/index.php/better-language-teaching /index.php/grammar-worksheets
the ARTICLE (for teachers) How old is the Earth? Most people believe it's billions of years old, but more and more people think it's much younger. They believe that the Earth was created a mere few thousand years ago. These different viewpoints make up the debate between the theory of evolution and creationism. It's a hot topic in the US, fueled by politics, cultural differences, and religion. The theory of evolution states that plants and animals changed slowly over many generations, which took billions of years. Helpful traits were passed onto offspring, and harmful ones grew rare. Creationism, however, declares that God created the Earth in six days, exactly as indicated in the Bible, only a few thousand years ago. A slightly different form of creationism is known as intelligent design. Because some animals are so complex, it demonstrates that God influenced their development. In the US, numerous conservative leaders have opposed the teaching of evolution in the classroom. Others have pushed to get creationism taught side-by-side with evolution, because they hope more people will then see it as a valid theory. But courts have repeatedly ruled that creationism, as well as intelligent design, is a brand of religious teaching. It should have no place in the public classroom. Although creationism in Europe doesn't have the same number of followers as it has in the US, numbers are increasing. Therefore, the Council of Europe's Parliamentary Assembly will debate a statement which will declare creationism is a form of religious extremism. An Assembly member said that different religious views exist. But creationism isn't science, so it shouldn't be taught in the classroom. Furthermore, creationism attacks science and human rights. Teacher's Notes: * Underlined words in red typeface are the recommended vocabulary for this lesson. Heads Up English - 1
WARM-UPS Select one or all of the following warm-up activities. 1: Define: What does "creationism" mean? Can you use it in a sentence? Can you give examples? 2: Brainstorm (part I): Brainstorm with a partner(s) words and ideas associated with "creationism" for 2 minutes. Spend another 5 minutes or less discussing the words and ideas together. 3: Brainstorm (part II): Brainstorm with a partner(s) words and ideas associated with "evolution" for 2 minutes. Spend another 5 minutes or less discussing the words and ideas together. 4: Title: Speculate and/or discuss the contents of today's article from its title: "The Growing Threat of Creationism." 5: Do you agree or disagree? Why? a. God(s) created the universe, Earth, and humankind. b. The Earth is only a few thousand years old. c. Religion is more important than science. d. Evolution is a fact. e. Religion should be taught in all schools. Heads Up English - 2
VOCABULARY Select one of the following vocabulary acquisition activities. 1: Vocabulary match: Individually or in pairs/groups, match the words in column A (from the article) with the best choice in column B. a. mere q. many b. generation r. characteristic c. trait s. type d. complex t. affect e. influence u. just f. numerous v. judge g. valid w. zeal h. rule x. age i. brand y. intricate j. extremism z. real 2: Fill in the Blanks: Fill in the blank with the correct word. generations extremism numerous mere valid influenced complex ruled brand traits a. Some people believe that the Earth was created a ( ) few thousand years ago. b. The theory of evolution states that plants and animals changed slowly over many ( ). c. Helpful ( ) were passed onto offspring, and harmful ones grew rare. d. Some animals are so ( ). e. It demonstrates that God ( ) their development. f. In the US, ( ) conservative leaders have opposed the teaching of evolution in the classroom. g. They hope more people will then see creationism as a ( ) theory. h. But courts have repeatedly ( ) that creationism, as well as intelligent design. i. The courts see these as a ( ) of religious teaching. j. There will be a debate to declare creationism a form of religious ( ). 3: Define: Define each word, correctly pronounce it, explain the meaning and/or usage, and offer an example sentence to the class. a. mere c. trait e. influence g. valid i. brand b. generation d. complex f. numerous h. rule j. extremism Heads Up English - 3
WORD RECOGNITION 1: Word Search: Find the target words (in bold). Time yourself, and see how many words you can find in three minutes. In five minutes. In ten minutes. generations extremism numerous mere valid influenced complex ruled brand traits V A L I D R D J N K S S X Y S E J K M N F T U T N A T U L Q X U U Z U F M H O H P I T K Q T W A F F B L I J M P A I M A R X O R E T T E J G T R I K X E P E R Q A H G N W G T L B B M G O L R I N F L U E N C E D I U V E P E R E M Z C B Y A P S K N A O M U S U O R E M U N M E U M L S O O X A U F D G S G W U P N E F C N K L V T T W R O F T J U D D X T E H A K H I T S J D I L E C R D I U B T X W W Q W I Q D A F R H M F D A Z B T B P G F X T S I E O Z 2: Target Word Pool: Find the target words (in bold) with their exact match. Time yourself, and see how many words you can find in three minutes. In five minutes. In ten minutes. generations extremism numerous mere valid influenced complex ruled brand traits brandname overruled number extremist influencing extreme generics valid trait validate maritime complex generation ruled numerical misconception influential validating brand merely branded generations numerously misrule generals extremely trials extremism traitorous complexes ruler ruling complexity numbers complexly invalid traitor influenced influenza mere mare branding generational traits influences brands extremists numerous validity more Heads Up English - 4
