Breaking News English Lesson on Absent Fathers

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Nearly 600 volunteer to be absent father (10th January, 2018)

The Reading / Listening - Absent Father - Level 6

A junior high school in Texas, USA was pleasantly surprised after being swamped by volunteers to stand in for absent fathers. Billy Earl Dade Middle School, in the city of Dallas, posted on Facebook asking for 50 male volunteers to substitute for absent fathers in an event called "Breakfast with Dads". Event organizers were inundated with replies. They said they were astounded after nearly 600 men responded to the request and turned up at the event. The school's inaugural "Breakfast with Dads" event was to enhance community spirit. Around 90 per cent of the children come from low-income families. Many of the students did not have a father who was able to participate in the event.

The school said the "Breakfast with Dads" event was part of an overall plan to improve its academic position. Community leaders, mentors and local organizations have combined to implement various projects to increase test scores. There has been some academic improvement at the school as a result of their efforts. A local pastor, the Reverend Donald Parish Jr, said: "When a young person sees someone other than their teacher take interest in them, it inspires them." A school liaison officer, Ellyn Favors, commented on the success of the event. She said: "The look of awe, even disbelief, in students' eyes as they made their way through the crowd of "Dads" was astonishing."

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

Absent Father - Level 4 or Absent Father - Level 5

Sources

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/billy-earl-dade-middle-school-dallas-breakfast-with-dads-asks-50-volunteers-600-a8146291.html
http://www.sltrib.com/news/nation-world/2018/01/07/a-school-sought-50-men-to-stand-in-for-absent-fathers-at-breakfast-with-dads-nearly-600-showed-up/
https://www.dallasnews.com/news/dallas-isd/2017/12/07/male-mentors-needed-eat-breakfast-south-dallas-middle-schooler-dads-event

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. FATHERS: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about fathers. 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?
junior high school / surprised / swamped / volunteers / absent / father / community /
plan / mentors / projects / improvement / interest / success / disbelief / students
Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.
3. BREAKFAST: Students A strongly believe it is important for a family to have breakfast together; Students B strongly believe it isn't. Change partners again and talk about your conversations.
4. VOLUNTEER: What could you do by volunteering at these places? Complete this table and share what you wrote with your partner(s). Change partners often.

	Who could you help?	What could you do?
School
Park
Hospital
Beach
Online
A city

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. COMMUNITY: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "community". Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about them. Together, put the words into different categories.
6. FATHER: Rank these with your partner. Put the most important attributes for a father at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

protector
teacher
supporter
friend
hero
disciplinarian
role model
guide

Vocabulary

Paragraph 1

1.	pleasantly	a.	Flooded with an excessive amount of something.
2.	swamped	b.	Use or add in place of.
3.	stand in	c.	In an enjoyable or agreeable way.
4.	substitute	d.	Shocked or greatly surprised.
5.	inundated	e.	Overwhelmed someone with things or people to be dealt with.
6.	astounded	f.	Marking the beginning of an institution, activity, or period of office.
7.	inaugural	g.	Take the place of someone for a short time.

Paragraph 2

8.	enhance	h.	A feeling of great respect mixed with fear or wonder.
9.	academic	i.	Put a decision, plan, agreement, etc. into effect.
10.	mentors	j.	Fill someone with the urge or ability to do or feel something, especially to do something creative.
11.	implement	k.	Make stronger, increase, or improve the quality, value, or extent of something or someone.
12.	inspires	l.	Relating to education and scholarship.
13.	liaison	m.	Communication or cooperation that helps a close working relationship between people or organizations.
14.	awe	n.	Experienced people who help and provide guidance for others.

