Click on this link to find the reading text. Then try to do some of the exercises below.Compiled and designed by Anne Cairns, courtesy of Inorganic Market.
Showing posts with label language tasks. Show all posts
Showing posts with label language tasks. Show all posts
Friday, May 6, 2011
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Polar Bears in Jeopardy
Global warming is melting the polar ice caps, robbing the bears of the ice floes they need to hunt prey. Forced to fast for longer periods, polar bears will become too thin to reproduce and many scientists predict they could become extinct by the end of this century. At the same time, their natural habitat is under increasing assault from expanded development
TASKS
1. Discuss:
- What are the consequences of global warming on the polar bear?
- The polar bear is the most polluted animal. What do you think, is the reason for that?
- What is the "development" that harms the polar bear habitat?
- If the polar bear went extinct, what would be the consequences?
2.
Rewrite the first two sentences using relative clauses instead of the participles.
Monday, October 25, 2010
Gorillas and cell Phones
Toronto Zoo has a cell phone drop off program called "Phone Apes". If you decide to take your class for a visit there,maybe you'll find this material useful not only to teach the language, but to instill some Earth watcher's ideas along.
Conservationists point out that recycling cell phones protects landfills from the many potentially hazardous chemicals found in the phones, including antimony, arsenic, copper, cadmium, lead, and zinc.
But cell phones also include coltan, a mineral extracted in the deep forests of Congo in central Africa, home to the world's endangered lowland gorillas.
Fueled by the worldwide cell phone boom, Congo's out-of-control coltan mining business has in recent years led to a dramatic reduction of animal habitat and the rampant slaughter of great apes for the illegal bush-meat trade.
"Most people don't know that there's a connection between this metal in their cell phones and the well-being of wildlife in the area where it's mined," said Karen Killmar, the associate curator of mammals at the San Diego Zoo.
Conservationists point out that recycling cell phones protects landfills from the many potentially hazardous chemicals found in the phones, including antimony, arsenic, copper, cadmium, lead, and zinc.
But cell phones also include coltan, a mineral extracted in the deep forests of Congo in central Africa, home to the world's endangered lowland gorillas.
Fueled by the worldwide cell phone boom, Congo's out-of-control coltan mining business has in recent years led to a dramatic reduction of animal habitat and the rampant slaughter of great apes for the illegal bush-meat trade.
"Most people don't know that there's a connection between this metal in their cell phones and the well-being of wildlife in the area where it's mined," said Karen Killmar, the associate curator of mammals at the San Diego Zoo.
Monday, October 11, 2010
Ocean Storm
Put connectors on the blanks:
(This is a modified passage from Rachel Carson's book "The Sense of Wonder")
One stormy autumn night ________ my nephew was about twenty months old I wrapped him in a blanket ________ carried him down to the beach in the rainy darkness. Out there, just at the edge of where-we-couldn't-see, big waves were thundering in, dimly seen white shapes _________ boomed ________ shouted _______ threw great handfuls of froth at us. Together we laughed for pure joy - he a baby meeting for the first time the wild tumult of Oceanus, I with the salt of half a lifetime of sea love in me. ____ I think we felt the same response to the vast, roaring ocean _______ the wild night around us.
Solutions: when, and, that, and,and, But, and.
(This is a modified passage from Rachel Carson's book "The Sense of Wonder")
One stormy autumn night ________ my nephew was about twenty months old I wrapped him in a blanket ________ carried him down to the beach in the rainy darkness. Out there, just at the edge of where-we-couldn't-see, big waves were thundering in, dimly seen white shapes _________ boomed ________ shouted _______ threw great handfuls of froth at us. Together we laughed for pure joy - he a baby meeting for the first time the wild tumult of Oceanus, I with the salt of half a lifetime of sea love in me. ____ I think we felt the same response to the vast, roaring ocean _______ the wild night around us.
Solutions: when, and, that, and,and, But, and.
