. Having Children - ESL Lesson Plan - Breaking News English Lesson
Having Children - ESL Lesson Plan - Breaking News English Lesson
Having Children - ESL Lesson Plan - Breaking News English Lesson

Breaking News English Lesson: Having Children

A new study suggests that the number of children a woman has might affect her rate of ageing and her lifespan. Research from the University of Helsinki in Finland found that women who had five children or more, or no children, aged faster than those who had a small number of kids. Researcher Mikaela Hukkanen said: "From an evolutionary biology perspective, organisms have limited resources, such as time and energy. When a large amount of energy is invested in reproduction, it is taken away from bodily maintenance and repair mechanisms, which could reduce lifespan." She added that the finding of shorter lifespans of women who never gave birth was "surprising".

The researchers used historical data in their analysis of parenthood and ageing. They analysed the health data on 14,836 women. Researchers examined DNA data and blood samples, then modelled the effects of reproduction on women's rates of ageing and longevity. Ms Hukkanen postulated that having a smaller number of pregnancies could have favourable effects on a mother's health. One benefit is a possible lower risk of breast and ovarian cancer. However, the "wear and tear" and physical demands of multiple childbirths can negate this lowered risk. Another factor that could increase longevity is the increased social support a mother receives from the state for having children.

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

  • https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/parents-might-age-faster-or-slower-based-on-how-many-kids-they-have/
  • https://lifespan.io/news/the-impact-of-childbearing-trajectories-on-aging/
  • https://www.helsinki.fi/en/news/public-health/number-and-timing-children-linked-biological-aging

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 :-)

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

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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. HAVING CHILDREN: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about having children. 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? study / children / mother / ageing / evolutionary / biology / energy / reproduction / parenthood / health data / DNA / blood samples / cancer / longevity / childbirth Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently. 3. CHILD BENEFITS: Students A strongly believe governments should give many benefits to parents to have more children; Students B strongly believe the opposite. Change partners again and talk about your conversations. 4. HOW TO HELP MOTHERS: How good are the ideas below? What happens in your country? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

Is This a Good Idea?

In My Country

Paid leave from work

Affordable childcare

Free mental health help

Support for single mothers

Free early childhood education

Cash benefits

MY e-BOOK See a sample
  • A baby says "mummy"
  • Baby laughter
  • Playing with baby
  • Sleeping with baby
  • Taking baby for a walk
  • Bath time
  • Food time
  • Baby's first steps
Vocabulary

Paragraph 1

1. lifespan a. Living things, like people, animals, or plants. 2. evolutionary b. The time a person or animal lives. 3. perspective c. The way someone thinks about something. 4. organisms d. Work done to keep something in good condition. 5. reproduction e. Ways something works or is done. 6. maintenance f. About how living things change over a very long time. 7. mechanisms g. The way people, animals, or plants make babies.

Paragraph 2

8. parenthood h. Said or suggested an idea. 9. samples i. Make something not happen or not true. 10. reproduction j. Damage that happens slowly from use. 11. postulated k. The way people, animals, or plants make babies. 12. ovarian l. Related to the ovaries in a woman’s body. 13. wear and tear m. The state of being a parent. 14. negate n. Small amounts taken to study or test. Before reading / listening 1. TRUE / FALSE: Read the headline. Guess if 1-8 below are true (T) or false (F).
  1. The research is from a university in the capital of Finland. T / F
  2. The study says mothers who have six or more children live longer. T / F
  3. The study says women who had no children aged faster. T / F
  4. The effort of reproduction can impede the body's ability to self-repair. T / F
  5. The study is based on over 14 thousand women who gave birth recently. T / F
  6. The study says having a few babies could help women to live longer. T / F
  7. The study says having a few babies could lower the risk of cancer. T / F
  8. Increased government support for mothers has no impact on lifespans. T / F
2. SYNONYM MATCH: Match the following synonyms from the article.
  1. procreation
  2. spent
  3. government
  4. statistics
  5. influence
  6. specimens
  7. damage
  8. report
  9. positive
  10. viewpoint
3. PHRASE MATCH: (Sometimes more than one choice is possible.)
  1. affect her rate of ageing and
  2. from an evolutionary
  3. organisms have limited
  4. energy is invested
  5. shorter lifespans
  6. historical
  7. DNA data and
  8. a possible lower risk of breast
  9. wear and
  10. Another factor that could increase
  1. of women
  2. resources
  3. tear
  4. data
  5. longevity
  6. biology perspective
  7. and ovarian cancer
  8. her lifespan
  9. blood samples
  10. in reproduction
Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below. biology finding invested rate surprising suggests faster repair

