At first, the camera system had trouble knowing what it was seeing. It thought badgers were things like umbrellas and sinks. But after some work and learning, it got good at knowing when it saw an animal. When it sees one, it makes the high-pitched sound to scare it away. The man thinks this system could be used in other places, like farms, to keep away animals that might cause trouble.
Some people, like the RSPCA, worry that the high-pitched sounds might scare or hurt the animals. But the man thinks his system is a kind way to keep his garden safe for his kids. He has even shared the computer code he used to make the system, showing he doesn't want to make money from it. He thinks systems like his could be used in other places where people and animals might have problems.
Original news source: Man trains home cameras to help repel badgers and foxes (BBC)
π Vocabulary:
Group or Classroom Activities
Warm-up Activities:
– Charades
Instructions: Divide the class into small groups. Give each group a set of animal vocabulary flashcards (including foxes, badgers, and other animals). One student from each group will choose a flashcard and act out the animal without speaking, while the other students try to guess the animal. The group that guesses correctly gets a point. Rotate the role of the actor for each round.
– News Summary
Instructions: Have the students read the article individually or in pairs. Then, ask them to write a summary of the article in their own words. They should include the main idea, key details, and their opinion on the man's invention. Afterward, have a class discussion to compare and discuss their summaries.
– Opinion Poll
Instructions: Divide the class into pairs. Give each pair a list of questions related to the article, such as "Do you think the man's invention is a good idea?" or "Should high-pitched sounds be used to scare away animals?" Each student takes turns asking their partner a question and recording their partner's opinion. Afterward, have a class discussion to share and compare opinions.
– Vocabulary Pictionary
Instructions: Write animal vocabulary words from the article on individual slips of paper and place them in a bowl. Divide the class into two teams. One student from each team will come to the front of the class and pick a slip of paper without showing it to their team. They must then draw a picture of the animal on the slip of paper while their team tries to guess the animal. The team that guesses correctly gets a point. Rotate the role of the drawer for each round.
– Speed Summarizing
Instructions: Divide the class into small groups. Give each group a set of sentence strips with key sentences or phrases from the article. Each group must work together to arrange the sentence strips in the correct order to create a summary of the article. Set a timer for a few minutes, and the group that completes the task with the most accurate summary wins. Afterward, have a class discussion to compare the summaries and clarify any misunderstandings.
π€ Comprehension Questions:
The man invented a system called the Furbinator 3000.
The invention used home cameras and made high-pitched sounds that animals don't like to scare them away.
He wanted to keep his garden clean for his kids to play in.
The camera system had trouble knowing what it was seeing, like mistaking badgers for things like umbrellas and sinks.
He worked on it and taught the system to recognize animals so it could make the high-pitched sound when it saw one.
Some people are worried that the high-pitched sounds might scare or hurt the animals.
He shared the computer code to show that he didn't want to make money from it and to help others use similar systems in different places.
π§βοΈ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:
A man in Surrey, England, has a special system to keep foxes and badgers out of his garden. He used his home cameras and a device that makes high-pitched that animals don't like. He named his invention the Furbinator 3000. Some people don't like using sounds to animals away, but the man wanted to his garden clean for his in a kind way. At first, the camera system had trouble knowing what it was seeing. It badgers were things like umbrellas and sinks. But after some work and learning, it got good at knowing when it saw an animal. When it sees one, it the high-pitched sound to scare it away. The man thinks this system could be used in places, like , to keep away animals that might cause trouble. Some people, like the RSPCA, worry that the high-pitched sounds might scare or hurt the animals. But the man thinks his is a kind way to keep his garden safe for his kids. He has even shared the computer he used to the system, showing he doesn't want to make money from it. He thinks systems like his could be used in other places where people and animals might have problems.
π¬ Discussion Questions:
1. What is the Furbinator 3000?
2. How do you think the man feels about animals in his garden?
3. Do you like the idea of using sounds to scare away animals? Why or why not?
4. How do you think the man's camera system got better at knowing when it saw an animal?
5. How would you feel if you saw an animal in your garden?
6. Do you think the high-pitched sounds might scare or hurt the animals? Why or why not?
7. Why do you think the man shared the computer code for his system?
8. Do you think systems like the Furbinator 3000 could be useful in other places? Why or why not?
9. How do you think the man's kids feel about having a clean garden?
10. How would you feel if you had a problem with animals in your garden?
11. What are some other ways to keep animals out of a garden?
12. Why do you think the RSPCA is worried about the high-pitched sounds?
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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