Friday’s
News Break challenges you to hunt through The Seattle Times to find answers to
the following questions.
1.Who is the
state’s largest health insurer? (NW Friday)
2.What is the
University Washington’s graduation success rate for student athletes? (Sports)
3.By what
percentage must a television exceed Energy Star specification in order to get a
“Save More” sticker? (Business)
4.How many school
districts were asked to apply for education grants from the Gates Foundation?
(NW
Friday)
5.How many trains
will Amtrak add to its popular Seattle to Portland route for the Thanksgiving
holiday? (Main)
6.Which car was
named SUV of the year by Motor Trend Magazine? (NW Autos)
7. Where did the
creators of Smash Putt come up with the idea? (NW Friday)
8.How many
restaurants in Tokyo were awarded a three star rating by the Michelin Guide?
(Main)
9.When and where
will the MLS Cup final be played? (Sports)
10.Which country is
the world’s thirds biggest emitter of greenhouse gases? (Main)
News
Break is posted to the Web on Wednesday and Friday. Please share the NIE News
Break program with other teachers. To sign-up for the electronic edition of the
newspaper please 206/652-6290 or toll-free 1-888/775-2655.
Friday's News Break selects a story from today’s Seattle
Times for an in-depth reading of the news. Read the selected story and answer
the attached study questions.
Muslim nations seek ban on blasphemy(Frank Jordans, Main A13)
Pre-Reading
1.Read the title and look at the
picture accompanying the article. Based on the title and the picture make a
prediction of what you think the article will be about. What did you base your
prediction on?
2.Can you name a Muslim nation?
As a class discuss which countries are Muslim and locate them on a map.
Vocabulary: Match the words to their definition below.
Blasphemy Mockery Fundamental
Protocol
_________ridicule,
contempt, or derision
_________the
customs and regulations dealing with diplomatic formality, precedence, and
etiquette.
_______A contemptuous or
profane act, utterance, or writing concerning God or a sacred entity
_________serving
as or being an essential part of, a foundation or basis; basic; underlying
Comprehension Questions
Islamic nations are mounting a campaign to create an
international treaty that will do what?
Name one of the two countries that have taken the lead
on brining this proposed treaty to a vote.
If the treaty were ratified it would require limits on
_______ _______. (fill in the blank – two words)
According to the article what risk might the campaign to
create an international treaty run?
Four years ago what incident prompted mobs to attack
Western embassies in Muslim countries?
How long could the process of drafting an international
treaty to be put before the UN take?
If a treaty was to be adopted by the UN would member
countries be required to adopt it as well?
What stance is the Obama administration taking on the
efforts by Islamic nations to create this treaty and why?
Additional
Activities
1.Read the following statement
from the article you just read: “Religions as such do not have rights; it’s
people who have rights.” Write one paragraph stating why you agree or disagree
with the statement.
2.The First Amendment of the Constitution protects our freedom of speech.
It states: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of
religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of
speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and
to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."
As a class discuss what the
First Amendment means. Why do you feel the freedom of speech is important and
what impact do you feel it has on your life?
3.As a class
discuss ways that you can respect others people’s rights to free speech even if
you disagree with what they are saying. Try and think of a time when someone
said something that made you angry or hurt your feelings. How did you react?
After discussing the freedom of speech do you think you would react differently
to the same situation – why or why not?
News Break is posted to the Web on Wednesday and Friday.
Please share this NIE News Break program with other teachers. To sign-up for the
electronic edition for your class, please
register on-line or call 206/652-6290 or toll-free 1-888/775-2655.