pre- or post-comprehension 1: Word Association: Brainstorm words associated with today's topic for two minutes. Present to the class. 2: Brainstorm Questions: Brainstorm questions that you would like to ask about today's topic. Answer the questions without looking at the article. 3: True or False?: Guess (before the article) or answer (after the article) whether the sentence is true or false. If false, correct the sentence. a. According to the article, the Earth is billions of years old. T/F b. Creationism explains that plants and animals changed slowly, from generation to generation. T/F c. Intelligent design is a type of creationism. T/F d. US courts regularly decide that religion shouldn't be taught in the classroom. T/F e. According to the article, evolution is an attack on science and human rights. T/F 4: Questions: Answer the questions to check comprehension. a. What is the debate between creationism and evolution? b. What is intelligent design? c. In the US, what have conservative leaders done? d. Which has more followers of creationism, the US or Europe? e. What will the European resolution do? 5: Vocabulary: In pairs/groups, remember how the words were used in today's article. a. mere c. traits e. influenced g. valid i. brand b. generations d. complex f. numerous h. ruled j. extremism 6: Fragments: Remember how the fragments were used, and complete the sentence from today's article. a. Most people believe it's billions of years old, but... b. The theory of evolution states that... c. Creationism, however, declares that God... d. But courts have repeatedly ruled that creationism... e. Therefore, the Council of Europe's Parliamentary Assembly will... Heads Up English - 5
post-comprehension 1: Vocabulary: Circle any additional unknown words/phrases in the article. In pairs/groups, use your dictionaries to understand the meanings. Present to the class. 2: Class Questions: Read through the article once more, and write down any questions that you would like to discuss in pairs/groups or as a class. Discuss. 3: Summarize: Work with a partner to summarize the article in your own words. 4: Discuss: Talk about the following questions in pairs/groups. Remember to support your answers! a. Did you like this article? b. What was your general impression after reading this article? c. Which do you believe is right, evolution or creationism? Why? d. Is it possible that God(s) created the universe, and plants and animals have evolved since then? e. Is creationism a threat? Why/not? f. Why do you think so many people in the US believe in creationism? g. Why do you think more and more people in Europe believe in creationism? h. Should creationism and evolution be taught side-by-side in the classroom? Why/not? i. According to the article, creationism attacks science and human rights. Do you agree or disagree? j. Is it possible that teaching the theory of evolution could become illegal? Why/not? 5: Debate: With a partner, brainstorm as many possible reasons to support creationism. Then do the same for evolution. Switch partners, and decide who will support creationism and who will support evolution. Debate if one idea or both ideas should be taught in school, and why. Creationism Evolution 6: Google Search: Type "creationism" into Google news and read additional articles on this topic. Discuss or write an essay about your findings. Heads Up English - 6
STUDENT HANDOUT (the article) How old is the Earth? Most people believe it's billions of years old, but more and more people think it's much younger. They believe that the Earth was created a mere few thousand years ago. These different viewpoints make up the debate between the theory of evolution and creationism. It's a hot topic in the US, fueled by politics, cultural differences, and religion. The theory of evolution states that plants and animals changed slowly over many generations, which took billions of years. Helpful traits were passed onto offspring, and harmful ones grew rare. Creationism, however, declares that God created the Earth in six days, exactly as indicated in the Bible, only a few thousand years ago. A slightly different form of creationism is known as intelligent design. Because some animals are so complex, it demonstrates that God influenced their development. In the US, numerous conservative leaders have opposed the teaching of evolution in the classroom. Others have pushed to get creationism taught side-by-side with evolution, because they hope more people will then see it as a valid theory. But courts have repeatedly ruled that creationism, as well as intelligent design, is a brand of religious teaching. It should have no place in the public classroom. Although creationism in Europe doesn't have the same number of followers as it has in the US, numbers are increasing. Therefore, the Council of Europe's Parliamentary Assembly will debate a statement which will declare creationism is a form of religious extremism. An Assembly member said that different religious views exist. But creationism isn't science, so it shouldn't be taught in the classroom. Furthermore, creationism attacks science and human rights. Notes: Heads Up English - 7
