Breaking News English Lesson on Clouds

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Scientists list 12 new types of cloud (2nd April, 2017)

The Reading / Listening - Clouds - Level 6

For the first time in 30 years, scientists, meteorologists, sky watchers and cloud lovers have names for 12 'new' cloud formations. The International Cloud Atlas has recognized 'new' types of cloud for the first time since 1987. The atlas has been referencing cloud formations since 1896. It is considered to be the standard and most authoritative reference tool on clouds. The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) now publishes it and has the final say on whether or not to include new clouds and cloud features. The WMO said you don't need to be an expert to find a new cloud. A spokesman said anyone can take a photo and send it to the WMO, and that could be recognized one day as a new cloud.

The new addition creating the biggest buzz online is named asperitas, meaning 'rough-like' in Latin. It looks like the tossing of the waves at sea when viewed from below. Another is the volutus. This a low, horizontal, tube-shaped cloud mass that looks like it is rolling. The WMO said the attention the new clouds are receiving could increase people's interest in the environment. It said: "The value of the atlas is that it draws our attention to the sky and by learning the name of the formations…we pay attention to and value what we see around us." It added: "By giving a language to the forms of our atmosphere, we are helping people to value our atmosphere and to pay attention to our impact on it."

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

Clouds - Level 4 or Clouds - Level 5

Sources

http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-39351843
https://weather.com/news/weather/news/new-cloud-species-world-meteorological-organization-cloud-atlas
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-03-23/asperitas-burnie-mans-cloud-dreams-come-true/8379362

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 :-)

Warm-ups

1. CLOUDS: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about clouds. Change partners often and share your findings.

2. CHAT: In pairs / groups, talk about these topics or words from the article. What will the article say about them? What can you say about these words and your life?

meteorologists / names / types / atlas / standard / tool / features / expert / photo /
addition / Latin / waves / tube / interest / environment / value / atmosphere / impact

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

3. INTERESTING: Students A strongly believe clouds are the most interesting thing about the sky; Students B strongly believe otherwise. Change partners again and talk about your conversations.

4. ENVIRONMENT: What do you know about these things that make up our environment and weather? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

	What I know	What I Want To Know
Clouds
Lightning
Hail
The Northern Lights
Humidity
Snow

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. TOOL: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "tool". Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about them. Together, put the words into different categories.

6. STUDY: Rank these with your partner. Put the best things to study at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

photosynthesis
the Sun
global warming
El Nino
clouds
the ozone layer
hurricanes
the Moon

Before reading / listening

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

There are names for new clouds for the first time in 30 years. T / F
The International Cloud Atlas started in 1987. T / F
The World Meteorological Agency publishes the International Cloud Atlas. T / F
The World Meteorological Agency says people can send it photos. T / F
The cloud causing the greatest online interest has a Greek name. T / F
The volutus cloud is shaped like a spiral. T / F
The value of the atlas is that it draws our attention to the sky. T / F
The WMO says there is little value in giving names to clouds. T / F

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

meteorologists
formations
considered
whether
expert
addition
below
interest
value
impact

specialist
if
inclusion
patterns
attraction
appreciate
weather forecasters
effect
underneath
believed

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

For the first
the standard and most authoritative
has the final
you don't need to
could be recognized one
creating the biggest
like the tossing of the waves
This a low, horizontal, tube-
we pay attention to and value
pay attention to our

buzz online
impact on it
be an expert
shaped cloud mass
time in 30 years
say
what we see around us
reference tool
at sea
day as a new cloud

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.

recognized
say
reference
day
lovers
expert
atlas
publishes

For the first time in 30 years, scientists, meteorologists, sky watchers and cloud (1) ____________ have names for 12 'new' cloud formations. The International Cloud Atlas has (2) ____________ 'new' types of cloud for the first time since 1987. The (3) ____________ has been referencing cloud formations since 1896. It is considered to be the standard and most authoritative (4) ____________ tool on clouds. The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) now (5) ____________ it and has the final (6) ____________ on whether or not to include new clouds and cloud features. The WMO said you don't need to be an (7) ____________ to find a new cloud. A spokesman said anyone can take a photo and send it to the WMO, and that could be recognized one (8) ____________ as a new cloud.

