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Introductory techniques
Read Meerkat Mail by Emily Gravett and discuss what makes Sonny feel unhappy (missing the company, safety and security of his home and family). Discuss whether a landscape and the weather it experiences might also place Sonny in physical danger.
Discuss how meerkats help keep each other safe by taking it in turns ‘standing guard’ or being on ‘sentry duty’ by standing on high points such as termite mounds near the entrance to their burrows where they scan for potential threats. The guard or sentry regularly ‘sings’ to stay in contact with their group and communicate all is well, but when a threat is seen they instantly issue an alarm call.
Assessing risk
Provide meerkat masks to pupils. In pairs or in small groups of three or four, pupils take it in turns to move around while one pupil stands on tiptoes (on a raised area if safe!).
When they spot a threat within the landscape, they raise the alarm with an agreed sound and the group get together and discuss what the threat is.
Pick up the discussion to consider what potential dangers there are as we move around the school grounds and how we keep ourselves safe.
Questions to explore:
- What is a threat, danger, risk?
- Who helps us stay safe?
- What can we do to help each other stay safe?
- Are some places safer than others?
The Geographical Association (GA) has worked closely with the Field Studies Council (FSC) to develop these resources.