A new study (1) _________________________________ that the number of children a woman has might affect her (2) _________________________________ of ageing and her lifespan. Research from the University of Helsinki in Finland found that women who had five children or more, or no children, aged (3) _________________________________ than those who had a small number of kids. Researcher Mikaela Hukkanen said: "From an evolutionary (4) _________________________________ perspective, organisms have limited resources, such as time and energy. When a large amount of energy is (5) _________________________________ in reproduction, it is taken away from bodily maintenance and (6) _________________________________ mechanisms, which could reduce lifespan." She added that the (7) _________________________________ of shorter lifespans of women who never gave birth was "(8) _________________________________".

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.

longevity benefit state historical negate postulated blood cancer

The researchers used (9) _________________________________ data in their analysis of parenthood and ageing. They analysed the health data on 14,836 women. Researchers examined DNA data and (10) _________________________________ samples, then modelled the effects of reproduction on women's rates of ageing and (11) _________________________________. Ms Hukkanen (12) _________________________________ that having a smaller number of pregnancies could have favourable effects on a mother's health. One (13) _________________________________ is a possible lower risk of breast and ovarian (14) _________________________________. However, the "wear and tear" and physical demands of multiple childbirths can (15) _________________________________ this lowered risk. Another factor that could increase longevity is the increased social support a mother receives from the (16) _________________________________ for having children.

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1) A new study suggests that the number of children a woman has might affect her ______ a. rate off ageing b. rated of ageing c. rate of aged in d. rate of ageing 2) From an evolutionary biology perspective, organisms ______ a. have limited resource b. have limited resource is c. have limit it resources d. have limited resources 3) When a large amount of energy is ______ a. invested at reproduction b. invested in reproduction c. invested of reproduction d. invested din reproduction 4) it is taken away from bodily maintenance and repair mechanisms, which ______ a. could reduce life spin b. could reduce life's pan c. could reduce life's span d. could reduce lifespan 5) She added that the finding of shorter lifespans of women who never gave ______ a. birthed was surprising b. birth was surprising c. birther was surprising d. births was surprising

6) The researchers used historical data in their ______ a. analytics of parenthood b. dialysis of parenthood c. analysis of parenthood d. paralysis of parenthood 7) Researchers examined DNA data ______ a. and blood samples b. and bloody simples c. and blood sump pulls d. and bloody samples 8) having a smaller number of pregnancies could ______ a. have favourable inffects b. have favourable affects c. have favourable effects d. have favourable reflects 9) One benefit is a possible lower risk of breast ______ a. and bovine cancer b. and ovine cancer c. and avian cancer d. and ovarian cancer 10) Another factor that could increase longevity is the increased social support ______ a. a motherly receives b. a mothered receives c. a mother receives d. a mothering receives

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

A new (1) _______________________________________________ the number of children a woman has might affect her (2) _______________________________________________ and her lifespan. Research from the University of Helsinki in Finland found that women who had five children or more, or no children, aged faster than those who had a small (3) _______________________________________________. Researcher Mikaela Hukkanen said: "From an evolutionary biology perspective, organisms have limited resources, such as time and energy. When a (4) _______________________________________________ energy is invested in reproduction, it is taken away (5) _______________________________________________ and repair mechanisms, which could reduce lifespan." She added that the finding of (6) _______________________________________________ women who never gave birth was "surprising".

The researchers used (7) _______________________________________________ their analysis of parenthood and ageing. They analysed the health data on 14,836 women. Researchers examined DNA data (8) _______________________________________________, then modelled the effects of reproduction on women's rates of ageing and longevity. Ms Hukkanen (9) _______________________________________________ a smaller number of pregnancies could have favourable effects on a mother's health. One benefit is a possible lower (10) _______________________________________________ and ovarian cancer. However, the "wear and tear" and physical demands of multiple (11) _______________________________________________ this lowered risk. Another factor that could increase longevity is the increased social support a mother receives from (12) _______________________________________________ having children.

