The Reading / Listening - School Strike for Climate - Level 3

School children around the world have been going on strike. They are unhappy that their governments are doing too little to fight climate change. The strikes are part of a growing international movement called School Strike for Climate. Instead of going to school, students across the globe have been skipping classes to take part in street protests. Many of the protests have been outside government buildings. The movement began in August 2018 when Swedish student Greta Thunberg stood outside Sweden's government every Friday. She held a sign that read: "School strike for climate". Photos of her went viral on social media. Students organized themselves and copied Ms Thunberg's actions.

The movement is growing worldwide. In 2019, strikes have taken place across Europe, North America and Australia. Over 45,000 students protested on one day in Switzerland and Germany. Students have held banners reading, "Why learn without a future?" "If you do not act as adults, we will" and "Like the sea level, we rise." The first worldwide strike will take place on March 15. Many scientists, politicians and teachers congratulated the students for their activism. However, not everyone is on the students' side. Australia's leader called for "more learning in schools and less activism". A journalist in the U.K. wrote: "If children really must wag their fingers at older generations for some imaginary sin, I wish they'd do it at the weekend."

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

    School Strike for Climate - Level 0 School Strike for Climate - Level 1   or  School Strike for Climate - Level 2

Sources
  • https://edition.cnn.com/2019/02/15/health/uk-climate-strike-students-greta-thunberg-intl/index.html
  • https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/feb/15/school-climate-strike-classroom-climate-change
  • https://www.spectator.co.uk/2019/02/if-children-want-to-protest-against-climate-change-why-not-do-it-at-the-weekend/


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. STRIKES: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about strikes. 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?
       school children / government / climate change / globe / street protests / social media
       movement / worldwide / protested / sea level / teachers / activism / older generations
Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.
3. CHILDREN: Students A strongly believe children should not protest in the streets; Students B strongly believe they should.  Change partners again and talk about your conversations.
4. PROTEST: Would you protest against these things? What would you do? How effective would your protest be? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

 

Would you?

How?

Effectiveness?

Climate change

 

 

 

War

 

 

 

Food prices

 

 

 

High taxes

 

 

 

Government corruption

 

 

 

Inequality

 

 

 

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. FIGHT: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "fight". Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about them. Together, put the words into different categories.
6. BEST PROTEST: Rank these with your partner. Put the best at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

  • boycotts
  • hunger strike
  • not paying tax
  • make a website
  • strikes
  • marches
  • petitions
  • social media

 

Vocabulary

    Paragraph 1

      1. strike a. The world; Earth.
      2. movement b. Refuse to work as a form of organized protest, usually to change something.
      3. instead of c. Doing another thing in place of something.
      4. the globe d. A statement or action to show you are against something.
      5. skipping e. About an image, video, piece of information, etc., that is spread very quickly on the Internet.
      6. protest f. A group of people working together to achieve their shared aims.
      7. viral g. Not going to school.

    Paragraph 2

      8. taken place h. The action of using protests and campaigns to bring about political or social change.
      9. banner i. A bad action that is against God's eyes.
      10. rise j. All of the people born and living at about the same time.
      11. activism k. Move from a lower position to a higher one; come or go up.
      12. wag l. Move something (like a finger) from side to side quickly.
      13. generations m. Happened.
      14. sin n. A piece of cloth with a slogan or design on it, carried in a protest.

 

Before reading / listening

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

  1. The article said children in Brazil went on strike against climate change.   T / F
  2. Children say governments aren't doing enough to fight climate change.   T / F
  3. Many protests have been inside government buildings.     T / F
  4. The strikes movement was started by a student in Norway.     T / F
  5. In 2019, strikes have taken place all over South America.     T / F
  6. One day over 45,000 students went on strike in Germany & Switzerland. T / F
  7. A worldwide strike will take place in March.     T / F
  8. A journalist wished the students would strike at the weekend.     T / F

