Breaking News English ESL Lesson Plan on Pet-Washing Machines

Japanese people are famous for their inventions. Where would we be without miniature radios and hybrid cars? The latest time-saving device to come from the Land of the Rising Sun is a dog-washing machine. Dog lovers can now add a new item to their list of household goods. Scientists have made life easier for pet owners with their automatic washing machine. People can save time by putting their pooch in the machine and then 33 minutes later, out comes a clean, fresh-smelling dog. The process includes a shampoo, rinse and blow dry. Sales of the dog-washer are increasing as the craze catches on. The machines save a lot of money for pet owners in cleaning bills. However, it is bad news for vets who offer pet-washing services.

The process used in the dog-washing machine is totally safe. Tests showed that dogs enjoyed the wash and were very happy when the blow-drier came on. The manufacturers say it is very safe and does not harm the dogs in any way. One dog-owner, Michiko Kobayashi, loves her new machine. She said her dog is happy too. Michiko explained to reporters why she and her Labrador Honey liked the machine: “Before I bought my washer, I only took Honey to the vets a few times a year. Sometimes she smelled and her hair became dirty. Now, I wash her every week and she looks great”. She added: “Of course, the best thing for me is that my dog always looks lovely, but it’s also good for my wallet. I save a lot of money by not taking Honey to the vet.”

WARM-UPS

1. INVENTIONS: Walk around the class and talk to other students about inventions. Change partners often. Sit with your first partner(s) and share your findings.

2. CHAT: In pairs / groups, decide which of these topics or words from the article are most interesting and which are most boring.

Japanese people / inventions / hybrid cars / dog lovers / shampoos / crazes / vets / washing machines / blow-driers / manufacturers / dirty hair / wallets / saving money

Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.

3. INVENTIONS: What inventions do you need? Complete this table and talk about it with your partner(s). Change partners and share what you heard.

Invention …	What it does	How you will benefit
for English
to save time
about gaming
for cars
for food
for Earth’s future

4. DOG-WASHER: Students A strongly believe a dog-washing machine is a wonderful thing; Students B strongly believe it isn’t. Change partners again and talk about your conversations.

5. BEST INVENTIONS: Rank these and share your rankings with your partner. Put the greatest ranking at the top. Change partners and share your rankings again.

the wheel
the printing press
the Internet
X-rays

television
paper
money
International Space Station

6. SHAMPOO: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word ‘shampoo’. Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about them. Together, put the words into different categories.

BEFORE READING / LISTENING

1. TRUE / FALSE: Read the headline. Guess if a-h below are true (T) or false (F).

a.	Many Japanese people have part-time jobs washing dogs.	T / F
b.	A new machine could save dog-owners time.	T / F
c.	The new machine takes just three-and-a-half minutes to wash pets.	T / F
d.	Vets are very happy this new machine has come along.	T / F
e.	Tests showed that dogs enjoyed the washing machine.	T / F
f.	Dogs liked having their hair dried with a blow-drier.	T / F
g.	A Japanese lady had some honey called Labrador.	T / F
h.	A woman called Michiko is happiest that her dog always looks nice.	T / F

2. SYNONYM MATCH: Match the following synonyms from the article.

1.	famous	a.	trend
2	miniature	b.	makers
3.	device	c.	completely
4.	process	d.	tiny
5.	craze	e.	fantastic
6.	totally	f.	well-known
7.	manufacturers	g.	purse
8.	harm	h.	method
9.	great	i.	machine
10.	wallet	j.	hurt

3. PHRASE MATCH: (Sometimes more than one choice is possible.)

1.	Japanese people are famous	a.	household goods
2	The latest time-	b.	a shampoo
3.	add a new item to their list of	c.	looks lovely
4.	The process includes	d.	for their inventions
5.	The machines save a lot of money	e.	in any way
6.	the dog-washing machine	f.	my wallet
7.	does not harm the dogs	g.	saving device
8.	a few times	h.	is totally safe
9.	my dog always	i.	a year
10.	it’s also good for	j.	for pet owners

WHILE READING / LISTENING

GAP FILL: Put the words into the gaps in the text.

