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World's children care most about education (21st November, 2012)

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20 ONLINE QUIZZES & ACTIVITIES
DICTATION

* 26-page lesson
* 2-page MINI lesson

  

LISTEN

* MP3 (UK male)

* MP3 (USA female)

* MP3 (20 questions)

 * Text Jumble

 * Missing words

 * No letters

 * Grammar gap-fill

 * Articles gap-fill

 * Prepositions

  * Consonants

  * Vowels

  * Missing letters

  * Initials only

  * Text jumble 15

  * Text jumble 24

  * No spaces

  * Gap-fill
 

  * 10 sentences

  * Spelling

  

READING

  * Speed Reading


 
 

A global survey has asked 6,204 children in 47 countries around the world about their hopes, dreams and fears. The worldwide "Small Voices, Big Dreams" report is from the children's charity ChildFund. It asked ten- to twelve-year-olds six questions about the world and their future. It discovered that education, food and the environment are their biggest worries. A ChildFund spokesman said: "We're always surprised…to see how much [importance] children…put on education." He added that he was pleased children saw the link between education and a better future: "It shows the depth of maturity of children, who clearly understand the connection between education and changing their worlds for the better."


 
 

The children were asked the question: "If you were president or leader of your country, what would you do to improve the lives of children in your country?" Most said they would focus on education. The children also answered the question "What are you most afraid of?" Over 25 per cent of kids in developing countries said their greatest fear was dangerous animals and insects. The environment was also a big concern for the children. The report says: "Across the world, nearly half of children said they would either plant more trees, build additional green spaces or decrease littering to help improve the planet." Regarding future careers, almost 20 per cent of children want to be a professional athlete when they grow up.

Sources:
http://www.childfund.org/dreams2012/
See also the main ChildFund site: https://www.childfund.org/
http://uk.reuters.com/article/2012/11/20/us-children-concerns-poll-embargoed-idUKBRE8AJ07Q20121120

WARM-UPS

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1. CHILDREN'S OPINIONS: Walk around the class and talk to other students about children's opinions. Change partners often 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.

 

global survey / children / hopes / dreams / fears / education / a better future / link / leaders / dangerous animals / environment / half / green spaces / littering / athlete

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

3. 10-YEAR-OLDS: Were your opinions when you were 10 the same as today's opinions of 10-year-olds? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners and share what you wrote. Change and share again.

Opinions on…

My opinions (aged 10)

A rich 10-year-old

A poor 10-year-old

a future job

 

 

 

the environment

 

 

 

food

 

 

 

education

 

 

 

technology

 

 

 

family

 

 

 

4. EDUCATION: Students A strongly believe education is the most important part of a child's life; Students B strongly believe other things are more important.  Change partners again and talk about your conversations.

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5. IMPORTANT: What's most important for a 10-year-old? Rank these and share your rankings with your partner. Put the most important at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

  • candy
  • parks
  • video games
  • friends
  • not doing homework
  • parents
  • pets
  • television

6. DREAM: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word 'dream'. 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.

Researchers questioned over 60,000 children around the world.

T / F

b.

The report in the article is called "Big Voices, Small Dreams".

T / F

c.

The survey asked the children only six questions.

T / F

d.

A spokesman was happy that kids linked education to a better future.

T / F

e.

Most kids would have parties if they became leader of their country.

T / F

f.

The biggest fear among the world's children was dangerous animals.

T / F

g.

Almost 50% of kids said they wanted to plant litter and pick up trees.

T / F

h.

Nearly 20% of the children wanted to get into sports in the future.

T / F

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

1.

global

a.

questionnaire

2.

survey

b.

make better

3.

discovered

c.

sportsperson

4.

maturity

d.

worldwide

5.

connection

e.

found

6.

improve

f.

concentrate on

7.

focus on

g.

wisdom

8.

concern

h.

extra

9.

additional

i.

link

10.

athlete

j.

worry

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

1.

global

a.

their biggest worries

2.

about their hopes,

b.

on education

3.

food and the environment are

c.

the better

4.

the link between education

d.

concern for the children

5.

changing their worlds for

e.

dreams and fears

6.

focus

f.

when they grow up

7.

their greatest fear

g.

and a better future

8.