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

  1. too little
  2. growing
  3. globe
  4. movement
  5. copied
  6. taken place
  7. banners
  8. congratulated
  9. wag
  10. imaginary
  1. make-believe
  2. campaign
  3. praised
  4. increasing
  5. posters
  6. followed
  7. not enough
  8. shake
  9. happened
  10. world

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

  1. children around the world have been
  2. governments are doing too
  3. The strikes are part of a growing
  4. skipping
  5. Photos of her went
  6. If you do not act as adults,
  7. Like the sea level,
  8. teachers congratulated the students
  9. not everyone is on the
  10. older
  1. international movement
  2. generations
  3. viral on social media
  4. little
  5. we rise
  6. for their activism
  7. classes to take part
  8. students' side
  9. we will
  10. going on strike

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
part
protests
sign
little
viral
going
globe
stood

School children around the world have been (1) ____________ on strike. They are unhappy that their governments are doing too (2) ____________ to fight climate change. The strikes are (3) ____________ of a growing international movement called School Strike for Climate. Instead of going to school, students across the (4) ____________ have been skipping classes to take part in street (5) ____________. Many of the protests have been outside government buildings. The movement began in August 2018 when Swedish student Greta Thunberg (6) ____________ outside Sweden's government every Friday. She held a (7) ____________ that read: "School strike for climate". Photos of her went (8) ____________ on social media. Students organized themselves and copied Ms Thunberg's actions.

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.

less
protested
fingers
level
worldwide
weekend
congratulated
future

The movement is growing (9) ____________. In 2019, strikes have taken place across Europe, North America and Australia. Over 45,000 students (10) ____________ on one day in Switzerland and Germany. Students have held banners reading, "Why learn without a (11) ____________?" "If you do not act as adults, we will" and "Like the sea (12) ____________, we rise." The first worldwide strike will take place on March 15. Many scientists, politicians and teachers (13) ____________ the students for their activism. However, not everyone is on the students' side. Australia's leader called for "more learning in schools and (14) ____________ activism". A journalist in the U.K. wrote: "If children really must wag their (15) ____________ at older generations for some imaginary sin, I wish they'd do it at the (16) ____________."

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)  They are unhappy that their governments are ______
     a.  doing too few
     b.  doing too less
     c.  doing too little
     d.  doing too small
2)  students across the globe have been skipping classes to take ______ protests
     a.  party in street
     b.  parting street
     c.  par tin street
     d.  part in street
3)  Many of the protests have been outside ______
     a.  governments building
     b.  government buildings
     c.  governments buildings
     d.  government building
4)  Photos of her went viral ______
     a.  on socially media
     b.  on social media
     c.  on social medium
     d.  on socially media
5)  Students organized themselves and copied Ms ______
     a.  Thunberg's actions
     b.  Thunberg's action
     c.  Thunberg actions
     d.  Thunberg's act shuns

6)  Over 45,000 students protested ______
     a.  on one day
     b.  on once day
     c.  on only day
     d.  on won day
7)  "If you do not act as adults, we will" and "Like the sea ______."
     a.  leveled, weir ayes
     b.  level, we're eyes
     c.  leveled, we rise
     d.  level, wee raise
8)  scientists, politicians and teachers congratulated the students ______
     a.  further activism
     b.  four their activism
     c.  for them activism
     d.  for their activism
9)  However, not everyone is on the ______
     a.  students' sided
     b.  students' side
     c.  students' siding
     d.  students' aside
10)  If children really must wag their fingers at ______
     a.  older generations
     b.  olden generations
     c.  oldie generations
     d.  old are generations

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

School children around the world have been (1) ___________________. They are unhappy that their governments are doing too little to fight climate change. The strikes are part (2) ___________________ international movement called School Strike for Climate. Instead of going to school, students (3) ___________________ have been skipping classes (4) ___________________ in street protests. Many of the protests have been outside government buildings. The movement began in August 2018 when Swedish student Greta Thunberg stood outside Sweden's government every Friday. She (5) ___________________ that read: "School strike for climate". Photos of her (6) ___________________ social media. Students organized themselves and copied Ms Thunberg's actions.

