expressar preocupações e insatisfações quanto aos problemas relacionados ao meio ambiente;

propor mudanças e planejar ações para a melhoria dos problemas relacionados ao meio ambiente;

vocabulário relacionado ao tema da aula: problemas e tópicos relacionados ao meio ambiente, desastres naturais e animais em extinção

2 módulos de 50 minutos

não há necessidade de conhecimentos prévios, por se tratar de conteúdo de nível básico

• recursos multimídia;
• atividades de compreensão escrita;
• imagens veiculadas na internet; 
• atividades de compreensão auditiva;
• atividades realizadas individualmente e em pares;
• atividades xerocopiadas;
• jogos;
• discussões em grupos

 

 

                         Environmental issues and problems

 

MÓDULO 1

 

Atividade 1

 

Distribua aos alunos uma cópia do seguinte texto e peça para que realizem a leitura silenciosamente. Aconselhe-os a não se preocuparem com as palavras desconhecidas, atentando-se, nesse primeiro momento, apenas para o entendimento da ideia geral do texto. Quando notar que os alunos terminaram a leitura, faça as seguintes perguntas de compreensão do texto, as quais deverão ser respondidas por todos os alunos. Disponibilize um tempo de, aproximadamente, 10 minutos, dependendo do grau de proficiência da sua turma. Disponibilize mais tempo, caso observe essa necessidade.

Para a correção, cada aluno ficará responsável pela leitura de uma resposta, contribuindo para a criação de um ambiente interativo e participativo entre os alunos. Antes da correção, peça para que os alunos leiam o texto em voz alta, corrigindo problemas com pronúncia das palavras.

Quanto ao vocabulário, após a correção das perguntas, os alunos deverão elaborar uma lista com as palavras desconhecidas e consultar um dicionário online ou impresso. Socialize a lista entre os alunos. 

 

a) What is the text about?

b) Create a title for the text.

c) What have scientists reported about the blue whales?

d) When did whaling become illegal?

e) How long has it taken for the blue whale to recover?

f) Who is Dr Cole Monnahan?

f) What did he warn?  

 

This is a good-news story about sea life. Scientists have reported that the numbers of blue whales in the eastern Pacific Ocean are the highest they have been in over a century. Researchers at the University of Washington report that there are now over 2,200 blue whales between Mexico and Alaska. Hunters killed nearly all the blue whales in that area and were close to extinction. Whaling became illegal in 1971 and the numbers of the world's largest mammal started increasing. It has taken over 40 years for the blue whale to recover. Lead researcher Dr Cole Monnahan was very happy at this positive news. He said: "For us, this is a great conservation success story."

Dr Monnahan said the number of 2,200 blue whales in the area might not rise any further. He said: "Before this study, some people thought that number should be going up, but if there were about 2,200 whales to begin with, then that is what the environment can support." Monnahan warned that the creature still needs to be protected, saying: "California blue whales are recovering because we took actions to stop catches and start monitoring. If we hadn't, the population might have been pushed to near extinction." He added that: "The recovery of California blue whales from whaling demonstrates the ability of blue whale populations to rebuild under careful management and conservation measures."

Fonte adaptada: http://www.breakingnewsenglish.com/1409/140910-blue-whale.html (acesso em 19.09.2014)

 

Atividade 2

 

Distribua uma cópia da seguinte lista que contém o vocabulário referente ao meio ambiente. Peça para que os alunos realizem a leitura em voz alta e tire as dúvidas quanto ao vocabulário e pronúncia, se necessário. Essa lista de vocabulário servirá de subsídio para a atividade a ser desenvolvida logo a seguir. Você pode incrementar a atividade mostrando figuras (projetadas ou impressas) que representam o vocabulário apresentado, dispensando, assim, uma possível tradução de termo a termo. O  site Google Images contém uma série de imagens que poderão ajudar nessa atividade. 

 

Environment

 

A list of vocabulary items related to the environment:

Important environment issues, natural environmental disasters and other environment vocabulary.

acid rain

rain which contains large amounts of harmful chemicals as a result of burning substances such as coal and oil.

biodegradable

able to decay naturally and harmlessly.

Biodegradable packaging helps to limit the amount of harmful chemicals released into the atmosphere.

biodiversity

the number and variety of PLANT and animal species that exist in a particular environmental area or in the world generally, or the problem of preserving and protecting this.

a new National Biological SURVEY to protect species habitat and biodiversity.

carbon monoxide

the poisonous gas formed by the burning of carbon, especially in the form of car fuel.

carbon dioxide

the gas formed when carbon is burned, or when people or animals breathe out.

climate

the general weather conditions usually found in a particular place.

