We're trying to save the planet.
Section 1 Before You Read
PAIRWORK
List the ways you think it is possible for
school students to help protect the environment.
Section 2 While You Read
Learning strategy:
RECOGNIZING LANGUAGE STYLES
When reading,notice how language is used.
For reading passages,
longer sentences and more formal words are used.
For dialogs,you will find shorter sentences
and more informal language.
We're trying to save the planet.
Can each one of us help to save the environment?
A group of students from Pine Hill Middle School
got together to talk about this question.
Read part of their discussion.
Well,I think the environment is one of our
biggest worries.
You know...like the pollution in big cities,
and the rainforests disappearing,and um...
Yes,I agree,and saving it is important too.
I'm just not sure if there is much
we can do about it.
Oh,I don't think so.
There are many things we can do.
Like what?
Well,we can make donations.
Or we can help out.
For example,we can help to set up events to
teach people about looking after the environment
Sure we can,but this is all just making speeches
and raising money,isn't it?
What I mean is,
there's nothing we can actually do.
I think governments,not people,
need to fix the problem.
I understand what you're saying,
Ann,but actually I don't agree.
There are so many things each one of us
can do every day,like cutting down on waste,
and we can recycle trash,and...
That's right!
You know,it was found out that a lot of
air pollution is actually caused
by ordinary people,not just by big factories,
For example,when we use too many plastic bags
for shopping,we are harming the environment.
And you know what?
Many things that help the environment can help us too.
Using less energy or water saves us money.
And eating more natural food,
like fruit and vegetables,
is much healthier than eating processed food like hamburgers.
Still,it's hard to see how small things like this will help.
You see,if I volunteer in a hospital,
I really fell I am taking part in helping.
But the environment is so huge.
I just don't see what one person can do.
Hey,that kind of thinking makes me sad.
If everybody believes they can make a difference
the situation will get better!
Yes,our planet is not like a hospital,
or even a country,is it?
It belongs to everyone,and everyone should
be taking care of it and trying to save it.
That's very true!
Section 3 After You Read
3a Match the phrasal verbs (1-6) from the
reading with their meanings (a-f).
3b Read the summary of what John thinks about the environment.
Then summarize what Peter and Ann think.
John thinks that ordinary people can help to save the environment.
He says we can organize events to help people
to understand more about what they can do.
He also thinks everyone should help save the planet.
Section 4 Go For It!
Each group chooses a topic from the list below.
Make a presentation to your class.
Use pictures to support the presentation.
Traffic jams
Air pollution
Healthy food
Recycling
Our group thinks that traffic jams are one of the biggest problems in our city.
Sometimes... If you have time!
Make your presentations into a poster and display it on your classroom wall.