The movement (7) ___________________. In 2019, strikes have taken place across Europe, North America and Australia. Over 45,000 students protested (8) ___________________ in Switzerland and Germany. Students have held banners reading, "Why learn without a future?" "If you do not act as adults, we will" and "Like (9) ___________________, we rise." The first worldwide strike will take place on March 15. Many scientists, politicians and teachers congratulated the students (10) ___________________. However, not everyone is on (11) ___________________. Australia's leader called for "more learning in schools and less activism". A journalist in the U.K. wrote: "If children really must wag their fingers (12) ___________________ for some imaginary sin, I wish they'd do it at the weekend."

Comprehension questions

  1. Who did the article say students are unhappy with?
  2. What is the name of the international movement?
  3. What are students skipping?
  4. When did the movement begin?
  5. What is the nationality of the student who started the protests?
  6. Where did 45,000 students protest?
  7. What did a student banner say students did, like the sea level?
  8. When is the first worldwide strike?
  9. Which country's leader asked students for less activism?
  10. When did a journalist want students to strike?

Multiple choice quiz

1) Who did the article say students are unhappy with?
a) scientists
b) gas companies
c) their governments
d) teachers
2) What is the name of the international movement?
a) School Strike for Climate
b) Strike School for Climate
c) School for Climate Strike
d) Climate Strike for Schools
3) What are students skipping?
a) class
b) ropes
c) lunch
d) meetings
4) When did the movement begin?
a) March, 2017
b) August, 2017
c) August, 2018
d) July, 2018
5) What is the nationality of the student who started the protests?
a) Norwegian
b) Finnish
c) Danish
d) Swedish

6) Where did 45,000 students protest?
a) Sweden and Switzerland
b) Germany and Switzerland
c) Germany and Sweden
d) Sweden and Norway
7) What did a student banner say students did, like the sea level?
a) rise
b) wave
c) swell
d) tsunami
8) When is the first worldwide strike?
a) March 16
b) March 14
c) March 15
d) March 17
9) Which country's leader asked students for less activism?
a) Sweden
b) Brazil
c) Austria
d) Australia
10) When did a journalist want students to strike?
a) at the weekend
b) every day
c) on Wednesday evenings
d) Earth Day

Role play

Role  A – Striking
You think striking is the best way to protest. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their ways. Also, tell the others which is the least effective of these (and why): marching, signing a petition or not paying tax.

Role  B – Marching
You think marching is the best way to protest. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their ways. Also, tell the others which is the least effective of these (and why): striking, signing a petition or not paying tax.

Role  C – Signing a Petition
You think signing a petition is the best way to protest. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their ways. Also, tell the others which is the least effective of these (and why): marching, striking or not paying tax.

Role  D – Not Paying Tax
You think not paying tax is the best way to protest. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their ways. Also, tell the others which is the least effective of these (and why): marching, signing a petition or striking.

After reading / listening

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

'school'

  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • and 'children'.

  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • • 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:

    • 2019
    • over
    • future
    • rise
    • March
    • weekend
    • unhappy
    • international
    • skipping
    • buildings
    • stood
    • viral

    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 - School children go on strike for climate

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

    1. What did you think when you read the headline?
    2. What images are in your mind when you hear the word 'strike'?
    3. What do you think of the striking school children?
    4. What would you go on strike for?
    5. Should children be in school or protesting?
    6. What is your government doing about climate change?
    7. Would you be proud of your child for protesting?
    8. What will the children's protests do?
    9. Why is it that only school children are going on strike?
    10. How powerful is social media?

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

    1. Did you like reading this article? Why/not?
    2. What do you think of when you hear the word 'children'?
    3. What do you think about what you read?
    4. Would you go on strike to protest climate change?
    5. How big do you think this movement will get?
    6. Are students right to ask about learning without a future?
    7. What advice do you have for the school children?
    8. What would you tell Australia's leader?
    9. Would it be better for students to strike at the weekend?
    10. What questions would you like to ask a striking schoolchild?

