A woman named Celine Sandberg is trying to make furniture that is better for the Earth. She doesn't want to use plastic that can hurt the environment. Celine and her friends have used things like oyster shells and plants to make soft parts for chairs and sofas. They found out that seaweed can be made into a soft block that can be used in furniture and is good for the Earth.
Furniture is often made with plastic, which makes a lot of trash. In one year, the United States threw away a lot of furniture that weighed as much as a small mountain. Making plastic furniture also puts bad gases into the air. Some companies are trying to use things like coffee shells and wood pieces instead, and scientists are looking at using a kind of mushroom to make cloth.
Big furniture companies are starting to use materials that are safer for the Earth. They want to use things that can be made again or have already been used before. Celine is happy because these companies want to help the Earth. She likes that they are trying new things.
Original news source: The weird materials behind sustainable furniture (BBC)
π§ Listen:
π Vocabulary:
Group or Classroom Activities
Warm-up Activities:
– Charades
Instructions: Divide the students into small groups. Give each group a list of furniture-related words from the article. One student from each group will act out a word without speaking while the other group members try to guess the word. The group that guesses the most words correctly wins.
– News Summary
Instructions: Have the students read the article individually or in pairs. After they have read it, ask them to write a summary of the article in their own words. Then, have the students share their summaries with a partner or in small groups and discuss any differences or similarities.
– Opinion Poll
Instructions: Divide the students into pairs or small groups. Give each group a list of questions related to the article, such as "Do you think using oyster shells and plants for furniture is a good idea? Why or why not?" or "Should companies be required to use materials that are safer for the Earth? Why or why not?" Have the students discuss their opinions and write down their answers. Then, ask each group to share their answers with the class.
– Vocabulary Pictionary
Instructions: Give each student a piece of paper and ask them to write down 5-10 furniture-related words from the article. Once they have written down their words, have them fold the paper and put it in a bowl or hat. Divide the class into two teams. One student from each team will come to the front of the class and pick a word from the bowl or hat. They will then have to draw a picture of the word on the board, while their team members try to guess the word. The team that guesses the most words correctly wins.
– Pros and Cons
Instructions: Divide the students into small groups. Give each group a list of pros and cons related to using sustainable materials for furniture. For example, "Pros: better for the environment, can be made again or have already been used before. Cons: may be more expensive, limited availability." Have the students discuss the pros and cons and come up with additional points. Then, ask each group to share their thoughts with the class.
π€ Comprehension Questions:
Celine Sandberg is trying to make furniture that is better for the Earth.
Celine and her friends have used oyster shells, plants, and seaweed to make soft parts for chairs and sofas.
It is bad to make furniture with plastic because it creates a lot of trash and puts bad gases into the air.
Companies are using things like coffee shells and wood pieces instead of plastic to make furniture.
Scientists are looking at using a kind of mushroom to make cloth.
Big furniture companies are starting to use materials that are safer for the Earth because they want to help the environment.
Celine is happy about big furniture companies trying new things because it means they are trying to help the Earth and find better ways to make furniture.
π§βοΈ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:
A woman named Celine Sandberg is trying to make furniture that is better for the Earth. She doesn't to use plastic that can the environment. Celine and her friends have used like oyster shells and plants to make soft parts for chairs and sofas. They found out that seaweed can be made into a block that can be used in furniture and is for the Earth. is often made with plastic, which makes a lot of trash. In one year, the United States threw away a lot of furniture that weighed as much as a small mountain. Making plastic also bad gases into the air. Some are trying to use things like coffee shells and wood pieces instead, and scientists are looking at using a kind of mushroom to make cloth. Big furniture companies are starting to use that are safer for the Earth. They want to use things that can be made again or have already been before. Celine is happy because these companies want to help the Earth. She that they are trying new things.
π¬ Discussion Questions:
1. What is Celine Sandberg trying to do with furniture?
2. How does Celine make soft parts for chairs and sofas?
3. What did Celine and her friends find out about seaweed?
4. Why is plastic furniture bad for the Earth?
5. What are some alternative materials that companies are using instead of plastic?
6. How are big furniture companies trying to help the Earth?
7. Do you think using materials that can be made again is a good idea? Why or why not?
8. How would you feel if your furniture was made from oyster shells and plants?
9. What do you think about using mushrooms to make cloth? Do you think it's a good idea? Why or why not?
10. Do you like the idea of using materials that are safer for the Earth? Why or why not?
11. How do you think Celine feels about big furniture companies trying new things?
12. Do you think it's important for people to help the Earth? Why or why not?
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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