Comprehension questions
  1. What university is the research from?
  2. How many children might a woman have to affect her healthy adversely?
  3. From what perspective did Mikaela Hukkanen look at her findings?
  4. What does reproduction take energy away from?
  5. How did Hukkanen feel about lifespans of women who never gave birth?
  6. What kind of data did the researchers use in this study?
  7. What did the researchers examine besides DNA data?
  8. What could have favourable effects on a mother's health?
  9. What kinds of cancer could be lowered by having just a few children?
  10. Who might mothers receive support from?
Multiple choice quiz

1) What university is the research from? a) the University of Hong Kong b) the University of Helsinki c) Harvard University d) Hiroshima University 2) How many children might a woman have to affect her healthy adversely? a) three b) four c) six d) five or more 3) From what perspective did Mikaela Hukkanen look at her findings? a) from an evolutionary biology perspective b) from the perspective of a woman c) from the perspective of a mother d) from a physiological perspective 4) What does reproduction take energy away from? a) mental health b) fitness levels c) bodily maintenance d) everyday chores 5) How did Hukkanen feel about lifespans of women who never gave birth? a) She was happy. b) She was surprised. c) She wasn't so interested. d) She was confused.

6) What kind of data did the researchers use in this study? a) historical data b) recent data c) data on post-natal depression d) data on mothers in their 20s 7) What did the researchers examine besides DNA data? a) BMI (body mass index) b) intelligence c) blood samples d) incidences of cancer 8) What could have favourable effects on a mother's health? a) a smaller number of pregnancies b) giving birth in water c) having a natural birth d) having twins or triplets 9) What kinds of cancer could be lowered by having just a few children? a) breast and ovarian cancer b) heart cancer c) lung cancer d) cervical cancer 10) Who might mothers receive support from? a) grandparents b) fathers c) hospitals d) the state

Role play

Role A – Baby Says "Mummy" You think the baby saying "mummy" is the greatest joy of motherhood. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things aren't as good. Also, tell the others which is the least joyous of these (and why): playing with a baby, bathtime with baby or food time with baby.

Role B – Playing with Baby You think playing with a baby is the greatest joy of motherhood. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things aren't as good. Also, tell the others which is the least joyous of these (and why): the baby saying "mummy", bathtime with baby or food time with baby.

Role C – Bathtime with Baby You think bathtime with baby is the greatest joy of motherhood. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things aren't as good. Also, tell the others which is the least joyous of these (and why): playing with a baby, the baby saying "mummy" or food time with baby.

Role D – Food Time with Baby You think food time with baby is the greatest joy of motherhood. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things aren't as good. Also, tell the others which is the least joyous of these (and why): playing with a baby, bathtime with baby or the baby saying "mummy".

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 - Having Children

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 'children'?
  3. What's the best number of children to have?
  4. What do you think of the cost of having children?
  5. Why are people having fewer children in many countries?
  6. What are the benefits of having children?
  7. What do you know about evolutionary biology?
  8. What link do you think there is between childbirth and longevity?
  9. What effect do you think children have on fathers' longevity?
  10. How can governments encourage people to have more children?

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 'lifespan'?
  3. What do you think about what you read?
  4. What are the benefits of not having children?
  5. Why do women live longer than men?
  6. How can we reduce the 'wear and tear' on our body?
  7. What three adjectives best describe this news story?
  8. What will birth rates be like in the future?
  9. What kind of support should states give mothers?
  10. What questions would you like to ask the researchers?
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 new study (1) ____ that the number of children a woman has might affect her rate of ageing and (2) ____ lifespan. Research from the University of Helsinki in Finland found that women who had five children or (3) ____, or no children, aged faster than those who had a small number of kids. Researcher Mikaela Hukkanen said: "From an evolutionary biology (4) ____, organisms have limited resources, such as time and energy. When a large amount of energy is invested in reproduction, it is taken away from (5) ____ maintenance and repair mechanisms, which could reduce lifespan." She added that the finding (6) ____ shorter lifespans of women who never gave birth was "surprising".

The researchers used historical data in their (7) ____ of parenthood and ageing. They analysed the health data (8) ____ 14,836 women. Researchers examined DNA data and blood samples, then modelled the effects of reproduction on women's rates of ageing and (9) ____. Ms Hukkanen postulated that having a smaller number of pregnancies could have favourable effects on a mother's health. One benefit is a possible (10) ____ risk of breast and ovarian cancer. However, the "wear and tear" and physical demands of multiple childbirths can (11) ____ this lowered risk. Another factor that could increase longevity is the increased social support a mother receives from the (12) ____ for having children.

Which of these words go in the above text?

