. Bees - ESL Lesson Plan - Breaking News English Lesson
Bees - ESL Lesson Plan - Breaking News English Lesson
Bees - ESL Lesson Plan - Breaking News English Lesson

Breaking News English Lesson: Bees

A scientist has discovered a new species of bee in Australia. The bee has tiny horns on its head. The scientist is bee ecologist Dr Kit Prendergast. She gave the bee the Latin name Megachile lucifer. "Lucifer" is another name for the Devil. Dr Prendergast found the bee while she was doing a survey of an endangered wildflower in the city of Perth, Western Australia. She told the "Perth Now" news agency that she gave the bee its name because of its horns. She said: "These horns are very distinct and devilish. I wanted to call it a devil-like name and so I decided on Lucifer." She added: "Lucifer means 'light bringer' in Latin. I want to bring light to issues around the lack of conservation of native bees."

Australia is home to more than 2,000 species of native bees. Bee experts say that hundreds of them have yet to be named.. Dr Prendergast said: "[There are] many native bees that have evolved in Australia. We don't even know the names of them. They haven't been described. We don't know their distribution or where they nest." The Lucifer bee is "the first new member of this bee group to be described in more than 20 years". She added that there is a lot of "life we still have to discover". Prendergast is worried that the endangered wildflower and the new bee "could be at risk from habitat disturbance and other threatening processes like climate change".

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

  • https://www.perthnow.com.au/news/animals/megachili-hackeriapis-lucifer-new-bee-species-discovered-near-bremer-range-region-c-20631937
  • https://au.news.yahoo.com/discovered-australian-native-bee-still-190930895.html
  • https://phys.org/news/2025-11-devilishly-distinctive-bee-species-western.html

Make sure you try all of the online activities for this reading and listening - There are dictations, multiple choice activities, drag and drop activities, sentence jumbles, which word activities, text reconstructions, spelling, gap fills and a whole lot more. Please enjoy :-)

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News

"Much has been said and written on the utility of newspapers; but one principal advantage which might be derived from these publications has been neglected; we mean that of reading them in schools."

The Portland Eastern Herald (June 8, 1795)

"News is history in its first and best form, its vivid and fascinating form, and. history is the pale and tranquil reflection of it."

Mark Twain, in his autobiography (1906)

"Current events provide authentic learning experiences for students at all grade levels. In studying current events, students are required to use a range of cognitive, affective, critical thinking and research skills."

Haas, M. and Laughlin, M. (2000) Teaching Current Events: It's Status in Social Studies Today.

Warm-ups

1. BEES: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about bees. Change partners often and share your findings. 2. CHAT: In pairs / groups, talk about these topics or words from the article. What will the article say about them? What can you say about these words and your life? scientist / species / bees / horns / ecologist / endangered / wildflower / conservation / Australia / home / distribution / life / at risk / habitat / threatening / climate change Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently. 3. FEEDING BEES: Students A strongly believe we should all leave food for bees outside our house; Students B strongly believe that isn't necessary. Change partners again and talk about your conversations. 4. ENDANGERED SPECIES: What do you know about these endangered species? How can we help them? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

What I Know

How We Can Help Them

African elephants

Arctic foxes

Blue whales

Bumble bee

King cobra

Kakapo

MY e-BOOK See a sample
  • Bees
  • Worms
  • Grasshoppers
  • Butterflies
  • Ladybugs/Ladybirds
  • Ants
  • Dragonflies
  • Praying mantis
Vocabulary

Paragraph 1

1. tiny a. Not having enough of something you need. 2. species b. Very, very small. 3. horns c. Look at and check something carefully. 4. ecologist d. A group of animals or plants that are the same. 5. survey e. A person who studies nature and living things. 6. distinct f. Hard, pointed parts that grow on the heads of some animals. 7. lack g. Easy to see as different.

