Name ______________________________________________________

NEWS BREAK

Program Content for May 16, 2012

Wednesday's News Break selects an article from Tuesday, May 15, 2012 of The Seattle Times e-Edition for an in-depth reading of the news. Read the selected story and answer the attached study questions. Please remember to always preview the content before using in your classroom.

Running from climate change may trip up species (Sandy Doughton, NW Tuesday, page B1)

Pre-Reading and Vocabulary

Before you read this article, as a class discuss what you think this story will be about. Write down any keywords from the title, which you used to make your predictions. Also, discuss what clues the photos accompanying the story might give you.
Vocabulary: Match the words to the numbered definitions below.

A. carnivore

B. clime

C. climate change

D. evolved

E. habitat

F. hospitable

G. imperiled

H. mammal

I. migrate

J. moderate

K. predation

L. species

1. a type of animal that feeds milk to its young and that usually has hair or fur covering most of its skin

2. a long-term change in the earth's climate, especially a change due to an increase in the average atmospheric temperature:

3. to make (something) less harsh, strong, or severe

4. a group of animals or plants that are similar and can produce young animals or plants

5. to change or develop slowly often into a better, more complex, or more advanced state

6. having an environment where plants, animals, or people can live or grow easily

7. an animal that eats meat

8. the act of killing and eating other animals : the act of preying on other animals

9. to put (something or someone) in a dangerous situation

10. the place or type of place where a plant or animal naturally or normally lives or grows

11. to move from one area to another at different times of the year

12. a climate : a place with a particular climate

Comprehension

According to the study, on average about 9% of the Western Hemisphere’s mammals _________ to slowly to keep pace with rapid climate shifts expected over the next century. (Fill in the blank – one word)
Name one of the species mentioned in the article that is most at risk for not being able to deal with the rapid climate changes.
__________ such as wolves and coyotes stand a better chance at dealing with rapid climate changes. (Fill in the blank – one word)
According to the article, why would wolves and coyotes stand a better chance at dealing with the rapid climate changes that are expected?
Name one species mentioned in the article that have already begun migrating to cooler climates.
According to the study, many of the ________ species live near the equator.
According to the study, why would mammals of the Pacific Northwest not have much to worry about dealing with climate changes?
The scientists admit their study presents and oversimplified view of the real world. Name one thing that the study doesn’t account for that would influence where mammals’ live or move to?

Additional Activities/Questions

1. After reading this article, discuss as a class different ways you can help reduce the impact of climate change. Are there things you are currently doing, at home or at school that help reduce the impact?

2. Pick one of the species from the article that is considered most at risk for not being able to deal with rapid climate changes. Research to find out more about the species or animal that you chose. Then write 2 – 4 paragraphs about your animal, include facts about habitat, diet, enemies, and anything else that you find interesting about the animal. Then write a trivia question about your animal to ask your classmates.

http://www.enature.com/fieldguides/intermediate.asp?curGroupID=5

News Break is posted to the Web on Monday and Wednesday. Please share the NIE News Break program with other teachers. To sign-up for the electronic edition of the newspaper please call 206/652-6290 or toll-free 1-888/775-2655.

Copyright © 2012 The Seattle Times Company

Program Content for May 14, 2012

Sunday’s News Break selects an article from Friday, May 11, in The Seattle Times e-Edition for an in-depth reading of the news. Read the selected story and answer the attached study questions.

Baseball team forfeits rather than face a girl (Associated Press, Sports, page C1)

Pre-Reading and Vocabulary

As a class discuss what it means to forfeit a game in baseball and what reason a baseball team might have for forfeiting a game rather than play against a girl. Are there any official rules in baseball that you know of when a game has to be forfeited?

Vocabulary: Match the words to the numbered definitions below.

forfeit
prohibiting
conservative
traditional
gender
equality
stereotypes
advocacy

1. to officially say that an action is illegal or not allowed

2. an idea of what a particular group of people is like that many people have, especially one that is wrong or unfair

3. relating to or based on old customs, beliefs, and ways of doing things

4. the state of having the same rights, opportunities, etc. as everyone else

5. to give something up or have it taken away from you, because of law or rule

6. public support for a group of people, process, or way of doing things

7. the fact of being male or female

8. preferring to continue doing things the way they are being done or have been proven to work rather than risking changes

Comprehension

What did Paige Sultzbach do the previous two times her team played Our Lady of Sorrows?
Why did she do what she did in the previous two games?
What reason did Our Lady of Sorrows give in a written statement for forfeiting the championship baseball game against Paige’s team?
Why did Paige’s mother Pamela Sultzbach say that her daughter playing in a game against male players shouldn’t have been an issue?
What does the Title IX law enforce in education programs including sports?