Friday, April 30, 2010
The Story Of Stuff
Please visit this link to see the compelling animation by Annie Leonard:
If you get a message that the link can't be opened, copy it and paste it in your browser and click enter.
Look for an extensive list of teaching handouts for higher levels related to this video, including the transcript:
https://docs.google.com/leaf?id=0B-rWSJk57KV7NmRmZTBjZTYtMGRjOS00YTQ3LThmYWItMDAwMDA2OWEzNzBi&hl=en
Courtesy of Anne Cairns
If you get a message that the link can't be opened, copy it and paste it in your browser and click enter.
Look for an extensive list of teaching handouts for higher levels related to this video, including the transcript:
https://docs.google.com/leaf?id=0B-rWSJk57KV7NmRmZTBjZTYtMGRjOS00YTQ3LThmYWItMDAwMDA2OWEzNzBi&hl=en
Courtesy of Anne Cairns
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Environmentally Teaching
http://www.teslontario.org/uploads/publications/contact/ContactSpring2010.pdf
Please check my article pp.13-21, for a plethora of ideas on greening your teaching this spring!
Please check my article pp.13-21, for a plethora of ideas on greening your teaching this spring!
Monday, March 1, 2010
Not Far from the Tree
Not Far From The Tree is an eco-group based in Toronto. They pick up fruits from neighbours' orchards that people don't care about and give them to those who cannot afford to buy them. Their volunteers picked up 3,690 kg of fruit in 2009.
1. Order the following lines into a passage:
or brushed past raspberry bushes on an evening stroll.
You’ve more than likely noticed
which is often viewed by homeowners as a nuisance.
everywhere in Toronto.
spoiled crabapples and rotted plums on sidewalks,
The city is teeming with fruit trees,
Fruit trees grow
but we rarely think of the potential of the fruit,
2. We'd Tap That
"We want to educate people about the urban forest.We don't want to collect a quantity of syrup, but to inspire connections between city dwellers and the trees around them. We will tap only Norway maples because they are abundant.
We will tap only the healthiest trees. Volunteers will drill one or two holes into each tree and insert spiles for the sap to be extracted.The spiles will be removed before spring arrives and the wounds will be sealed."
Comprehension questions:
1. Who is saying this?
2. What is their intention?
3. How will they do that?
4. How do they care about the trees?
5. How will they "inspire connections between city dwellers and the trees around them"?
6. Do you think that trees in the city should or shouldn't be wounded?
3. The following fruits have been gathered by Not Far From The Tree:
sweet and sour cherries, serviceberries, mulberries, apricots, plums, crabapples, pears, black wallnuts and ginko nuts. Find out about those you are not familiar with.
1. Order the following lines into a passage:
or brushed past raspberry bushes on an evening stroll.
You’ve more than likely noticed
which is often viewed by homeowners as a nuisance.
everywhere in Toronto.
spoiled crabapples and rotted plums on sidewalks,
The city is teeming with fruit trees,
Fruit trees grow
but we rarely think of the potential of the fruit,
2. We'd Tap That
"We want to educate people about the urban forest.We don't want to collect a quantity of syrup, but to inspire connections between city dwellers and the trees around them. We will tap only Norway maples because they are abundant.
We will tap only the healthiest trees. Volunteers will drill one or two holes into each tree and insert spiles for the sap to be extracted.The spiles will be removed before spring arrives and the wounds will be sealed."
Comprehension questions:
1. Who is saying this?
2. What is their intention?
3. How will they do that?
4. How do they care about the trees?
5. How will they "inspire connections between city dwellers and the trees around them"?
6. Do you think that trees in the city should or shouldn't be wounded?
3. The following fruits have been gathered by Not Far From The Tree:
sweet and sour cherries, serviceberries, mulberries, apricots, plums, crabapples, pears, black wallnuts and ginko nuts. Find out about those you are not familiar with.
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Eco-Driver
TASKS
- 1. Which of these features are Fuel Savers or Gas Guzzlers?
