Chuck Hildebrandt is a 63-year-old man who lives in Chicago. When he was 13, he borrowed a book about baseball from a library in Detroit. He forgot to return it for almost 50 years! He decided to give it back during a Thanksgiving visit.
When Chuck went to the library, he talked to the director, Oksana Urban. She was very nice and didn't make him pay a fine. The library had already removed the book from their system. Chuck was happy because he didn't have to pay any money.
Chuck wanted to do something good after this. He decided to raise money for a group that helps kids read. He started by giving some of his own money. Chuck hopes this will help other people learn to love reading.
Original news source: Detroit-area library says Chicago man can keep overdue baseball book — 50 years later (AP News)
π§ Listen:
π Vocabulary:
Group or Classroom Activities
Warm-up Activities:
– CHARADES
Instructions: Students will act out different words related to the article (e.g., "library," "baseball," "book," "reading"). The rest of the class will guess the words. This helps with vocabulary recognition and encourages a fun atmosphere.
– OPINION POLL
Instructions: Students will discuss whether they think it's important to return borrowed items on time. They can express their opinions in small groups and then share them with the class. This activity promotes speaking and critical thinking.
– HEADLINE CREATION
Instructions: After reading the article, students will create a catchy headline that summarizes Chuck's story. They can work in pairs and then share their headlines with the class. This activity encourages summarization skills and creativity.
– SKETCH IT
Instructions: Students will draw a scene from the article, such as Chuck returning the book to the library or raising money for kids. After drawing, they will describe their pictures to a partner. This enhances comprehension and encourages descriptive language use.
– MIND MAP
Instructions: Students will create a mind map based on the article. They will write "Chuck's Story" in the center and branch out with key ideas such as "library," "baseball," and "helping kids read." This activity helps in organizing thoughts and connecting concepts.
π€ Comprehension Questions:
Chuck Hildebrandt is 63 years old.
Chuck borrowed the book from a library in Detroit.
Chuck kept the book for almost 50 years.
Chuck talked to the library director, Oksana Urban.
Oksana Urban said that Chuck did not have to pay a fine.
Chuck decided to raise money for a group that helps kids read.
Chuck wants to help kids learn to read because he hopes they will love reading, too.
π§βοΈ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:
Chuck Hildebrandt is a 63-year-old man who lives in Chicago. When he was 13, he borrowed a book about baseball from a library in Detroit. He forgot to return it for almost 50 years! He decided to give it back during a Thanksgiving visit. When went to the , he talked to the director, Oksana Urban. She was very nice and didn't make him pay a fine. The library had already removed the book from their . Chuck was because he didn't have to pay any money. Chuck wanted to do something good after this. He decided to raise money for a that kids read. He started by giving some of his own money. Chuck hopes this will help other people learn to love reading.
π¬ Discussion Questions:
1. What is your favorite book? Why do you like it?
2. How would you feel if you forgot to return a library book for many years?
3. Do you think it's important to return library books on time? Why or why not?
4. Have you ever borrowed something and forgotten to return it? What happened?
5. What is a good way to help kids learn to read?
6. Do you like to read? Why or why not?
7. How would you feel if someone gave you money to help you read better?
8. Do you think libraries are important for communities? Why?
9. What is your favorite way to help others?
10. How would you feel if a library didn't make you pay a fine for a late book?
11. Do you think more people should help kids learn to read? Why or why not?
12. What is a good reason to give back something you borrowed?
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.
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