Note from Dad (Unknown) short letter

Note from Dad

BEFORE READING

Some things are harder to talk about than others. It might take a lot of courage to communicate who you really are, even to the people who are close to you. But sometimes, those you love are already on the same page as you. In this case, a father makes opening up a little easier for his son.

What does it mean “to come out” to friends and family? Why do you think we use that expression?

overhear overhøre OJ appelsinjuice Go to connect.alinea.dk and listen to the text. If you prefer, you can listen to the glossary.

Before reading

Ask: • Why do you think some nd it easier to say something in writing than face to face? • Can you think of things about you as a person that might be di cult to tell someone?

Sca olding

Talk about the pun in the sentence we are out, like you now.

Background

A pun is a joke that makes a play on the di erent meanings of a word. For example, the word out can mean that you are out of the house, but it can also mean that you have told someone about your homosexuality.

Background

Talk about the abbreviation LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning). Bisexuals can be attracted to both men and women, whereas transgendered people do not identify with the sex they were assigned at birth (for example, you identify as a male, but have a female body).

Suggestion Task 26

Let the students carry out this task as a speed dating activity. They can interview a partner on the basis of the ve Ws: who, what, where, when, why. Then they can rotate to another partner for another interview. Let this activity continue for ve to ten minutes.

Task 26

Let the students work with a partner. Ask them to come up with a situation where someone has to tell their parent something di cult. Then, ask them to write a dialogue as it might take place. Finally, the students can perform their dialogue live in class or make a digital recording.

Sca olding Task 27

Tell the students that this task is open for interpretation. The students are free to imagine if this message is di cult for themselves or their friend.

Suggestion Task 27

Ask: • Can you think of other creative ways of telling your parents something di cult?

The students can work in pairs and make a list before sharing with the class. UNDERSTANDING

25 Work with the note

Answer these questions in writing. Share and compare your answers with a partner. Remember to give reasons for your opinions.

a) What is the father’s message to his son in this note?

b) Why do you think some children may nd it di cult to tell their parents that they are gay?

c) Do you think the note was a good idea, or should the father have waited for his son to reach out and tell him?

WRITING

26 Write a note

After nding the note, the boy writes an answer to his dad which he sticks up on the fridge before he leaves. Write the note.

Hi dad,

TALKING

27 Talk about di cult situations

Re ect on these two questions and share your answers in a Double circle.

a) Have you ever had to tell your parents something you found di cult to talk about? It could be a mistake that you made, a ght that you had with your best friend, or the fact that you no longer wanted to take piano lessons.

b) Who would you talk to if you needed to speak your mind about something di cult? Why would you choose this person?

If you like, you can take a few notes and start like this: I was quite nervous when I had to tell my … that I … It made me nervous that … It was really di cult for me to tell my … that … I would talk to my parents about it. It depends …

28 Discuss pros and cons

Work with a partner. Imagine you have to tell a friend something di cult. What would be the best way to do it? Discuss the pros and cons of using the following methods to get your message across. Write down your thoughts in keywords.

PROS CONS

just you and your friend face to face

face to face together with another friend

via text message or chat

in a phone call

Sca olding Task 28

Ask: • How do you think the father’s note made the boy feel?