Inspired by: Meerkat Mail - Week 6

Inspired by the charming tale of Meerkat Mail, a lesson plan has been crafted to help students refine their use of Standard English, particularly in verb inflections. The scenario presents Sunny the meerkat receiving an invitation to appear on a television show, where his adventures are to be discussed. During the interview, Sunny's mother is attentive to his grammar, notably when he uses phrases like 'We was hiding' and 'I done it all by myself', which she silently corrects. Students are encouraged to consider why Sunny's mother might be upset by his diction and what the correct Standard English expressions should be. This activity not only teaches proper grammar but also sensitises students to the differences between spoken colloquialisms and formal written English.

Another aspect of the lesson focuses on persuasive language, particularly in the context of advertising. Students revisit an advertisement for a book titled 'A Cousin in Every Corner', featured in The Sun on Sunday, and explore the compelling words and phrases that make the product appealing. They also compare different holiday brochures for safari trips to the Kalahari Desert, analysing which elements make one advert more effective than another. In a creative twist, students are tasked with designing an innovative cooling device for meerkats in the desert, conceptualised by a fictional manufacturer, Jim Dryson. They must then craft an advertisement for their invention, highlighting its unique selling points and possibly even its dual functionality as a warming device. This activity not only fosters creativity but also hones presentation skills, as students pitch their product to the 'Dryson production team'.