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.

interest
buzz
impact
attention
viewed
forms
tossing
draws

The new addition creating the biggest (9) ____________ online is named asperitas, meaning 'rough-like' in Latin. It looks like the (10) ____________ of the waves at sea when (11) ____________ from below. Another is the volutus. This a low, horizontal, tube-shaped cloud mass that looks like it is rolling. The WMO said the attention the new clouds are receiving could increase people's (12) ____________ in the environment. It said: "The value of the atlas is that it (13) ____________ our attention to the sky and by learning the name of the formations…we pay (14) ____________ to and value what we see around us." It added: "By giving a language to the (15) ____________ of our atmosphere, we are helping people to value our atmosphere and to pay attention to our (16) ____________ on it."

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1) meteorologists, sky watchers and cloud lovers have names for 12 'new' ______
     a. cloud formulations
     b. cloud information
     c. cloud informatics
     d. cloud formations

2) It is considered to be the standard and most authoritative reference ______
     a. stool on clouds
     b. tail on clouds
     c. tool on clouds
     d. tooled on clouds

3) The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) now publishes it and ______
     a. has the finals says
     b. has the final stay
     c. has the final say
     d. has the finals say

4) The WMO said you don't need to be an expert to find ______
     a. anew cloud
     b. a new cloud
     c. a newish cloud
     d. a newly cloud

5) send it to the WMO, and that could be recognized one day ______
     a. as a new cloud
     b. has a new cloud
     c. was a new cloud
     d. alas a new cloud

6) The new addition creating the biggest ______
     a. Buzz Aldrine
     b. buzzer online
     c. buzz on lane
     d. buzz online

7) It looks like the tossing of the waves at sea when ______
     a. view it from below
     b. viewed form below
     c. viewed from below
     d. viewed from bellow

8) This a low, horizontal, tube-shaped cloud mass that looks ______
     a. like it is LOLing
     b. like it is lolling
     c. like it is rolling
     d. like it is loll in

9) The value of the atlas is that it draws our attention ______
     a. to the skies
     b. to the skied
     c. to the sky
     d. to the skier

10) we are helping people to value our atmosphere and to pay attention to ______
     a. our impact on it
     b. our compact on it
     c. our imprint on it
     d. our impart on it

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

For the (1) ___________________ years, scientists, meteorologists, sky watchers and cloud lovers have names for 12 'new' cloud formations. The International Cloud Atlas has recognized 'new' (2) ___________________ the first time since 1987. The atlas has been referencing cloud formations since 1896. (3) ___________________ be the standard and most authoritative reference tool on clouds. The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) now publishes it and has the final (4) ___________________ not to include new clouds and cloud features. The WMO said you don't need (5) ___________________ to find a new cloud. A spokesman said anyone can take a photo and send it to the WMO, and that could be recognized (6) ___________________ new cloud.

The new addition creating the biggest (7) ___________________ named asperitas, meaning 'rough-like' in Latin. It looks like (8) ___________________ the waves at sea when viewed from below. Another is the volutus. (9) ___________________, tube-shaped cloud mass that looks like it is rolling. The WMO said the attention the new clouds are receiving could increase (10) ___________________ the environment. It said: "The value of the atlas is that it (11) ___________________ to the sky and by learning the name of the formations…we pay attention to and value what we see around us." It added: "By giving a language to the forms of our atmosphere, we are helping people to value our atmosphere and to pay attention (12) ___________________."

Comprehension questions

When was the last time a new cloud was recognized?
When did the International Cloud Atlas begin?
What is the abbreviation of the organization that publishes the cloud atlas?
What did the organization say you don't have to be?
What should someone send the organization if they find a new cloud?
What does asperitas mean in Latin?
What kind of shape is the volutus cloud formation?
What could the new clouds increase people's interest in?
What does the atlas draw our attention to?
What does naming the clouds help people to value?

