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It seems the age-old tradition of children getting a bedtime story before sleeping is on the wane in Britain. A new study reveals that around a third of parents do not read bedtime stories to their children. The study, from British online retailer Littlewoods.com, also found that up to 50 per cent of children would prefer to watch TV or play computer games than be read a story. Researchers further discovered that a paltry five per cent of British under-sevens do not even own a book. Parents came up with a myriad of reasons why they did not read to their little ones. Thirteen per cent of parents blamed a lack of time, nine per cent said they are just "too stressed", while others said their children were simply not interested.
Littlewoods has teamed up with British pop star Natasha Hamilton to try and reverse this trend. They have launched a bedtime story writing competition for children under seven. Ms Hamilton, 31, told reporters: "I'm really excited to see all the different story ideas and can't wait to see what the kids come up with. Choosing a winner's not going to be easy." She spoke about her own joy as a mother in reading bedtime stories, saying: "As a mum of three, I know just how enjoyable reading bedtime stories to my kids is." A spokesman from Littlewoods.com said: "We appreciate how important it is for parents and kids to spend quality time together, and bedtime stories are a great way to do just this."
Sources:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2418076/Third-parents-longer-read-bedtime-story-children.html#ixzz2elLyr8oq
http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/lifestyle/atomic-kittens-natasha-hamilton-ready-5906829
WARM-UPS
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1. BEDTIME STORIES: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about bedtime stories. 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.
tradition / bedtime stories / computer games / under-sevens / stress / lack of time / trend / competition / choosing a winner / joy from reading / parents / quality time
Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.
3. QUALITY TIME: How useful is it to do these things with kids?
10 = "Essential; 1 = "A waste of time".
Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.
How useful (1 – 10)?
Why?
Bedtime stories
Play video games
Go to the park
Teach them English
Cook with them
Watch movies
4. ESSENTIAL: Students A strongly believe it is essential to read kids bedtime stories; Students B strongly believe it isn't. Change partners again and talk about your conversations.
MY e-BOOK
See a sample5. BOOKS: Rank these and share your rankings with your partner. Put the best for 7-year-olds at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.
• Fairy tales
• Harry Potter
• A holy book
• Science fiction
• Fables
• About modern life
• Biographies
• Superhero stories
6. READING: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "reading". 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.
Reading bedtime stories to kids is relatively new in Britain.
T / F
b.
The article is based on a study from a major publisher.
T / F
c.
Around 5% of British kids do not own a book.
T / F
d.
Just under 10% of parents said they were too stressed to read to kids.
T / F
e.
A pop star is helping to encourage kids' interest in bedtime stories.
T / F
f.
There is a writing competition for children over the age of seven.
T / F
g.
The pop star has two children of her own.
T / F
h.
A website said bedtime stories mean quality time for parents and kids.
T / F
2. SYNONYM MATCH: Match the following synonyms from the article.
1.
age-old
a.
collaborated
2.
on the wane
b.
shows
3.
reveals
c.
delight
4.
paltry
d.
put it down to
5.
blamed
e.
direction
6.
teamed up
f.
declining
7.
trend
g.
produce
8.
come up with
h.
well-established
9.
joy
i.
know
10.
appreciate
j.
insignificant
3. PHRASE MATCH: (Sometimes more than one choice is possible.)
1.
the age-
a.
wane
2.
on the
b.
retailer
3.
online
c.
important it is
4.
parents blamed a lack
d.
not interested
5.
their children were simply
e.
time together
6.
try and reverse
f.
just this
7.
see what the kids come
g.
old tradition
8.