Large engine
Overdrive
Trip computer
Power seats
Air conditioning
Tinted glasses
Sunroof
Heated seats
Manual transmission
Tachometer
4-wheel drive
Power locks
Cruise control
(Answers: 2, 3,6,9,10,13 are Fuel Savers.)
- 2. Order the words in this text:
Your the and Planet Help Wallet
fuel just can year by save a you hundreds of dollars, a and reduce Reducing your tanks personal consumption emissions ten by almost tone.
because kilograms litre gasoline carbon every burned in a car's atmosphere releases 2.3 That's of of dioxide into the that's earth's engine.
is change dioxide greenhouse primary Carbon the climate contributing gas to.
Note: This exercise will be made easier if you cut word strips, rather than have them printed on a handout. The three sentences can be in three different colours or in different fonts. You can also give each member of a group of three one sentence.
3. Look at the estimated annual fuel costs for different cars.
Compare the costs (Exercise in reading numbers.)
Which one would you buy? Why? (Discussion, giving opinion.)
| |||
Best in class | 10th best | Median | |
Hybrid | $1,025 | $1,925 | $1,825 |
Compact | $1,575 | $1,850 | $2,268 |
Mid-size | $1,700 | $1,925 | $2,754 |
Full-size | $2,000 | $2,400 | $3,105 |
Van/Minivan | $2,100 | $2,775 | $3,575 |
Based on 20,000 km, $1.25/litre, $1.35 premium | |||
Note: each year, Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) produces a free booklet that compiles fuel efficiency ratings for all new cars. Online fuel consumption ratings can be found at: www.oee.nrcan.gc.ca/transportation
- 4. Insert an article: a, an, the or zero:
Welcome to the Idle-Free Zone
For Individuals
As __ individual, you can be instrumental in reducing __environmental impacts. If every driver of __ light duty vehicle avoided ___ idling by three minutes __ day, collectively over ___ year, we would save 630 million litres of ___fuel, over 1.4 million tonnes of GHG emissions, and $630 million annually in___ fuel costs (assuming fuel costs are $1.00/L).
(Answers: an,0, a, 0, a, the, 0, 0)
Conserving Nature for Future Generations
John Riley, NCC's chief science officer
When John Riley was a child,
there was a slogan: "Leave no child inside". He spent a lot of time exploring local wild places. It was popular among friends to know stuff about animals and trees. In his high school years, he hitchhiked to British Columbia and back twice, just for sport. Together with his siblings he took care of a big family garden that supplied food for the family.
Now John is the chief science officer at Nature Conservancy Canada. He takes care of spaces and species for future generations.
He says that Canada is multicultural and it is also multi-ecological. The best part of his job is that he can enjoy this diversity across Canada.
"It is urgent to get the job done, before it is too late – to be able to give such an assurance of successful conservation to our supporters and to the youth who are looking over our shoulders", says John.
"Let's make this a year that counts! For nature, for now, for ever."
TASKS
1. Explain the meaning of the following words:
A
slogan
wild
popular
stuff
hitchhike
siblings
youth
B
species
multicultural
multi-ecological
diversity
urgent
assurance
conservation
looking over one's shoulder
2. Comprehension questions:
- Who is John Riley?
- What is NCC?
- Why is Canada multi-ecological?
- Why are youth looking over their shoulders?
3. Discussion questions
- Which wild places in Canada do you know?
- Check the NCC website and find what places and species they have put on their list.
- Why is nature conservancy important for future generations?
- How would you rank the importance of: individuals, conservancy groups and organizations and government in the role of nature conservation? Explain your point.
4. GRAMMAR
Use the past form of the verbs in brackets:
Beryl Ivey ______ (be) a passionate advocate for conservation, especially in her native South-western Ontario.
She deeply _______ (love) nature. She _______ (create) conservation areas along the Niagara Escarpment.
She _______ ( live) much of her life in London, Ontario. Her mother _________ (grow up) in England's Lake District and _______ (tell) Beryl stories about it. Mrs. Ivey _________ (pass) this passion down to her own four children.