Paragraph 2

8. native h. Being from a place originally. 9. evolved i. The place where an animal or plant lives. 10. distribution j. Changed slowly over a long time. 11. nest k. In danger of disappearing forever. 12. discover l. Where things or animals are found. 13. endangered m. Make a home to lay eggs and raise young. 14. habitat n. Find something for the first time. Before reading / listening 1. TRUE / FALSE: Read the headline. Guess if 1-8 below are true (T) or false (F).
  1. A new bee species has been found in Austria. T / F
  2. The article says 'Lucifer' is another name for a ghost. T / F
  3. A scientist discovered the bee when she was studying endangered frogs. T / F
  4. The scientist said there is a lack of conservation efforts with native bees. T / F
  5. There are more than 2,000 bee species in Australia. T / F
  6. The scientist said there are about a dozen more bee species to find. T / F
  7. A bee like Lucifer hadn't been found in the past 20 years. T / F
  8. The scientist is worried about the future of a wildflower. T / F
2. SYNONYM MATCH: Match the following synonyms from the article.
  1. types
  2. at risk
  3. preservation
  4. scary
  5. found
  6. developed
  7. concerned
  8. natural environment
  9. very small
  10. recognizable
3. PHRASE MATCH: (Sometimes more than one choice is possible.)
  1. A scientist has discovered
  2. The bee has tiny
  3. doing a survey of an endangered
  4. she gave the bee its name because
  5. the lack of conservation
  6. Australia is home to
  7. The newly-described bee is one of
  8. where they
  9. the new bee could be
  10. threatening processes like
  1. more than 2,000 species
  2. of its horns
  3. climate change
  4. a new species of bee
  5. nest
  6. of native bees
  7. horns on its head
  8. at risk
  9. wildflower
  10. hundreds in the country
Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below. survey ecologist decided agency lack another discovered horns

A scientist has (1) ______________________________________________ a new species of bee in Australia. The bee has tiny horns on its head. The scientist is bee (2) ______________________________________________ Dr Kit Prendergast. She gave the bee the Latin name Megachile lucifer. "Lucifer" is (3) ______________________________________________ name for the Devil. Dr Prendergast found the bee while she was doing a (4) ______________________________________________ of an endangered wildflower in the city of Perth, Western Australia. She told the "Perth Now" news (5) ______________________________________________ that she gave the bee its name because of its horns. She said: "These (6) ______________________________________________ are very distinct and devilish. I wanted to call it a devil-like name and so I (7) ______________________________________________ on Lucifer." She added: "Lucifer means 'light bringer' in Latin. I want to bring light to issues around the (8) ______________________________________________ of conservation of native bees."

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.

nest habitat member named endangered native evolved life

Australia is home to more than 2,000 species of (9) ______________________________________________ bees. The newly-described bee is one of hundreds in the country that have not been (10) ______________________________________________. Dr Prendergast said: "[There are] many native bees that have (11) ______________________________________________ in Australia. We don't even know the names of them. They haven't been described. We don't know their distribution or where they (12) ______________________________________________." The Lucifer bee is "the first new (13) ______________________________________________ of this bee group to be described in more than 20 years". She added that there is a lot of "(14) ______________________________________________ we still have to discover". Prendergast is worried that the (15) ______________________________________________ wildflower and the new bee "could be at risk from (16) ______________________________________________ disturbance and other threatening processes like climate change".

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1) A scientist has discovered a new ______ a. specials of bee b. specimens of bee c. spec of bee d. species of bee 2) She told the "Perth Now" news agency that she gave the bee its name because ______ a. of its horns b. of their horns c. of it's horns d. of it horns 3) I wanted to call it a devil-like name and so I ______ a. decided in Lucifer b. decided on Lucifer c. decided an Lucifer d. decided un-Lucifer 4) She added: "Lucifer means 'light ______ a. bringer' at Latin b. bringer' on Latin c. bringer' in Latin d. bringer' ring Latin 5) I want to bring light to issues around the lack of conservation ______ a. off native bee b. off native bees c. of native bee d. of native bees