Multiple choice quiz

1) When was the last time a new cloud was recognized?
a) 10 years ago / 2007
b) 40 years ago / 1977
c) 30 years ago / 1987
d) 20 years ago / 1997

2) When did the International Cloud Atlas begin?
a) 1698
b) 1968
c) 1986
d) 1896

3) What is the abbreviation of the organization that publishes the cloud atlas?
a) WMO
b) WOM
c) MOW
d) OWM

4) What did the organization say you don't have to be?
a) a meteorologist
b) a pilot
c) an expert
d) a cloud lover

5) What should someone send the organization if they find a new cloud?
a) a cloud
b) a photo
c) an atlas
d) cloud vapour

6) What does asperitas mean in Latin?
a) rough-like
b) wavy
c) tossing sea
d) buzz

7) What kind of shape is the volutus cloud formation?
a) spaghetti-shaped
b) spiral-shaped
c) tune-shaped
d) heart-shaped

8) What could the new clouds increase people's interest in?
a) the environment
b) drawings
c) atlases
d) photos

9) What does the atlas draw our attention to?
a) the sky
b) the ocean
c) rainbows
d) the Northern Lights

10) What does naming the clouds help people to value?
a) the International Cloud Atlas
b) meteorologists
c) the WMO
d) the atmosphere

Role play

Role A – Clouds

You think clouds are the best things to study. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their things. Also, tell the others which is the most boring of these (and why): the ozone layer, photosynthesis or El Nino.

Role B – The Ozone Layer

You think the ozone layer is best thing to study. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their things. Also, tell the others which is the most boring of these (and why): clouds, photosynthesis or El Nino.

Role C – Photosynthesis

You think photosynthesis is best thing to study. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their things. Also, tell the others which is the most boring of these (and why): the ozone layer, clouds or El Nino.

Role D – El Nino

You think El Nino is best thing to study. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their things. Also, tell the others which is the most boring of these (and why): the ozone layer, photosynthesis or clouds.

After reading / listening

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

'type'

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

and 'cloud'.
________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

• 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:

buzz

sea

mass

draws

language

impact

names

since

tool

final

expert

take

Student survey

Write five GOOD questions about this topic in the table. Do this in pairs. Each student must write the questions on his / her own paper. When you have finished, interview other students. Write down their answers.

(Please look at page 12 of the PDF to see a photocopiable example of this activity.)

Discussion - Scientists list 12 new types of cloud

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

What did you think when you read the headline?
What springs to mind when you hear the word 'cloud'?
What do you think of clouds?
Do you have a favourite type of clouds?
Do you prefer a cloudy or cloudless sky?
What does 'have one's head in the clouds' mean?
How are clouds formed?
What cloud types do you know of?
How important are clouds?
How many adjectives do you know to describe clouds?

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

Did you like reading this article? Why/not?
What do you think of when you hear the word 'sky'?
What do you think about what you read?
How interested are you in meteorology?
What does a meteorologist do all day?
Should we learn more about clouds at school?
Does naming new clouds make us value our environment more?
What do you think of the word 'cloud' being used for digital storage?
What impact do we have on clouds?
What questions would you like to ask the WMO?

Discussion — Write your own questions

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

(a) ________________

(b) ________________

(c) ________________

(d) ________________

(e) ________________

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

(f) ________________

(g) ________________

(h) ________________

(i) ________________

(j) ________________

Language — Cloze (Gap-fill)

For the first (1) ____ in 30 years, scientists, meteorologists, sky watchers and cloud (2) ____ have names for 12 'new' cloud formations. The International Cloud Atlas has recognized 'new' types of cloud for the first time since 1987. The atlas has been (3) ____ cloud formations since 1896. It is considered to be the standard and most authoritative reference tool (4) ____ clouds. The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) now publishes it and has the final (5) ____ on whether or not to include new clouds and cloud features. The WMO said you don't need to be an expert to find a new cloud. A spokesman said anyone can take a photo and send it to the WMO, and (6) ____ could be recognized one day as a new cloud.