We appreciate how
h.
up with
9.
spend quality
i.
of time
10.
a great way to do
j.
this trend
GAP FILL
It seems the age-old (1) ____________ of children getting a bedtime story before sleeping is on the wane in Britain. A new study (2) ____________ that around a third of parents do not read bedtime stories to their children. The study, from British (3) ____________ retailer Littlewoods.com, also found that up to 50 per cent of children would (4) ____________ to watch TV or play computer games than be read a story. Researchers further discovered that a (5) ____________ five per cent of British under-sevens do not even own a book. Parents came up with a myriad of reasons why they did not read to their (6) ____________ ones. Thirteen per cent of parents blamed a (7) ____________ of time, nine per cent said they are just "too stressed", while others said their children were (8) ____________ not interested.
lack
online
paltry
reveals
simply
tradition
little
prefer
Littlewoods has (9) ____________ up with British pop star Natasha Hamilton to try and reverse this trend. They have (10) ____________ a bedtime story writing competition for children under seven. Ms Hamilton, 31, told reporters: "I'm really excited to see all the different story (11) ____________ and can't wait to see what the kids come (12) ____________ with. Choosing a winner's not going to be easy." She spoke about her own (13) ____________ as a mother in reading bedtime stories, saying: "As a mum of three, I know just how enjoyable reading bedtime stories to my kids is." A spokesman from Littlewoods.com said: "We (14) ____________ how important it is for parents and kids to spend (15) ____________ time together, and bedtime stories are a great (16) ____________ to do just this."
appreciate
joy
launched
way
teamed
up
quality
ideas
LISTENING - Guess the answers. Listen to check.
1)
children getting a bedtime story before sleeping is ______
a. on the vane
b. on the way in
c. on the wane
d. on the weigh-in2)
______ per cent of British under-sevens do not even own a book
a. apple tree five
b. a pull tree five
c. a paltry five
d. up all tree five3)
Parents came up with a ______
a. myriad of reasons
b. mirrored of reasons
c. me Riyadh of reasons
d. mirror add of reasons4)
parents blamed a lack of time, nine per cent said they are ______
a. just "two stresses"
b. just "too stressed"
c. just "too stress"
d. just "two stressed"5)
others said their children were simply ______
a. not interested
b. not interesting
c. not interest it
d. not interests6)
teamed up with British pop star Natasha Hamilton to try and ______
a. reversal this trend
b. rivers this trend
c. revise this trend
d. reverse this trend7)
the different story ideas and can't wait to see what the kids ______
a. come up with
b. come mop with
c. come map with
d. come app with8)
I know just how enjoyable reading bedtime stories ______
a. to my kids are
b. to my kids is
c. to my kid is
d. to my kiddies is9)
We appreciate how important it is for parents and kids to spend ______
a. quality time together
b. quality times together
c. quality thyme together
d. quality timed together10)
bedtime stories are a great way to ______
a. do justice
b. do just this
c. do dust this
d. do dust hisLISTENING – Listen and fill in the gaps
It seems the (1) ___________________ of children getting a bedtime story before sleeping is on the wane in Britain. A new (2) ___________________ around a third of parents do not read bedtime stories to their children. The study, from British online retailer Littlewoods.com, (3) _________________ to 50 per cent of children would prefer to watch TV or play computer games than be read a story. Researchers further discovered (4) ___________________ per cent of British under-sevens do not even own a book. Parents came up with a (5) ___________________ why they did not read to their little ones. Thirteen per cent of parents blamed a lack of time, nine per cent said they are just "too stressed", while others said their children (6) ___________________ interested.
Littlewoods (7) ___________________ British pop star Natasha Hamilton to try and reverse this trend. They (8) ___________________ bedtime story writing competition for children under seven. Ms Hamilton, 31, told reporters: "I'm really excited to see all the different story ideas and can't wait to see what the (9) ___________________. Choosing a winner's not going to be easy." She spoke (10) ___________________ as a mother in reading bedtime stories, saying: "As a mum of three, I know just how enjoyable reading bedtime stories to my kids is." A spokesman from Littlewoods.com said: "We (11) ___________________ it is for parents and kids to (12) ___________________ together, and bedtime stories are a great way to do just this."
COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS
1.
What expression did the writer use to say bedtime stories are declining?
2.
What kind of organisation conducted the study?
3.
How many children prefer watching TV?
4.
What percentage of British kids do not own a book?
5.
What did 13% of British parents say?
6.
What did Littlewoods and a pop star launch?
7.
Who can enter the competition?
8.
What is a pop star excited about?
9.
How many children does the pop star have?
10.
What did Littlewoods say is important for parents and kids?
MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ
1.
