. Miracle Puppy - ESL Lesson Plan - Breaking News English Lesson
Miracle Puppy - ESL Lesson Plan - Breaking News English Lesson
Miracle Puppy - ESL Lesson Plan - Breaking News English Lesson

Breaking News English Lesson: Miracle Puppy

Amid the constant stream of bad news that fills our screens, a heart-warming tale comes from a hospital in Oklahoma, USA. A puppy born with severe abnormalities has survived its first week, and doctors are optimistic that she will live a healthy life. Skipper the puppy is a cross-breed - she is a border collie and Australian shepherd mix. She was one of a litter of nine puppies. While her brothers and sisters came out "normal," Skipper was born with six legs and two tails. These are her most visible congenital conditions. She has others, including two pelvic regions, two lower urinary tracts and two reproductive regions. Her vet said that despite Skipper's condition, her organs are working "just fine".

Vets have called Skipper's survival a "miracle". The Neel Veterinary Hospital in Oklahoma, where she was born, wrote: "She has survived longer than we suspect any other canine has. Published research does not indicate one that has been born alive. with her combination of congenital conditions." It added: "Skipper is a strong girl. She is able to scoot around just like a regular puppy." Neel added: "We think that she may have some things to overcome, but she is determined right now and thriving." The miracle puppy has her own Facebook page. It says: "She is currently at the correct weight for her age and accomplishing all of her milestones. She is following a path to a happy and healthy life."

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

  • https://edition.cnn.com/2021/02/23/us/puppy-born-with-six-legs-trnd/index.html
  • https://wgntv.com/news/shes-probably-one-of-a-kind-6-legged-puppy-is-a-miracle-veterinarians-say/
  • https://www.sciencetimes.com/articles/29821/20210223/miracle-puppy-oklahoma-six-legs-two-tails.htm

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. PUPPIES: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about puppies. 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? stream / bad news / heart-warming / hospital / puppy / optimistic / region / organ survival / miracle / canine / research / overcome / thriving / weight / milestones Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently. 3. BAD NEWS: Students A strongly believe bad news is more interesting than good news; Students B strongly believe the opposite. Change partners again and talk about your conversations. 4. NEWS: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "news". Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about them. Together, put the words into different categories.

MY e-BOOK See a sample
  • dog
  • goldfish
  • cat
  • rabbit
  • iguana
  • sheep
  • tortoise
  • parrot
Vocabulary

Paragraph 1

1. constant a. Something bad or undesirable very great; intense. 2. tale b. Happening continuously over a period of time. 3. severe c. Hopeful and confident about the future. 4. optimistic d. The group of young animals born to an animal at one time. 5. litter e. A fictitious or true narrative or story. 6. congenital f. Relating to making babies or young. 7. reproductive g. Of a disease or physical abnormality present from birth.

Paragraph 2

8. suspect h. Relating to or resembling a dog or dogs. 9. canine i. Succeed in dealing with a problem or difficulty. 10. indicate j. Have an idea about the existence, presence, or truth of something. 11. scoot around k. Point out; show. 12. overcome l. Prospering or flourishing. 13. thriving m. Move quickly. 14. accomplishing n. Achieving or completing successfully. Before reading / listening 1. TRUE / FALSE: Read the headline. Guess if 1-8 below are true (T) or false (F).
  1. The article says a six-legged puppy was bad news. T / F
  2. The article says the puppy survived its first month. T / F
  3. The puppy has eight siblings. T / F
  4. Vets say the puppy's organs are working fine. T / F
  5. The puppy was born on the streets. T / F
  6. A vet said the puppy is very weak at the moment. T / F
  7. The vet said the puppy is unable to walk. T / F
  8. The puppy is the correct weight for her age. T / F
2. SYNONYM MATCH: Match the following synonyms from the article.
  1. marvel
  2. noticeable
  3. conquer
  4. story
  5. reckon
  6. flourishing
  7. areas
  8. non-stop
  9. fulfilling
  10. siblings
3. PHRASE MATCH: (Sometimes more than one choice is possible.)
  1. Amid the constant
  2. A puppy born with severe
  3. doctors are optimistic that
  4. She was one of a litter
  5. her organs
  6. Vets have called Skipper's survival
  7. she may have some things
  8. she is determined right now
  9. accomplishing all of her
  10. She is following
  1. and thriving
  2. of nine puppies
  3. are working
  4. abnormalities
  5. a path
  6. milestones
  7. stream of bad news
  8. to overcome
  9. she will live
  10. a "miracle"
Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below. tails tale optimistic condition constant regions litter severe