Before reading / listening

1. TRUE / FALSE: Read the headline. Guess if 1-8 below are true (T) or false (F).

A junior high school wasn't surprised at getting so many volunteers. T / F
The junior high school asked for 50 male volunteers. T / F
The junior high school held it's third "Breakfast with Dads" event. T / F
About 90% of the school's children are from poorer families. T / F
The school's event was part of bettering its academic position. T / F
The school's test scores have been going down. T / F
A pastor said the event would not inspire students. T / F
A school liaison officer said the students had a bored look in their eyes. T / F

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

swamped
substitute
astounded
inaugural
participate
overall
combined
efforts
awe
astonishing

first
amazing
take part
flooded
joined
amazed
wonder
stand in
endeavors
all-inclusive

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

pleasantly
Event organizers were inundated
nearly 600 men responded
come from low-
a father who was able to participate
part of an overall
implement various
as a result
disbelief in
they made their way

of their efforts
in the event
plan
surprised
to the request
students' eyes
income families
through the crowd
with replies
projects

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.

volunteers
request
income
pleasantly
participate
stand
replies
spirit

A junior high school in Texas, USA was (1) ____________ surprised after being swamped by volunteers to (2) ____________ in for absent fathers. Billy Earl Dade Middle School, in the city of Dallas, posted on Facebook asking for 50 male (3) ____________ to substitute for absent fathers in an event called "Breakfast with Dads". Event organizers were inundated with (4) ____________. They said they were astounded after nearly 600 men responded to the (5) ____________ and turned up at the event. The school's inaugural "Breakfast with Dads" event was to enhance community (6) ____________. Around 90 per cent of the children come from low-(7) ____________ families. Many of the students did not have a father who was able to (8) ____________ in the event.

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.

position
academic
success
part
other
crowd
projects
liaison

The school said the "Breakfast with Dads" event was (9) ____________ of an overall plan to improve its academic (10) ____________. Community leaders, mentors and local organizations have combined to implement various (11) ____________ to increase test scores. There has been some (12) ____________ improvement at the school as a result of their efforts. A local pastor, the Reverend Donald Parish Jr, said: "When a young person sees someone (13) ____________ than their teacher take interest in them, it inspires them." A school (14) ____________ officer, Ellyn Favors, commented on the (15) ____________ of the event. She said: "The look of awe, even disbelief, in students' eyes as they made their way through the (16) ____________ of "Dads" was astonishing."

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1) pleasantly surprised after being ______ volunteers
     a. swamped buy
     b. swarmed by
     c. stamped by
     d. swamped by
2) they were astounded after nearly 600 men responded to the request and ______
     a. tuned up
     b. turned it up
     c. tuned it up
     d. turned up
3) The school's inaugural "Breakfast with Dads" event was to ______ spirit
     a. enhance community
     b. ensconce community
     c. perchance community
     d. by chance community
4) Around 90 per cent of the children come from ______ families
     a. lowly-income
     b. low-income
     c. low-incomes
     d. lowered-incomes
5) Many of the students did not have a father who was able ______
     a. to participle
     b. to appreciate
     c. to precipitate
     d. to participate

6) the "Breakfast with Dads" event was part of an overall plan to improve its ______
     a. academic position
     b. academically position
     c. academia position
     d. academy position
7) local organizations have combined to implement various projects to increase ______
     a. tests scores
     b. tested scores
     c. test scores
     d. testy scores
8) There has been some academic improvement at the school as a result ______
     a. of them efforts
     b. of their efforts
     c. of they efforts
     d. of there efforts
9) a young person sees someone other than their teacher take interest in them, ______
     a. it conspires them
     b. it aspires them
     c. it respires them
     d. it inspires them
10) disbelief in students' eyes as they made their way through ______ "Dads"
     a. the crowd of
     b. the cloud of
     c. the crowned of
     d. the clowned of

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

A junior high school in Texas, USA was (1) ___________________ after being swamped by volunteers to (2) ___________________ absent fathers. Billy Earl Dade Middle School, in the city of Dallas, posted on Facebook asking for 50 male volunteers (3) ___________________ absent fathers in an event called "Breakfast with Dads". Event organizers were inundated with replies. They said they (4) ___________________ nearly 600 men responded to the request and turned up at the event. The school's inaugural "Breakfast with Dads" event (5) ___________________ community spirit. Around 90 per cent of the children come from low-income families. Many of the students did not have a father who was able (6) ___________________ the event.

