That issue may come to a head this winter, with what might be the biggest effort in “stealth marketing” ever aimed at schools. The product in question is a movie: “The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe,” opening nationwide Dec. 9.
In a July 1 article in the British newspaper The Guardian, officials of Walden Media, the production company making “Narnia” for Disney, were excited at the chance to create teaching aids tied to its movies. “We want to combine the best in the world of entertainment with the best in the world of education,” Walden co-founder Cary Granat told The Guardian.
On the movie’s Web site, one can download a 16-page “educator’s guide” with suggested classroom activities tied to the movie. There are lessons in history, specifically detailing the Blitz, when the Germans bombed London during World War II. A creative-writing lesson urges students to take a scene from a favorite book and write a script for it. Music lessons include writing a soundtrack song, and costume and set design are suggested for art class.
The “Narnia” study guide even has a contest for teachers and librarians, with its top prize being a trip to London for the movie’s premiere. (Sorry, folks, registration for the contest is over.)
[Read the rest at the Salt Lake Tribune]