Even though the fine is not a lot of money for Dish Network, it might make other companies think twice about leaving their old satellites in space. There are more and more things in space and this makes it more likely that they will crash into each other. This can make even more space junk. Since 1957, over 10,000 satellites have been sent to space and more than half of them are not used anymore. Even small things like paint chips can be dangerous if they hit astronauts or spaceships because they move very fast.
Original news source: US issues first ever fine for space junk to Dish Network (BBC)
π Vocabulary:
Group or Classroom Activities
Warm-up Activities:
– Charades
Instructions: Divide the class into small groups. Each group will take turns choosing a word or phrase related to space junk from a hat or bag. One person from the group will act out the word or phrase without speaking, while the others try to guess. The group that guesses correctly gets a point. The group with the most points at the end wins.
– News Summary
Instructions: In pairs, students will read the article and take turns summarizing the main points to each other. They should try to include as many details as possible in their summaries. Afterward, as a class, discuss the different summaries and compare the information shared.
– Vocabulary Pictionary
Instructions: Divide the class into pairs or small groups. Give each group a list of vocabulary words related to space junk from the article. One person from each group will choose a word and draw a picture representing the word, while the others try to guess. The group that guesses correctly gets a point. The group with the most points at the end wins.
– Speed Summarizing
Instructions: In pairs, students will take turns summarizing the article to each other in 1 minute or less. They should focus on the main points and try to be as concise as possible. Afterward, as a class, discuss any difficulties or challenges they faced in summarizing the article quickly.
– Think-Pair-Share
Instructions: In pairs, students will take turns discussing and sharing their thoughts on the importance of removing old satellites from space. They should consider the potential risks and consequences of leaving space junk in orbit. Afterward, as a class, discuss the different perspectives and arguments shared.
π€ Comprehension Questions:
Because they didn't move an old satellite far enough away from other satellites.
Space junk is stuff like old satellites and parts of spaceships that are not used anymore.
It can make even more space junk and cause problems in space.
Over 10,000 satellites have been sent to space since 1957.
Because they move very fast and can hurt the astronauts or damage the spaceships.
There will be more things in space and they might crash into each other.
Because they don't want to get fined too, so they might be more careful with their old satellites.
π§βοΈ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:
The US gave a big company, Dish Network, a fine because they didn't move an old satellite far enough away from other satellites. This is the time the government has done this. The old satellite could crash into other satellites and make space junk. Space junk is stuff like old satellites and parts of that are not used anymore. They can cause problems by into other things in space. Even though the fine is not a lot of money for Dish Network, it might make other companies think twice about leaving their old in space. There are more and more things in space and this makes it more likely that they will into each other. This can make even more space junk. Since 1957, over 10,000 satellites have been to space and more than half of them are not used anymore. Even small things like paint chips can be dangerous if they hit astronauts or spaceships because they very fast.
π¬ Discussion Questions:
1. What is space junk?
2. How would you feel if you saw space junk in the sky?
3. Do you like looking at the stars? Why or why not?
4. Do you think it's important to clean up space junk? Why?
5. What do you think might happen if two satellites crash into each other?
6. How would you feel if you were an astronaut and a paint chip hit your spaceship?
7. Do you think it's fair for the government to give Dish Network a fine? Why or why not?
8. What do you think companies should do with their old satellites?
9. How many satellites do you think have been sent to space since 1957?
10. Do you think it's a good idea to have more things in space? Why or why not?
11. How can we make sure that space stays clean and safe?
12. What would you do if you saw space junk falling from the sky?
Individual Activities
ππ Vocabulary Meanings:
Click a dot next to a word, then click the dot next to its meaning to draw a line connecting them.
Words
Meanings
π‘ Multiple Choice Questions:
π΅οΈ True or False Questions:
π Write a Summary:
Write a summary of this news article in two sentences.
Check your writing now with the best free AI for English writing!