The environment was also a big

h.

more trees

9.

plant

i.

was dangerous animals

10.

be a professional athlete

j.

survey

WHILE READING / LISTENING

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

A global (1) ____________ has asked 6,204 children in 47 countries around the world about their hopes, (2) ____________ and fears. The worldwide "Small Voices, Big Dreams" report is from the children's (3) ____________ ChildFund. It asked ten- to twelve-year-olds six questions about the world and their future. It (4) ____________ that education, food and the environment are their biggest worries. A ChildFund spokesman said: "We're always surprised…to see how much [(5) ____________] children…put on education." He added that he was pleased children saw the (6) ____________ between education and a better future: "It shows the depth of (7) ____________ of children, who clearly understand the connection between education and changing their worlds for the (8) ____________."

 

 

 

link
discovered
better
dreams
importance
survey
maturity
charity

The children were asked the question: "If you were president or (9) ____________ of your country, what would you do to improve the lives of children in your country?" Most said they would (10) ____________ on education. The children also answered the question "What are you most afraid of?" Over 25 per cent of kids in (11) ____________ countries said their (12) ____________ fear was dangerous animals and insects. The environment was also a big (13) ____________ for the children. The report says: "Across the world, nearly half of children said they would either (14) ____________ more trees, build additional green spaces or decrease littering to help improve the planet." Regarding future (15) ____________, almost 20 per cent of children want to be a professional athlete when they (16) ____________ up.

 

 

concern
careers
focus
greatest
leader
plant
developing
grow


 
 

LISTENING - Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)

A global survey has asked …

 

a.  47 children in 6,204 countries…

b.  2,406 children in 74 countries…

c.  4,602 children in 147 countries…

d.  6,204 children in 47 countries…

2)

The worldwide ______ report is from the children's charity ChildFund.

 

a.  "Big Voices, Small Dreams"

b.  "Small Voices, Big Dreams"

c.  "Voices Small, Dreams Big"

d.  "Voices Big, Dreams Small"

3)

It discovered that ______ are their biggest worries.

 

a.  the environment, food and education

b.  education, food and the environment

c.  the environment, education and food

d.  education, food and not the environment

4)

We're always surprised to see how much ______ children put on education.

 

a.  important

b.  importantly

c.  important things

d.  importance

5)

It shows the ______ of children…

 

a.  depth of maturity

b.  depth for maturity

c.  depth in maturity

d.  depth as maturity

6)

…what would you do to improve ______ children in your country?

 

a.  the lives for

b.  the lives of

c.  all lives of

d.  the life of

7)

Over 25 per cent of kids in developing countries said their greatest fear was ______.

 

a.  flood, droughts and disease

b.  attacks from neighbouring countries

c.  not having a PlayStation or iPad

d.  dangerous animals and insects

8)

The environment was also a ______ the children.

 

a.  big dream for

b.  big thing for

c.  big concern for

d.  big worry for

9)

… decrease ______ to help improve the planet.

 

a.  hitting people

b.  spitting

c.  twittering

d.  littering

10)

… almost 20 per cent of children want to be a ______ when they grow up.

 

a.  professional athlete

b.  doctor or lawyer

c.  rock star or movie star

d.  leader of their country

LISTENING – Listen and fill in the gaps

A global survey has asked (1) _____________________ countries around the world about their hopes, dreams and fears. The worldwide "Small Voices, Big Dreams" report is (2) _____________________ ChildFund. It asked ten- to twelve-year-olds six questions about the world and their future. It discovered that education, food (3) _____________________ their biggest worries. A ChildFund spokesman said: "We're always surprised…to see how much [importance] (4) _____________________." He added that he was pleased children saw the (5) _____________________ and a better future: "It shows the depth of maturity of children, who clearly understand the connection between education and (6) _____________________ for the better."

The children were asked the question: "If you were president or leader of your country, what would you do (7) _____________________ of children in your country?" Most said they (8) _____________________. The children also answered the question "What are you most afraid of?" Over 25 per cent of (9) _____________________ said their greatest fear was dangerous animals and insects. The environment was (10) _____________________ for the children. The report says: "Across the world, nearly half of children said they would (11) _____________________, build additional green spaces or decrease littering to help improve the planet." Regarding future careers, almost 20 per cent of children want (12) _____________________ athlete when they grow up.


 
 

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS

1.

How many countries were in the survey?

2.

What kind of organization is ChildFund?

3.

How many questions were in the survey?

4.

What link pleased a Childfund spokesman?

5.

How do children think education changes their world?

6.

What would most children focus on if they were leader of their country?