    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)

    School children around the world have been (1) ____ on strike. They are unhappy that their governments are doing too little to fight climate change. The strikes are part (2) ____ a growing international movement called School Strike for Climate. Instead of going to school, students across the (3) ____ have been skipping classes to (4) ____ part in street protests. Many of the protests have been outside government buildings. The movement began in August 2018 when Swedish student Greta Thunberg (5) ____ outside Sweden's government every Friday. She held a sign that read: "School strike for climate". Photos of her (6) ____ viral on social media. Students organized themselves and copied Ms Thunberg's actions.

    The movement is growing (7) ____. In 2019, strikes have taken place across Europe, North America and Australia. Over 45,000 students protested on one day in Switzerland and Germany. Students have (8) ____ banners reading, "Why learn without a future?" "If you do not act as adults, we will" and "Like the sea level, we (9) ____." The first worldwide strike will take place on March 15. Many scientists, politicians and teachers congratulated the students for their (10) ____. However, not everyone is on the students' side. Australia's leader called for "more learning in schools and (11) ____ activism". A journalist in the U.K. wrote: "If children really must wag their (12) ____ at older generations for some imaginary sin, I wish they'd do it at the weekend."

    Which of these words go in the above text?

    1. (a)     gone     (b)     go     (c)     going     (d)     goes    
    2. (a)     of     (b)     at     (c)     by     (d)     on    
    3. (a)     globe     (b)     global     (c)     globalize     (d)     globally    
    4. (a)     take     (b)     do     (c)     have     (d)     back     
    5. (a)     stands     (b)     stood     (c)     standing     (d)     stand    
    6. (a)     did     (b)     had     (c)     come     (d)     went    
    7. (a)     worldly     (b)     worlds     (c)     worldwide     (d)     world    
    8. (a)     upped     (b)     heightened     (c)     meant     (d)     held    
    9. (a)     rise     (b)     up     (c)     high     (d)     increase    
    10. (a)     active     (b)     activism     (c)     activity     (d)     actively    
    11. (a)     low     (b)     less     (c)     few     (d)     small    
    12. (a)     toes     (b)     eyes     (c)     fingers     (d)     legs

    Spelling

    Paragraph 1

    1. nsotreevmgn are doing too little
    2. take part in street sestpotr
    3. kinippgs classes
    4. The enmmveto began in August 2018
    5. Photos of her went raivl on social media
    6. Students dngaezroi themselves

    Paragraph 2

    1. Students have held eabsrnn
    2. scientists, potilicasin and teachers
    3. more learning in schools and less tcimivas
    4. A urjantilos in the U.K.
    5. older neiogasrnet
    6. some ranmaiygi sin

    Put the text back together

    (...)  on social media. Students organized themselves and copied Ms Thunberg's actions.
    (...)  government every Friday. She held a sign that read: "School strike for climate". Photos of her went viral
    (...)  in August 2018 when Swedish student Greta Thunberg stood outside Sweden's
    (...)  fingers at older generations for some imaginary sin, I wish they'd do it at the weekend."
    (...)  The movement is growing worldwide. In 2019, strikes have taken place across Europe, North America
    (...)  School Strike for Climate. Instead of going to school, students across the globe have been skipping classes to take
    (...)  banners reading, "Why learn without a future?" "If you do not act as adults, we will" and "Like the sea level,
    1  ) School children around the world have been going on strike. They are unhappy that their governments are doing too
    (...)  students for their activism. However, not everyone is on the students' side. Australia's leader called for "more learning
    (...)  little to fight climate change. The strikes are part of a growing international movement called
    (...)  in schools and less activism". A journalist in the U.K. wrote: "If children really must wag their
    (...)  part in street protests. Many of the protests have been outside government buildings. The movement began
    (...)  and Australia. Over 45,000 students protested on one day in Switzerland and Germany. Students have held
    (...)  we rise." The first worldwide strike will take place on March 15. Many scientists, politicians and teachers congratulated the

    Put the words in the right order

    1. world   around   the   Children   going   on   are   strike   .
    2. climate   to   Doing   little   fight   too   change   .
    3. have   across   globe   classes   .   the   Students   skipping   been
    4. outside   have   protests   buildings   .   Many   government   been
    5. went   media   .   her   Photos   viral   on   of   social
    6. strikes   place   across   have   taken   2019,   Europe   .   In
    7. adults,   you   act   do   we   not   will   .   as   If
    8. congratulated   for   activism   .   students   their   Teachers   the
    9. in   Australia's   schools   .   for   called   more   learning   leader
    10. children   fingers   at   older   If   their   wag   generations   .

    Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

    School children around the world have been going in / on strike. They are unhappy that their governments are done / doing too little to fight climate change. The strikes are party / part of a growing international movement called School Strike for Climate. Instead of / for going to school, students across the globe / global have been skipping classes to take part in street protests / protestors. Many of the protests have been outside government buildings. The movement begins / began in August 2018 when Swedish student Greta Thunberg stood outside Sweden's government always / every Friday. She held a sign that read: "School strike for climate". Photos of her went viral / virus on social media. Students organized themselves and copied Ms Thunberg's actions / actioned.

    The movement is grown / growing worldwide. In 2019, strikes have taken place across / crossing Europe, North America and Australia. Over 45,000 students protested on one / once day in Switzerland and Germany. Students have holding / held banners reading, "Why learn without a future?" "If you do not act as adults, we will" and "Like the sea level, we arise / rise." The first worldwide strike will take place on March 15. Many scientists, political / politicians and teachers congratulated the students for their activism / activist. However, not everyone is on the students' edge / side. Australia's leader called for "more learning in schools and fewer / less activism". A journalist in the U.K. wrote: "If children really must wag their fingers at older generations for some imaginary sin / son, I wish they'd do it at the weekend."

    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)

    S c h__ l c h_l d r_n _r__ n d t h_ w_r l d h_v_ b__ n g__ n g _n s t r_k_. T h_y _r_ _n h_p p y t h_t t h__ r g_v_r n m_n t s _r_ d__ n g t__ l_t t l_ t_ f_g h t c l_m_t_ c h_n g_. T h_ s t r_k_s _r_ p_r t _f _ g r_w_n g _n t_r n_t__ n_l m_v_m_n t c_l l_d S c h__ l S t r_k_ f_r C l_m_t_. I n s t__ d _f g__ n g t_ s c h__ l , s t_d_n t s _c r_s s t h_ g l_b_ h_v_ b__ n s k_p p_n g c l_s s_s t_ t_k_ p_r t _n s t r__ t p r_t_s t s . M_n y _f t h_ p r_t_s t s h_v_ b__ n __ t s_d_ g_v_r n m_n t b__ l d_n g s . T h_ m_v_m_n t b_g_n _n A_g_s t 2 0 1 8 w h_n S w_d_s h s t_d_n t G r_t_ T h_n b_r g s t__ d __ t s_d_ S w_d_n ' s g_v_r n m_n t _v_r y F r_d_y . S h_ h_l d _ s_g n t h_t r__ d : " S c h__ l s t r_k_ f_r c l_m_t_" . P h_t_s _f h_r w_n t v_r_l _n s_c__ l m_d__ . S t_d_n t s _r g_n_z_d t h_m s_l v_s _n d c_p__ d M s T h_n b_r g ' s _c t__ n s .