The school said the "Breakfast with Dads" event was part of (7) ___________________ to improve its academic position. Community (8) ___________________ local organizations have combined to implement various projects to increase test scores. There has been some academic improvement at the school as a result (9) ___________________. A local pastor, the Reverend Donald Parish Jr, said: "When a young person sees someone (10) ___________________ teacher take interest in them, (11) ___________________." A school liaison officer, Ellyn Favors, commented on the success of the event. She said: "The look of awe, even disbelief, in students' eyes as they made their way (12) ___________________ of "Dads" was astonishing."

Comprehension questions

What kind of school asked for male volunteers?
How many volunteers did the school ask for?
What was the name of the event?
How many events of this kind had there been before?
What per cent of children at the school came from low-income families?
What position did the school want to improve?
What did the school want to increase by implementing various projects?
Who is Donald Parish Jr?
What did Mr Parish say inspires children?
What did a liaison officer say students made their way through?

Multiple choice quiz

1) What kind of school asked for male volunteers?
a) an elementary school
b) a junior high school
c) a technical school
d) a high school
2) How many volunteers did the school ask for?
a) 20
b) 30
c) 40
d) 50
3) What was the name of the event?
a) Breakfast with Dads
b) Absent Fathers
c) Dallas Breakfast
d) Texas Fathers
4) How many events of this kind had there been before?
a) 5
b) 1
c) 0
d) 3
5) What per cent of children at the school came from low-income families?
a) exactly 90%
b) about 90%
c) just under 90%
d) just over 90%

6) What position did the school want to improve?
a) its academic position
b) its physical position
c) third
d) last
7) What did the school want to increase by implementing various projects?
a) its ranking
b) the number of students
c) test scores
d) the number of teachers
8) Who is Donald Parish Jr?
a) a local pastor
b) a student
c) an absent father
d) the school principal
9) What did Mr Parish say inspires children?
a) someone who is not a teacher
b) singers
c) science
d) learning
10) What did a liaison officer say students made their way through?
a) lots of tests
b) school
c) life
d) a crowd of "Dads"

Role play

Role A – Hero
You think it is most important for a father to be a hero. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things aren't as important. Also, tell the others which is the least important of these (and why): disciplinarian, protector or teacher.

Role B – Disciplinarian
You think it is most important for a father to be a disciplinarian. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things aren't as important. Also, tell the others which is the least important of these (and why): hero, protector or teacher.

Role C – Protector
You think it is most important for a father to be a protector. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things aren't as important. Also, tell the others which is the least important of these (and why): disciplinarian, hero or teacher.

Role D – Teacher
You think it is most important for a father to be a teacher. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things aren't as important. Also, tell the others which is the least important of these (and why): disciplinarian, protector or hero.

After reading / listening

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

'absent'

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

and 'father'.
________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

• 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:

overall

mentors

some

young

success

crowd

junior

city

replies

600

90

able

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 - Nearly 600 volunteer to be absent father

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

What did you think when you read the headline?
What images are in your mind when you hear the word 'absent'?
What have you been pleasantly surprised about?
Have you ever volunteered for anything?
What do you think of the 'Breakfast with Dads' idea?
How important is having breakfast with your family?
What is community spirit like where you live?
What problems do low-income families have?
What other things could the men volunteer for?
What happens to families without a father?

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 'father'?
What do you think about what you read?
How can schools improve their academic position?
Have you ever been a mentor for someone?
Would you be a good mentor?
How important is it for a teacher to take an interest in students?
How do you think the students felt about the event?
What is the most important duty of a father?
What questions would you like to ask the event organizers?