7.

What are over a quarter of children afraid of?

8.

What was also a big concern for children?

9.

What extra things do children want to build?

10.

What career choice is mentioned at the end of the news story?

MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ

1.

How many children took part in the survey?

6.

What would most children focus on as leader of their country?

 

a) 4,206

b) 6,204

c) 2,604

d) 6,606

 

a) education

b) the environment

c) killing dangerous animals and insects

d) fear

2.

What's the name of the report?

7.

What percentage of children are afraid of insects?

 

a) "Voices Small, Dreams Big"

b) " "Voices Big, Dreams Small"

c) "Big Voices, Small Dreams"

d) "Small Voices, Big Dreams"

 

a) around 25%

b) less than 25%

c) over 25%

d) exactly 25%

3.

What kind of organisation is ChildFund?

8.

What kind of spaces would children like to build?

 

a) a charity

b) a government NPO

c) part of the United Nations

d) a children's clothing company

 

a) green ones

b) big ones

c) fun ones

d) colourful ones

4.

What did children see between education and a better future?

9.

What would children like to do to litter?

 

a) hope

b) nothing

c) a link

d) space

 

a) decrease it

b) increase it

c) burn it

d) use it to build houses

5.

What does the article say children's opinions show the depth of?

10.

What kind of athlete do 20% of children want to be?

 

a) charity

b) maturity

c) poverty

d) humanity

 

a) an Olympic medalist

b) an amateur one

c) a world champion

d) a professional one


 
 

ROLE PLAY

Role  A – Rich 10-year-old

You love your life. Tell the others three reasons why. You never want to change your lifestyle. You really need your iPad, PlayStation, 60" television and maid. It's not your problem other children are poor. Tell them to get a job or study hard at school. Tell them you hate school and your teachers.

Role  B – Average 10-year-old

You live in a nice house but your parents are not rich. Every month you give some of your pocket money to help children in poor countries. You feel bad they have no education or food. You hate rich kids – tell the others three reasons why. They should sell their toys and give the money to poor kids.

Role  C – Poor 10-year-old

Your dream is to go to school. You have no parents and you spend all day looking for food for your little brothers and sisters. You want to be a teacher one day and tech in your village. You don't understand the lives of the other kids. Ask them three questions about their future.

Role  D – Teacher

You know education is the most important thing for children. Even rich kids can have a tough life if they do not study. You think all children with money should help poorer children. You are shocked because so many rich kids have so many things. Tell them three things they should do to help poorer children.

AFTER READING / LISTENING

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

global

survey

 

 

 

  • 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:

  • 47
  • charity
  • 6
  • worries
  • surprised
  • changing
  • leader
  • afraid
  • 25
  • concern
  • littering
  • professional

10-YEAR-OLDS SURVEY

Write five GOOD questions about 10-year-olds 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.

10-YEAR-OLDS 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 '10-year-old'?

c)

What was your life like when you were ten years old?

d)

What were your biggest fears when you were 10? Are you still afraid?

e)

Is life for 10-year-olds the same or different from when you were ten?

f)

Do you think all 10-year-olds worry about education?

g)

What environmental concerns do you think 10-year-olds have?

h)

How strong is the link between education and a better future?

i)

Is a good education just as important for very rich 10-year-olds?

j)

What did you think about education when you were ten years old?

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

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

a)

Did you like reading this article? Why/not?

b)

What were your dreams when you were ten, and have those dreams changed?

c)

What are your hopes, dreams and fears for your children?

d)

What would you have done as a 10-year-old leader of your country?

e)

What would you as a 10-year-old have done to improve the lives of children in your country?

f)

What jobs did you want to do when you were 10?

g)

What were the most important things in your life when you were ten?

h)

Did you worry about the environment when you were ten?

i)

What questions would you like to ask 10-year-olds around the world?

j)

What do you think their answers might be?

DISCUSSION (Write your own questions)

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

1.

________________________________________________________

2.

________________________________________________________

3.

________________________________________________________

4.

________________________________________________________

5.

________________________________________________________

6.

________________________________________________________

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

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

1.

________________________________________________________

2.

________________________________________________________

3.

________________________________________________________

4.

________________________________________________________

5.

________________________________________________________

6.