Additional Activities/Questions

1. As a class discuss and make a list of stereotypes that can be found in sports. Also include what group or groups those stereotypes apply to.

2. Do you think gender equality is important in sports? Do you think all sports should have gender equality - why or why not? In what other areas of life do think gender equality would be important?

3. Do you agree with the statement made by Nancy Hogshead-Makar, senior director of advocacy for the Women’s Sports Foundation that the school’s decision to forfeit the game doesn’t aid its own students – why or why not?

News Break is posted to the Web on Sunday and Wednesday. 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.

Scavenger Hunt

Sunday’s News Break challenges you to hunt through the Sunday May 13, 2012 e-Edition of The Seattle Times to find answers to the following questions.

1. What will King County Metro and Sound Transit be doing to celebrate Bike Month in May between the 14^th and 18th? (NW Sunday)

2. Who did the USA national basketball team play in an exhibition game Saturday at Key Arena? (Sports)

3. Health officials in Washington state have declared an epidemic due to an outbreak of what highly contagious disease? (Main)

4. Who was the world’s first computer programmer and wrote the first algorithm? (NW Arts & Life)

5. What type of debt has hit $1 trillion and is bigger than credit card debt and auto-loan debt? (Business)

6. Where is the only automotive manufacturing plant in the world to receive platinum certification from the U.S. Green Building Council located? (NWAutos)

7. In what year did English colonists arrive by ship at the site of what became the Jamestown settlement in Virginia? (Main)

8. In what year was the Burgess Shale fossil bed discovered? (NW Traveler)

9. Where was the International Furniture Fair, which ended last month, held? (Real Estate)

10. How many nations are part of the European Union that allows goods and workers to cross their member’s borders freely? (Main)

11. What company was rated as the best place to work by interns according to a recently released report? (NW Jobs)

12. How many acres is Stanley Park in Vancouver, B.C.? (NW Traveler)

13. How many colorful Persian glass pieces are suspended from the ceiling as part of the centerpiece of Dale Chihuly’s permanent exhibit at the Seattle Center? (NW Sunday)

Copyright © 2012 The Seattle Times Company

Program Content for May 9, 2012

Wednesday's News Break selects an article from Monday, May 7, 2012 of The Seattle Times e-Edition for an in-depth reading of the news. Read the selected story and answer the attached study questions. Please remember to always preview the content before using in your classroom.

Fat asparagus season this year (Molly Rosbach, NW Monday, page B2)

Pre-Reading and Vocabulary

Before you read this article, as a class discuss what you think this story will be about. Write down any keywords from the title, which you used to make your predictions. Also, discuss what clues the photos accompanying the story might give you.
Vocabulary: Match the words to the numbered definitions below.

A. agricultural

B. consumer

C. distributor

D. equivalent

E. finicky

F. imports

G. jest

H. optimal

I. skilled

J. stalk

1. having the same value, use, meaning, etc.

2. a person or company that supplies stores or businesses with goods

3. best or most effective

4. of, relating to, or used in farming or agriculture

5. to say things that are meant to cause laughter

6. a thick or tall stem of a plant

7. a person who buys goods and services

8. a product brought into a country to be sold there

9. requiring a lot of care or attention

10. requiring training

Comprehension

Asparagus cutting, like many agricultural jobs is considered to be a _______ job. (Fill in the blank – one word)
According to the article, do asparagus cutters need to cut the asparagus above or below the surface of the soil?
Name one reason mentioned in the article why asparagus is considered a finicky crop.
What do the special asparagus cutting knives that the cutters use also serve as?
What two things mentioned in the article haven’t caused problems during this year’s asparagus season, making it one of the best seasons in a decade?
Peruvian imports just about killed the U.S. asparagus market. True or false?
According to the article, why are a lot of farmers getting out of asparagus farming?

Additional Activities/Questions

1. After reading this article, what do you think the benefits of an agricultural job like an asparagus cutter would be? What do you think the drawbacks would be? Would you want a job like this – why or why not?

2. Research to find the answers to the following about asparagus:

a) Asparagus is the leading supplier among vegetables of _______.

b) Asparagus is very low in _________ and __________.

c) Asparagus is one of the richest sources of ________, a compound that strengthens capillary walls.