(a) suggests (b) suggestive (c) suggestion (d) suggest (a) their (b) the (c) her (d) that (a) many (b) some (c) more (d) most (a) perseverance (b) perspiration (c) Perspex (d) perspective (a) bodily (b) bodied (c) bodies (d) embody (a) at (b) of (c) to (d) on (a) paralysis (b) dialysis (c) analyse (d) analysis (a) at (b) on (c) as (d) to (a) longing (b) longed (c) longevity (d) lengthening (a) lowish (b) lower (c) lowing (d) lowly (a) agate (b) litigate (c) relegate (d) negate (a) county (b) state (c) district (d) borough

Spelling Paragraph 1
  1. her rate of iangge (British English spelling)
  2. rntauyvooile biology
  3. icvepspteer
  4. sgmaronis have limited resources
  5. taken away from bodily ninamctaeen
  6. repair hsencmamsi
Paragraph 2
  1. trcsliihao data
  2. rates of ageing and lvogetiyn
  3. Ms Hukkanen poealtstdu that
  4. a smaller number of enagirncesp
  5. breast and vranaio cancer
  6. physical demands of mpilutel childbirths
Put the text back together

( 1 ) A new study suggests that the number of children a woman has might affect her rate of ageing and her ( ) and energy. When a large amount of energy is invested in reproduction, it is taken away from bodily maintenance ( ) and repair mechanisms, which could reduce lifespan." She added that the finding ( ) childbirths can negate this lowered risk. Another factor that could increase longevity is the ( ) data on 14,836 women. Researchers examined DNA data and blood samples, then ( ) having a smaller number of pregnancies could have favourable effects on a mother's health. One benefit is a possible lower ( ) increased social support a mother receives from the state for having children. ( ) lifespan. Research from the University of Helsinki in Finland found that women who had five children ( ) modelled the effects of reproduction on women's rates of ageing and longevity. Ms Hukkanen postulated that ( ) of shorter lifespans of women who never gave birth was "surprising". ( ) or more, or no children, aged faster than those who had a small number of kids. Researcher Mikaela Hukkanen ( ) risk of breast and ovarian cancer. However, the "wear and tear" and physical demands of multiple ( ) said: "From an evolutionary biology perspective, organisms have limited resources, such as time ( ) The researchers used historical data in their analysis of parenthood and ageing. They analysed the health

Put the words in the right order
  1. a children has number of The woman .
  2. children five had more or The who women .
  3. and energy have limited like Organisms resources time .
  4. amounts are energy in invested Large of reproduction .
  5. birth gave lifespans never of Shorter who women .
  6. analysis data historical in researchers The their used .
  7. ageing Effects of on reproduction rates women's .
  8. could effects favourable have numbers of pregnancies Smaller .
  9. a benefit cancer is lower of One risk .
  10. a increased mother receives social support The .
Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

A new study suggests that the numeral / number of children a woman has might affect her rate of / at ageing and her lifespan. Research from the University of Helsinki in Finland found what / that women who had five children or more / many, or no children, aged faster than those / them who had a small number of kids. Researcher Mikaela Hukkanen said: "From an evolutionary biology receptive / perspective, organisms have limited resources / resource, such as time and energy. When a large amount of energy is invested in / on reproduction, it is taken away from bodily maintenance and repair mechanisms, which could reduce / deduce lifespan." She added that the finding of shorter lifespans of women who never gave birth was "surprised" / "surprising".

The researchers used historical / historically data in their analysis of parenthood and ageism / ageing. They analysed the health data in / on 14,836 women. Researchers examined DNA data and blood sample / samples, then modelled the effects of reproduction on women's rates of ageing and longevity. Ms Hukkanen postulating / postulated that having a smaller number of pregnancies could have favourable affects / effects on a mother's health. One benefit is a possible slower / lower risk of breast and ovarian cancer. However, the "wear and fear / tear" and physical demands of multiple childbirths can negate / negotiate this lowered risk. Another factor that could increase longevity is the increased social support a mother receives from the country / state for having children.

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)

_ n_w st_dy s_gg_sts th_t th_ n_mb_r _f ch_ldr_n _ w_m_n h_s m_ght _ff_ct h_r r_t_ _f _g__ng _nd h_r l_f_sp_n. R_s__rch fr_m th_ _n_v_rs_ty _f H_ls_nk_ _n F_nl_nd f__nd th_t w_m_n wh_ h_d f_v_ ch_ldr_n _r m_r_, _r n_ ch_ldr_n, _g_d f_st_r th_n th_s_ wh_ h_d _ sm_ll n_mb_r _f k_ds. R_s__rch_r M_k__l_ H_kk_n_n s__d: "Fr_m _n _v_l_t__n_ry b__l_gy p_rsp_ct_v_, _rg_n_sms h_v_ l_m_t_d r_s__rc_s, s_ch _s t_m_ _nd _n_rgy. Wh_n _ l_rg_ _m__nt _f _n_rgy _s _nv_st_d _n r_pr_d_ct__n, _t _s t_k_n _w_y fr_m b_d_ly m__nt_n_nc_ _nd r_p__r m_ch_n_sms, wh_ch c__ld r_d_c_ l_f_sp_n." Sh_ _dd_d th_t th_ f_nd_ng _f sh_rt_r l_f_sp_ns _f w_m_n wh_ n_v_r g_v_ b_rth w_s "s_rpr_s_ng".