________________________________________________________

MULTIPLE CHOICE - LANGUAGE

A global survey has asked 6,204 children in 47 countries around the world about their hopes, dreams and (1) ____. The worldwide "Small Voices, Big Dreams" report is from the children's (2) ____ ChildFund. It asked ten- to twelve-year-olds six questions about the world and their future. It discovered (3) ____ education, food and the environment are their biggest worries. A ChildFund spokesman said: "We're always surprised…to see how (4) ____ [importance] children…put on education." He added that he was pleased children saw the link (5) ____ education and a better future: "It shows the (6) ____ of maturity of children, who clearly understand the connection between education and changing their worlds for the better."

The children were asked the question: "If you were president or leader of your country, what would you do to improve the (7) ____ of children in your country?" Most said they would focus (8) ____ education. The children also answered the question "What are you most (9) ____ of?" Over 25 per cent of kids in developing countries said their greatest fear was dangerous animals and insects. The environment was also a big (10) ____ for the children. The report says: "Across the world, nearly half of children said they would (11) ____ plant more trees, build additional green spaces or decrease littering to help improve the planet." Regarding future careers, almost 20 per cent of children want to be a professional athlete when they (12) ____ up.

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

1.

(a)

feared

(b)

frightened

(c)

afraid

(d)

fears

2.

(a)

charitable

(b)

chastity

(c)

character

(d)

charity

3.

(a)

what

(b)

that

(c)

this

(d)

which

4.

(a)

most

(b)

many

(c)

much

(d)

more

5.

(a)

among

(b)

in

(c)

between

(d)

on

6.

(a)

depth

(b)

deep

(c)

deepen

(d)

depend

7.

(a)

lively

(b)

lives

(c)

lifetime

(d)

liven up

8.

(a)

on

(b)

over

(c)

off

(d)

closely

9.

(a)

worried

(b)

afraid

(c)

hoping

(d)

dream

10.

(a)

concerns

(b)

concerning

(c)

concern

(d)

concerned

11.

(a)

ever

(b)

every

(c)

either

(d)

either-or

12.

(a)

growing

(b)

grown

(c)

growth

(d)

grow

SPELLING

Paragraph 1

1.

A global sevryu has asked 6,204 children

2.

from the children's atrihyc ChildFund

3.

their biggest ieowrrs

4.

see how much ietorcanmp children put on education

5.

It shows the depth of aurytmit of children

6.

the ionocctnne between education and changing their worlds

Paragraph 2

7.

meopirv the lives of children in your country

8.

kids in gdpievenlo countries

9.

The environment was also a big cercnon

10.

eeescdar littering to help improve the planet

11.

Regarding future acerers

12.

be a noiloaerfssp athlete

PUT THE TEXT BACK TOGETHER

Number these lines in the correct order.

(    )

fear was dangerous animals and insects. The environment was also a big concern

(    )

to see how much [importance] children…put on education." He added that he was pleased

(    )

The children were asked the question: "If you were president or leader of your country, what would you do

(    )

and the environment are their biggest worries. A ChildFund spokesman said: "We're always surprised…

(    )

more trees, build additional green spaces or decrease littering to help improve the planet." Regarding future

(    )

of children, who clearly understand the connection between education and changing their worlds for the better."

(    )

year-olds six questions about the world and their future. It discovered that education, food

(    )

children saw the link between education and a better future: "It shows the depth of maturity

(    )

and fears. The worldwide "Small Voices, Big Dreams" report is from the children's charity ChildFund. It asked ten- to twelve-

(    )

careers, almost 20 per cent of children want to be a professional athlete when they grow up.

(    )

for the children. The report says: "Across the world, nearly half of children said they would either plant

(    )

to improve the lives of children in your country?" Most said they would focus on education. The children also answered

(    )

the question "What are you most afraid of?" Over 25 per cent of kids in developing countries said their greatest

1  )

A global survey has asked 6,204 children in 47 countries around the world about their hopes, dreams

PUT THE WORDS IN THE RIGHT ORDER

1.

countries   children    survey   in   has    A    6,204   asked   global.   47

2.

questions     their     about     future     the     world     Six     and.    

3.

and     biggest     the     worries     environment     are     Food     their.    

4.

and     The     a     link     better     between     future     education.    

5.

and     the     changing     better     their     worlds     Education     for.    

6.

lives    of    children    What    would    you     do     to    improve    the?    

7.

education     on     focus     would     they     said     Most.    

8.

animals     Their     dangerous    was    insects    fear    and     greatest.    

9.

to     littering     Decrease     planet     the     improve     help.    