Amid the (1) _____________________ stream of bad news that fills our screens, a heart-warming (2) _____________________ comes from a hospital in Oklahoma, USA. A puppy born with (3) _____________________ abnormalities has survived its first week, and doctors are (4) _____________________ that she will live a healthy life. Skipper the puppy is a cross-breed - she is a border collie and Australian shepherd mix. She was one of a (5) _____________________ of nine puppies. While her brothers and sisters came out "normal," Skipper was born with six legs and two (6) _____________________. These are her most visible congenital conditions. She has others, including two pelvic (7) _____________________, two lower urinary tracts and two reproductive regions. Her vet said that despite Skipper's (8) _____________________, her organs are working "just fine".

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.

indicate overcome path survival regular currently suspect miracle

Vets have called Skipper's (9) _____________________ a "miracle". The Neel Veterinary Hospital in Oklahoma, where she was born, wrote: "She has survived longer than we (10) _____________________ any other canine has. Published research does not (11) _____________________ one that has been born alive. with her combination of congenital conditions." It added: "Skipper is a strong girl. She is able to scoot around just like a (12) _____________________ puppy." Neel added: "We think that she may have some things to (13) _____________________, but she is determined right now and thriving." The (14) _____________________ puppy has her own Facebook page. It says: "She is (15) _____________________ at the correct weight for her age and accomplishing all of her milestones. She is following a (16) _____________________ to a happy and healthy life."

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1) Amid the constant stream of bad news that ______ a. fills our screen b. fill sour screens c. fills sour screen d. fills our screens 2) born with severe abnormalities has survived its first week, and ______ a. doctors are optimistically b. doctors are optimism c. doctors are optimistic d. doctors are optic mystics 3) Skipper was born with six legs ______ a. and two tails b. and two tales c. and two trails d. and two toils 4) including two pelvic regions, two lower urinary tracts and two ______ a. reproduction regions b. reproductively regions c. reproductive regions d. reproductively region 5) Her vet said that despite Skipper's condition, her organs are ______ a. worked ing "just fine" b. working "just fine" c. working "adjust fine" d. working "just finely"

6) She has survived longer than we suspect any ______ a. other canine has b. other feline has c. other equine has d. other bovine has 7) indicate one that has been born alive. with her combination of ______ a. congenitally conditions b. congenial conditions c. congenital conditions d. cogent conditions 8) She is able to scoot around just like ______ a. as regular puppy b. are regular puppy c. a regular puppy d. regular puppy 9) she may have some things to overcome, but she is determined right ______ a. now and thrifty b. now and thrive in c. now and thriving d. now and try vine 10) currently at the correct weight for her age and accomplishing all of ______ a. her miles tones b. her mile stones c. her mill stones d. her milestones

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

Amid the (1) ____________________ bad news that fills our screens, a heart-warming tale comes from a hospital in Oklahoma, USA. A puppy born with severe abnormalities (2) ____________________ first week, and doctors are optimistic that she will live a healthy life. Skipper the puppy (3) ____________________ - she is a border collie and Australian shepherd mix. She was one of a (4) ____________________ puppies. While her brothers and sisters came out "normal," Skipper was born with six legs (5) ____________________. These are her most visible congenital conditions. She has others, including two pelvic regions, two lower urinary tracts and two reproductive regions. Her vet said that despite Skipper's condition, her organs are (6) ____________________.

Vets have called Skipper's (7) ____________________. The Neel Veterinary Hospital in Oklahoma, where she was born, wrote: "She has survived longer than (8) ____________________ other canine has. Published research does not indicate one that has been born alive. with (9) ____________________ congenital conditions." It added: "Skipper is a strong girl. She is able to scoot around just like a regular puppy." Neel added: "We think that she may have some (10) ____________________, but she is determined right now and thriving." The miracle puppy has her own Facebook page. It says: "She is currently at the (11) ____________________ her age and accomplishing all of her milestones. She is following a path to a (12) ____________________ life."