6) The newly-described bee is one of hundreds in the country that have ______ a. not been named b. not been names c. not been name d. not be named 7) There are many native bees that have ______ a. evolve in Australia b. evolved in Australia c. evolve din Australia d. evolved din Australia 8) We don't know their distribution or ______ a. where they nest b. where they pest c. where they next d. where they best 9) She added that there is a lot of life we still ______ a. have too discover b. have to discover c. have to discovery d. have to discovers 10) Prendergast is worried that the endangered wildflower and the new bee could ______ a. be at risqué b. be at risks c. be at risky d. be at risk

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

A scientist has (1) __________________________________________________ species of bee in Australia. The bee has tiny horns on its head. The scientist (2) __________________________________________________ Dr Kit Prendergast. She gave the bee the Latin name Megachile lucifer. "Lucifer" is another name for the Devil. Dr Prendergast found the bee while she was (3) __________________________________________________ of an endangered wildflower in the city of Perth, Western Australia. She told the "Perth Now" news agency that she gave the bee its name because of its horns. She said: "These horns (4) __________________________________________________ and devilish. I wanted to call it a devil-like name and so (5) __________________________________________________ Lucifer." She added: "Lucifer means 'light bringer' in Latin. I want to bring light to issues around (6) __________________________________________________ conservation of native bees."

Australia is home to more than 2,000 (7) __________________________________________________ bees. The newly-described bee is one of hundreds in the country that have (8) __________________________________________________. Dr Prendergast said: "[There are] many native bees that (9) __________________________________________________ Australia. We don't even know the names of them. They haven't been described. We don't know their distribution or (10) __________________________________________________." The Lucifer bee is "the first new member of this bee group to be described in more than 20 years". She added that there is a lot of "life we still (11) __________________________________________________". Prendergast is worried that the endangered wildflower and the new bee "could be at risk from habitat disturbance and (12) __________________________________________________ like climate change".

Comprehension questions
  1. How big are the horns on the bee's head?
  2. What kind of scientist is Dr Kit Prendergast?
  3. What was Dr Prendergast surveying when she found the bee?
  4. Where was the bee found?
  5. What issues does Dr Prendergast want to bring to light?
  6. How many native bee species are there in Australia?
  7. When was the last time a bee like Lucifer was found?
  8. What did Dr Prendergast say we still have to discover?
  9. What could be at risk from habitat disturbance besides the bee?
  10. What process might also threaten the bee?
Multiple choice quiz

1) How big are the horns on the bee's head? a) They are tiny. b) They are as big as its head. c) They are pretty big. d) They are 5mm long. 2) What kind of scientist is Dr Kit Prendergast? a) a botanist b) a chemical engineer c) a bee ecologist d) a zoologist 3) What was Dr Prendergast surveying when she found the bee? a) ants b) a wildflower c) beehives d) climate change 4) Where was the bee found? a) Cairns, Queensland b) Adelaide, South Australia c) Sydney, New South Wales d) Perth, Western Australia 5) What issue does Dr Prendergast want to bring to light? a) the lack of conservation of native bees b) the importance of honey c) the damage done by construction d) the effects of darkness on bees

6) How many native bee species are there in Australia? a) around 2,000 b) just fewer than 2,000 c) exactly 2,000 d) more than 2,000 7) When was the last time a bee like Lucifer was found? a) a decade ago b) more than 20 years ago c) last year d) more than 100 years ago 8) What did Dr Prendergast say we still have to discover? a) how bees communicate b) more insects c) what food bees like d) a lot of life 9) What could be at risk from habitat disturbance besides the bee? a) ants b) a friendly snake c) a wildflower d) water 10) What process might also threaten the bee? a) the formation of dew b) climate change c) ocean circulation d) photosynthesis

Role play

Role A – Bees You think bees are the most useful insects. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their insects. Also, tell the others which is the least interesting of these (and why): worms, ants or butterflies.

Role B – Worms You think worms are the most useful insects. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their insects. Also, tell the others which is the least interesting of these (and why): bees, ants or butterflies.

