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

Breaking News English Lesson: Reindeer

Reindeer in the region of Lapland, Finland, are famous worldwide. They are also very busy at this time of year. That's because they are helping Santa Claus to deliver presents to children all over the world. However, the animals are facing a great danger. Reindeer herders report that an increasing number of reindeer are being killed by wolves. The Reindeer Herders' Association in Finland says wolves have killed around 1,950 reindeer this year. That is a 70 per cent increase from last year. Juha Kujala, a Lapland herder, is worried about the future of his animals. He said there has been a sudden increase in the number of wolves in Finland. This has upset the natural balance between reindeer and wolves.

Mr Kujala joked to reporters about his animals, even though he is worried about them. He said: "These are Santa's reindeer. But we are really lucky because Santa needs them for only one day of the year, so we can fly them for the other 364 days." Many herders believe the Ukraine War is the reason why there are suddenly more wolves in Finland. They say that men who used to hunt wolves in Russia have gone to fight in Ukraine. This means many wolves are crossing the 1,340-km border between Russia and Finland. Kujala said: "It's worse since the Ukraine War started. The wolves are coming from the Russian side. There's nobody left hunting the wolves."

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

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. REINDEER: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about reindeer. 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? reindeer / famous / worldwide / presents / animals / wolves / natural balance / joked / reporters / worried / lucky / fly / fight / Ukraine War / hunting / Russia Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently. 3. HUNTING: Students A strongly believe all hunting of animals should be banned; Students B strongly believe the opposite. Change partners again and talk about your conversations. 4. WOLF: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "wolf". Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about them. Together, put the words into different categories.

MY e-BOOK See a sample
  • A book
  • Chocolate
  • Socks
  • A game
  • A watch
  • A nice pen
  • Flowers
  • A restaurant meal
Vocabulary

Paragraph 1

1. region a. A person who looks after animals. 2. deliver b. A large area of land. 3. facing c. Having to deal with a problem or danger. 4. herder d. Happening very quickly, unexpectedly (without any warning). 5. increasing e. Make something not calm or not right. 6. sudden f. Take something to a person or place. 7. upset g. Becoming more or bigger.

Paragraph 2

8. reporters h. Look for and kill animals. 9. lucky i. Started suddenly (especially a war). 10. reason j. The line between two countries. 11. hunt k. Why something happens. 12. crossing l. Going from one side to another. 13. border m. People who write or talk about news. 14. broke out n. Having good things happen. Before reading / listening 1. TRUE / FALSE: Read the headline. Guess if 1-8 below are true (T) or false (F).
  1. The region of Lapland is in the north of Norway. T / F
  2. Reindeer herders said wolves are killing more and more reindeer. T / F
  3. There was a 70% rise in the number of reindeer wolves killed this year. T / F
  4. More wolves in Finland have disrupted the reindeer-wolf balance. T / F
  5. A herder is happy that he can fly his reindeers 365 days a year. T / F
  6. Russia is sending its soldiers to Finland to hunt the wolves. T / F
  7. The border between Finland and Russia is over 1,300 km long. T / F
  8. A reindeer herder said no one was hunting the wolves. T / F
2. SYNONYM MATCH: Match the following synonyms from the article.
  1. rise
  2. think
  3. disturbed
  4. fortunate
  5. take
  6. remaining
  7. area
  8. concerned
  9. assisting
  10. began
3. PHRASE MATCH: (Sometimes more than one choice is possible.)
  1. They are also very busy
  2. they are helping Santa Claus to deliver
  3. a Lapland herder is worried about the future
  4. there has been a sudden increase
  5. upset the natural balance between
  6. Santa needs them for only
  7. men who used to
  8. many wolves are crossing
  9. It's worse since
  10. There's nobody left
  1. presents to children
  2. reindeer and wolves
  3. the 1,340-km border
  4. the Ukraine War started
  5. at this time of year
  6. hunting the wolves
  7. one day of the year
  8. in the number of wolves
  9. hunt wolves in Russia
  10. of his animals
Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below. increase deliver natural great region worried time around

Reindeer in the (1) ______________________________________________ of Lapland, Finland, are famous worldwide. They are also very busy at this (2) ______________________________________________ of year. That's because they are helping Santa Claus to (3) ______________________________________________ presents to children all over the world. However, the animals are facing a (4) ______________________________________________ danger. Reindeer herders report that an increasing number of reindeer are being killed by wolves. The Reindeer Herders' Association in Finland says wolves have killed (5) ______________________________________________ 1,950 reindeer this year. That is a 70 per cent increase from last year. Juha Kujala, a Lapland herder, is (6) ______________________________________________ about the future of his animals. He said there has been a sudden (7) ______________________________________________ in the number of wolves in Finland. This has upset the (8) ______________________________________________ balance between reindeer and wolves.