Japanese people are ____________ for their inventions. Where would we be without miniature radios and hybrid cars? The ____________ time-saving device to come from the Land of the Rising Sun is a dog-washing machine. Dog lovers can now ____________ a new item to their list of household goods. Scientists have made life easier for pet owners with their automatic washing machine. People can ____________ time by putting their pooch in the machine and then 33 minutes later, out comes a clean, ____________-smelling dog. The process includes a shampoo, rinse and ____________ dry. Sales of the dog-washer are increasing as the craze ____________ on. The machines save a lot of money for pet owners in cleaning bills. However, it is bad news for vets who ____________ pet-washing services.

fresh
offer
latest
save
famous
catches
blow
add

The ____________ used in the dog-washing machine is totally safe. Tests showed that dogs ____________ the wash and were very happy when the blow-drier came on. The manufacturers say it is very safe and does not ____________ the dogs in any way. One dog-owner, Michiko Kobayashi, loves her new machine. She said her dog is happy too. Michiko ____________ to reporters why she and her Labrador Honey liked the machine: “Before I ____________ my washer, I only took Honey to the vets a ____________ times a year. Sometimes she smelled and her hair became dirty. Now, I wash her every week and she looks ____________”. She added: “Of course, the best thing for me is that my dog always looks lovely, but it’s also good for my ____________. I save a lot of money by not taking Honey to the vet.”

harm
few
enjoyed
wallet
process
bought
great
explained

LISTENING – Listen and fill in the gaps

Japanese people __________________ inventions. Where would we be without miniature radios and hybrid cars? The latest __________________ come from the Land of the Rising Sun is a dog-washing machine. Dog lovers can now add a new __________________ household goods. Scientists have made life easier for pet owners with their automatic washing machine. People __________________ putting their pooch in the machine and then 33 minutes later, out comes a clean, fresh-smelling dog. The process includes a shampoo, rinse and blow dry. Sales of the dog-washer are increasing ____________________. The machines save a lot of money for pet owners in cleaning bills. However, __________________ vets who offer pet-washing services.

The __________________ dog-washing machine is totally safe. Tests showed that dogs enjoyed the wash and were very happy when the blow-drier came on. The manufacturers __________________ does not harm the dogs in any way. One dog-owner, Michiko Kobayashi, loves her new machine. She ____________________ too. Michiko explained to reporters why she and her Labrador Honey liked the machine: “Before I bought my washer, I only took Honey ____________________ a year. Sometimes she smelled and her hair became dirty. Now, I ____________________ and she looks great”. She added: “Of course, the best thing for me is that my dog always looks lovely, ____________________ my wallet. I save a lot of money by not taking Honey to the vet.”

AFTER READING / LISTENING

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

washing

machine

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:

famous
rising
list
clean
sales
bad

totally
harm
loves
bought
week
wallet

STUDENT INVENTIONS SURVEY

Write five GOOD questions about inventions 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.

	STUDENT 1 _____________	STUDENT 2 _____________	STUDENT 3 _____________
Q.1.
Q.2.
Q.3.
Q.4.
Q.5.

Now return to your original partner and share and talk about what you found out. Change partners often.
Make mini-presentations to other groups on your findings.

DISCUSSION

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

a)	What did you think when you read the headline?
b)	What springs to mind when you hear the word ‘invention’?
c)	What do you think of the new invention in the article?
d)	What invention would you like to see invented?
e)	Why do you think the Japanese are so good at inventing things?
f)	Do you think dogs will like this new invention?
g)	How will society be better because of this invention?
h)	What can vets do to encourage pet-owners to use their pet-washing services?
i)	Is the world going crazy when children are starving and people are buying pet-washing machines?
j)	Would you like to see a human-washing machine?

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

a)	Did you like reading this article?
b)	Do you think this machine is cruel to animals in any way?
c)	Do you think the machine is necessary?
d)	Would you buy this machine if you had a pet?
e)	Do you think animals are happier when they are cleaner?
f)	What do you think pets would like to say to their owners?
g)	What would be a good name for this machine?
h)	What is thre best invention of the past 100 years?
i)	What happened recently that was good for your wallet?
j)	What questions would you like to ask the inventor of this machine?

LANGUAGE – MULTIPLE CHOICE

Japanese people are famous (1) ____ their inventions. Where would we be without miniature radios and hybrid cars? The latest time-saving (2) ____ to come from the Land of the Rising Sun is a dog-washing machine. Dog (3) ____ can now add a new item to their list of household goods. Scientists have made life easier for pet owners with their automatic washing machine. People can save time (4) ____ putting their pooch in the machine and then 33 minutes later, out comes a clean, fresh-smelling dog. The process includes a shampoo, rinse and blow dry. (5) ____ of the dog-washer are increasing as the craze catches (6) ____. The machines save a lot of money for pet owners in cleaning bills. However, it is bad news for vets who offer pet-washing services.