Their work with the Ivey Foundation supports many causes, including the Nature Conservancy of Canada.
Mrs. Ivey ____________ (pass away) on Christmas Day 2007. In her will, she _______ (make) a $1-million
bequest to NCC.
- Order the words in this message:
environment all role to in a our
we have preserving play
- Supply these synonyms for the words underlined in the text:
cottage, generosity, researchers, endangered, shore, deciduous, properties, habitat, flora, honour, expeditions, Woods, fauna
Conserving nature for a lifetime and beyond ,
The Bickford Oak Forest (1) is one of the NCC pieces of land (2) that's benefited from Mrs. Ivey's passion and unselfishness (3) and is named in her family's respect (4): the Ivey Research Station at Middle Point Woods on the eastern coast (5) of Pelee Island. This mature, 69-acre (28- hectare) leaf shedding (6) forest growing on sand dunes provides essential home (7) for both rare plants (8)- including the nationally threatened Common Hoptree and Wild Hyacinth – and animals (9) - such as the endangered Smallmouth Salamander. It's also the location of a recently renovated country house,(10)
that can accommodate up to eight researchers on multi-day research and restoration trips (11).
Thanks to the financial contributions of Beryl and Richard Ivey, it will be home base for scientists (12)
to study and protect the ecologically diverse and threatened (13) area for many, many years to come.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
GREEN PRODUCERS
Avalon Orchards
Avalon Orchards, located in Innisfil, Ontario, was established in 1988 with the objective of producing organically grown apples.
Apple growing in Ontario is challenged by diseases, such as apple scab and pests like codling moth.
Varieties that demonstrated high resistance to those were selected to be grown organically.
Approximately 10,000 trees, including Nova Scotia MacINtosh,Nova Scotia Spy, Redfree, Freedom, Prima and Liberty are grown in the orchard..
These varieties have been developed using traditional techniques of cross breeding, and not through genetic modification.
Kaolin clay is used for pest control.
This clay is diluted with water and sprayed on the fruit.
It is the same clay that is used in toothpaste.
By picking time it is normally washed off by the rain.
TASK: Turn the passive forms in each sentence into active.
Circle Sun Farm
In 1999 Circle Sun Farm was revitalized as an organic dairy farm. Now they raise organic beef for ground beef. In addition, they mix their free-range pastured pork with the beef and their own herbs and garlic to make fine organic sausages. They also raise rare breeds and a variety of poultry, all without using any pesticides, chemical fertilizers, growth hormones or antibiotics.
They care about the land and betterment of the surrounding community.
TASKS:
1. Give your opinion:
a. What is the difference between free-range farm animals and enclosed stock?
b. How does the use of chemicals affect human health?
c. How is the organic farming better for the land and the community?
d. Do you see organic farming thrive in the future?
2. Explain the meaning of these words: revitalize, dairy farm, rare breeds, poultry, pesticides, fertilizers, growth hormones, antibiotics, betterment, community.
Avalon Orchards, located in Innisfil, Ontario, was established in 1988 with the objective of producing organically grown apples.
Apple growing in Ontario is challenged by diseases, such as apple scab and pests like codling moth.
Varieties that demonstrated high resistance to those were selected to be grown organically.
Approximately 10,000 trees, including Nova Scotia MacINtosh,Nova Scotia Spy, Redfree, Freedom, Prima and Liberty are grown in the orchard..
These varieties have been developed using traditional techniques of cross breeding, and not through genetic modification.
Kaolin clay is used for pest control.
This clay is diluted with water and sprayed on the fruit.
It is the same clay that is used in toothpaste.
By picking time it is normally washed off by the rain.
TASK: Turn the passive forms in each sentence into active.