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.

lucky border though nobody reason worse other fight

Mr Kujala joked to reporters about his animals, even (9) ______________________________________________ he is worried about them. He said: "These are Santa's reindeer. But we are really (10) ______________________________________________ because Santa needs them for only one day of the year, so we can fly them for the (11) ______________________________________________ 364 days." Many herders believe the Ukraine War is the (12) ______________________________________________ why there are suddenly more wolves in Finland. They say that men who used to hunt wolves in Russia have gone to (13) ______________________________________________ in Ukraine. This means many wolves are crossing the 1,340-km (14) ______________________________________________ between Russia and Finland. Kujala said: "It's (15) ______________________________________________ since the Ukraine War started. The wolves are coming from the Russian side. There's (16) ______________________________________________ left hunting the wolves."

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1) Reindeer in the region of Lapland, Finland, ______ a. are famously worldwide b. are infamous worldwide c. are famous worldwide d. are fame us worldwide 2) They are also very busy at this ______ a. time of year b. time off year c. time of years d. times of year 3) That is a 70 per cent increase ______ a. from passed year b. from past year c. from last year d. from early year 4) He said there has been a sudden increase in the ______ a. number of wolf b. numbered of wolves c. number of wolves d. renumber of wolves 5) This has upset ______ a. the naturally balance b. the natural balanced c. the natural balance d. the nature all balance

6) even though he is ______ a. worried about him b. worried above them c. worried about them d. worry about them 7) Santa needs them for only one day of the year, so we can fly them for the ______ a. another 364 days b. others 364 days c. othered 364 days d. other 364 days 8) They say that men who used ______ a. too hunt wolves b. to hunt wolves c. to hunts wolves d. to hunter wolves 9) This means many wolves are crossing the ______ a. 1,340-km girder b. 1,340-km order c. 1,340-km border d. 1,340-km hoarder 10) There's nobody left ______ a. hunter the wolves b. hunted the wolves c. hunts the wolves d. hunting the wolves

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

Reindeer in (1) __________________________________________________ Lapland, Finland, are famous worldwide. They are also very busy at this time of year. That's because they are helping Santa Claus (2) __________________________________________________ to children all over the world. However, the animals are facing a great danger. Reindeer herders (3) __________________________________________________ increasing number of reindeer are being killed by wolves. The Reindeer Herders' Association in Finland says wolves have killed around 1,950 reindeer this year. That is a 70 per cent (4) __________________________________________________ year. Juha Kujala, a Lapland herder, is worried about the future of his animals. He said there has been a (5) __________________________________________________ the number of wolves in Finland. This has upset the (6) __________________________________________________ reindeer and wolves.

Mr Kujala joked to reporters about his animals, (7) __________________________________________________ is worried about them. He said: "These are Santa's reindeer. But we are really lucky because Santa needs them for only one day of the year, (8) __________________________________________________ fly them for the other 364 days." Many herders believe the Ukraine War is the reason why there (9) __________________________________________________ wolves in Finland. They say that men who used to hunt wolves in Russia have (10) __________________________________________________ in Ukraine. This means many wolves are crossing the 1,340-km border between Russia and Finland. Kujala said: "It's (11) __________________________________________________ Ukraine War started. The wolves are coming from the Russian side. There's (12) __________________________________________________ the wolves."

Comprehension questions
  1. In which area of Finland do reindeers live?
  2. What do reindeer help Santa Claus do?
  3. Who reported on the number of reindeer killed this year?
  4. By how much did reindeer deaths rise compared to last year?
  5. What natural balance has the increase in wolves upset?
  6. Who did a reindeer herder joke to?
  7. For how long did the reindeer herder say Santa needed reindeer?
  8. What do many herders say is the reason for the increase in wolves?
  9. How long is the border between Finland and Russia?
  10. Who did the reindeer herder say was hunting wolves?
Multiple choice quiz