10.

when  athlete   professional  a   be  to  want   Children  up   grow  they.

CIRCLE THE CORRECT WORD (20 PAIRS)

A global survey / question has asked 6,204 children in 47 countries around the world about their hopes, dreams and frightens / fears. The worldwide "Small Voices, Big Dreams" report is from the children's charity / charitable ChildFund. It asked ten- to twelve-year-olds six questions about the world and their future. It discovery / discovered that education, food and the environment are their biggest worries / worried. A ChildFund spokesman said: "We're always surprised…to see how many / much [importance] children…put / but on education." He added that he was pleasure / pleased children saw the link between education and a better future: "It shows the depth / deeper of maturity of children, who clearly understand the connection between education and changing their worlds for / of the better."

The children were asked the question: "If you were president or leader of your country, what would you do to improvement / improve the lives of children in your country?" Most said they would focus on / in education. The children also questioned / answered the question: What are you most afraid of / from? Over 25 per cent of kids in / at developing countries said their greatest fear was dangerous / danger animals and insects. The environment was also a big concern / concerning for the children. The report says: "Across the world, nearly half / halves of children said they would either plant more trees, build additional green spaces or increase / decrease littering to help improve the planet." Regarding future careers, almost 20 per cent of children want to be a professional athlete when they grow down / up.

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)

_ gl_b_l s_rv_y h_s _sk_d 6,204 ch_ldr_n _n 47 c__ntr__s _r__nd th_ w_rld _b__t th__r h_p_s, dr__ms _nd f__rs. Th_ w_rldw_d_ "Sm_ll V__c_s, B_g Dr__ms" r_p_rt _s fr_m th_ ch_ldr_n's ch_r_ty Ch_ldF_nd. _t _sk_d t_n- t_ tw_lv_-y__r-_lds s_x q__st__ns _b__t th_ w_rld _nd th__r f_t_r_. _t d_sc_v_r_d th_t _d_c_t__n, f__d _nd th_ _nv_r_nm_nt _r_ th__r b_gg_st w_rr__s. _ Ch_ldF_nd sp_k_sm_n s__d: "W_'r_ _lw_ys s_rpr_s_d…t_ s__ h_w m_ch [_mp_rt_nc_] ch_ldr_n…p_t _n _d_c_t__n." H_ _dd_d th_t h_ w_s pl__s_d ch_ldr_n s_w th_ l_nk b_tw__n _d_c_t__n _nd _ b_tt_r f_t_r_: "_t sh_ws th_ d_pth _f m_t_r_ty _f ch_ldr_n, wh_ cl__rly _nd_rst_nd th_ c_nn_ct__n b_tw__n _d_c_t__n _nd ch_ng_ng th__r w_rlds f_r th_ b_tt_r."

Th_ ch_ldr_n w_r_ _sk_d th_ q__st__n: "_f y__ w_r_ pr_s_d_nt _r l__d_r _f y__r c__ntry, wh_t w__ld y__ d_ t_ _mpr_v_ th_ l_v_s _f ch_ldr_n _n y__r c__ntry?" M_st s__d th_y w__ld f_c_s _n _d_c_t__n. Th_ ch_ldr_n _ls_ _nsw_r_d th_ q__st__n "Wh_t _r_ y__ m_st _fr__d _f?" _v_r 25 p_r c_nt _f k_ds _n d_v_l_p_ng c__ntr__s s__d th__r gr__t_st f__r w_s d_ng_r__s _n_m_ls _nd _ns_cts. Th_ _nv_r_nm_nt w_s _ls_ _ b_g c_nc_rn f_r th_ ch_ldr_n. Th_ r_p_rt s_ys: "_cr_ss th_ w_rld, n__rly h_lf _f ch_ldr_n s__d th_y w__ld __th_r pl_nt m_r_ tr__s, b__ld _dd_t__n_l gr__n sp_c_s _r d_cr__s_ l_tt_r_ng t_ h_lp _mpr_v_ th_ pl_n_t." R_g_rd_ng f_t_r_ c_r__rs, _lm_st 20 p_r c_nt _f ch_ldr_n w_nt t_ b_ _ pr_f_ss__n_l _thl_t_ wh_n th_y gr_w _p.