Circle Sun Farm
In 1999 Circle Sun Farm was revitalized as an organic dairy farm. Now they raise organic beef for ground beef. In addition, they mix their free-range pastured pork with the beef and their own herbs and garlic to make fine organic sausages. They also raise rare breeds and a variety of poultry, all without using any pesticides, chemical fertilizers, growth hormones or antibiotics.
They care about the land and betterment of the surrounding community.
TASKS:
1. Give your opinion:
a. What is the difference between free-range farm animals and enclosed stock?
b. How does the use of chemicals affect human health?
c. How is the organic farming better for the land and the community?
d. Do you see organic farming thrive in the future?
2. Explain the meaning of these words: revitalize, dairy farm, rare breeds, poultry, pesticides, fertilizers, growth hormones, antibiotics, betterment, community.
Monday, June 29, 2009
Food Miles
Circle the number you think is correct:
1. The average Canadian meal travels about: 10,000 - 2,500 - 1,000 km from farm to plate.
2. But when you buy food grown in the Ontario Greenbelt, the distance drops to: 250 - 1,000 - 2,500 km.
3. Farms use only 5% - 10% - 15% of the total fossil fuels used by the food industry; the rest goes to transportation, packaging and marketing.
ANSWERS: 2,500; 250; 10%.
Insert the following words in the text:
footprint, climate change, fruits, vegetables, meats,planet, produce, smog
Not only does shopping local mean you enjoy fresher and tastier _________, ____________ and ____________, but you're contributing to a healthier ____________. By shopping for Greenbelt grown _____________ and meat, you help reduce ____________ and lessen your carbon ________________ and emissions that cause ________ _________.
1. The average Canadian meal travels about: 10,000 - 2,500 - 1,000 km from farm to plate.
2. But when you buy food grown in the Ontario Greenbelt, the distance drops to: 250 - 1,000 - 2,500 km.
3. Farms use only 5% - 10% - 15% of the total fossil fuels used by the food industry; the rest goes to transportation, packaging and marketing.
ANSWERS: 2,500; 250; 10%.
Insert the following words in the text:
footprint, climate change, fruits, vegetables, meats,planet, produce, smog
Not only does shopping local mean you enjoy fresher and tastier _________, ____________ and ____________, but you're contributing to a healthier ____________. By shopping for Greenbelt grown _____________ and meat, you help reduce ____________ and lessen your carbon ________________ and emissions that cause ________ _________.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Saving Birds
LETTERS FROM READERS…
(Abridged letter to On the Bay, holiday edition 2008, by George K. Peck, Research Associate, Ornithology, Royal Ontario Museum)
The nesting bird colonies on Nottawasaga Island are of a far greater importance than saving a now obsolete, manmade Lighthouse.
There are more than a dozen nesting bird species on the island, of which seven are in colonies. Among the latter is our province’s largest and most northerly colony of Great Egrets, now increased to 135 nesting pairs, from its appearance on the island in 1985. This magnificent all-white heron and the other island nesting birds have been monitored and an annual census is done annually by the Canadian Wildlife Service and myself. The island has been posted to keep visitors away during the nesting season.
If it is necessary and financially possible to repair the damaged Lighthouse, I would strongly suggest the importance of making those repairs outside the birds’ nesting season (the beginning of April to the end of July). Any work done within that period would seriously jeopardize the bird colonies, which should be regarded as a precious part of our heritage.
TASKS:
1. Reading comprehension questions (for higher levels):
Who is the author of this letter? Which Bay does the magazine relate to? What article in a previous issue does the author respond to? What point does he make?
Why does Mr.Peck think that birds are more important?
Name some of the birds in Ontario. Which of them exist in your country?
What does the writer mean by “a precious part of our heritage”? Can you think of anything else as a Canadian heritage?
What do you know about bird watching / bird counting?
In your opinion, should engineers, builders, city developers and other experts consult with biologists? Why or why not?
[Learn more: Janine Buyens: Biomimicry, see our book list]
2. Check the meaning of these words: nesting birds, bird colony, bird watching, bird census, ornithology. Find more words related to the birds.
