The Amazon rainforest is very dry this year, the driest it has ever been. This is bad for the people and animals living there. Rivers are too low for boats, fires are burning, and plants are dying. Scientists are worried because the rainforest helps control the weather for the whole world.
People who live in the rainforest are having a hard time. One man, Oliveira Tikuna, says it's never been this dry before. Rivers are so low that it's hard for people to get things they need, like food and medicine. Many trees and plants are starting to die because it's so dry.
If the rainforest keeps getting drier, it could change into a different kind of place with fewer trees, called a savannah. The rainforest holds a lot of carbon, which is important for keeping the air clean. But if it changes, it won't hold as much carbon anymore. A scientist named Carlos Nobre says if we cut down too many trees and the world gets too warm, the rainforest could reach a point where it can't go back to the way it was. People are trying to stop cutting down trees, but we need to do more to help the rainforest.
Original news source: Amazon drought: 'We've never seen anything like this' (BBC)
π§ Listen:
π Vocabulary:
Group or Classroom Activities
Warm-up Activities:
– Charades
Instructions: Divide the class into small groups. Give each group a set of flashcards with words related to the article (e.g. rainforest, dry, fire, tree, boat). One student from each group will pick a flashcard and act out the word without speaking, while the other group members try to guess the word.
– News Summary
Instructions: Have the students take turns summarizing the main points of the article in their own words. Encourage them to use the present tense and include key details such as the dryness of the rainforest, the impact on people and animals, and the potential consequences.
– Opinion Poll
Instructions: Divide the class into pairs. Give each pair a list of statements related to the article (e.g. "Cutting down trees should be completely stopped" or "The Amazon rainforest will recover from the dryness"). Have the students discuss each statement and indicate whether they agree or disagree. Afterward, have a class discussion to share and compare opinions.
– Vocabulary Pictionary
Instructions: Create a list of vocabulary words from the article (e.g. rainforest, dry, fire, carbon). Divide the class into small groups. One student from each group will choose a word and draw it on the board while the other group members try to guess the word. Encourage the students to use gestures and facial expressions to convey meaning.
– Pros and Cons
Instructions: Divide the class into two groups. Assign one group the task of listing the pros of the rainforest getting drier (e.g. potential for new habitats, changes in biodiversity) and the other group the task of listing the cons (e.g. impact on people and animals, potential loss of carbon storage). Have each group present their lists and then facilitate a class discussion on the topic.
π€ Comprehension Questions:
It is bad because it can cause problems for the people and animals living there, and it can also affect the weather for the whole world.
Some problems include low rivers which make it hard for boats to travel, fires burning, and plants dying.
Oliveira Tikuna is having a hard time because the rivers are too low for him to get things he needs, like food and medicine.
If the rainforest keeps getting drier, it could change into a different kind of place with fewer trees, called a savannah.
It is important because the rainforest helps keep the air clean by holding a lot of carbon.
If we cut down too many trees in the rainforest, it could harm the rainforest and it may not be able to go back to the way it was.
We can help the rainforest by not cutting down too many trees, and by doing more to protect and preserve it.
π§βοΈ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:
The Amazon is very dry this year, the driest it has ever been. This is bad for the people and animals living there. Rivers are too low for boats, fires are , and plants are dying. Scientists are worried because the rainforest helps control the for the whole . People who live in the rainforest are having a hard time. One man, Tikuna, says it's never been this dry before. Rivers are so low that it's hard for people to get things they , like food and medicine. Many trees and plants are starting to die because it's so dry. If the rainforest keeps drier, it could change into a different kind of place with fewer , called a savannah. The rainforest holds a lot of carbon, which is important for keeping the air clean. But if it , it won't hold as much carbon anymore. A named Carlos Nobre if we cut down too many trees and the world gets too warm, the rainforest could a point where it can't go back to the way it was. People are trying to stop cutting down trees, but we need to do more to help the rainforest.
π¬ Discussion Questions:
1. What is the Amazon rainforest?
2. How do you think the people and animals living in the rainforest feel when it's very dry?
3. Do you think it's important for the rainforest to have a lot of trees? Why or why not?
4. How would you feel if you couldn't get the things you need, like food and medicine?
5. Do you like plants? Why or why not?
6. What do you think will happen if the rainforest keeps getting drier?
7. How do you think the world would be different if the rainforest turned into a savannah?
8. Do you think it's important to keep the air clean? Why or why not?
9. What do you think will happen if we cut down too many trees?
10. Do you think it's good or bad that people are trying to stop cutting down trees? Why or why not?
11. How do you think we can help the rainforest?
12. Why do you think it's important to protect the rainforest?
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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