Hermit crabs usually use shells to protect themselves, but now they are starting to use plastic instead. Scientists looked at pictures taken by people who love nature and put them online. They were really sad to see that the crabs were living in our garbage. The study was published in a science journal and used social media to collect information. The researchers found that two-thirds of hermit crab species were using fake shells, mostly made of plastic.
The scientists found 386 hermit crabs using plastic caps as shells. They also found that 10 out of 16 types of land hermit crabs around the world use this kind of shelter. But they don't know yet if the plastic is good or bad for the crabs. The researchers want to learn more about how the crabs use plastic and how it might affect them in the future.
Hermit crabs all over the world are using plastic shells. The researchers want to see if the crabs will fight over the plastic shells, like they do with natural snail shells. There are fewer snail shells now, so it might be easier for the crabs to find plastic ones. The lighter plastic shells might even help smaller and weaker crabs survive because they are easier to carry.
There is a lot of plastic in the ocean for the crabs to choose from. One study said that there are at least 171 trillion pieces of plastic floating in the ocean. If we don't do anything, this number could triple by 2040. But there is hope that a global agreement to stop plastic pollution will be made in 2024. A professor named Mark Miodownik thinks we should learn from the hermit crabs and reuse plastic instead of throwing it away.
Original news source: Hermit crabs are 'wearing' our plastic rubbish (BBC)
π§ Listen:
π Vocabulary:
Group or Classroom Activities
Warm-up Activities:
– News Summary
Instructions: Have students read the article individually and then write a summary of the main points. Encourage them to use their own words and include the key information about hermit crabs using plastic shells.
– Opinion Poll
Instructions: Divide the class into pairs or small groups. Ask students to discuss their opinion on the topic of hermit crabs using plastic shells. Then, have them create a poll with questions to ask other classmates. Each group can take turns conducting the poll and recording the results.
– Vocabulary Pictionary
Instructions: Prepare a list of vocabulary words from the article related to hermit crabs and plastic pollution. Divide the class into teams and have one student from each team come to the front of the class. Show them a word from the list and give them one minute to draw a picture to represent the word. The other students in their team must guess the word based on the drawing. The team with the most correct guesses wins.
– Pros and Cons
Instructions: Divide the class into two groups. One group will discuss the pros of hermit crabs using plastic shells, while the other group will discuss the cons. Give them time to brainstorm their arguments and then have a debate-style discussion, where each group presents their points and counters the arguments of the other group.
– Future Predictions
Instructions: In pairs or small groups, have students discuss and make predictions about the future of hermit crabs and plastic pollution. They can consider questions like: Will hermit crabs continue to use plastic shells? Will there be any negative consequences for the crabs? Will humans find a solution to plastic pollution? After the discussion, each group can share their predictions with the class.
π€ Comprehension Questions:
π§βοΈ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:
Hermit usually use to protect themselves, but now they are starting to use instead. Scientists looked at pictures taken by people who love nature and put them online. They were really sad to see that the crabs were living in our garbage. The study was in a science journal and used social media to collect information. The researchers found that two-thirds of hermit crab species were fake shells, mostly made of plastic. The scientists 386 hermit crabs using plastic caps as shells. They also found that 10 out of 16 types of land hermit crabs around the world use this kind of . But they don't know yet if the plastic is good or bad for the crabs. The want to learn more about how the crabs use plastic and how it might affect them in the future. Hermit crabs all over the world are using plastic shells. The researchers want to see if the crabs will fight over the plastic shells, like they do with natural snail shells. There are fewer snail shells now, so it might be for the crabs to find plastic ones. The plastic shells might even help and crabs survive because they are easier to carry. There is a lot of plastic in the ocean for the crabs to choose from. One study said that there are at least 171 trillion pieces of plastic floating in the ocean. If we don't do anything, this number could by 2040. But there is hope that a global agreement to stop plastic pollution will be made in 2024. A professor Mark thinks we should from the hermit crabs and reuse plastic instead of throwing it away.
π¬ Discussion Questions:
1. What is a hermit crab and what do they use to protect themselves?
2. How do scientists collect information about hermit crabs using plastic shells?
3. How do you think the scientists felt when they saw that the crabs were living in our garbage?
4. Do you think it's good or bad that hermit crabs are using plastic shells? Why or why not?
5. How do you think the plastic shells might affect the hermit crabs in the future?
6. Do you think hermit crabs will fight over plastic shells like they do with natural snail shells? Why or why not?
7. Why do you think it might be easier for the crabs to find plastic shells instead of snail shells?
8. How do you think the lighter plastic shells might help smaller and weaker crabs survive?
9. How much plastic is floating in the ocean according to the study mentioned in the article?
10. How do you feel about the fact that the number of plastic pieces in the ocean could triple by 2040?
11. Do you think a global agreement to stop plastic pollution will be effective? Why or why not?
12. What can we learn from the hermit crabs about reusing plastic instead of throwing it away?
13. How do you personally try to reduce plastic pollution in your daily life?
14. Do you think people should be more aware of the impact of plastic pollution on animals like hermit crabs? Why or why not?
15. What actions do you think individuals and governments can take to reduce plastic pollution?
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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