Th_ r_s__rch_rs _s_d h_st_r_c_l d_t_ _n th__r _n_lys_s _f p_r_nth__d _nd _g__ng. Th_y _n_lys_d th_ h__lth d_t_ _n 14,836 w_m_n. R_s__rch_rs _x_m_n_d DN_ d_t_ _nd bl__d s_mpl_s, th_n m_d_ll_d th_ _ff_cts _f r_pr_d_ct__n _n w_m_n's r_t_s _f _g__ng _nd l_ng_v_ty. Ms H_kk_n_n p_st_l_t_d th_t h_v_ng _ sm_ll_r n_mb_r _f pr_gn_nc__s c__ld h_v_ f_v__r_bl_ _ff_cts _n _ m_th_r's h__lth. _n_ b_n_f_t _s _ p_ss_bl_ l_w_r r_sk _f br__st _nd _v_r__n c_nc_r. H_w_v_r, th_ "w__r _nd t__r" _nd phys_c_l d_m_nds _f m_lt_pl_ ch_ldb_rths c_n n_g_t_ th_s l_w_r_d r_sk. _n_th_r f_ct_r th_t c__ld _ncr__s_ l_ng_v_ty _s th_ _ncr__s_d s_c__l s_pp_rt _ m_th_r r_c__v_s fr_m th_ st_t_ f_r h_v_ng ch_ldr_n.

Punctuate the text and add capitals

a new study suggests that the number of children a woman has might affect her rate of ageing and her lifespan research from the university of helsinki in finland found that women who had five children or more or no children aged faster than those who had a small number of kids researcher mikaela hukkanen said from an evolutionary biology perspective organisms have limited resources such as time and energy when a large amount of energy is invested in reproduction it is taken away from bodily maintenance and repair mechanisms which could reduce lifespan she added that the finding of shorter lifespans of women who never gave birth was surprising

the researchers used historical data in their analysis of parenthood and ageing they analysed the health data on 14836 women researchers examined dna data and blood samples then modelled the effects of reproduction on womens rates of ageing and longevity ms hukkanen postulated that having a smaller number of pregnancies could have favourable effects on a mothers health one benefit is a possible lower risk of breast and ovarian cancer however the wear and tear and physical demands of multiple childbirths can negate this lowered risk another factor that could increase longevity is the increased social support a mother receives from the state for having children

Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

Anewstudysuggeststhatthenumberofchildrenawomanhasmightaffe ctherrateofageingandherlifespan.ResearchfromtheUniversityofHels inkiinFinlandfoundthatwomenwhohadfivechildrenormore,ornochild ren,agedfasterthanthosewhohadasmallnumberofkids.ResearcherM ikaelaHukkanensaid:"Fromanevolutionarybiologyperspective,orga nismshavelimitedresources,suchastimeandenergy.Whenalargeam ountofenergyisinvestedinreproduction,itistakenawayfrombodilyma intenanceandrepairmechanisms,whichcouldreducelifespan."Shead dedthatthefindingofshorterlifespansofwomenwhonevergavebirthw as"surprising".Theresearchersusedhistoricaldataintheiranalysisofp arenthoodandageing.Theyanalysedthehealthdataon14,836women. ResearchersexaminedDNAdataandbloodsamples,thenmodelledthe effectsofreproductiononwomen'sratesofageingandlongevity.MsHuk kanenpostulatedthathavingasmallernumberofpregnanciescouldhav efavourableeffectsonamother'shealth.Onebenefitisapossiblelowerri skofbreastandovariancancer.However,the"wearandtear"andphysic aldemandsofmultiplechildbirthscannegatethisloweredrisk.Anotherf actorthatcouldincreaselongevityistheincreasedsocialsupportamoth erreceivesfromthestateforhavingchildren.

Free writing

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

Academic writing

Governments should provide lots of money for people to have children. 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. CHILDREN: Make a poster about children. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things? 4. HAVING MORE CHILDREN: Write a magazine article about people having more children. 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 children. Ask him/her three questions about them. Give him/her three of your ideas on how to get people to have more children. 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

$US 9.99

Answers

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

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