The process used in the dog-washing machine is (7) ____ safe. Tests showed that dogs enjoyed the wash and were very happy when the blow-drier came (8) ____. The manufacturers say it is very safe and does not (9) ____ the dogs in any way. One dog-owner, Michiko Kobayashi, loves her new machine. She said her dog is happy too. Michiko explained to reporters why she and her Labrador Honey liked the machine: “Before I (10) ____ my washer, I only took Honey to the vets a (11) ____ times a year. Sometimes she smelled and her hair became dirty. Now, I wash her every week and she looks great”. She added: “Of course, the best thing for me is that my dog always looks lovely, but it’s also good for my wallet. I save a lot of money by (12) ____ taking Honey to the vet.”

Put the correct words from the table below in the above article.

1.	(a)	of	(b)	from	(c)	by	(d)	for
2.	(a)	device	(b)	advice	(c)	vice	(d)	deice
3.	(a)	loves	(b)	lovers	(c)	loving	(d)	love
4.	(a)	at	(b)	to	(c)	by	(d)	for
5.	(a)	Seller	(b)	Sale	(c)	Sales	(d)	Selling
6.	(a)	in	(b)	on	(c)	to	(d)	at
7.	(a)	totals	(b)	total	(c)	totalled	(d)	totally
8.	(a)	on	(b)	at	(c)	to	(d)	off
9.	(a)	harmful	(b)	harm	(c)	harms	(d)	harming
10.	(a)	buy	(b)	buying	(c)	brings	(d)	bought
11.	(a)	several	(b)	various	(c)	few	(d)	numerous
12.	(a)	not	(b)	don’t	(c)	no	(d)	non

WRITING

Write about inventions for 10 minutes. Correct your partner’s paper.

_____________________________________________________________________________

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 the dog-washing machine. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.

3. INVENTIONS: Make a poster about inventions. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?

4. DOG: Write a magazine article about the dog-washing machine. Include imaginary interviews with a dog and the machine’s inventor.

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. LETTER: Write a letter to the machine’s inventor. Ask him/her three questions about his/her invention. Give him/her three ideas for another invention. Read your letter to your partner(s) in your next lesson. Your partner(s) will answer your questions.

ANSWERS

TRUE / FALSE:

SYNONYM MATCH:

1.	famous	a.	well-known
2	miniature	b.	tiny
3.	device	c.	machine
4.	process	d.	method
5.	craze	e.	trend
6.	totally	f.	completely
7.	manufacturers	g.	makers
8.	harm	h.	hurt
9.	great	i.	fantastic
10.	wallet	j.	purse

PHRASE MATCH:

1.	Japanese people are famous	a.	for their inventions
2	The latest time-	b.	saving device
3.	add a new item to their list of	c.	household goods
4.	The process includes	d.	a shampoo
5.	The machines save a lot of money	e.	for pet owners
6.	the dog-washing machine	f.	is totally safe
7.	does not harm the dogs	g.	in any way
8.	a few times	h.	a year
9.	my dog always	i.	looks lovely
10.	it’s also good for	j.	my wallet

GAP FILL:

Dog-washer cleans pets and saves cash

Japanese people are famous for their inventions. Where would we be without miniature radios and hybrid cars? The latest time-saving device to come from the Land of the Rising Sun is a dog-washing machine. Dog lovers can now add a new item to their list of household goods. Scientists have made life easier for pet owners with their automatic washing machine. People can save time by putting their pooch in the machine and then 33 minutes later, out comes a clean, fresh-smelling dog. The process includes a shampoo, rinse and blow dry. Sales of the dog-washer are increasing as the craze catches on. The machines save a lot of money for pet owners in cleaning bills. However, it is bad news for vets who offer pet-washing services.

The process used in the dog-washing machine is totally safe. Tests showed that dogs enjoyed the wash and were very happy when the blow-drier came on. The manufacturers say it is very safe and does not harm the dogs in any way. One dog-owner, Michiko Kobayashi, loves her new machine. She said her dog is happy too. Michiko explained to reporters why she and her Labrador Honey liked the machine: “Before I bought my washer, I only took Honey to the vets a few times a year. Sometimes she smelled and her hair became dirty. Now, I wash her every week and she looks great”. She added: “Of course, the best thing for me is that my dog always looks lovely, but it’s also good for my wallet. I save a lot of money by not taking Honey to the vet.”

LANGUAGE WORK

1 - d

2 - a

3 - b

4 - c

5 - c

6 - b

7 - d

8 - a

9 - b

10 - d

11 - c

12 - a

Back to the top

Help Support This Web Site

Please consider helping Breaking News English.com

Sean Banville's Book

Download a sample of my book "1,000 Ideas & Activities for Language Teachers".

Thank You

SHARE THIS LESSON:

E-Mail

RSS

Breaking News English

March 18, 2010

Dog-Washer Cleans Pets and Saves Cash