Kids run more slowly than 30 years ago (22nd November, 2014)

The Reading / Listening - Level 3

A new report from the American Heart Association says fitness levels in children are lower today than they were 30 years ago. The researchers looked at data from the past 46 years. The statistics were on more than 25 million children in 28 countries. The research team found that on average, today's children run one kilometre about one minute slower than their parents did three decades ago. The figures were roughly the same for boys and girls. The distance a child can run is decreasing by around half of one per cent every year. One of the biggest reasons for the slowdown in children's running ability is obesity. Kids are overweight because they are eating too much and not exercising enough.

The researchers say their report is worrying. If children are becoming fatter and less fit, they will be unhealthier in the future. Lead researcher Dr Grant Tomkinson said: "If a young person is generally unfit now, then they are more likely to develop conditions like heart disease later in life." Dr Tomkinson said: "We need to help to inspire children and youth to develop fitness habits that will keep them healthy now and into the future. They need to choose a range of physical activities they like or think they might like to try, and they need to get moving." He added: "Young people can be fit in different ways. They can be strong like a weightlifter, or flexible like a gymnast, or skillful like a tennis player."

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

Level 0, Level 1 or Level 2

Sources

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-24998497
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2509809/Children-today-15-fit-parents-90-seconds-longer-run-mile.html
http://blog.heart.org/childrens-cardiovascular-fitness-declining-worldwide/

Make sure you try all of the online activities for this reading and listening - There are dictations, multiple choice, drag and drop activities, crosswords, hangman, flash cards, matching activities and a whole lot more. Please enjoy :-)

The 40 Lesson Activities on the PDF Handout

WARM-UPS

1. FITNESS: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about fitness. 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.

report / 30 years ago / data / statistics / on average / boys and girls / obesity / eating / worrying / unhealthier / unfit / heart disease / inspire / physical activities / flexible

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

3. KIDS TODAY: How different are they? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

	Kids today	When parents were kids
Exercise
Dreams
Playing outside
Manners
Toys
Food

4. HEALTHIER: Students A strongly believe kids are happier today; Students B strongly believe kids were healthier 30 years ago. Change partners again and talk about your conversations.

MY e-BOOK

ESL resource book with copiable worksheets and handouts - 1,000 Ideas and Activities for Language Teachers / English teachers

See a sample

5. EXERCISE: Rank these and share your rankings with your partner. Put the best exercise for kids at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

• playing outside

• exercise bike at home

• school sports classes

• club activities

• sport with family

• cycling to school

• the gym

• exercises in their room

6. OVERWIGHT: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "overweight". 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.	Kids are running more slowly because they have shorter legs.	T / F
b.	Researches looked at statistics on over 25 million kids worldwide.	T / F
c.	Boys are running much more slowly than girls.	T / F
d.	Obesity is one of the biggest reasons for kids running more slowly.	T / F
e.	The researchers are not so concerned about what they found out.	T / F
f.	The researchers said too many kids today have heart disease.	T / F
g.	A doctor said we need to inspire children to start exercising.	T / F
h.	The doctor suggested kids could become a gymnast or tennis player.	T / F

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

1.	levels	a.	figures
2.	data	b.	concerning
3.	roughly	c.	variety
4.	reasons	d.	rates
5.	decreasing	e.	usually
6.	worrying	f.	dropping
7.	generally	g.	about
8.	conditions	h.	talented
9.	range	i.	causes
10.	skillful	j.	illnesses

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

1.	A new report from the	a.	habits
2.	fitness levels in children	b.	run is decreasing
3.	run one kilometre about one minute	c.	are eating too much
4.	The distance a child can	d.	a gymnast
5.	Kids are overweight because they	e.	of physical activities
6.	children are becoming fatter	f.	slower than their parents
7.	develop conditions like heart disease	g.	American Heart Association
8.	develop fitness	h.	and less fit
9.	They need to choose a range	i.	are lower today
10.	flexible like	j.	later in life