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)

A junior high school in Texas, USA was (1) ____ surprised after being swamped by volunteers to stand (2) ____ for absent fathers. Billy Earl Dade Middle School, in the city of Dallas, posted on Facebook (3) ____ for 50 male volunteers to substitute for absent fathers in an event called "Breakfast with Dads". Event organizers were inundated with replies. They said they were astounded (4) ____ nearly 600 men responded to the request and turned up at the event. The school's inaugural "Breakfast with Dads" event was to (5) ____ community spirit. Around 90 per cent of the children come from (6) ____-income families. Many of the students did not have a father who was able to participate in the event.

The school said the "Breakfast with Dads" event was part of an (7) ____ plan to improve its academic position. Community leaders, mentors and local organizations have combined to implement (8) ____ projects to increase test scores. There has been some academic improvement at the school as a (9) ____ of their efforts. A local pastor, the Reverend Donald Parish Jr, said: "When a young person sees someone (10) ____ than their teacher take interest in them, it inspires them." A school liaison officer, Ellyn Favors, commented (11) ____ the success of the event. She said: "The look of (12) ____, even disbelief, in students' eyes as they made their way through the crowd of "Dads" was astonishing."

Which of these words go in the above text?

(a) pleasantly (b) pleasant (c) pleasantry (d) pleasing
(a) out (b) down (c) in (d) over
(a) asks (b) asked (c) asking (d) ask
(a) pursuit (b) result (c) follow (d) after
(a) enhance (b) encamp (c) encase (d) engulf
(a) cheap (b) low (c) small (d) rough
(a) overly (b) overalls (c) over all (d) overall
(a) variety (b) various (c) variously (d) varieties
(a) effect (b) grade (c) result (d) score
(a) other-worldly (b) others (c) another (d) other
(a) to (b) at (c) by (d) on
(a) ore (b) awe (c) or (d) oar

Spelling

Paragraph 1

laepnaylts surprised
mesawpd by volunteers
steutbsuit for absent fathers
They said they were teunsoadd
enhance iuonytcmm spirit
cpaptiriaet in the event

Paragraph 2

improve its dacmaice position
pemleimtn various projects
nrsetmo and local organizations
rpmeoteimvn at the school
A school niaiosl officer
The look of awe, even eieblsdfi

Put the text back together

(   ) volunteers to substitute for absent fathers in an event called "Breakfast with Dads". Event organizers were inundated
(   ) spirit. Around 90 per cent of the children come from low-income families. Many of the students did not
( 1 ) A junior high school in Texas, USA was pleasantly surprised after being swamped by volunteers to stand
(   ) The school said the "Breakfast with Dads" event was part of an overall plan to improve its academic
(   ) up at the event. The school's inaugural "Breakfast with Dads" event was to enhance community
(   ) with replies. They said they were astounded after nearly 600 men responded to the request and turned
(   ) interest in them, it inspires them." A school liaison officer, Ellyn Favors, commented
(   ) scores. There has been some academic improvement at the school as a result of their
(   ) position. Community leaders, mentors and local organizations have combined to implement various projects to increase test
(   ) their way through the crowd of "Dads" was astonishing."
(   ) have a father who was able to participate in the event.
(   ) in for absent fathers. Billy Earl Dade Middle School, in the city of Dallas, posted on Facebook asking for 50 male
(   ) on the success of the event. She said: "The look of awe, even disbelief, in students' eyes as they made
(   ) efforts. A local pastor, the Reverend Donald Parish Jr, said: "When a young person sees someone other than their teacher take

Put the words in the right order

volunteers . Surprised by being after swamped
inundated replies . were organizers Event with
600 to Nearly the responded men request .
come children families . low-income The from
participate . able was to father A who
position . improve to its plan overall An academic
academic some There has been improvement .
Someone than their take other teacher interest .
eyes . students' look in The of disbelief, even awe,
they the crowd . made their through As way

Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

A junior high school in Texas, USA was pleasant / pleasantly surprised after being swamped by volunteers to stand in / out for absent fathers. Billy Earl Dade Middle School, in the city of Dallas, posted on / in Facebook asking for 50 male volunteers to substitution / substitute for absent fathers in an event called "Breakfast with Dads". Event organizers were inundated / redundant with replies. They said they were astounded / stoned after nearly 600 men responded to the request and turned / tuned up at the event. The school's inaugural "Breakfast with Dads" event was for / to enhance community spirit. Around 90 per cent of the children come / go from low-income families. Many of the students did not have a father who was able to participate on / in the event.
The school said the "Breakfast with Dads" event was party / part of an overall plan to improve its academic / academically position. Community leaders, mentors / mental and local organizations have combined to implement variously / various projects to increase test scores. There has been some academic improvement at the school as a grade / result of their efforts. A local pastel / pastor, the Reverend Donald Parish Jr, said: "When a young person sees someone another / other than their teacher take / give interest in them, it inspires them." A school liaison officer, Ellyn Favors, commented on the succession / success of the event. She said: "The look of awe, even disbelief, in students' eyes as they made their way through the crowd of "Dads" was astonishing / astonish."

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)

A j _ n _ _ r h _ g h s c h _ _ l _ n T _ x _ s , U S A w _ s p l _ _ s _ n t l y s _ r p r _ s _ d _ f t _ r b _ _ n g s w _ m p _ d b y v _ l _ n t _ _ r s t _ s t _ n d _ n f _ r _ b s _ n t f _ t h _ r s . B _ l l y E _ r l D _ d _ M _ d d l _ S c h _ _ l , _ n t h _ c _ t y _ f D _ l l _ s , p _ s t _ d _ n F _ c _ b _ _ k _ s k _ n g f _ r 5 0 m _ l _ v _ l _ n t _ _ r s t _ s _ b s t _ t _ t _ f _ r _ b s _ n t f _ t h _ r s _ n _ n _ v _ n t c _ l l _ d " B r _ _ k f _ s t w _ t h D _ d s " . E v _ n t _ r g _ n _ z _ r s w _ r _ _ n _ n d _ t _ d w _ t h r _ p l _ _ s . T h _ y s _ _ d t h _ y w _ r _ _ s t _ _ n d _ d _ f t _ r n _ _ r l y 6 0 0 m _ n r _ s p _ n d _ d t _ t h _ r _ q _ _ s t _ n d t _ r n _ d _ p _ t t h _ _ v _ n t . T h _ s c h _ _ l ' s _ n _ _ g _ r _ l " B r _ _ k f _ s t w _ t h D _ d s " _ v _ n t w _ s t _ _ n h _ n c _ c _ m m _ n _ t y s p _ r _ t . A r _ _ n d 9 0 p _ r c _ n t _ f t h _ c h _ l d r _ n c _ m _ f r _ m l _ w - _ n c _ m _ f _ m _ l _ _ s . M _ n y _ f t h _ s t _ d _ n t s d _ d n _ t h _ v _ _ f _ t h _ r w h _ w _ s _ b l _ t _ p _ r t _ c _ p _ t _ _ n t h _ _ v _ n t .
T h _ s c h _ _ l s _ _ d t h _ " B r _ _ k f _ s t w _ t h D _ d s " _ v _ n t w _ s p _ r t _ f _ n _ v _ r _ l l p l _ n t _ _ m p r _ v _ _ t s _ c _ d _ m _ c p _ s _ t _ _ n . C _ m m _ n _ t y l _ _ d _ r s , m _ n t _ r s _ n d l _ c _ l _ r g _ n _ z _ t _ _ n s h _ v _ c _ m b _ n _ d t _ _ m p l _ m _ n t v _ r _ _ _ s p r _ j _ c t s t _ _ n c r _ _ s _ t _ s t s c _ r _ s . T h _ r _ h _ s b _ _ n s _ m _ _ c _ d _ m _ c _ m p r _ v _ m _ n t _ t t h _ s c h _ _ l _ s _ r _ s _ l t _ f t h _ _ r _ f f _ r t s . A l _ c _ l p _ s t _ r , t h _ R _ v _ r _ n d D _ n _ l d P _ r _ s h J r , s _ _ d : " W h _ n _ y _ _ n g p _ r s _ n s _ _ s s _ m _ _ n _ _ t h _ r t h _ n t h _ _ r t _ _ c h _ r t _ k _ _ n t _ r _ s t _ n t h _ m , _ t _ n s p _ r _ s t h _ m . " A s c h _ _ l l _ _ _ s _ n _ f f _ c _ r , E l l y n F _ v _ r s , c _ m m _ n t _ d _ n t h _ s _ c c _ s s _ f t h _ _ v _ n t . S h _ s _ _ d : " T h _ l _ _ k _ f _ w _ , _ v _ n d _ s b _ l _ _ f , _ n s t _ d _ n t s ' _ y _ s _ s t h _ y m _ d _ t h _ _ r w _ y t h r _ _ g h t h _ c r _ w d _ f " D _ d s " w _ s _ s t _ n _ s h _ n g . "