Role C – Ants You think ants are the most useful insects. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their insects. Also, tell the others which is the least interesting of these (and why): worms, bees or butterflies.

Role D – Butterflies You think butterflies are the most useful insects. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their insects. Also, tell the others which is the least interesting of these (and why): worms, ants or bees.

After reading / listening

1. WORD SEARCH: Look in your dictionary / computer to find collocates, other meanings, information, synonyms … for the words.

• Share your findings with your partners.

• Make questions using the words you found.

• Ask your partner / group your questions.

2. ARTICLE QUESTIONS: Look back at the article and write down some questions you would like to ask the class about the text.

•Share your questions with other classmates / groups. •Ask your partner / group your questions.

3. GAP FILL: In pairs / groups, compare your answers to this exercise. Check your answers. Talk about the words from the activity. Were they new, interesting, worth learning…?

4. VOCABULARY: Circle any words you do not understand. In groups, pool unknown words and use dictionaries to find their meanings.

5. TEST EACH OTHER: Look at the words below. With your partner, try to recall how they were used in the text:

Student survey

Write five GOOD questions about this topic in the table. Do this in pairs. Each student must write the questions on his / her own paper. When you have finished, interview other students. Write down their answers.

(Please look at page 12 of the PDF to see a photocopiable example of this activity.)

Discussion - Bees

STUDENT A’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student B)

  1. What did you think when you read the headline?
  2. What images are in your mind when you hear the word 'bee'?
  3. What do you think of news bee species being discovered?
  4. Why are there still many species that have not been discovered?
  5. What do you think of the bee's name?
  6. What do you think the job of a bee ecologist is like?
  7. How important are bees?
  8. What insects are more important than bees?
  9. What can we do to help bees?
  10. What advice do you have for Dr Prendergast?

STUDENT B’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student A)

  1. Did you like reading this article? Why/not?
  2. What do you think of when you hear the word 'species'?
  3. What do you think about what you read?
  4. What do you think of Australia having 2,000 species of bees?
  5. What do you know about where bees live?
  6. Have you ever been stung by a bee?
  7. What do you think of bees being at risk?
  8. What do we need bees for?
  9. Are you as busy as a bee?
  10. What questions would you like to ask Dr Prendergast?
Discussion — Write your own questions

STUDENT A’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student B)

(a) ________________

(b) ________________

(c) ________________

(d) ________________

(e) ________________

STUDENT B’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student A)

(f) ________________

(g) ________________

(h) ________________

(i) ________________

(j) ________________

Language — Cloze (Gap-fill)

A scientist has discovered a new (1) ____ of bee in Australia. The bee has tiny horns on its head. The scientist is bee (2) ____ Dr Kit Prendergast. She gave the bee the Latin name Megachile lucifer. "Lucifer" is (3) ____ name for the Devil. Dr Prendergast found the bee while she was doing a survey (4) ____ an endangered wildflower in the city of Perth, Western Australia. She told the "Perth Now" news agency that she gave the bee its name because of its horns. She said: "These horns are very distinct and devilish. I wanted to call (5) ____ a devil-like name and so I decided on Lucifer." She added: "Lucifer means 'light bringer' in Latin. I want to bring light to issues around the lack (6) ____ conservation of native bees."

Australia is (7) ____ to more than 2,000 species of native bees. The newly-described bee is one of hundreds in the country that have not been (8) ____. Dr Prendergast said: "[There are] many native bees that have evolved in Australia. We don't even know the names of them. They haven't been described. We don't know their distribution or where they (9) ____." The Lucifer bee is "the first new member of this bee group to be described in more than 20 years". She added that there is a lot of "life we still have to (10) ____ ". Prendergast is worried that the endangered wildflower and the new bee "could be (11) ____ risk from habitat disturbance and other threatening processes (12) ____ climate change".

Which of these words go in the above text?