GAP FILL

A new report from the American Heart Association says fitness (1) ____________ in children are lower today than they were 30 years ago. The researchers looked at (2) ____________ from the past 46 years. The statistics were on more than 25 million children in 28 countries. The research team found that on (3) ____________, today's children run one kilometre about one minute (4) ____________ than their parents did three decades ago. The figures were (5) ____________ the same for boys and girls. The distance a child can run is (6) ____________ by around half of one per cent every year. One of the biggest reasons for the slowdown in children's running (7) ____________ is obesity. Kids are overweight because they are (8) ____________ too much and not exercising enough.

ability
slower
data
eating
levels
roughly
average
decreasing

The researchers say their report is (9) ____________. If children are becoming fatter and less fit, they will be (10) ____________ in the future. Lead researcher Dr Grant Tomkinson said: "If a young person is generally unfit now, then they are more likely to (11) ____________ conditions like heart disease later in life." Dr Tomkinson said: "We need to help to (12) ____________ children and youth to develop fitness habits that will keep them healthy now and into the future. They need to choose a (13) ____________ of physical activities they like or think they might like to try, and they need to get (14) ____________." He added: "Young people can be (15) ____________ in different ways. They can be strong like a weightlifter, or (16) ____________ like a gymnast, or skillful like a tennis player."

range
fit
moving
unhealthier
inspire
worrying
flexible
develop

LISTENING - Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)	A new report from the American ______
	a. Heart Associations b. Heart Associating c. Heart Association d. Heart Associated
2)	The ______ roughly the same for boys and girls
	a. fig hours were b. figures were c. fig ours were d. feeders were
3)	The ______ can run is decreasing by around half
	a. distances a child b. distanced a child c. distancing a child d. distance a child
4)	One of the biggest reasons for the slowdown in children's running ______
	a. ability is oh bee city b. ability is obese it is c. ability is obesity d. ability is so bee city
5)	Kids are overweight because they are eating too much and ______
	a. not exercise in enough b. not exercising enough c. not exercise it enough d. not exercising it enough
6)	The researchers say their report ______
	a. is worrying b. is worry in c. is worry ring d. is worryingly
7)	they are more likely to develop conditions ______
	a. like hearts disease b. like heat disease c. like hearth disease d. like heart disease
8)	We need to help to inspire children and youth to ______
	a. developed fitness habits b. develops fitness habits c. develop fitness habits d. developing fitness habits
9)	They need to choose a range of ______
	a. physical active teas b. physical activities c. physical actively d. physical activates
10)	They can be strong like a weightlifter, or flexible ______
	a. like a gym mast b. like a gymnastics c. like a gymnasts d. like a gymnast

LISTENING – Listen and fill in the gaps

A new report from the American (1) ___________________ fitness levels in children are lower today than they were 30 years ago. The researchers looked (2) ___________________ 46 years. The statistics were on more than 25 million children in 28 countries. The research team found that on average, today's children run one kilometre about one minute slower than their parents did (3) ___________________. The figures were roughly the same for boys and girls. The (4) ___________________ can run is decreasing by around half of one per cent every year. One of the biggest (5) ___________________ in children's running ability is obesity. Kids are overweight because they are eating too much and (6) ___________________.

The researchers say their report is worrying. If children are becoming fatter and (7) ___________________ unhealthier in the future. Lead researcher Dr Grant Tomkinson said: "If a young person is (8) ___________________, then they are more likely to (9) ___________________ heart disease later in life." Dr Tomkinson said: "We need to (10) ___________________ children and youth to develop fitness habits that will keep them healthy now and into the future. They need to (11) ___________________ physical activities they like or think they might like to try, and they need to get moving." He added: "Young people can be fit in different ways. They can be strong like a weightlifter, (12) ___________________ gymnast, or skillful like a tennis player."

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS

1.	Who made the report?
2.	How far back into the past did researchers look?
3.	What was the difference between boys and girls?
4.	How much does how far a child can run fall each year?
5.	What is one of the main reasons kids aren't as fit today?
6.	What did the researchers say about their report?
7.	What major illness did a doctor say kids could get in the future?
8.	What habits did the doctor say kids need to develop?
9.	What do children need to choose a range of?
10.	Who did the doctor say was flexible?

MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ

1.	Who made the report?	6.	What did the researchers say about their report?
	a) Association of American Heart b) Heart Association of America c) American Association of Hearts d) American Heart Association		a) it was fantastic b) it was worrying c) it was hard work d) kids will never read it
2.	How far back into the past did researchers look?	7.	What major illness did a doctor say kids could get in the future?
	a) 36 years b) 46 years c) 16 years d) 26 years		a) liver disease b) lung disease c) kidney disease d) heart disease
3.	What was the difference between boys and girls?	8.	What habits did the doctor say kids need to develop?
	a) a huge difference b) as different as chalk and cheese c) they were about the same d) they were identical		a) fitness habits b) study habits c) bad habits d) relaxation habits
4.	How much does how far a child can run fall each year?	9.	What do children need to choose a range of?
	a) half a per cent b) 0.75% c) one per cent d) 233 metres		a) energy drinks b) parents c) physical activities d) food
5.	What is one of the main reasons kids aren't as fit today?	10.	Who did the doctor say was flexible?
	a) shorter legs b) the change from miles to kilometres c) obesity d) parents		a) researchers b) gymnasts c) weightlifters d) tennis players

ROLE PLAY

Role A – Play outside

You think playing outside is the best way for kids to keep fit. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things that are wrong with their ideas. Also, tell the others which is the least effective of these (and why): having no fast food, cycling everywhere or playing sport at school.

Role B – No fast food

You think having no fast food is the best way for kids to keep fit. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things that are wrong with their ideas. Also, tell the others which is the least effective of these (and why): playing outside, cycling everywhere or playing sport at school.

Role C – Cycle everywhere

You think cycling everywhere is the best way for kids to keep fit. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things that are wrong with their ideas. Also, tell the others which is the least effective of these (and why): having no fast food, playing outside or playing sport at school.

Role D – Sport at school

You think playing sport at school is the best way for kids to keep fit. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things that are wrong with their ideas. Also, tell the others which is the least effective of these (and why): having no fast food, cycling everywhere or playing outside.

AFTER READING / LISTENING

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

fitness

level

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:

report
46
28
three
half
eating

less
young
later
habits
try
gymnast

FITNESS SURVEY

Write five GOOD questions about fitness 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.

FITNESS 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 'fitness'?
c)	How fit are you?
d)	What exercise did you like and dislike when you were younger?
e)	Why are kids not as fit as their parents were at the same age?
f)	Who is more responsible for less-fit kids – parents, schools or the government?
g)	Do you like exercise?
h)	Do you think this trend will turn around in the future?
i)	Is exercise for children in danger of disappearing?
j)	Will obesity get worse in the future? How much worse?

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

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

a)	Did you like reading this article? Why/not?
b)	Are you worried about this report?
c)	Will (do) you make sure your kids get a lot of exercise?
d)	Which is more enjoyable, a video game or playing a team sport?
e)	How fit are children in your country?
f)	Should local communities start fitness programmes for kids?
g)	How can we make kids exercise more?
h)	How can you get fitter by studying English?
i)	What sport would you like to be really good at?
j)	What would you like to ask a fitness expert about kids' health?

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

A new report from the American Heart Association says fitness levels (1) ____ children are lower today than they were 30 years ago. The researchers looked at data from the (2) ____ 46 years. The statistics were on more than 25 million children in 28 countries. The research team found that (3) ____ average, today's children run one kilometre about one minute slower than their parents did three decades ago. The figures were (4) ____ the same for boys and girls. The distance a child can run is decreasing by around half of one per cent every year. One of the biggest (5) ____ for the slowdown in children's running ability is (6) ____. Kids are overweight because they are eating too much and not exercising enough.