3. TRUE / FALSE (for lower lvels)
1. Nottawasaga Island is a home to many birds.
2. There is a lighthouse on the island.
3. The lighthouse is not in use.
4. All the birds on the island are egrets.
5. The Great Egret is a white heron.
6. There are more than 12 bird species on the island.
7. There are 270 Great Egrets on the island.
8. People can not come to the island.
Find the words in the text that give answers to these statements.
4. Match the words on the left with the explanation on the right:
Obsolete - not in use any more
Colony - group
Appearance - show up
Magnificent - beautiful
Census - counting population
Jeopardize - endanger
Annual - yearly
Precious - dear
Heritage - part of the culture
Monitor - watch
5. Use the words above in these sentences:
The lighthouse on Nottawasaga Island is ________.
__________ies of birds live on the island now.
The first ________________ of Great Egret on the island was in 1985.
That _____________ bird is a part of Canadian _____________.
The island is ______________ because many species of birds live there.
The birds have been ______________ed.
An ____________ ___________ is taken to count the birds on the island.
Building works on the island during the nesting season can ______________ the birds.
6. Divide the class in two teams: those who are in favour of repairing the lighthouse and those who oppose it. Debate it.
Write a letter back to Mr. Peck defending the lighthouse restoration.
.
Write a post that the Canadian Wildlife Service would put on the island. Write more posts for the places you know need protection.
Write a letter to a newspaper suggesting a repair of some site that you would like to protect.
Write a letter to the Canadian Wildlife Service offering your help as a volunteer. Mention at least three reasons why you would qualify.
(Abridged letter to On the Bay, holiday edition 2008, by George K. Peck, Research Associate, Ornithology, Royal Ontario Museum)
The nesting bird colonies on Nottawasaga Island are of a far greater importance than saving a now obsolete, manmade Lighthouse.
There are more than a dozen nesting bird species on the island, of which seven are in colonies. Among the latter is our province’s largest and most northerly colony of Great Egrets, now increased to 135 nesting pairs, from its appearance on the island in 1985. This magnificent all-white heron and the other island nesting birds have been monitored and an annual census is done annually by the Canadian Wildlife Service and myself. The island has been posted to keep visitors away during the nesting season.
If it is necessary and financially possible to repair the damaged Lighthouse, I would strongly suggest the importance of making those repairs outside the birds’ nesting season (the beginning of April to the end of July). Any work done within that period would seriously jeopardize the bird colonies, which should be regarded as a precious part of our heritage.
TASKS:
1. Reading comprehension questions (for higher levels):
Who is the author of this letter? Which Bay does the magazine relate to? What article in a previous issue does the author respond to? What point does he make?
Why does Mr.Peck think that birds are more important?
Name some of the birds in Ontario. Which of them exist in your country?
What does the writer mean by “a precious part of our heritage”? Can you think of anything else as a Canadian heritage?
What do you know about bird watching / bird counting?
In your opinion, should engineers, builders, city developers and other experts consult with biologists? Why or why not?
[Learn more: Janine Buyens: Biomimicry, see our book list]
2. Check the meaning of these words: nesting birds, bird colony, bird watching, bird census, ornithology. Find more words related to the birds.
3. TRUE / FALSE (for lower lvels)
1. Nottawasaga Island is a home to many birds.
2. There is a lighthouse on the island.
3. The lighthouse is not in use.
4. All the birds on the island are egrets.
5. The Great Egret is a white heron.
6. There are more than 12 bird species on the island.
7. There are 270 Great Egrets on the island.
8. People can not come to the island.
Find the words in the text that give answers to these statements.
4. Match the words on the left with the explanation on the right:
Obsolete - not in use any more
Colony - group
Appearance - show up
Magnificent - beautiful
Census - counting population
Jeopardize - endanger
Annual - yearly
Precious - dear
Heritage - part of the culture
Monitor - watch
5. Use the words above in these sentences:
The lighthouse on Nottawasaga Island is ________.