The new addition creating the biggest (7) ____ online is named asperitas, meaning 'rough-like' in Latin. It looks like the (8) ____ of the waves at sea when viewed from below. Another is the volutus. This a low, (9) ____, tube-shaped cloud mass that looks like it is rolling. The WMO said the attention the new clouds are receiving could increase people's interest in the environment. It said: "The value of the atlas is that it (10) ____ our attention to the sky and by learning the name of the formations…we (11) ____ attention to and value what we see around us." It added: "By giving a language to the forms of our atmosphere, we are helping people to value our atmosphere and to pay attention to our impact (12) ____ it."

Which of these words go in the above text?

(a) timed (b) timely (c) times (d) time
(a) loving (b) loved (c) loves (d) lovers
(a) referential (b) referencing (c) reference (d) references
(a) in (b) by (c) on (d) through
(a) say (b) speak (c) whisper (d) shout
(a) that (b) what (c) which (d) these
(a) buzzing (b) buzzed (c) buzzer (d) buzz
(a) tossing (b) toss (c) tosses (d) tossed
(a) horizon (b) horizontal (c) horizontally (d) horizons
(a) paints (b) sketches (c) draws (d) arts
(a) use (b) spend (c) pay (d) credit
(a) as (b) on (c) at (d) by

Spelling

Paragraph 1

scientists, iotoeorselsgtm, sky watchers…
12 'new' cloud srftnoomai
considered to be the tsdandra
authoritative ceeenrfre tool on clouds
cloud taureefs
you don't need to be an extper

Paragraph 2

The new iaontidd creating the biggest buzz
when ivewed from below
a low, ariolhtozn, tube-shaped cloud
people's interest in the vetenrominn
the forms of our opsremaeth
pay itaeonntt to our impact on it

Put the text back together

( ) like the tossing of the waves at sea when viewed from below. Another is the volutus. This a low, horizontal, tube-

( ) features. The WMO said you don't need to be an expert to find a new cloud. A spokesman said anyone can take

( ) atmosphere, we are helping people to value our atmosphere and to pay attention to our impact on it."

( ) shaped cloud mass that looks like it is rolling. The WMO said the attention the new clouds are receiving could

( ) The new addition creating the biggest buzz online is named asperitas, meaning 'rough-like' in Latin. It looks

( ) to be the standard and most authoritative reference tool on clouds. The World Meteorological Organization

( ) (WMO) now publishes it and has the final say on whether or not to include new clouds and cloud

( ) increase people's interest in the environment. It said: "The value of the atlas is that it draws our attention to

( ) the sky and by learning the name of the formations…we pay attention to and value what we

( ) a photo and send it to the WMO, and that could be recognized one day as a new cloud.

( ) see around us." It added: "By giving a language to the forms of our

( ) of cloud for the first time since 1987. The atlas has been referencing cloud formations since 1896. It is considered

( 1 ) For the first time in 30 years, scientists, meteorologists, sky watchers and cloud

( ) lovers have names for 12 'new' cloud formations. The International Cloud Atlas has recognized 'new' types

Put the words in the right order

for Cloud 12 lovers 'new' have cloud names formations .
The cloud atlas formations has since been 1896 referencing .
on most clouds authoritative The reference standard tool and .
new clouds The final say on whether or not to include .
expert an be to need don't You cloud new a find to .
asperitas biggest new buzz addition online creating is the The named .
It the the sea like of at looks tossing waves .
, tube cloud low , shaped A horizontal - mass .
interest the Could people's in environment increase .
our Value it on impact our to attention pay to and atmosphere .

Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

For the first / firstly time in 30 years, scientists, meteorologists, sky watchers and cloud lovers have named / names for 12 'new' cloud formations. The International Cloud Atlas has recognized / recognition 'new' types of cloud for / at the first time since 1987. The atlas has been referencing cloud formations since 1896. It is considered to been / be the standard and most authoritative reference tool in / on clouds. The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) now publishes it / them and has the final speak / say on whether / weather or not to include new clouds and cloud features. The WMO said you don't need to be an expert to find a new cloud. A spokesman said anyone can take a photo and send it to the WMO, and that could be recognized one day as / has a new cloud.