  1. (a) specimens (b) species (c) special (d) spec
  2. (a) ecology (b) ecologist (c) ecological (d) ecolodge
  3. (a) others (b) the others (c) other (d) another
  4. (a) at (b) on (c) to (d) of
  5. (a) them (b) it (c) him (d) bee
  6. (a) at (b) on (c) of (d) in
  7. (a) home (b) homed (c) homely (d) homes
  8. (a) name (b) namely (c) named (d) naming
  9. (a) set (b) lair (c) den (d) nest
  10. (a) discover (b) discovery (c) discovered (d) discovers
  11. (a) at (b) of (c) by (d) to
  12. (a) like (b) alike (c) liking (d) likes
Spelling Paragraph 1
  1. discovered a new sceseip of bee
  2. bee liestocgo
  3. an nnegdadeer wildflower
  4. These horns are very ciistdtn and devilish
  5. the lack of onrctonsieva
  6. tnieav bees
Paragraph 2
  1. one of nersdduh
  2. eolvedv in Australia
  3. We don't know their ttbriuisdion
  4. bee group to be esdrdiceb
  5. be at risk from atihatb disturbance
  6. mletaic change
Put the text back together

( 1 ) A scientist has discovered a new species of bee in Australia. The bee has tiny horns on its head. The scientist is bee ( ) Australia is home to more than 2,000 species of native bees. The newly-described bee is one of ( ) bees that have evolved in Australia. We don't even know the names of them. They haven't been ( ) call it a devil-like name and so I decided on Lucifer." She added: "Lucifer means 'light bringer' ( ) described. We don't know their distribution or where they nest." The Lucifer bee is "the first new ( ) ecologist Dr Kit Prendergast. She gave the bee the Latin name Megachile lucifer. "Lucifer" is another name ( ) for the Devil. Dr Prendergast found the bee while she was doing a survey of an endangered ( ) hundreds in the country that have not been named. Dr Prendergast said: "[There are] many native ( ) in Latin. I want to bring light to issues around the lack of conservation of native bees." ( ) member of this bee group to be described in more than 20 years". She added that there is a lot ( ) name because of its horns. She said: "These horns are very distinct and devilish. I wanted to ( ) of "life we still have to discover". Prendergast is worried that the endangered wildflower and the new bee "could be at ( ) risk from habitat disturbance and other threatening processes like climate change". ( ) wildflower in the city of Perth, Western Australia. She told the "Perth Now" news agency that she gave the bee its

Put the words in the right order
  1. scientist A discovered has new a species bee .
  2. The has bee horns tiny its on head .
  3. was She a doing of survey wildflower a .
  4. She these said are horns distinct very .
  5. I to want light bring issues to .
  6. Australia home is 2,000 to species bees of .
  7. We even don't the know of names them .
  8. first The member new this of group bee .
  9. Lots life of still we to have discover .
  10. new The could bee at be risk .
Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

A scientist has discovered a new specials / species of bee in Australia. The bee has tiny horns on its head. The scientist is bee ecology / ecologist Dr Kit Prendergast. She gave the bee the Latin / Late name Megachile lucifer. "Lucifer" is another name for the Devil. Dr Prendergast found the bee while she was doing a / the survey of an endangered wildflower at / in the city of Perth, Western Australia. She said / told the "Perth Now" news agency that she gave the bee its name because of its / their horns. She said: "These horns are very distinct and devilish. I wanted to call it a devil-like name and so I decided on / in Lucifer." She added: "Lucifer means 'light bringer' in Latin. I want to bring alight / light to issues around the lack / slack of conservation of native bees."

Australia is home / house to more than 2,000 species of native bees. Bee expats / experts say that hundreds of them have yet to be name / named. Dr Prendergast said: "[There are] many native bees that have revolved / evolved in Australia. We don't even know the names of it / them. They haven't been described. We don't know their distribution or where they best / nest." The Lucifer bee is "the first new member of this bee group to be / is described in more than 20 years". She added that there is a lot of "life / live we still have to discover". Prendergast is worried that the endangered wildflower and the new bee "could be at risk / risky from habitat disturbance and other threatening process / processes like climate change".