What expression did the writer use to say bedtime stories are declining?
6.
What did Littlewoods and a pop star launch?
a) wand
b) wax and wane
c) on the wane
d) waned
a) a new song about bedtime stories
b) a writing competition
c) a new book
d) a site to help parents2.
What kind of organisation conducted the study?
7.
Who can enter the competition?
a) an Internet store
b) a publisher
c) a children's charity
d) a literary guild
a) under-sevens
b) seven-year-olds
c) kids aged seven plus
d) kids with a reading age of 73.
How many children prefer watching TV?
8.
What is a pop star excited about?
a) nearly 50%
b) 50%
c) just over 50%
d) 50% of under-tens
a) her new song
b) reading to her children
c) reading kids' stories
d) Littlewoods.com4.
What percentage of British kids do not own a book?
9.
How many children does the pop star have?
a) 0.5
b) 5
c) 15
d) 35
a) 0
b) 1
c) 2
d) 35.
What did 13% of British parents say?
10.
What did Littlewoods say is important for parents and kids?
a) children learn to read at school
b) they will try harder
c) the iPad is more important
d) they have no time to read stories
a) spending quality time together
b) going to bookshops
c) reading on iPads
d) to buy books from its websiteROLE PLAY
Role A – Harry Potter
You think Harry Potter is best for bedtime. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things that are wrong with their stories. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): Superhero stories, biographies or fairy tales.
Role B – Superhero stories
You think Superhero stories are best for bedtime. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things that are wrong with their stories. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): Harry Potter, biographies or fairy tales.
Role C – Biographies
You think biographies are best for bedtime. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things that are wrong with their stories. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): Superhero stories, Harry Potter or fairy tales.
Role D – Fairy tales
You think fairy tales are best for bedtime. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things that are wrong with their stories. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): Superhero stories, biographies or Harry Potter.
AFTER READING / LISTENING
1. WORD SEARCH: Look in your dictionary / computer to find collocates, other meanings, information, synonyms … for the words 'bedtime' and 'story'.
bedtime
story
- 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:
- age
- reveals
- up to
- own
- 13
- simply
- try
- really
- see
- joy
- three
- great
BEDTIME STORIES SURVEY
Write five GOOD questions about bedtime stories 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.
BEDTIME STORIES 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 'story'?
c)
What do you think about what you read?
d)
How important are bedtime stories?
e)
Is it a problem if kids are not read bedtime stories?
f)
What can society do to encourage more reading at bedtime?
g)
From what age should parents start reading to their kids?
h)
Should kids watch TV instead of having a story read to them, if that's what they prefer?
i)
Is "being stressed" a good enough reason not to read a bedtime story?
j)
Why are children not interested in bedtime stories?
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
STUDENT B's QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student A)
a)
Did you like reading this article? Why/not?
b)
Did you have a bedtime story when you were little?
c)
What are the advantages of bedtime stories?
d)
How much effect will the story-writing competition have?
e)
Should kids read books or stories on iPads?
f)
What are the advantages of bedtime stories?
g)
What do you think of cultures with no tradition of bedtime stories?
h)
What are the best stories for parents to read to their children?
i)
To what degree is a bedtime story "quality time"?
j)
What questions would you like to ask Ms Hamilton?
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.
________________________________________________________
LANGUAGE - CLOZE
It seems the age-old tradition of children getting a bedtime story before sleeping is on the (1) ____ in Britain. A new study reveals that around a third of parents do not read bedtime stories to their children. The study, from British online (2) ____ Littlewoods.com, also found that (3) ____ to 50 per cent of children would prefer to watch TV or play computer games than (4) ____ read a story. Researchers further discovered that a paltry five per cent of British under-sevens do not even own a book. Parents came up with a (5) ____ of reasons why they did not read to their little ones. Thirteen per cent of parents blamed a lack of time, nine per cent said they are just "too stressed", while others said their children were (6) ____ not interested.