    T h_ m_v_m_n t _s g r_w_n g w_r l d w_d_. I n 2 0 1 9 , s t r_k_s h_v_ t_k_n p l_c_ _c r_s s E_r_p_, N_r t h A m_r_c_ _n d A_s t r_l__ . O v_r 4 5 , 0 0 0 s t_d_n t s p r_t_s t_d _n _n_ d_y _n S w_t z_r l_n d _n d G_r m_n y . S t_d_n t s h_v_ h_l d b_n n_r s r__ d_n g , " W h y l__ r n w_t h__ t _ f_t_r_? " " I f y__ d_ n_t _c t _s _d_l t s , w_ w_l l " _n d " L_k_ t h_ s__ l_v_l , w_ r_s_. " T h_ f_r s t w_r l d w_d_ s t r_k_ w_l l t_k_ p l_c_ _n M_r c h 1 5 . M_n y s c__ n t_s t s , p_l_t_c__ n s _n d t__ c h_r s c_n g r_t_l_t_d t h_ s t_d_n t s f_r t h__ r _c t_v_s m . H_w_v_r , n_t _v_r y_n_ _s _n t h_ s t_d_n t s ' s_d_. A_s t r_l__ ' s l__ d_r c_l l_d f_r " m_r_ l__ r n_n g _n s c h__ l s _n d l_s s _c t_v_s m " . A j__ r n_l_s t _n t h_ U . K . w r_t_: " I f c h_l d r_n r__ l l y m_s t w_g t h__ r f_n g_r s _t _l d_r g_n_r_t__ n s f_r s_m_ _m_g_n_r y s_n , I w_s h t h_y ' d d_ _t _t t h_ w__ k_n d . "

    Punctuate the text and add capitals

    school children around the world have been going on strike they are unhappy that their governments are doing too little to fight climate change the strikes are part of a growing international movement called school strike for climate instead of going to school students across the globe have been skipping classes to take part in street protests many of the protests have been outside government buildings the movement began in august 2018 when swedish student greta thunberg stood outside swedens government every friday she held a sign that read school strike for climate photos of her went viral on social media students organized themselves and copied ms thunbergs actions

    the movement is growing worldwide in 2019 strikes have taken place across europe north america and australia over 45000 students protested on one day in switzerland and germany students have held banners reading why learn without a future if you do not act as adults we will and like the sea level we rise the first worldwide strike will take place on march 15 many scientists politicians and teachers congratulated the students for their activism however not everyone is on the students side australias leader called for more learning in schools and less activism a journalist in the uk wrote if children really must wag their fingers at older generations for some imaginary sin i wish theyd do it at the weekend"

    Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

    Schoolchildrenaroundtheworldhavebeengoingonstrike.Theyareunh
    appythattheirgovernmentsaredoingtoolittletofightclimatechange.T
    hestrikesarepartofagrowinginternationalmovementcalledSchoolStr
    ikeforClimate.Insteadofgoingtoschool,studentsacrosstheglobehave
    beenskippingclassestotakepartinstreetprotests.Manyoftheprotests
    havebeenoutsidegovernmentbuildings.ThemovementbeganinAugu
    st2018whenSwedishstudentGretaThunbergstoodoutsideSweden'sg
    overnmenteveryFriday.Sheheldasignthatread:"Schoolstrikeforclim
    ate".Photosofherwentviralonsocialmedia.Studentsorganizedthems
    elvesandcopiedMsThunberg'sactions.Themovementisgrowingworld
    wide.In2019,strikeshavetakenplaceacrossEurope,NorthAmericaan
    dAustralia.Over45,000studentsprotestedononedayinSwitzerlandan
    dGermany.Studentshaveheldbannersreading,"Whylearnwithoutafu
    ture?""Ifyoudonotactasadults,wewill"and"Likethesealevel,werise."
    ThefirstworldwidestrikewilltakeplaceonMarch15.Manyscientists,pol
    iticiansandteacherscongratulatedthestudentsfortheiractivism.How
    ever,noteveryoneisonthestudents'side.Australia'sleadercalledfor"
    morelearninginschoolsandlessactivism".AjournalistintheU.K.wrote:
    "Ifchildrenreallymustwagtheirfingersatoldergenerationsforsomeim
    aginarysin,Iwishthey'ddoitattheweekend."

    Free writing

    Write about school strike for climate for 10 minutes. Comment on your partner’s paper.

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    Academic writing

    School children should never go on strike. 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 this news story. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.
    3. STRIKES: Make a poster about strikes. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?
    4. CHILDREN: Write a magazine article about children playing a bigger ole in decisions about their future. 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 strikes. Ask him/her three questions about strikes. Give him/her three of your ideas. 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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