Comprehension questions
  1. What does the article say there is a constant stream of?
  2. How long has the puppy survived so far?
  3. How many brothers and sisters does the puppy have?
  4. How many tails was the puppy born with?
  5. What did the puppy's vet say are working "just fine"?
  6. What did the vet call the puppy's survival?
  7. What can the puppy scoot around like?
  8. What did the vet say the puppy has to overcome?
  9. What kind of weight is the puppy at for her age?
  10. What is the puppy following a path to?
Multiple choice quiz

1) What does the article say there is a constant stream of? a) dog stories b) bad news c) the Internet d) screens 2) How long has the puppy survived so far? a) 5 days b) a fortnight c) one week d) a month 3) How many brothers and sisters does the puppy have? a) six b) nine c) seven d) eight 4) How many tails was the puppy born with? a) one b) two c) three d) four 5) What did the puppy's vet say are working "just fine"? a) her organs b) her paws c) her legs d) her tails

6) What did the vet call the puppy's survival? a) a miracle b) a marvel c) astounding d) heart-warming 7) What can the puppy scoot around like? a) a hyena b) an adult dog c) a cat d) a regular puppy 8) What did the vet say the puppy has to overcome? a) steps b) illnesses c) some things d) carpets 9) What kind of weight is the puppy at for her age? a) anorexic b) a little underweight c) a little overweight d) the correct weight 10) What is the puppy following a path to? a) enlightenment b) a happy and healthy weight c) a kennel d) fame and success

Role play

Role A – Dogs You think dogs are the best pets. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their pets. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): goldfish, rabbits or sheep.

Role B – Goldfish You think goldfish are the best pets. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their pets. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): dogs, rabbits or sheep.

Role C – Rabbits You think rabbits are the best pets. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their pets. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): goldfish, dogs or sheep.

Role D – Sheep You think sheep are the best pets. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their pets. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): goldfish, rabbits or dogs.

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 - Miracle Puppy

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 'miracle'?
  3. What do you think of miracles?
  4. Have you ever witnessed a miracle?
  5. What miracles would you like to happen?
  6. Do you prefer to read about bad or good news?
  7. What do you think about puppies?
  8. Which are cuter - puppies or kittens?
  9. How will the puppy live life with six legs?
  10. What advice do you have for the puppy's owner?

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 'puppy'?
  3. What do you think about what you read?
  4. Would you like to work as a vet?
  5. What do you think a vet does every day?
  6. How strong are you?
  7. What things in life have you overcome?
  8. What milestones have you passed in life?
  9. How can we get on a path to a happy life?
  10. What questions would you like to ask the vet?
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)

Amid the (1) ____ stream of bad news that fills our screens, a heart-warming tale comes from a hospital in Oklahoma, USA. A puppy born with (2) ____ abnormalities has survived its first week, and doctors are optimistic that she will live a healthy life. Skipper the puppy is a (3) ____-breed - she is a border collie and Australian shepherd mix. She was one of a (4) ____ of nine puppies. While her brothers and sisters came out "normal," Skipper was born with six legs and two tails. These are her most (5) ____ congenital conditions. She has others, including two pelvic regions, two lower urinary tracts and two reproductive regions. Her vet said that (6) ____ Skipper's condition, her organs are working "just fine".

Vets have called Skipper's (7) ____ a "miracle". The Neel Veterinary Hospital in Oklahoma, where she was born, wrote: "She has survived longer than we (8) ____ any other canine has. Published research does not (9) ____ one that has been born alive. with her combination of congenital conditions." It added: "Skipper is a strong girl. She is able to scoot (10) ____ just like a regular puppy." Neel added: "We think that she may have some things to overcome, but she is determined right now and thriving." The miracle puppy has her own Facebook page. It says: "She is currently at the correct weight for her age and accomplishing all of her (11) ____. She is following a (12) ____ to a happy and healthy life."

Which of these words go in the above text?

  1. (a) constantly (b) consistent (c) constant (d) contains
  2. (a) severe (b) sever (c) severs (d) severity
  3. (a) cross (b) plus (c) minus (d) star
  4. (a) litter (b) letter (c) latter (d) later
  5. (a) visibility (b) visible (c) visor (d) vision
  6. (a) spites (b) dispute (c) spite (d) despite
  7. (a) revive (b) arrive (c) survival (d) derive
  8. (a) aspect (b) inspect (c) respect (d) suspect
  9. (a) indicate (b) signal (c) adhere (d) times
  10. (a) around (b) up (c) here (d) where
  11. (a) gravestones (b) milestones (c) headstones (d) hearthstones
  12. (a) alley (b) highway (c) path (d) trail
Spelling Paragraph 1
  1. Amid the nctsoant stream of bad news
  2. born with severe aobmailntreis
  3. doctors are mtiiptsoic
  4. her most visible engnotical conditions
  5. two lower iuanrry tracts
  6. two prodcuetrvie regions
Paragraph 2
  1. called Skipper's rsivuval a "miracle"
  2. we uspscet any other canine has
  3. research does not dicinate one that has
  4. some things to oorvceme
  5. determined right now and igtnihrv
  6. agscoicilnhpm all of her milestones
Put the text back together