The Mediterranean climate is good for growing citrus fruits and grapes.

climate change

there has been a growing concern about climate change.

DEFORESTATION

the cutting down of trees in a large area; the destruction of forests by people.

DEFORESTATION is destroying large areas of tropical rain forest.

desertification

the process by which land changes into desert.

disposable products

describes an item that is intended to be thrown away after use.

disposable nappies

drought

a long period when there is little or no rain.

This year (a) severe drought has ruined the crops.

earthquake

a sudden violent movement of the Earth's surface, sometimes causing great damage.

endangered species

endangered birds/PLANTS/species animals or PLANTS which may soon not exist because there are very few now alive.

energy

the power from something such as ELECTRICITY or oil, which can do work, such as providing light and heat. There are different types of energy: solar, nuclear, hydroelectric...

The energy generated by the windmill drives all the drainage pumps.

energy conservation

the process of conserving energy

ENVIRONMENT

the air, water and land in or on which people, animals and PLANTS live.

Certain chemicals have been banned because of their damaging effect on the environment.

extinction

Many species of plants and animals are in danger of/threatened with extinction (= being destroyed so that they no longer exist)

flood

a large amount of water covering an area that is usually dry.

fumes

strong, unpleasant and sometimes dangerous gas or smoke.

Petrol fumes always make me feel ill.

natural resources

things such as minerals, forests, coal, etc. which exist in a place and can be used by people.

Some natural resources, such as natural gas and fossil fuel, cannot be replaced.

global warming

a gradual increase in world temperatures caused by polluting gases such as carbon dioxide which are collecting in the air around the Earth and preventing heat escaping into space.

greenhouse effect

an increase in the amount of carbon dioxide and other gases in the atmosphere which is believed to be the cause of a gradual warming of the surface of the Earth.

green peace

an organization that fights for the protection of the ENVIRONMENT.

RENEWABLE ENERGY

describes a form of energy that can be produced as quickly as it is used.

Renewable energy sources such as wind and wave power

oil slick

a layer of oil that is floating over a large area of the surface of the sea, usually because an accident has caused it to escape from a ship or container.

ozone layer

a layer of air high above the Earth, which contains a lot of ozone, and which prevents harmful ultraviolet light from the sun from reaching the Earth.

Scientists believe that there is a hole in the ozone layer.

pollution

damage caused to water, air.... by harmful substances or waste.

recycle waste

to collect and treat rubbish to produce useful materials which can be used again.

sustainable development

a development that is causing little or no damage to the environment and therefore able to continue for a long time.

A large international meeting was held with the aim of promoting sustainable development in all countries.

tsunami

an extremely large wave caused by movement of the earth under the sea, often caused by an earthquake (= when the Earth shakes)

unleaded petrol

describes a type of petrol or other substance that does not contain lead.

use up natural resources

The degradation of natural resources because of human pressure

volcano

a mountain with a large circular hole at the top through which lava (= hot liquid rock), gases, steam and dust are or have been forced out.

Erupting volcanoes discharge massive quantities of dust into the stratosphere.

waste

unwanted matter or material of any type, often that which is left after useful substances or parts have been removed.

Other related vocabulary: rubbish, garbage, trash.

 

Fonte: http://www.myenglishpages.com/site_php_files/vocabulary-lesson-environment.php#.VB1_cJRdUeh (acesso em 20.09.2014)

 

Atividade 3

 

Utilizando-se do vocabulário introduzido na atividade anterior, os alunos deverão expressar preocupações, insatisfações e falar de suas intenções de mudanças ou de soluções para os problemas apontados, a partir das seguintes expressões: 

 

                                                   Expressing Concern / Dissatisfaction and Stating Plans / Intentions

Para outros textos sobre o tema da aula, acesse:

http://www.myenglishpages.com/site_php_files/reading-climate-change.php#.VB2DRZRdUeg (acesso em 20.09.2014)

http://www.myenglishpages.com/site_php_files/reading-7-ways-to-protect-the-environment.php#.VB2EVpRdUeh (acesso em 20.09.2014)

http://www.eslflow.com/environmentlessonplans.html (acesso em 20.09.2014)

• Todas as atividades deverão ser avaliadas.

Para uma avaliação formal, os alunos deverão criar posteres, cartazes com imagens ou figuras relacionadas aos problemas do meio ambiente, como os desastres naturais ou a extinção de animais. Uma plataforma virtual poderá ser criada, ajudando na socialização dos trabalhos. Observe a criatividade dos alunos e o capricho na confecção das produções.