__________ies of birds live on the island now.
The first ________________ of Great Egret on the island was in 1985.
That _____________ bird is a part of Canadian _____________.
The island is ______________ because many species of birds live there.
The birds have been ______________ed.
An ____________ ___________ is taken to count the birds on the island.
Building works on the island during the nesting season can ______________ the birds.
6. Divide the class in two teams: those who are in favour of repairing the lighthouse and those who oppose it. Debate it.
Write a letter back to Mr. Peck defending the lighthouse restoration.
.
Write a post that the Canadian Wildlife Service would put on the island. Write more posts for the places you know need protection.
Write a letter to a newspaper suggesting a repair of some site that you would like to protect.
Write a letter to the Canadian Wildlife Service offering your help as a volunteer. Mention at least three reasons why you would qualify.
MUSCLE POWER
1. Did you ever spend time on a treadmill or exercise bike and speculate about how all that energy could power more than your bike?
Could you imagine what else you could power while working out?
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2. A new book by Tamara Dean, called The Human-Powered Home (New Society Publishers, 2008) is a compendium of household devices gathered from a unique collection of experts on human power.
What household devices use pedal-power? Could some others use it too?
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3. Most of us are familiar with hand-cranked juicers and grain or coffee mills, treadle sewing machines and push lawn mowers (which are becoming popular again).
But what about a pedal-powered television or computer?
What do you think would be advantages and shortbacks of such devices? Would they be more or less expensive than the existing ones?
TEACHING SUGGESTIONS:
1. For this reading / discussion task students should fold the paper after each paragraph, without reading the next. Pairs discuss each question after the paragraph and report to the class.
2. Try to change the interrogative sentences in the text into affirmative so that the meaning is not changed.
3. Try to change all the questions in the text into statements without changing the message
Could you imagine what else you could power while working out?
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2. A new book by Tamara Dean, called The Human-Powered Home (New Society Publishers, 2008) is a compendium of household devices gathered from a unique collection of experts on human power.
What household devices use pedal-power? Could some others use it too?
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3. Most of us are familiar with hand-cranked juicers and grain or coffee mills, treadle sewing machines and push lawn mowers (which are becoming popular again).
But what about a pedal-powered television or computer?
What do you think would be advantages and shortbacks of such devices? Would they be more or less expensive than the existing ones?
TEACHING SUGGESTIONS:
1. For this reading / discussion task students should fold the paper after each paragraph, without reading the next. Pairs discuss each question after the paragraph and report to the class.
2. Try to change the interrogative sentences in the text into affirmative so that the meaning is not changed.
3. Try to change all the questions in the text into statements without changing the message
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Are You Able or Unable?
Recycle paper at your centre?
Use both sides for photocopying?
Compost?
Turn off lights when you are not in the room?
Turn off computers at the end of the day?
Use biodegradable dishwashers and toilet cleaners?
Eliminate styrofoam cups and plates?
Eliminate plastic cutlery?
Eliminate white boards / markers?
Adjust the thermostat by 1 degree down in winter and 1 degree up in summer?
Use both sides for photocopying?
Compost?
Turn off lights when you are not in the room?
Turn off computers at the end of the day?
Use biodegradable dishwashers and toilet cleaners?
Eliminate styrofoam cups and plates?
Eliminate plastic cutlery?
Eliminate white boards / markers?
Adjust the thermostat by 1 degree down in winter and 1 degree up in summer?
A GREEN COLLAR JOB
G R E E N S O L U T I O N S
Rick Hunter is a green homebuilder. He believes that green is the future of building.
“People are getting excited about green collar jobs. They make people happier about what they’re doing. And you can earn a living.”
Rick uses green products in new construction and renovation. Solar panels in the picture save energy.
What other jobs can be green?
List some construction products that can be green.
Why are green products better? Browse a hardware catalogue and look for better alternatives. Bring some construction products to the classroom and discuss their environmental impact.