Littlewoods has teamed (7) ____ with British pop star Natasha Hamilton to try and (8) ____ this trend. They have launched a bedtime story writing competition for children under seven. Ms Hamilton, 31, told reporters: "I'm really excited to see all the different story ideas and can't wait to see what the kids come (9) ____ with. Choosing a winner's not going to be easy." She spoke about her own joy as a mother in reading bedtime stories, saying: "As a mum of (10) ____, I know just how enjoyable reading bedtime stories to my kids is." A spokesman from Littlewoods.com said: "We (11) ____ how important it is for parents and kids to spend quality time together, and bedtime stories are a great way to do (12) ____ this."
Put the correct words from the table below in the above article.
1.
(a)
waned
(b)
wand
(c)
wane
(d)
waning
2.
(a)
retailer
(b)
trailer
(c)
re-teller
(d)
trialist
3.
(a)
over
(b)
up
(c)
as
(d)
down
4.
(a)
was
(b)
were
(c)
are
(d)
be
5.
(a)
triad
(b)
pyramid
(c)
myriad
(d)
trick
6.
(a)
simple
(b)
simply
(c)
simpletons
(d)
simplify
7.
(a)
up
(b)
down
(c)
in
(d)
on
8.
(a)
adverse
(b)
verse
(c)
converse
(d)
reverse
9.
(a)
down
(b)
on
(c)
up
(d)
in
10.
(a)
threesome
(b)
triple
(c)
trio
(d)
three
11.
(a)
deprecate
(b)
appreciate
(c)
appetite
(d)
depreciate
12.
(a)
just
(b)
justice
(c)
justify
(d)
justly
SPELLING
Paragraph 1
1.
age-old oinaritdt
2.
A new study vrelsae that around a third…
3.
online eitaerlr
4.
a lartyp five per cent
5.
a drayim of reasons
6.
simply not eetetsnrid
Paragraph 2
7.
vserree this trend
8.
ehalundc a bedtime story writing competition
9.
just how aeebolyjn
10.
A makessopn from Littlewoods.com
11.
We aatpeipecr how important it is
12.
ilqatyu time
PUT THE TEXT BACK TOGETHER
Number these lines in the correct order.
( )
reading bedtime stories, saying: "As a mum of three, I know just how enjoyable reading bedtime stories to my kids
( )
of time, nine per cent said they are just "too stressed", while others said their children were simply not interested.
( )
from British online retailer Littlewoods.com, also found that up to 50 per cent of children would
( )
prefer to watch TV or play computer games than be read a story. Researchers further discovered that a paltry
( )
reasons why they did not read to their little ones. Thirteen per cent of parents blamed a lack
( )
for parents and kids to spend quality time together, and bedtime stories are a great way to do just this."
( )
five per cent of British under-sevens do not even own a book. Parents came up with a myriad of
( )
is." A spokesman from Littlewoods.com said: "We appreciate how important it is
( )
excited to see all the different story ideas and can't wait to see what the kids come
( )
Littlewoods has teamed up with British pop star Natasha Hamilton to try and reverse this trend. They have launched
( )
up with. Choosing a winner's not going to be easy." She spoke about her own joy as a mother in
( )
wane in Britain. A new study reveals that around a third of parents do not read bedtime stories to their children. The study,
( 1 )
It seems the age-old tradition of children getting a bedtime story before sleeping is on the
( )
a bedtime story writing competition for children under seven. Ms Hamilton, 31, told reporters: "I'm really
PUT THE WORDS IN THE RIGHT ORDER
of tradition old - age The story bedtime a getting children.
bedtime stories Around a third of parents do not read.
TV watch to prefer would children of 50% to Up.
per cent of British under - sevens A paltry five.
a Parents myriad came of up reasons with.
to see what the kids come up with Can't wait.
be winner's easy not going Choosing to a.
spoke own a She her as about joy mother.
it We is appreciate for how parents important.
just this Bedtime stories are a great way to do.
CIRCLE THE CORRECT WORD (20 PAIRS)
It seems the age-old tradition for / of children getting a bedtime story before sleeping is on the wane / wand in Britain. A new study revels / reveals that around a third of parents do not read bedtime stories to their children. The study, from British online trailer / retailer Littlewoods.com, also found that up to 50 per cent of children would prefer to watch TV or play computer games than be / are read a story. Researchers further discovered that a paltry / sultry five per cent of British under-sevens do not even own a book. Parents came up with a pyramid / myriad of reasons why they did not read to their little ones. Thirteen per cent of parents blaming / blamed a lack of time, nine per cent said they are justify / just "too stressed", while others said their children were simply not interested / interesting.