Punctuate the text and add capitals

a junior high school in texas usa was pleasantly surprised after being swamped by volunteers to stand in for absent fathers billy earl dade middle school in the city of dallas posted on facebook asking for 50 male volunteers to substitute for absent fathers in an event called breakfast with dads event organizers were inundated with replies they said they were astounded after nearly 600 men responded to the request and turned up at the event the schools inaugural breakfast with dads event was to enhance community spirit around 90 per cent of the children come from lowincome families many of the students did not have a father who was able to participate in the event
the school said the breakfast with dads event was part of an overall plan to improve its academic position community leaders mentors and local organizations have combined to implement various projects to increase test scores there has been some academic improvement at the school as a result of their efforts a local pastor the reverend donald parish jr said when a young person sees someone other than their teacher take interest in them it inspires them a school liaison officer ellyn favors commented on the success of the event she said the look of awe even disbelief in students eyes as they made their way through the crowd of dads was astonishing"

Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

AjuniorhighschoolinTexas,USAwaspleasantlysurprisedafterbeingsw
ampedbyvolunteerstostandinforabsentfathers.BillyEarlDadeMiddle
School,inthecityofDallas,postedonFacebookaskingfor50malevolunt
eerstosubstituteforabsentfathersinaneventcalled"BreakfastwithDa
ds".Eventorganizerswereinundatedwithreplies.Theysaidtheywerea
stoundedafternearly600menrespondedtotherequestandturnedupat
theevent.Theschool'sinaugural"BreakfastwithDads"eventwastoenh
ancecommunityspirit.Around90percentofthechildrencomefromlow-
incomefamilies.Manyofthestudentsdidnothaveafatherwhowasablet
oparticipateintheevent.Theschoolsaidthe"BreakfastwithDads"event
waspartofanoverallplantoimproveitsacademicposition.Communityl
eaders,mentorsandlocalorganizationshavecombinedtoimplementv
ariousprojectstoincreasetestscores.Therehasbeensomeacademici
mprovementattheschoolasaresultoftheirefforts.Alocalpastor,there
verendDonaldParishJr,said:"Whenayoungpersonseessomeoneothe
rthantheirteachertakeinterestinthem,itinspiresthem."Aschoolliaiso
nofficer,EllynFavors,commentedonthesuccessoftheevent.Shesaid:"
Thelookofawe,evendisbelief,instudents'eyesastheymadetheirwayt
hroughthecrowdof"Dads"wasastonishing."

Free writing

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

_____________________________________________________________________________

Academic writing

What are the pros and cons of a volunteer father program for fatherless children?

_____________________________________________________________________________

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 news story. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.
3. FATHERS: Make a poster about fathers. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?
4. VOLUNTEER FATHERS: Write a magazine article about extending this idea of volunteer fathers. 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 fathers. Ask him/her three questions about absentee fathers. Give him/her three of your ideas on how we can help children with no father. 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

Buy my book

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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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Breaking News English Lesson on Absent Fathers

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