1) In which area of Finland do reindeers live? a) North Karelia b) Uusimaa c) Lapland d) Pirkanmaa 2) What do reindeer help Santa Claus do? a) deliver presents b) cook lunch c) make a snowman d) relax 3) Who reported on the number of reindeer killed this year? a) Wolf-watch Finland b) the Reindeer Herders' Association c) the WWF d) a farmer 4) By how much did reindeer deaths rise compared to last year? a) 40% b) 50% c) 60% d) 70% 5) What natural balance has the increase in wolves upset? a) countryside and town b) the balance of nature c) the balance between reindeer and wolves d) the balance between humans and nature

6) Who did a reindeer herder joke to? a) a reindeer b) reporters c) other herders d) Santa Claus 7) For how long did the reindeer herder say Santa needed reindeer? a) two days b) 23 hours c) 12 hours d) just one day 8) What do many herders say is the reason for the increase in wolves? a) climate change b) the Ukraine War c) melting snow d) depopulation 9) How long is the border between Finland and Russia? a) 1,430 km b) 1,340 km c) 1,304 km d) 1,403 km 10) Who did the reindeer herder say was hunting wolves? a) nobody b) reindeer herders c) wolf hunters d) soldiers

Role play

Role A – A Book You think the best present is a book. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their presents. Also, tell the others which is the least desirable present of these (and why): chocolate, flowers or a restaurant meal.

Role B – Chocolate You think the best present is chocolate. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their presents. Also, tell the others which is the least desirable present of these (and why): a book, flowers or a restaurant meal.

Role C – Flowers You think flowers are the best present. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their presents. Also, tell the others which is the least desirable present of these (and why): chocolate, a book or a restaurant meal.

Role D – A Restaurant Meal You think the best present is a restaurant meal. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their presents. Also, tell the others which is the least desirable present of these (and why): chocolate, flowers or a book.

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 - Reindeer

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 'reindeer'?
  3. What do you know about reindeer?
  4. What do you know about Finland?
  5. Why are reindeer used in the Santa Claus story?
  6. What do you know about the Santa Claus story?
  7. What animals in your country are facing great danger?
  8. How worried are you about the future?
  9. What do you know about wolves?
  10. What advice do you have for the reindeer herders?

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 'hunt'?
  3. What do you think about what you read?
  4. What do you think of reindeer?
  5. Would you like a job that involves animals?
  6. What do you think of hunting?
  7. Should all hunting be banned?
  8. What can Finland do to protect its reindeer?
  9. What questions would you like to ask a reindeer herder?
  10. What questions would you like to ask Santa Claus?
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)

Reindeer in the (1) ____ of Lapland, Finland, are famous worldwide. They are also very busy (2) ____ this time of year. That's because they are helping Santa Claus to deliver presents to children all over the world. However, the animals are (3) ____ a great danger. Reindeer herders report that an increasing (4) ____ of reindeer are being killed by wolves. The Reindeer Herders' Association in Finland says wolves have killed around 1,950 reindeer this year. That is a 70 per cent increase from (5) ____ year. Juha Kujala, a Lapland herder, is worried about the future of his animals. He said there has been a sudden increase in the number of wolves in Finland. This has (6) ____ the natural balance between reindeer and wolves.

Mr Kujala joked to reporters about his animals, even (7) ____ he is worried about them. He said: "These are Santa's reindeer. But we are really lucky because Santa needs them for only one day of the year, so we can fly them for the (8) ____ 364 days." Many herders believe the Ukraine War is the reason why there are suddenly more wolves in Finland. They say that men who (9) ____ to hunt wolves in Russia have gone to fight in Ukraine. This means many wolves are crossing the 1,340-km (10) ____ between Russia and Finland. Kujala said: "It's worse (11) ____ the Ukraine War started. The wolves are coming from the Russian side. There's nobody (12) ____ hunting the wolves."

Which of these words go in the above text?

  1. (a) legion (b) region (c) regionally (d) lesion
  2. (a) on (b) at (c) as (d) to
  3. (a) faced (b) faces (c) face (d) facing
  4. (a) numeral (b) number (c) digit (d) figure
  5. (a) early (b) last (c) passed (d) past
  6. (a) onset (b) cross (c) upset (d) angry
  7. (a) thought (b) through (c) though (d) thorough
  8. (a) others (b) another (c) other (d) othered
  9. (a) using (b) useful (c) uses (d) used
  10. (a) border (b) boom (c) broad (d) boost
  11. (a) since (b) for (c) at (d) then
  12. (a) stay (b) remain (c) left (d) right
Spelling Paragraph 1
  1. reindeer in the inoegr of Lapland
  2. smaofu worldwide
  3. helping Santa Claus to ilredev presents
  4. the reindeer herders' saoocasniit
  5. there has been a desndu increase
  6. upset the natural bnclaae
Paragraph 2
  1. even ghouht he is worried
  2. we are really lykcu
  3. the nsroea why
  4. crossing the 1,340-km ebrdor
  5. It's wsoer since the Ukraine War
  6. There's nobody left utihngn the wolves.
Put the text back together