STUDENT HANDOUT (fill in the blank) Fill in the blank with the correct word. traits brand complex hope human theory therefore valid generations intelligent numerous mere extremism ruled influenced How old is the Earth? Most people believe it's billions of years old, but more and more people think it's much younger. They believe that the Earth was created a (a. ) few thousand years ago. These different viewpoints make up the debate between the (b. ) of evolution and creationism. It's a hot topic in the US, fueled by politics, cultural differences, and religion. The theory of evolution states that plants and animals changed slowly over many (c. ), which took billions of years. Helpful (d. ) were passed onto offspring, and harmful ones grew rare. Creationism, however, declares that God created the Earth in six days, exactly as indicated in the Bible, only a few thousand years ago. A slightly different form of creationism is known as (e. ) design. Because some animals are so (f. ), it demonstrates that God (g. ) their development. In the US, (h. ) conservative leaders have opposed the teaching of evolution in the classroom. Others have pushed to get creationism taught side-by-side with evolution, because they (i. ) more people will then see it as a (j. ) theory. But courts have repeatedly (k. ) that creationism, as well as intelligent design, is a (l. ) of religious teaching. It should have no place in the public classroom. Although creationism in Europe doesn't have the same number of followers as it has in the US, numbers are increasing. (m. ), the Council of Europe's Parliamentary Assembly will debate a statement which will declare creationism is a form of religious (n. ). An Assembly member said that different religious views exist. But creationism isn't science, so it shouldn't be taught in the classroom. Furthermore, creationism attacks science and (o. ) rights. Heads Up English - 8
STUDENT HANDOUT (extended listening) Listen and fill in the missing sentences. Compare your answers with a partner, and then listen once more. How old is the Earth? Most people believe it's billions of years old, but more and more people think it's much younger. They believe that the Earth was created a mere few thousand years ago. These different viewpoints make up the debate between the theory of evolution and creationism. It's a hot topic in the US, a). The theory of evolution states that plants and animals changed slowly over many generations, which took billions of years. b), and harmful ones grew rare. Creationism, however, declares that God created the Earth in six days, exactly as indicated in the Bible, only a few thousand years ago. A slightly different form of creationism is known as intelligent design. Because some animals are so complex, it demonstrates that God influenced their development. In the US, numerous conservative leaders have opposed the teaching of evolution in the classroom. c), because they hope more people will then see it as a valid theory. d), as well as intelligent design, is a brand of religious teaching. It should have no place in the public classroom. e), numbers are increasing. Therefore, the Council of Europe's Parliamentary Assembly will debate a statement which will declare creationism is a form of religious extremism. An Assembly member said that different religious views exist. But creationism isn't science, so it shouldn't be taught in the classroom. Furthermore, creationism attacks science and human rights. Heads Up English - 9
STUDENT HANDOUT (notes) Heads Up English - 10
ANSWER KEY Vocabulary 1. Vocabulary Match: 2. Fill in the Blanks: a. u f. q b. x g. z c. r h. v d. y i. s e. t j. w a. mere f. numerous b. generations g. valid c. traits h. ruled d. complex i. brand e. influenced j. extremism pre- or post-comprehension 1. True or False: 2. Fragments: a. F b. F c. T d. T e. F a. more and more people think it's much younger. b. plants and animals changed slowly over many generations, which took billions of years. c. created the Earth in six days, exactly as indicated in the Bible, only a few thousand years ago. d. as well as intelligent design, is a brand of religious teaching. e. debate a statement which will declare creationism is a form of religious extremism. Student Handout 1. Fill in the Blanks a. mere i. hope b. theory j. valid c. generations k. ruled d. traits l. brand e. intelligent m. Therefore f. complex n. extremism g. influenced o. human h. numerous 2. Extended Listening a. fueled by politics, cultural differences, and religion b. Helpful traits were passed onto offspring c. Others have pushed to get creationism taught side-by-side with evolution d. But courts have repeatedly ruled that creationism e. Although creationism in Europe doesn't have the same number of followers as it has in the US Heads Up English - 11