Littlewoods has streamed / teamed up with British pop star Natasha Hamilton to try and verse / reverse this trend. They have lunched / launched a bedtime story writing competition for children under seven. Ms Hamilton, 31, told reporters: "I'm really excitedly / excited to see all the different story ideas and can't wait to see what the kids come down / up with. Choosing a winner's not going to be easy." She spoke about her own joyous / joy as a mother in / on reading bedtime stories, saying: "As a mum of three, I know just how enjoyable reading bedtime stories to my kids are / is." A spokesman from Littlewoods.com said: "We appreciate how / why important it is for parents and kids to spend quality time together, and bedtime stories are a great way to do justice / just this."
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)
_t s__ms th_ _g_-_ld tr_d_t__n _f ch_ldr_n g_tt_ng _ b_dt_m_ st_ry b_f_r_ sl__p_ng _s _n th_ w_n_ _n Br_t__n. _ n_w st_dy r_v__ls th_t _r__nd _ th_rd _f p_r_nts d_ n_t r__d b_dt_m_ st_r__s t_ th__r ch_ldr_n. Th_ st_dy, fr_m Br_t_sh _nl_n_ r_t__l_r L_ttl_w__ds.c_m, _ls_ f__nd th_t _p t_ 50 p_r c_nt _f ch_ldr_n w__ld pr_f_r t_ w_tch TV _r pl_y c_mp_t_r g_m_s th_n b_ r__d _ st_ry. R_s__rch_rs f_rth_r d_sc_v_r_d th_t _ p_ltry f_v_ p_r c_nt _f Br_t_sh _nd_r-s_v_ns d_ n_t _v_n _wn _ b__k. P_r_nts c_m_ _p w_th _ myr__d _f r__s_ns why th_y d_d n_t r__d t_ th__r l_ttl_ _n_s. Th_rt__n p_r c_nt _f p_r_nts bl_m_d _ l_ck _f t_m_, n_n_ p_r c_nt s__d th_y _r_ j_st "t__ str_ss_d", wh_l_ _th_rs s__d th__r ch_ldr_n w_r_ s_mply n_t _nt_r_st_d.
L_ttl_w__ds h_s t__m_d _p w_th Br_t_sh p_p st_r N_t_sh_ H_m_lt_n t_ try _nd r_v_rs_ th_s tr_nd. Th_y h_v_ l__nch_d _ b_dt_m_ st_ry wr_t_ng c_mp_t_t__n f_r ch_ldr_n _nd_r s_v_n. Ms H_m_lt_n, 31, t_ld r_p_rt_rs: "_'m r__lly _xc_t_d t_ s__ _ll th_ d_ff_r_nt st_ry _d__s _nd c_n't w__t t_ s__ wh_t th_ k_ds c_m_ _p w_th. Ch__s_ng _ w_nn_r's n_t g__ng t_ b_ __sy." Sh_ sp_k_ _b__t h_r _wn j_y _s _ m_th_r _n r__d_ng b_dt_m_ st_r__s, s_y_ng: "_s _ m_m _f thr__, _ kn_w j_st h_w _nj_y_bl_ r__d_ng b_dt_m_ st_r__s t_ my k_ds _s." _ sp_k_sm_n fr_m L_ttl_w__ds.c_m s__d: "W_ _ppr_c__t_ h_w _mp_rt_nt _t _s f_r p_r_nts _nd k_ds t_ sp_nd q__l_ty t_m_ t_g_th_r, _nd b_dt_m_ st_r__s _r_ _ gr__t w_y t_ d_ j_st th_s."