( ) border between Russia and Finland. Kujala said: "It's worse since the Ukraine War started. The wolves are ( ) coming from the Russian side. There's nobody left hunting the wolves." ( ) day of the year, so we can fly them for the other 364 days." Many herders believe the Ukraine War is the reason ( ) killed around 1,950 reindeer this year. That is a 70 per cent increase from last year. Juha Kujala, a Lapland herder, is ( ) Mr Kujala joked to reporters about his animals, even though he is worried about ( ) number of reindeer are being killed by wolves. The Reindeer Herders' Association in Finland says wolves have ( ) of wolves in Finland. This has upset the natural balance between reindeer and wolves. ( 1 ) Reindeer in the region of Lapland, Finland, are famous worldwide. They are also very busy at ( ) them. He said: "These are Santa's reindeer. But we are really lucky because Santa needs them for only one ( ) this time of year. That's because they are helping Santa Claus to deliver presents to children all over the ( ) why there are suddenly more wolves in Finland. They say that men who used to hunt ( ) wolves in Russia have gone to fight in Ukraine. This means many wolves are crossing the 1,340-km ( ) world. However, the animals are facing a great danger. Reindeer herders report that an increasing ( ) worried about the future of his animals. He said there has been a sudden increase in the number

Put the words in the right order
  1. very They're at busy time this year of .
  2. They helping are to Santa presents deliver .
  3. The are animals a facing danger great .
  4. An number increasing reindeer of being are killed .
  5. has There an been in increase number the .
  6. He to joked about reporters animals his .
  7. He them needs only for day one .
  8. The why reason are there more suddenly wolves .
  9. wolves The coming are the from side Russian .
  10. There nobody is hunting left wolves the .
Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

Reindeer in the region / regional of Lapland, Finland, are famous worldwide. They are also very busy at this / that time of year. That's because they are helping Santa Claus for / to deliver presents to children all over the world. However, the animals are faced / facing a great danger. Reindeer herders report that an increase / increasing number of reindeer are being / been killed by wolves. The Reindeer Herders' Association in Finland say / says wolves have killed around 1,950 reindeer this year. That is a 70 per cent increase from / in last year. Juha Kujala, a Lapland herder, is worried about the future of his animals. He said there has been a suddenly / sudden increase in the number of wolves in Finland. This has upset the natural balance between / just reindeer and wolves.

Mr Kujala joked to / at reporters about his animals, even though / thought he is worried about them. He said: "These are Santa's reindeer. But we are really lucky / luckily because Santa needs them for only one day of the year, so we can fly / flying them for the other / another 364 days." Many herders believe the Ukraine War is the reason why these / there are suddenly more wolves in Finland. They say that men who used to hunt wolves in Russia have gone for / to fight in Ukraine. This means many wolves are crossing the 1,340-km border between / on Russia and Finland. Kujala said: "It's worse since / for the Ukraine War started. The wolves are coming from the Russian side. There's nobody left hunting / hunter the wolves."

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)

R__nd__r _n th_ r_g__n _f L_pl_nd, F_nl_nd, _r_ f_m__s w_rldw_d_. Th_y _r_ _ls_ v_ry b_sy _t th_s t_m_ _f y__r. Th_t's b_c__s_ th_y _r_ h_lp_ng S_nt_ Cl__s t_ d_l_v_r pr_s_nts t_ ch_ldr_n _ll _v_r th_ w_rld. H_w_v_r, th_ _n_m_ls _r_ f_c_ng _ gr__t d_ng_r. R__nd__r h_rd_rs r_p_rt th_t _n _ncr__s_ng n_mb_r _f r__nd__r _r_ b__ng k_ll_d by w_lv_s. Th_ R__nd__r H_rd_rs' _ss_c__t__n _n F_nl_nd s_ys w_lv_s h_v_ k_ll_d _r__nd 1,950 r__nd__r th_s y__r. Th_t _s _ 70 p_r c_nt _ncr__s_ fr_m l_st y__r. J_h_ K_j_l_, _ L_pl_nd h_rd_r, _s w_rr__d _b__t th_ f_t_r_ _f h_s _n_m_ls. H_ s__d th_r_ h_s b__n _ s_dd_n _ncr__s_ _n th_ n_mb_r _f w_lv_s _n F_nl_nd. Th_s h_s _ps_t th_ n_t_r_l b_l_nc_ b_tw__n r__nd__r _nd w_lv_s.