Don’t forget, no matter what the smog index is outside, the inner air quality is always worse.
YOUR INPUT…
What green company could you start? What name would you give it?
Write an ad for your company.
GROUP WORK
A. You want to renovate your living room. Make a list of better alternatives for your healthier living and energy conservation.
B. You live in a building. Make a plan how it can be upgraded to be greener.
You are looking for an apartment. Narrow down the list to three that you will consider. Explain your choice.
� It is large and cheap, near a gas station.
� It is near a park, the windows don’t open.
� It is on 22nd floor, it overlooks the lake.
� It is Bullfrog powered, has recycling facility.
� The size and price are attractive, far from the TTC.
� It is reasonably priced, furnished with furniture that you don’t like.
� It has wall-to-wall carpets in all rooms and a daycare in the basement.
� It is near a gym and library, has no parking.
Rick Hunter is a green homebuilder. He believes that green is the future of building.
“People are getting excited about green collar jobs. They make people happier about what they’re doing. And you can earn a living.”
Rick uses green products in new construction and renovation. Solar panels in the picture save energy.
What other jobs can be green?
List some construction products that can be green.
Why are green products better? Browse a hardware catalogue and look for better alternatives. Bring some construction products to the classroom and discuss their environmental impact.
Don’t forget, no matter what the smog index is outside, the inner air quality is always worse.
YOUR INPUT…
What green company could you start? What name would you give it?
Write an ad for your company.
GROUP WORK
A. You want to renovate your living room. Make a list of better alternatives for your healthier living and energy conservation.
B. You live in a building. Make a plan how it can be upgraded to be greener.
You are looking for an apartment. Narrow down the list to three that you will consider. Explain your choice.
� It is large and cheap, near a gas station.
� It is near a park, the windows don’t open.
� It is on 22nd floor, it overlooks the lake.
� It is Bullfrog powered, has recycling facility.
� The size and price are attractive, far from the TTC.
� It is reasonably priced, furnished with furniture that you don’t like.
� It has wall-to-wall carpets in all rooms and a daycare in the basement.
� It is near a gym and library, has no parking.
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Eat Local Food
Why Eat Local? 10 Lucky Reasons.
At a farmers’ market, most local produce has been picked inside of 24 hours. It comes to you ripe, fresh, and with its full flavor, unlike supermarket food that may have been picked weeks or months before.
2. Know what you’re eating.
Buying food today is complicated. What pesticides were used? Is that corn genetically modified? Was that chicken free range or did it grow up in a box? People who eat locally find it easier to get answers. Many build relationships with farmers whom they trust. And they can also drive out to the farms and see for themselves.
3. Meet your neighbors.
Local eating is social. People shopping at farmers’ markets have 10 times more conversations than those who shop at the supermarket. Join a community garden and you’ll actually meet the people you pass on the street.
4. Get in touch with the seasons.
When you eat locally, you eat what’s in season. You’ll remember that cherries are the taste of summer. Even in winter, comfort foods like squash soup and pancakes just make a lot more sense than flavourless cherries from the other side of the world.
5. Discover new flavours.
Ever tried artichokes? How about asparagus, quail eggs, cranberries, or fiddleheads? These are just a few of local products. Count the types of apples of Ontario on offer at your supermarket. Maybe two? Small farms are keeping alive more varieties.
6. Explore your home.
Visiting local farms is a way to be a tourist on your own home turf, with plenty of stops for snacks.
7. Save the world.
A study found that a regional diet consumed 17 times less oil and gas than a typical diet based on food shipped across the country.
8. Support small farms.
We discovered that many people from all walks of life dream of working the land–maybe you do, too. In areas with strong local markets, the family farm is alive.
9. Give back to the local economy.
Buying from local food producers keeps the dollar at home, and everybody profits.
10. Be healthy.
We should eat more vegetables and fewer processed products. And more fresh food at its nutritional peak. Eating from farmers’ markets and cooking from scratch will make all the family healthy and happy!
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