The new addition creating the biggest buzz / buzzing online is named asperitas, meaning 'rough-like' in / by Latin. It looks like the tossed / tossing of the waves at sea when viewed from below / under. Another is the volutus. This a low, horizontal, tube-shaped cloud mass / massive that looks like it is rolling. The WMO said the / an attention the new clouds are receiving could increase people's interest on / in the environment. It said: "The value / valve of the atlas is that it draws our attention to the sky and by learning the name of the formations…we spend / pay attention to and value what we see around us." It added: "By giving a language to the forms of our atmosphere, we are helping people to value our atmosphere and to pay attention to our impact / compact on it."

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)

F_r th_ f_rst t_m_ _n 30 y__rs, sc__nt_sts, m_t__r_l_g_sts, sky w_tch_rs _nd cl__d l_v_rs h_v_ n_m_s f_r 12 'n_w' cl__d f_rm_t__ns. Th_ _nt_rn_t__n_l Cl__d _tl_s h_s r_c_gn_z_d 'n_w' typ_s _f cl__d f_r th_ f_rst t_m_ s_nc_ 1987. Th_ _tl_s h_s b__n r_f_r_nc_ng cl__d f_rm_t__ns s_nc_ 1896. _t _s c_ns_d_r_d t_ b_ th_ st_nd_rd _nd m_st __th_r_t_t_v_ r_f_r_nc_ t__l _n cl__ds. Th_ W_rld M_t__r_l_g_c_l _rg_n_z_t__n (WM_) n_w p_bl_sh_s _t _nd h_s th_ f_n_l s_y _n wh_th_r _r n_t t_ _ncl_d_ n_w cl__ds _nd cl__d f__t_r_s. Th_ WM_ s__d y__ d_n't n__d t_ b_ _n _xp_rt t_ f_nd _ n_w cl__d. _ sp_k_sm_n s__d _ny_n_ c_n t_k_ _ ph_t_ _nd s_nd _t t_ th_ WM_, _nd th_t c__ld b_ r_c_gn_z_d _n_ d_y _s _ n_w cl__d.

Th_ n_w _dd_t__n cr__t_ng th_ b_gg_st b_zz _nl_n_ _s n_m_d _sp_r_t_s, m__n_ng 'r__gh-l_k_' _n L_t_n. _t l__ks l_k_ th_ t_ss_ng _f th_ w_v_s _t s__ wh_n v__w_d fr_m b_l_w. _n_th_r _s th_ v_l_t_s. Th_s _ l_w, h_r_z_nt_l, t_b_-sh_p_d cl__d m_ss th_t l__ks l_k_ _t _s r_ll_ng. Th_ WM_ s__d th_ _tt_nt__n th_ n_w cl__ds _r_ r_c__v_ng c__ld _ncr__s_ p__pl_'s _nt_r_st _n th_ _nv_r_nm_nt. _t s__d: "Th_ v_l__ _f th_ _tl_s _s th_t _t dr_ws __r _tt_nt__n t_ th_ sky _nd by l__rn_ng th_ n_m_ _f th_ f_rm_t__ns…w_ p_y _tt_nt__n t_ _nd v_l__ wh_t w_ s__ _r__nd _s." _t _dd_d: "By g_v_ng _ l_ng__g_ t_ th_ f_rms _f __r _tm_sph_r_, w_ _r_ h_lp_ng p__pl_ t_ v_l__ __r _tm_sph_r_ _nd t_ p_y _tt_nt__n t_ __r _mp_ct _n _t."

Punctuate the text and add capitals

for the first time in 30 years scientists meteorologists sky watchers and cloud lovers have names for 12 'new' cloud formations the international cloud atlas has recognized 'new' types of cloud for the first time since 1987 the atlas has been referencing cloud formations since 1896 it is considered to be the standard and most authoritative reference tool on clouds the world meteorological organization (wmo) now publishes it and has the final say on whether or not to include new clouds and cloud features the wmo said you don't need to be an expert to find a new cloud a spokesman said anyone can take a photo and send it to the wmo and that could be recognized one day as a new cloud

the new addition creating the biggest buzz online is named asperitas meaning 'rough-like' in latin it looks like the tossing of the waves at sea when viewed from below another is the volutus this a low horizontal tube-shaped cloud mass that looks like it is rolling the wmo said the attention the new clouds are receiving could increase people's interest in the environment it said "the value of the atlas is that it draws our attention to the sky and by learning the name of the formations…we pay attention to and value what we see around us" it added "by giving a language to the forms of our atmosphere we are helping people to value our atmosphere and to pay attention to our impact on it"

Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

Forthefirsttimein30years,scientists,meteorologists,skywatchersan
dcloudlovershavenamesfor12'new'cloudformations.TheInternation
alCloudAtlashasrecognized'new'typesofcloudforthefirsttimesince19
87.Theatlashasbeenreferencingcloudformationssince1896.Itisconsi
deredtobethestandardandmostauthoritativereferencetoolonclouds.
TheWorldMeteorologicalOrganization(WMO)nowpublishesitandhast
hefinalsayonwhetherornottoincludenewcloudsandcloudfeatures.Th
eWMOsaidyoudon'tneedtobeanexperttofindanewcloud.Aspokesma
nsaidanyonecantakeaphotoandsendittotheWMO,andthatcouldbere
cognizedonedayasanewcloud.Thenewadditioncreatingthebiggestbu
zzonlineisnamedasperitas,meaning'rough-like'inLatin.Itlookslik
ethetossingofthewavesatseawhenviewedfrombelow.Anotheristhev
olutus.Thisalow,horizontal,tube-shapedcloudmassthatlookslikeitis
rolling.TheWMOsaidtheattentionthenewcloudsarereceivingcouldinc
reasepeople'sinterestintheenvironment.Itsaid:"Thevalueoftheatlas
isthatitdrawsourattentiontotheskyandbylearningthenameofthefor
mations…wepayattentiontoandvaluewhatweseearoundus."Itadded
:"Bygivingalanguagetotheformsofouratmosphere,wearehelpingpeo
pletovalueouratmosphereandtopayattentiontoourimpactonit."

Free writing

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

_____________________________________________________________________________

Academic writing

We pay too little attention to the environment. Discuss.

_____________________________________________________________________________

Homework

1. VOCABULARY EXTENSION: Choose several of the words from the text. Use a dictionary or Google’s search field (or another search engine) to build up more associations / collocations of each word.

2. INTERNET: Search the Internet and find out more about this story. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.

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

4. ATMOSPHERE: Write a magazine article about our atmosphere and environment. Argue that both should be subjects at school Include imaginary interviews with people who are for and against this.

Read what you wrote to your classmates in the next lesson. Write down any new words and expressions you hear from your partner(s).

5. WHAT HAPPENED NEXT? Write a newspaper article about the next stage in this news story. Read what you wrote to your classmates in the next lesson. Give each other feedback on your articles.

6. LETTER: Write a letter to an expert on clouds. Ask him/her three questions about them. Give him/her three of your ideas on how we can value clouds more. Read your letter to your partner(s) in your next lesson. Your partner(s) will answer your questions.

A Few Additional Activities for Students

Ask your students what they have read, seen or heard about this news in their own language. Students are likely to / may have have encountered this news in their L1 and therefore bring a background knowledge to the classroom.

Get students to role play different characters from this news story.

Ask students to keep track of this news and revisit it to discuss in your next class.

Ask students to male predictions of how this news might develop in the next few days or weeks, and then revisit and discuss in a future class.

Ask students to write a follow-up story to this news.

Students role play a journalist and someone who witnessed or was a part of this news. Perhaps they could make a video of the interview.

Ask students to keep a news journal in English and add this story to their thoughts.

Also...

Buy my 1,000 Ideas and Activities for Language Teachers eBook. It has hundreds of ideas, activity templates, reproducible activities for:

News
Warm ups
Pre-reading / Post-reading
Using headlines
Working with words
While-reading / While-listening
Moving from text to speech
Post-reading / Post-listening
Discussions
Using opinions
Plans
Language
Using lists
Using quotes
Task-based activities
Role plays
Using the central characters in the article
Using themes from the news
Homework

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Answers

(Please look at page 26 of the PDF to see a photocopiable example of this activity.)

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