Mr K_j_l_ j_k_d t_ r_p_rt_rs _b__t h_s _n_m_ls, _v_n th__gh h_ _s w_rr__d _b__t th_m. H_ s__d: "Th_s_ _r_ S_nt_'s r__nd__r. B_t w_ _r_ r__lly l_cky b_c__s_ S_nt_ n__ds th_m f_r _nly _n_ d_y _f th_ y__r, s_ w_ c_n fly th_m f_r th_ _th_r 364 d_ys." M_ny h_rd_rs b_l__v_ th_ _kr__n_ W_r _s th_ r__s_n why th_r_ _r_ s_dd_nly m_r_ w_lv_s _n F_nl_nd. Th_y s_y th_t m_n wh_ _s_d t_ h_nt w_lv_s _n R_ss__ h_v_ g_n_ t_ f_ght _n _kr__n_. Th_s m__ns m_ny w_lv_s _r_ cr_ss_ng th_ 1,340-km b_rd_r b_tw__n R_ss__ _nd F_nl_nd. K_j_l_ s__d: "_t's w_rs_ s_nc_ th_ _kr__n_ W_r st_rt_d. Th_ w_lv_s _r_ c_m_ng fr_m th_ R_ss__n s_d_. Th_r_'s n_b_dy l_ft h_nt_ng th_ w_lv_s."

Punctuate the text and add capitals

reindeer in the region of lapland finland are famous worldwide they are also very busy at this time of year thats because they are helping santa claus to deliver presents to children all over the world however the animals are facing a great danger reindeer herders report that an increasing number of reindeer are being killed by wolves the reindeer herders association in finland says wolves have killed around 1950 reindeer this year that is a 70 per cent increase from last year juha kujala a lapland herder is worried about the future of his animals he said there has been a sudden increase in the number of wolves in finland this has upset the natural balance between reindeer and wolves

mr kujala joked to reporters about his animals even though he is worried about them he said these are santas reindeer but we are really lucky because santa needs them for only one day of the year so we can fly them for the other 364 days many herders believe the ukraine war is the reason why there are suddenly more wolves in finland they say that men who used to hunt wolves in russia have gone to fight in ukraine this means many wolves are crossing the 1340km border between russia and finland kujala said its worse since the ukraine war started the wolves are coming from the russian side theres nobody left hunting the wolves

Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

ReindeerintheregionofLapland,Finland,arefamousworldwide.Theya realsoverybusyatthistimeofyear.That'sbecausetheyarehelpingSant aClaustodeliverpresentstochildrenallovertheworld.However,theani malsarefacingagreatdanger.Reindeerherdersreportthatanincreasin gnumberofreindeerarebeingkilledbywolves.TheReindeerHerders'As sociationinFinlandsayswolveshavekilledaround1,950reindeerthisye ar.Thatisa70percentincreasefromlastyear.JuhaKujala,aLaplandher der,isworriedaboutthefutureofhisanimals.Hesaidtherehasbeenasud denincreaseinthenumberofwolvesinFinland.Thishasupsetthenatura lbalancebetweenreindeerandwolves.MrKujalajokedtoreportersabo uthisanimals,eventhoughheisworriedaboutthem.Hesaid:"Theseare Santa'sreindeer.ButwearereallyluckybecauseSantaneedsthemforo nlyonedayoftheyear,sowecanflythemfortheother364days."Manyhe rdersbelievetheUkraineWaristhereasonwhytherearesuddenlymore wolvesinFinland.TheysaythatmenwhousedtohuntwolvesinRussiaha vegonetofightinUkraine.Thismeansmanywolvesarecrossingthe1,34 0-kmborderbetweenRussiaandFinland.Kujalasaid:"It'sworsesincet heUkraineWarstarted.ThewolvesarecomingfromtheRussianside.Th ere'snobodylefthuntingthewolves."

Free writing

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

Academic writing

We should stop all hunting of animals. 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. REINDEER: Make a poster about reindeer. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things? 4. PROTECTION: Write a magazine article about protecting the reindeer in Lapland. 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 reindeer. Ask him/her three questions about reindeer. Give him/her three of your ideas. 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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