The researchers say their report is (7) ____. If children are becoming fatter and less fit, they will be unhealthier (8) ____ the future. Lead researcher Dr Grant Tomkinson said: "If a young person is (9) ____ unfit now, then they are more likely to develop conditions like heart disease later in life." Dr Tomkinson said: "We need to help to inspire children and youth to develop fitness (10) ____ that will keep them healthy now and into the future. They need to choose a range of physical activities they like or think they might like to try, and they need to (11) ____ moving." He added: "Young people can be fit in different ways. They can be strong like a weightlifter, or flexible like a (12) ____, or skillful like a tennis player."

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

1.	(a)	on	(b)	in	(c)	by	(d)	as
2.	(a)	parsed	(b)	past	(c)	passing	(d)	passed
3.	(a)	in	(b)	of	(c)	by	(d)	on
4.	(a)	rough	(b)	roughly	(c)	roughness	(d)	roughed
5.	(a)	motives	(b)	reasons	(c)	cause	(d)	excuse
6.	(a)	adversity	(b)	university	(c)	obesity	(d)	complexity
7.	(a)	worried	(b)	worries	(c)	worrying	(d)	worrier
8.	(a)	on	(b)	of	(c)	in	(d)	by
9.	(a)	privately	(b)	captained	(c)	corporal	(d)	generally
10.	(a)	stuff	(b)	routine	(c)	businesses	(d)	habits
11.	(a)	get	(b)	move	(c)	stop	(d)	try
12.	(a)	pensioner	(b)	rock	(c)	gymnast	(d)	steel bar

SPELLING

Paragraph 1
1.	the American Heart isictAasoon
2.	The atscissitt were on more than 25 million children
3.	The figures were rhugylo the same for boys and girls
4.	The siacdtne a child can run
5.	Kids are ivrweeothg because they are eating too much
6.	not exercising eohgnu
Paragraph 2
7.	The researchers say their report is ogrrwnyi
8.	a young person is aenyrglel unfit
9.	develop conditions like heart sdsaiee later in life
10.	We need to help to ipnersi children
11.	a range of hicyplsa activities
12.	lbexiefl like a gymnast

PUT THE TEXT BACK TOGETHER

Number these lines in the correct order.

( )	today than they were 30 years ago. The researchers looked at data from the past
( 1 )	A new report from the American Heart Association says fitness levels in children are lower
( )	of one per cent every year. One of the biggest reasons for the slowdown in children's running
( )	is generally unfit now, then they are more likely to develop conditions like heart disease later in life." Dr Tomkinson said: "We need
( )	The researchers say their report is worrying. If children are becoming fatter and less
( )	decades ago. The figures were roughly the same for boys and girls. The distance a child can run is decreasing by around half
( )	strong like a weightlifter, or flexible like a gymnast, or skillful like a tennis player."
( )	average, today's children run one kilometre about one minute slower than their parents did three
( )	to help to inspire children and youth to develop fitness habits that will keep them healthy now and
( )	to get moving." He added: "Young people can be fit in different ways. They can be
( )	46 years. The statistics were on more than 25 million children in 28 countries. The research team found that on
( )	ability is obesity. Kids are overweight because they are eating too much and not exercising enough.
( )	fit, they will be unhealthier in the future. Lead researcher Dr Grant Tomkinson said: "If a young person
( )	into the future. They need to choose a range of physical activities they like or think they might like to try, and they need

PUT THE WORDS IN THE RIGHT ORDER

1.	new Heart report Association from the A American.
2.	from the past 46 years The researchers looked at data.
3.	children statistics more million The on 25 were than.
4.	roughly the same for boys and girls The figures were.
5.	exercising not and much too Eating enough.
6.	report say The is their researchers worrying.
7.	develop conditions More like likely heart to disease.
8.	develop children fitness and habits youth to Inspire.
9.	activities need a physical They choose of to range.
10.	in people different can ways be fit Young.

