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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.
For The crisis of cancer activity, they should read the Background information on coping with illness in the family, and visit some of the sites listed in Find out more, particularly www.riprap.org.uk, the site for young people who have a parent with cancer.
The crisis of cancer
Clip 1: 01:43 – 02:58
What emotions did Charly feel when she found out her mum had cancer? Did going out and drinking too much make her feel better? What could she have done that might have helped her more?
Charly and Jan both felt isolated when Jan was ill. Make a list for each of them of the reasons why they each felt so alone. How does isolation make people feel? One reason why Jan and Charly didn't talk was because they wanted to protect each other. Was that a good reason, in your opinion? Is it always wise to protect other people's feelings? Give your reasons.
At the conference, Jan says how hard it is for adults with cancer to tell their children about their illness. Suggest two things Jan could have done to make it easier to talk to Charly – look at the sites listed in Find out more for ideas.
Talking and spending time together
Clip 2: 05:55 – 06:34
Which of the strategies for good communication do Charly and Jan need to improve on? For a lot of working parents, finding enough time to spend with their kids is a big problem. Do you agree that Charly's problems with anger might have stemmed from when her mum was too busy for her? What other problems might kids have if their parents are too busy working to spend time with them? Do you have enough time with your parents? If not, think of one simple thing you could do to make more time together, and try to do it.
'I don't think she knows how much I appreciate her.'
Charly says several times that she doesn't tell her mum how grateful she is for the things her mum does. Many people find it difficult to express positive emotions, such as gratitude, respect, love, pride. Why do you think that is? When did you last express a positive feeling to someone other than a friend? How did it feel? And how does it make you feel when you're given positive feedback?
What things that your parents do for you are you grateful for? Do you think they know how you feel? Have you told them? If not, why not?
Is it easier to express negative emotions, like disappointment, anger, frustration and irritation, than positive ones? Why do you think this is? How does it feel when someone is negative about you? Do you often make negative comments to family members? Try to have a day at home when for every one negative comment, you make three positive comments. How does that make you feel? Do people in your family react differently when you're more positive towards them?
Watching the film together
Do you think Jan and Charly understand each other better now? Is it good that they've been able to talk openly about Jan's illness? What changes do you think will happen in the family, as a result of watching the film?
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Citizenship, PSHE and careers for 14-19s from 4Learning. Packed with interactive games and activities.
Index of Notes to support Channel 4 Learning programmes.
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