לומדים אנגלית / קוראים ספרי ילדים

As I wrote in my last post, my aim is to combine different activities from different domains. All the activities have to center around the same theme and lead to the Reading Comprehension text. This time, our theme is: Pets.

We will start with Oral Activities.

Look at the following cartoon. 

 Click on the following link:

Pets

• Can you find a suitable title, saying or caption for this cartoon?
• Describe the cartoon. What does it suggest?

The following words may help you:

handicapped   –   נכים

faithful companions   –   חברים נאמנים

dependence   –   תלות

assist   –   לסייע

train   –   להדריך, לאלף

Reading Comprehension Text

The title of the text is: The Special Human-Animal Bond

Can you guess what the text is going to be about? (I suggest teachers write the title on the board while students cannot see the text. Only after discussing the title and trying to imagine and foresee what the text is going to be about, should students be exposed to the text.)

Reading Text

People have always been aware of the special human – animal bond. Most children long for a pet and often argue for years until they get their parents to adopt one. Many parents give in reluctantly to their children's wishes and complain endlessly of the trouble involved in pet-care. And yet, after a while, they often become incredibly attached to those animals that gradually become part of the family.

The  positive impact of pets on people's physical and mental health has been known for a long time. About forty years ago, in 1980, a research group from the Universities of Maryland and Pennsylvania observed the survival rate of 90 patients with heart trouble. Forty of them did not own pets and the rest had dogs, cats or fish. Out of the first group, eleven died within a year, while only three of the second group died within the same period. The study proved that the presence of pets helped lower blood pressure and reduce tension. Another study was conducted in the same year among patients awaiting surgery.The first group was placed in front of an aquarium and instructed to look at the fish. The second group was given tranquilizers. Both groups had the same reaction. They were quiet and relaxed even though the first group was not given any medicine.

Animals have a positive psychological impact on most people. Prisoners who have pets are less violent, the old feel less lonely and anxious, children with behavior or emotional problems may find comfort and support in their relationships with pets.Therefore, although pets require care, they may bite or even cause allergies, the benefits of owning them certainly overshadow the disadvantages.

General Instructions

• Read the  text.
• Sum up each paragraph.
• Give a title to each paragraph.

Questions

1. Complete the following sentence:

Parents often object to pets 

a. out of consideration for their children.

b. because they know pets need a lot of care.

c. since they are afraid of becoming attached to them.

2. Complete the following sentence:

Only three patients from the second group……………………………………. while eleven ……………………………………………

3. Why did the patients with pets live longer than those without?
   ………………………………………………………….

4. Complete the following sentence:

Even though the first group of patients awaiting surgery did not …………………………………., they were ………………………………….. as the members of the second group.  

5. What are the disadvantages of having pets?
………………………………………………………………………………………..

Suggestions for Writing Activities

1. Write a few short paragraphs about your pet or the one you would like to have.

2. Your pet has made a mess in the living room. Your mother is furious. Write out the argument that followed the scene.

Helpful Vocabulary

responsibility   –   אחריות

destructive   –   הרסני

keep promises   –   לקיים הבטחות

it's not my fault   –   זו לא אשמתי

damages   –   נזקים

endless care   –   טיפול אינסופי

And that's all for today. More texts and suggestions in my next post.