PUNCTUATE THE TEXT AND ADD CAPITALS

a global survey has asked 6204 children in 47 countries around the world about their hopes dreams and fears the worldwide "small voices big dreams" report is from the children's charity childfund it asked ten- to twelve-year-olds six questions about the world and their future it discovered that education food and the environment are their biggest worries a childfund spokesman said "we're always surprised…to see how much [importance] children…put on education" he added that he was pleased children saw the link between education and a better future "it shows the depth of maturity of children who clearly understand the connection between education and changing their worlds for the better"

the children were asked the question "if you were president or leader of your country what would you do to improve the lives of children in your country" most said they would focus on education the children also answered the question "what are you most afraid of" over 25 per cent of kids in developing countries said their greatest fear was dangerous animals and insects the environment was also a big concern for the children the report says "across the world nearly half of children said they would either plant more trees build additional green spaces or decrease littering to help improve the planet" regarding future careers almost 20 per cent of children want to be a professional athlete when they grow up

PUT A SLASH ( / ) WHERE THE SPACES ARE

Aglobalsurveyhasasked6,204childrenin47countriesaroundtheworldabouttheir
hopes,dreamsandfears.Theworldwide"SmallVoices,BigDreams"reportisfrom
thechildren'scharityChildFund.Itaskedten-totwelve-year-oldssixquestions
abouttheworldandtheirfuture.Itdiscoveredthateducation,foodandthe
environmentaretheirbiggestworries.AChildFundspokesmansaid:"We'realways
surprised…toseehowmuch[importance]children…putoneducation."Headdedthat
hewaspleasedchildrensawthelinkbetweeneducationandabetterfuture:"Itshows
thedepthofmaturityofchildren,whoclearlyunderstandtheconnectionbetween
educationandchangingtheirworldsforthebetter."Thechildrenwereaskedthe
question:"Ifyouwerepresidentorleaderofyourcountry,whatwouldyoudotoimprove
thelivesofchildreninyourcountry?"Mostsaidtheywouldfocusoneducation.The
childrenalsoansweredthequestion"Whatareyoumostafraidof?"Over25percentof
kidsindevelopingcountriessaidtheirgreatestfearwasdangerousanimalsandinsects
.Theenvironmentwasalsoabigconcernforthechildren.Thereportsays:"Acrossthe
world,nearlyhalfofchildrensaidtheywouldeitherplantmoretrees,buildadditional
greenspacesordecreaselitteringtohelpimprovetheplanet."Regardingfuturecareer
s,almost20percentofchildrenwanttobeaprofessionalathletewhentheygrowup.

FREE WRITING

Write about children's opinions for 10 minutes. Comment on your partner's paper.

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ACADEMIC WRITING

Education is the most important part of a child's life.  Discuss reasons for and against this.

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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 children's opinions. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.

3. EDUCATION: Make a poster about education for 10-year-olds. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?

4. THE FUTURE: Write a magazine article about two ten-year-olds – one is from a rich country; the other is from a poor country. Include imaginary interviews with them. Ask them about their dreams, hopes and fears.

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. LETTERS: Write two letters – one to a 10-year-old in a poor country; the other to a 10-year-old in a rich country. Ask them three questions about their opinions on the world. Give them three pieces of advice for their future. Read your letters to your partner(s) in your next lesson. Your partner(s) will answer your questions.

7. DOWNLOAD: Get the 16-page report here:

http://www.childfund.org/media/articles/current/2012/Small_Voices_Big_Dreams_Report.aspx

It's full of interesting statistics and questions, and even more interesting articles.

ANSWERS

TRUE / FALSE (p.4)

a

F

b

F

c

T

d

T

e

F

f

T

g

F

h

T

SYNONYM MATCH (p.4)

1.

global

a.

worldwide

2.

survey

b.

questionnaire

3.

discovered

c.

found

4.

maturity

d.

wisdom

5.

connection

e.

link

6.

improve

f.

make better

7.

focus on

g.

concentrate on

8.

concern

h.

worry

9.

additional

i.

extra

10.

athlete

j.

sportsperson

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS (p.8)

1.

47

2.

a charity

3.

6

4.

The link children saw between education and a better future

5.

for the better

6.

education

7.

dangerous animals and insects

8.

the environment

9.

green spaces

10.

being a professional athlete

MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ (p.9)

1.

b

2.

c

3.

d

4.

b

5.

a

6.

a

7.

d

8.

c

9.

d

10.

b

ALL OTHER EXERCISES

Please check for yourself by looking at the Article on page 2.
(It's good for your English ;-)

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