CIRCLE THE CORRECT WORD (20 PAIRS)

A new report from the American Heart Association says fitness level / levels in children are lower today than they were 30 years ago. The researchers looked at data from the past / passed 46 years. The statistics were in / on more than 25 million children in 28 countries. The research team found that on average / avenge, today's children run one kilometre about one minute slower / slowly than their parents did three decades ago. The figures were rough / roughly the same for boys and girls. The distance / far a child can run is decreasing / decreased by around half of one per cent every year. One of the biggest reasons for the slowdown in children's running able / ability is obesity. Kids are overweight because they are eating too much and not exercising / exercises enough.

The researchers say their report is worrying / worried. If children are becoming fatter and less fitting / fit, they will be unhealthier in the future. Lead researcher Dr Grant Tomkinson said: "If a young person is general / generally unfit now, then they are more likely to develop condition / conditions like heart disease later in living / life." Dr Tomkinson said: "We need to help to inspire / inspiration children and youthful / youth to develop fitness habits that will keep them healthy now and into the future. They need to choice / choose a range of physical activities they like or think they might like to try, and they need to get moving / moved." He added: "Young people can be fit in different ways. They can be strong like a weightlifter, or flexible like a gymnast, or skillful / skill like a tennis player."

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)

_ n_w r_p_rt fr_m th_ _m_r_c_n H__rt _ss_c__t__n s_ys f_tn_ss l_v_ls _n ch_ldr_n _r_ l_w_r t_d_y th_n th_y w_r_ 30 y__rs _g_. Th_ r_s__rch_rs l__k_d _t d_t_ fr_m th_ p_st 46 y__rs. Th_ st_t_st_cs w_r_ _n m_r_ th_n 25 m_ll__n ch_ldr_n _n 28 c__ntr__s. Th_ r_s__rch t__m f__nd th_t _n _v_r_g_, t_d_y's ch_ldr_n r_n _n_ k_l_m_tr_ _b__t _n_ m_n_t_ sl_w_r th_n th__r p_r_nts d_d thr__ d_c_d_s _g_. Th_ f_g_r_s w_r_ r__ghly th_ s_m_ f_r b_ys _nd g_rls. Th_ d_st_nc_ _ ch_ld c_n r_n _s d_cr__s_ng by _r__nd h_lf _f _n_ p_r c_nt _v_ry y__r. _n_ _f th_ b_gg_st r__s_ns f_r th_ sl_wd_wn _n ch_ldr_n's r_nn_ng _b_l_ty _s _b_s_ty. K_ds _r_ _v_rw__ght b_c__s_ th_y _r_ __t_ng t__ m_ch _nd n_t _x_rc_s_ng _n__gh.

Th_ r_s__rch_rs s_y th__r r_p_rt _s w_rry_ng. _f ch_ldr_n _r_ b_c_m_ng f_tt_r _nd l_ss f_t, th_y w_ll b_ _nh__lth__r _n th_ f_t_r_. L__d r_s__rch_r Dr Gr_nt T_mk_ns_n s__d: "_f _ y__ng p_rs_n _s g_n_r_lly _nf_t n_w, th_n th_y _r_ m_r_ l_k_ly t_ d_v_l_p c_nd_t__ns l_k_ h__rt d_s__s_ l_t_r _n l_f_." Dr T_mk_ns_n s__d: "W_ n__d t_ h_lp t_ _nsp_r_ ch_ldr_n _nd y__th t_ d_v_l_p f_tn_ss h_b_ts th_t w_ll k__p th_m h__lthy n_w _nd _nt_ th_ f_t_r_. Th_y n__d t_ ch__s_ _ r_ng_ _f phys_c_l _ct_v_t__s th_y l_k_ _r th_nk th_y m_ght l_k_ t_ try, _nd th_y n__d t_ g_t m_v_ng." H_ _dd_d: "Y__ng p__pl_ c_n b_ f_t _n d_ff_r_nt w_ys. Th_y c_n b_ str_ng l_k_ _ w__ghtl_ft_r, _r fl_x_bl_ l_k_ _ gymn_st, _r sk_llf_l l_k_ _ t_nn_s pl_y_r."

