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NEWS BREAK

Program Content for November 20th, 2009

Scavenger Hunt

NEWS BREAK-Friday, November 20, 2009

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.

Copyright © 2009 The Seattle Times Company

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.