PUNCTUATE THE TEXT AND ADD CAPITALS
it seems the age-old tradition of children getting a bedtime story before sleeping is on the wane in britain a new study reveals that around a third of parents do not read bedtime stories to their children the study from british online retailer littlewoodscom also found that up to 50 per cent of children would prefer to watch tv or play computer games than be read a story researchers further discovered that a paltry five per cent of british under-sevens do not even own a book parents came up with a myriad of reasons why they did not read to their little ones thirteen per cent of parents blamed a lack of time nine per cent said they are just "too stressed" while others said their children were simply not interested
littlewoods has teamed up with british pop star natasha hamilton to try and reverse this trend they have launched a bedtime story writing competition for children under seven ms hamilton 31 told reporters "i'm really excited to see all the different story ideas and can't wait to see what the kids come up with choosing a winner's not going to be easy" she spoke about her own joy as a mother in reading bedtime stories saying "as a mum of three i know just how enjoyable reading bedtime stories to my kids is" a spokesman from littlewoodscom said "we appreciate how important it is for parents and kids to spend quality time together and bedtime stories are a great way to do just this"
PUT A SLASH ( / ) WHERE THE SPACES ARE
Itseemstheage-oldtraditionofchildrengettingabedtimestorybeforesleeping
isonthewaneinBritain.Anewstudyrevealsthataroundathirdofparentsdonotrea
dbedtimestoriestotheirchildren.Thestudy,fromBritishonlineretailerLittlewoo
ds.com,alsofoundthatupto50percentofchildrenwouldprefertowatchTVorplay
computergamesthanbereadastory.Researchersfurtherdiscoveredthatapaltr
yfivepercentofBritishunder-sevensdonotevenownabook.Parentscameupw
ithamyriadofreasonswhytheydidnotreadtotheirlittleones.Thirteenpercentofp
arentsblamedalackoftime,ninepercentsaidtheyarejust"toostressed",whileot
herssaidtheirchildrenweresimplynotinterested.Littlewoodshasteamedupwit
hBritishpopstarNatashaHamiltontotryandreversethistrend.Theyhavelaunch
edabedtimestorywritingcompetitionforchildrenunderseven.MsHamilton,31,t
oldreporters:"I'mreallyexcitedtoseeallthedifferentstoryideasandcan'twaitto
seewhatthekidscomeupwith.Choosingawinner'snotgoingtobeeasy."Shespok
eaboutherownjoyasamotherinreadingbedtimestories,saying:"Asamumofthr
ee,Iknowjusthowenjoyablereadingbedtimestoriestomykidsis."Aspokesmanf
romLittlewoods.comsaid:"Weappreciatehowimportantitisforparentsandkidst
ospendqualitytimetogether,andbedtimestoriesareagreatwaytodojustthis."FREE WRITING
Write about bedtime stories for 10 minutes. Comment on your partner's paper.
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ACADEMIC WRITING
Reading bedtime stories to children is an important duty for parents. Discuss.
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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 bedtime stories. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.
3. BEDTIME STORIES: Make a poster about the importance and effect of bedtime stories. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?
4. TRADITION: Write a magazine article about the demise of the age-old tradition of reading bedtime stories. Include imaginary interviews with people who think reading bedtime stories is essential and those who think it isn't.
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 a child literacy expert. Ask him/her three questions about bedtime stories. Give him/her three of your opinions. Read your letter to your partner(s) in your next lesson. Your partner(s) will answer your questions.
ANSWERS
TRUE / FALSE (p.4)
a
F
b
F
c
T
d
T
e
T
f
F
g
F
h
T
SYNONYM MATCH (p.4)
1.
age-old
a.
well-established
2.
on the wane
b.
declining
3.
reveals
c.
shows
4.
paltry
d.
insignificant
5.
blamed
e.
put it down to
6.
teamed up
f.
collaborated
7.
trend
g.
direction
8.
come up with
h.
produce
9.
joy
i.
delight
10.
appreciate
j.
know
COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS (p.8)
1.
On the wane
2.
An online retailer
3.
Up to 50%
4.
5
5.
They didn't have time to read bedtime stories
6.
A bedtime story writing competition
7.
Under-sevens
8.
Seeing different stories from kids
9.
3
10.
Spending quality time together
MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ (p.9)
1.
c
2.
a
3.
a
4.
b
5.
d
6.
b
7.
a
8.
c
9.
d
10.
a
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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