surface. What needs to happen so that the bigger problem can begin to be sorted out?
Watching the films
What changes do you think would improve Jackie and Mrisi's relationship? Look at the Background material on communication. Which of the 10 strategies do they most need to work on? Do you get the impression that they'll start to get on better as a result of seeing the film?
Watch Channel 4 Education programmes for free on your PC with Channel 4's on demand service 4oD.
Citizenship, PSHE and careers for 14-19s from 4Learning. Packed with interactive games and activities.
Index of Notes to support Channel 4 Learning programmes.
Full listings of Channel 4 Learning programmes for the week ahead.