(. ) born, wrote: "She has survived longer than we suspect any other canine has. Published research does not (. ) out "normal," Skipper was born with six legs and two tails. These are her most visible (. ) tale comes from a hospital in Oklahoma, USA. A puppy born with severe abnormalities has survived (. ) its first week, and doctors are optimistic that she will live a healthy life. Skipper the puppy is a cross-breed - she is a (. ) Vets have called Skipper's survival a "miracle". The Neel Veterinary Hospital in Oklahoma, where she was (. ) indicate one that has been born alive. with her combination of congenital conditions." It added: "Skipper is a strong (. ) all of her milestones. She is following a path to a happy and healthy life." (. ) congenital conditions. She has others, including two pelvic regions, two lower urinary tracts and two (. ) reproductive regions. Her vet said that despite Skipper's condition, her organs are working "just fine". (. ) girl. She is able to scoot around just like a regular puppy." Neel added: "We think that she (. ) border collie and Australian shepherd mix. She was one of a litter of nine puppies. While her brothers and sisters came (. ) may have some things to overcome, but she is determined right now and thriving." The miracle puppy has her ( 1 ) Amid the constant stream of bad news that fills our screens, a heart-warming (. ) own Facebook page. It says: "She is currently at the correct weight for her age and accomplishing

Put the words in the right order
  1. bad of Amid constant the stream news .
  2. heart-warming A hospital . from tale comes a
  3. live . she optimistic that are Doctors will
  4. was of She of litter nine . a one
  5. congenital These are conditions . visible her most
  6. has . Survived than other any canine longer
  7. that does indicate research not Published one has .
  8. overcome . may some She things have to
  9. her correct for weight at the Currently age .
  10. to path a a She's healthy life . following
Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

Amid the constantly / constant stream of bad news that fills our screens, a heart-warming tale comes from a hospital in Oklahoma, USA. A puppy born with severe / sever abnormalities has survived its first week, and doctors are optimistic that she will live the / a healthy life. Skipper the puppy is a cross-breed - she is a border collie and Australian shepherd mix / amalgam. She was one of a latter / litter of nine puppies. While her brothers and sisters came in / out "normal," Skipper was born with six legs and two tales / tails. These are her most visible / visibly congenital conditions. She has others, including two pelvic regions / regional, two lower urinary tracts and two reproductive regions. Her vet said that despite Skipper's ill / condition, her organs are working "just fine".

Vets have called Skipper's living / survival a "miracle". The Neel Veterinary Hospital in Oklahoma, where she was childbirth / born, wrote: "She has survived longer than we respect / suspect any other canine has. Published research does not indicate / duplicate one that has been born alive. with her combination of / at congenital conditions." It added: "Skipper is a strong girl. She is able to scoot / snooty around just like a regular puppy." Neel added: "We think that she may have some things to undone / overcome, but she is determined right now and thriving / thrifty." The miracle puppy has her own Facebook page. It says: "She is currently at the correct weight for her age and accomplishing all of her landmarks / milestones. She is following a path / highway to a happy and healthy life."

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

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

_m_d th_ c_nst_nt str__m _f b_d n_ws th_t f_lls __r scr__ns, _ h__rtw_rm_ng t_l_ c_m_s fr_m _ h_sp_t_l _n _kl_h_m_, _S_. _ p_ppy b_rn w_th s_v_r_ _bn_rm_l_t__s h_s s_rv_v_d _ts f_rst w__k, _nd d_ct_rs _r_ _pt_m_st_c th_t sh_ w_ll l_v_ _ h__lthy l_f_. Sk_pp_r th_ p_ppy _s _ cr_ss-br__d - sh_ _s _ b_rd_r c_ll__ _nd __str_l__n sh_ph_rd m_x. Sh_ w_s _n_ _f _ l_tt_r _f n_n_ p_pp__s. Wh_l_ h_r br_th_rs _nd s_st_rs c_m_ __t "n_rm_l," Sk_pp_r w_s b_rn w_th s_x l_gs _nd tw_ t__ls. Th_s_ _r_ h_r m_st v_s_bl_ c_ng_n_t_l c_nd_t__ns. Sh_ h_s _th_rs, _ncl_d_ng tw_ p_lv_c r_g__ns, tw_ l_w_r _r_n_ry tr_cts _nd tw_ r_pr_d_ct_v_ r_g__ns. H_r v_t s__d th_t d_sp_t_ Sk_pp_r's c_nd_t__n, h_r _rg_ns _r_ w_rk_ng "j_st f_n_".