PUNCTUATE THE TEXT AND ADD CAPITALS

a new report from the american heart association says fitness levels in children are lower today than they were 30 years ago the researchers looked at data from the past 46 years the statistics were on more than 25 million children in 28 countries the research team found that on average today's children run one kilometre about one minute slower than their parents did three decades ago the figures were roughly the same for boys and girls the distance a child can run is decreasing by around half of one per cent every year one of the biggest reasons for the slowdown in children's running ability is obesity kids are overweight because they are eating too much and not exercising enough

the researchers say their report is worrying if children are becoming fatter and less fit they will be unhealthier in the future lead researcher dr grant tomkinson said "if a young person is generally unfit now then they are more likely to develop conditions like heart disease later in life" dr tomkinson said "we need to help to inspire children and youth to develop fitness habits that will keep them healthy now and into the future they need to choose a range of physical activities they like or think they might like to try and they need to get moving" he added "young people can be fit in different ways they can be strong like a weightlifter or flexible like a gymnast or skillful like a tennis player"

PUT A SLASH ( / ) WHERE THE SPACES ARE

AnewreportfromtheAmericanHeartAssociationsaysfitnesslevelsinchi
ldrenarelowertodaythantheywere30yearsago.Theresearcherslooked
atdatafromthepast46years.Thestatisticswereonmorethan25millionc
hildrenin28countries.Theresearchteamfoundthatonaverage,today's
childrenrunonekilometreaboutoneminuteslowerthantheirparentsdid
threedecadesago.Thefigureswereroughlythesameforboysandgirls.Th
edistanceachildcanrunisdecreasingbyaroundhalfofonepercenteveryy
ear.Oneofthebiggestreasonsfortheslowdowninchildren'srunningabili
tyisobesity.Kidsareoverweightbecausetheyareeatingtoomuchandno
texercisingenough.Theresearcherssaytheirreportisworrying.Ifchildr
enarebecomingfatterandlessfit,theywillbeunhealthierinthefuture.Lea
dresearcherDrGrantTomkinsonsaid:"Ifayoungpersonisgenerallyunfit
now,thentheyaremorelikelytodevelopconditionslikeheartdiseaselate
rinlife."DrTomkinsonsaid:"Weneedtohelptoinspirechildrenandyouth
todevelopfitnesshabitsthatwillkeepthemhealthynowandintothefutur
e.Theyneedtochoosearangeofphysicalactivitiestheylikeorthinkthey
mightliketotry,andtheyneedtogetmoving."Headded:"Youngpeoplec
anbefitindifferentways.Theycanbestronglikeaweightlifter,orflexiblelik
eagymnast,orskillfullikeatennisplayer."

FREE WRITING

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

_____________________________________________________________________________

ACADEMIC WRITING

All children should do one hour of exercise every day at school. 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 fitness in children. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.

3. FITNESS: Make a poster about fitness and how children can be fitter. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?

4. FITNESS LEVELS: Write a magazine article about the fall in fitness levels in today's children. Include imaginary interviews with parents and children

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 fitness expert. Ask him/her three questions about fitness for children. Give him/her three of your opinions on how to make children fitter. 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

T

c

F

d

T

e

F

f

F

g

T

h

T

SYNONYM MATCH (p.4)

1.	levels	a.	rates
2.	data	b.	figures
3.	roughly	c.	about
4.	reasons	d.	causes
5.	decreasing	e.	dropping
6.	worrying	f.	concerning
7.	generally	g.	usually
8.	conditions	h.	illnesses
9.	range	i.	variety
10.	skillful	j.	talented

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS (p.8)

1.	The American Heart Association
2.	46 years
3.	They were roughly the same
4.	1/2%
5.	Obesity
6.	It was worrying
7.	Heart disease
8.	Fitness habits
9.	Physical activities
10.	Gymnasts

MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ (p.9)

1.

d

2.

b

3.

c

4.

a

5.

c

6.

b

7.

d

8.

a

9.

c

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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Kids run more slowly than 30 years ago (22nd November, 2014)

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