LESSON PLAN FOR ENGLISH TEACHERSPREDICTING THE WEATHER
LinguaHouse
Aug. 16, 2022
Level: Intermediate (B1-B2)
Type of English: English for Teenagers
Tags: Animals; Beliefs, Religion and Superstition; Prediction and Speculation; 13-15 Years Old; 16-18 Years Old; Article Based; Speaking; Video Talk
Publication date: 08/16/2022
The topic of this lesson is about animal behavior and predictions. Students will talk about animals that have made some very accurate predictions. They will watch a video about whether some animals can actually predict the weather. They will also read an article about some old phrases about the weather and if there is any truth to them. Students will then discuss whether animals or people are better at predicting the weather. Students will learn level-appropriate vocabulary to talk about animals, animal behavior and the weather. In addition to this, students have the task of learning and telling some jokes about animals (by Richard Moon).
- CLICK HERE to download the student’s worksheet in American English.
- CLICK HERE to download the student’s worksheet in British English.
- CLICK HERE to download the teacher’s lesson plan in American English.
- CLICK HERE to download the teacher’s lesson plan in British English.
- CLICK HERE to download/listen to the audio (MP3).
- CLICK HERE to download/watch the video (MP4).
AUDIO/VIDEO TRANSCRIPT
Will it rain cats and dogs today or can you enjoy some fun in the sun? Why bother to check the forecast when you could just ask your pet? Well, okay, it might not be that simple, but through the ages, folklore has suggested that animals are able to predict the weather. So, is there anything in it or is it a load of hot air?
In the USA, there’s a February tradition known as Groundhog Day. Thousands of Americans flock to the hibernation hut of Punxsutawney Phil, the nation’s most famous groundhog. The story goes that when Phil emerges from his den after a long winter’s hibernation, one of the first things he does, is to look for his shadow. If he sees it, he’ll go back to his den. And the saying goes that we’ll have a few more weeks of winter. If he can’t see his shadow, Phil will stay above ground, and the theory goes, that there will be an early spring. Unfortunately for Phil, in 120 years he’s only been correct 39% of the time, but that’s done nothing to deter Phil’s diehard fans.
Legend has it that cows will lie down when it’s about to rain, however recent research has said there is no scientific grounding for this, and cows are just as likely to lie down because they want to rest.
When it comes to weather predictions, sharks might be a little more reliable than cows. Barometric pressure drops when a storm comes in and it’s thought that sharks are sensitive to this change. They have been observed swimming to deeper water where they feel safer during tempestuous weather.
It’s said that if flocks of birds fly, high the weather will be dry, but if they fly close to the ground, a storm could be on its way. It’s been theorized that birds can detect a distant storm because they sense a low-frequency noise known as infrasound that’s made by the storm and is inaudible to humans. Scientists in America have recorded a flock of golden winged warblers taking a massive detour from their usual breeding grounds, avoiding a storm - all thought to be down to their infrasound detection skills.
So, whilst not every animal has the power to predict the weather, it seems that there is a lot more to their abilities than you might think.
Adapted from: https://www.linguahouse.com/esl-lesson-plans/english-for-teenagers/predicting-the-weather. Accessed on August 21, 2022. © 2008–2022 LinguaHouse.com. All rights reserved.
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