V_ts h_v_ c_ll_d Sk_pp_r's s_rv_v_l _ "m_r_cl_". Th_ N__l V_t_r_n_ry H_sp_t_l _n _kl_h_m_, wh_r_ sh_ w_s b_rn, wr_t_: "Sh_ h_s s_rv_v_d l_ng_r th_n w_ s_sp_ct _ny _th_r c_n_n_ h_s. P_bl_sh_d r_s__rch d__s n_t _nd_c_t_ _n_ th_t h_s b__n b_rn _l_v_. w_th h_r c_mb_n_t__n _f c_ng_n_t_l c_nd_t__ns." _t _dd_d: "Sk_pp_r _s _ str_ng g_rl. Sh_ _s _bl_ t_ sc__t _r__nd j_st l_k_ _ r_g_l_r p_ppy." N__l _dd_d: "W_ th_nk th_t sh_ m_y h_v_ s_m_ th_ngs t_ _v_rc_m_, b_t sh_ _s d_t_rm_n_d r_ght n_w _nd thr_v_ng." Th_ m_r_cl_ p_ppy h_s h_r _wn F_c_b__k p_g_. _t s_ys: "Sh_ _s c_rr_ntly _t th_ c_rr_ct w__ght f_r h_r _g_ _nd _cc_mpl_sh_ng _ll _f h_r m_l_st_n_s. Sh_ _s f_ll_w_ng _ p_th t_ _ h_ppy _nd h__lthy l_f_."

Punctuate the text and add capitals

amid the constant stream of bad news that fills our screens a heart-warming tale comes from a hospital in oklahoma usa a puppy born with severe abnormalities has survived its first week and doctors are optimistic that she will live a healthy life skipper the puppy is a crossbreed she is a border collie and australian shepherd mix she was one of a litter of nine puppies while her brothers and sisters came out normal skipper was born with six legs and two tails these are her most visible congenital conditions she has others including two pelvic regions two lower urinary tracts and two reproductive regions her vet said that despite skippers condition her organs are working just fine

vets have called skippers survival a miracle the neel veterinary hospital in oklahoma where she was born wrote she has survived longer than we suspect any other canine haspublished research does not indicate one that has been born alivewith her combination of congenital conditions it added skipper is a strong girl. She is able to scoot around just like a regular puppy neel added we think that she may have some things to overcome but she is determined right now and thriving the miracle puppy has her own facebook page it says she is currently at the correct weight for her age and accomplishing all of her milestones she is following a path to a happy and healthy life

Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

Amidtheconstantstreamofbadnewsthatfillsourscreens,aheart-war mingtalecomesfromahospitalinOklahoma,USA.Apuppybornwithsev ereabnormalitieshassurviveditsfirstweek,anddoctorsareoptimistict hatshewillliveahealthylife.Skipperthepuppyisacross-breed-sheisa bordercollieandAustralianshepherdmix.Shewasoneofalitterofninep uppies.Whileherbrothersandsisterscameout"normal,"Skipperwasb ornwithsixlegsandtwotails.Thesearehermostvisiblecongenitalcondit ions.Shehasothers,includingtwopelvicregions,twolowerurinarytract sandtworeproductiveregions.HervetsaidthatdespiteSkipper'scondit ion,herorgansareworking"justfine".VetshavecalledSkipper'ssurviva la"miracle".TheNeelVeterinaryHospitalinOklahoma,whereshewasb orn,wrote:"Shehassurvivedlongerthanwesuspectanyothercanineha s. Publishedresearchdoesnotindicateonethathasbeenbornalive. withhercombinationofcongenitalconditions."Itadded:"Skipperisastr onggirl.Sheisabletoscootaroundjustlikearegularpuppy."Neeladded: "Wethinkthatshemayhavesomethingstoovercome,butsheisdetermi nedrightnowandthriving."ThemiraclepuppyhasherownFacebookpa ge.Itsays:"Sheiscurrentlyatthecorrectweightforherageandaccompli shingallofhermilestones.Sheisfollowingapathtoahappyandhealthylif e."

Free writing

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

Academic writing

All children should have a puppy to love. 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. PUPPIES: Make a poster about puppies. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things? 4. GOOD NEWS: Write a magazine article about news media being required to fill 50% of its content with good news stories. 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 puppies. Ask him/her three questions about them. Give him/her three of your opinions on them. 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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