Talk about the connection between each pair of words in italics, and why the correct word is correct. Look up the definition of new words.

Insert the vowels (a, e, i, o, u)

_ sc__nt_st h_s d_sc_v_r_d _ n_w sp_c__s _f b__ _n __str_l__. Th_ b__ h_s t_ny h_rns _n _ts h__d. Th_ sc__nt_st _s b__ _c_l_g_st Dr K_t Pr_nd_rg_st. Sh_ g_v_ th_ b__ th_ L_t_n n_m_ M_g_ch_l_ l_c_f_r. "L_c_f_r" _s _n_th_r n_m_ f_r th_ D_v_l. Dr Pr_nd_rg_st f__nd th_ b__ wh_l_ sh_ w_s d__ng _ s_rv_y _f _n _nd_ng_r_d w_ldfl_w_r _n th_ c_ty _f P_rth, W_st_rn __str_l__. Sh_ t_ld th_ "P_rth N_w" n_ws _g_ncy th_t sh_ g_v_ th_ b__ _ts n_m_ b_c__s_ _f _ts h_rns. Sh_ s__d: "Th_s_ h_rns _r_ v_ry d_st_nct _nd d_v_l_sh. _ w_nt_d t_ c_ll _t _ d_v_l-l_k_ n_m_ _nd s_ _ d_c_d_d _n L_c_f_r." Sh_ _dd_d: "L_c_f_r m__ns 'l_ght br_ng_r' _n L_t_n. _ w_nt t_ br_ng l_ght t_ _ss__s _r__nd th_ l_ck _f c_ns_rv_t__n _f n_t_v_ b__s."

__str_l__ _s h_m_ t_ m_r_ th_n 2,000 sp_c__s _f n_t_v_ b__s. Th_ n_wly-d_scr_b_d b__ _s _n_ _f h_ndr_ds _n th_ c__ntry th_t h_v_ n_t b__n n_m_d. Dr Pr_nd_rg_st s__d: "[Th_r_ _r_] m_ny n_t_v_ b__s th_t h_v_ _v_lv_d _n __str_l__. W_ d_n't _v_n kn_w th_ n_m_s _f th_m. Th_y h_v_n't b__n d_scr_b_d. W_ d_n't kn_w th__r d_str_b_t__n _r wh_r_ th_y n_st." Th_ L_c_f_r b__ _s "th_ f_rst n_w m_mb_r _f th_s b__ gr__p t_ b_ d_scr_b_d _n m_r_ th_n 20 y__rs". Sh_ _dd_d th_t th_r_ _s _ l_t _f "l_f_ w_ st_ll h_v_ t_ d_sc_v_r". Pr_nd_rg_st _s w_rr__d th_t th_ _nd_ng_r_d w_ldfl_w_r _nd th_ n_w b__ "c__ld b_ _t r_sk fr_m h_b_t_t d_st_rb_nc_ _nd _th_r thr__t_n_ng pr_c_ss_s l_k_ cl_m_t_ ch_ng_".

Punctuate the text and add capitals

a scientist has discovered a new species of bee in australia the bee has tiny horns on its head the scientist is bee ecologist dr kit prendergast she gave the bee the latin name Megachile lucifer lucifer is another name for the devil dr prendergast found the bee while she was doing a survey of an endangered wildflower in the city of perth western australia she told the perth now news agency that she gave the bee its name because of its horns she said these horns are very distinct and devilish i wanted to call it a devillike name and so i decided on lucifer she added lucifer means light bringer in latin i want to bring light to issues around the lack of conservation of native bees

australia is home to more than 2000 species of native bees the newlydescribed bee is one of hundreds in the country that have not been named dr prendergast said there are many native bees that have evolved in australia we dont even know the names of them they havent been described we dont know their distribution or where they nest the lucifer bee is the first new member of this bee group to be described in more than 20 years she added that there is a lot of life we still have to discover prendergast is worried that the endangered wildflower and the new bee could be at risk from habitat disturbance and other threatening processes like climate change

Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

AscientisthasdiscoveredanewspeciesofbeeinAustralia.Thebeehastin yhornsonitshead.ThescientistisbeeecologistDrKitPrendergast.Sheg avethebeetheLatinnameMegachilelucifer."Lucifer"isanothernamefo rtheDevil.DrPrendergastfoundthebeewhileshewasdoingasurveyofa nendangeredwildflowerinthecityofPerth,WesternAustralia.Shetoldt he"PerthNow"newsagencythatshegavethebeeitsnamebecauseofits horns.Shesaid:"Thesehornsareverydistinctanddevilish.Iwantedtoc allitadevil-likenameandsoIdecidedonLucifer."Sheadded:"Luciferm eans'lightbringer'inLatin.Iwanttobringlighttoissuesaroundthelackof conservationofnativebees."Australiaishometomorethan2,000speci esofnativebees.Thenewly-describedbeeisoneofhundredsinthecount rythathavenotbeennamed.DrPrendergastsaid:"[Thereare]manynat ivebeesthathaveevolvedinAustralia.Wedon'tevenknowthenamesoft hem.Theyhaven'tbeendescribed.Wedon'tknowtheirdistributionorw heretheynest."TheLuciferbeeis"thefirstnewmemberofthisbeegroup tobedescribedinmorethan20years".Sheaddedthatthereisalotof"life westillhavetodiscover".Prendergastisworriedthattheendangeredwil dflowerandthenewbee"couldbeatriskfromhabitatdisturbanceandoth erthreateningprocesseslikeclimatechange".

Free writing

Write about bees for 10 minutes. Comment on your partner’s paper.

Academic writing

Bees are the most important insect. Discuss.

Homework

1. VOCABULARY EXTENSION: Choose several of the words from the text. Use a dictionary or Google’s search field (or another search engine) to build up more associations / collocations of each word. 2. INTERNET: Search the Internet and find out more about this news story. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson. 3. BEES: Make a poster about bees. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things? 4. BEE HELP: Write a magazine article about how we can all help bees to save them. Include imaginary interviews with people who are for and against this. Read what you wrote to your classmates in the next lesson. Write down any new words and expressions you hear from your partner(s). 5. WHAT HAPPENED NEXT? Write a newspaper article about the next stage in this news story. Read what you wrote to your classmates in the next lesson. Give each other feedback on your articles. 6. LETTER: Write a letter to an expert on bees. Ask him/her three questions about them. Give him/her three of your opinions on bees. Read your letter to your partner(s) in your next lesson. Your partner(s) will answer your questions.

A Few Additional Activities for Students

Ask your students what they have read, seen or heard about this news in their own language. Students are likely to / may have have encountered this news in their L1 and therefore bring a background knowledge to the classroom.

Get students to role play different characters from this news story.

Ask students to keep track of this news and revisit it to discuss in your next class.

Ask students to male predictions of how this news might develop in the next few days or weeks, and then revisit and discuss in a future class.

Ask students to write a follow-up story to this news.

Students role play a journalist and someone who witnessed or was a part of this news. Perhaps they could make a video of the interview.

Ask students to keep a news journal in English and add this story to their thoughts.

Also.

Buy my 1,000 Ideas and Activities for Language Teachers eBook. It has hundreds of ideas, activity templates, reproducible activities for:

  • News
  • Warm ups
  • Pre-reading / Post-reading
  • Using headlines
  • Working with words
  • While-reading / While-listening
  • Moving from text to speech
  • Post-reading / Post-listening
  • Discussions
  • Using opinions
  • Plans
  • Language
  • Using lists
  • Using quotes
  • Task-based activities
  • Role plays
  • Using the central characters in the article
  • Using themes from the news
  • Homework

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Answers

(Please look at page 26 of the PDF to see a photocopiable example of this activity.)

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