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School children punished over wrong trousers (8th September, 2014)

The Reading / Listening - Level 6

A school in Britain has apologised to more than 50 students for punishing them after they wore the wrong trousers to class. Pupils at Heaton Manor school in the north of England were taken out of class and given detention for not conforming to school uniform rules. They had to spend around eight hours in a small classroom for breaking the rules. School bosses said many of the trousers were "skintight" and were not appropriate dress for school. Head teacher Lynne Ackland explained that the school had been in the process of tightening its uniform rules. She said she had not anticipated the variety of trouser styles her pupils would wear. She admitted the school had been too strict with the students.

Parents were furious at the treatment their children received. A mother of an 11-year-old told reporters: "[My daughter] was in that room for eight hours yesterday and she was deeply distressed. I'd understand if she'd behaved badly, but this is punishment for a pair of trousers the teachers don't like….She's lost two days' education because of this ridiculous rule and I'm absolutely livid." She added: "We were sent letters from the school to say pupils must wear black, tailored trousers. In my opinion, [my daughter's] trousers are tailored; they are not skintight. The school should be more specific." Ms Ackland said: "We clearly need to be much more specific with people in future."

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

Level 4 or Level 5

Sources

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2744764/School-puts-50-children-isolation-two-DAYS-term-wearing-wrong-trousers.html
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/more-than-50-children-put-into-detention-for-wearing-the-wrong-trousers-9715795.html

Make sure you try all of the online activities for this reading and listening - There are dictations, multiple choice, drag and drop activities, crosswords, hangman, flash cards, matching activities and a whole lot more. Please enjoy :-)

The 40 Lesson Activities on the PDF Handout

WARM-UPS

1. SCHOOL UNIFORM: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about school uniform. Change partners often and share your findings.

2. CHAT: In pairs / groups, talk about these topics or words from the article. What will the article say about them? What can you say about these words and your life?

apologized / punishing / pupils / detention / school uniform / appropriate / variety / furious / deeply distressed / pair of trousers / ridiculous / opinion / specific / future

Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.

3. SCHOOL RULES: What should they be? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

	Rule(s)	Punishment(s) for breaking the rule
Uniform
Homework
Punctuality
Mobile phones
Exams
Talking to teachers

4. UNIFORM: Students A strongly believe all schools should make students wear school uniforms; Students B strongly believe they shouldn't. Change partners again and talk about your conversations.

MY e-BOOK

ESL resource book with copiable worksheets and handouts - 1,000 Ideas and Activities for Language Teachers / English teachers

See a sample

5. SCHOOL NO-NO'S: Rank these with your partner. Put the biggest school no-no's at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

• purple hair

• facial tattoo

• smoking

• sleeping in class

• nose ring

• truancy

• bullying

• cheating

6. PUNISH: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "punish". Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about them. Together, put the words into different categories.

BEFORE READING / LISTENING

1. TRUE / FALSE: Read the headline. Guess if a-h below are true (T) or false (F).

a.	A school in England apologised to over 500 students.	T / F
b.	Students were given 8 hours' detention for not following a dress code.	T / F
c.	A school boss said skintight trousers were inappropriate for school.	T / F
d.	The head teacher said the school should have been stricter.	T / F
e.	Parents agreed with the students getting detention.	T / F
f.	One parent was angry her daughter had lost two days of education.	T / F
g.	The school did not send a letter informing parents of the dress code.	T / F
h.	The head teacher said the school should be clearer about uniforms.	T / F

2. SYNONYM MATCH: Match the following synonyms from the article.

1.	apologised	a.	assortment
2.	conforming	b.	contravening
3.	breaking	c.	anguished
4.	appropriate	d.	absurd
5.	variety	e.	said sorry
6.	furious	f.	viewpoint
7.	distressed	g.	suitable
8.	ridiculous	h.	complying
9.	opinion	i.	exact
10.	specific	j.	enraged

3. PHRASE MATCH: (Sometimes more than one choice is possible.)

1.	A school in Britain has apologised	a.	badly
2.	given detention for	b.	dress for school
3.	not appropriate	c.	tailored trousers
4.	in the process of tightening	d.	variety of trouser styles
5.	she had not anticipated the	e.	to more than 50 students
6.	she was deeply	f.	rule
7.	I'd understand if she'd behaved	g.	distressed
8.	this ridiculous	h.	not conforming
9.	pupils must wear black,	i.	more specific
10.	We clearly need to be much	j.	its uniform rules

GAP FILL

A school in Britain has apologised to more than 50 students for (1) ____________ them after they wore the wrong trousers to (2) ____________. Pupils at Heaton Manor school in the north of England were taken out of class and given (3) ____________ for not conforming to school uniform rules. They had to spend around eight hours in a small classroom for (4) ____________ the rules. School bosses said many of the trousers were "skintight" and were not (5) ____________ dress for school. Head teacher Lynne Ackland explained that the school had been in the (6) ____________ of tightening its uniform rules. She said she had not anticipated the (7) ____________ of trouser styles her pupils would wear. She (8) ____________ the school had been too strict with the students.

detention
punishing
appropriate
variety
class
admitted
breaking
process

Parents were (9) ____________ at the treatment their children received. A mother of an 11-year-old told reporters: "[My daughter] was in that room for eight hours yesterday and she was (10) ____________ distressed. I'd understand if she'd behaved (11) ____________, but this is punishment for a pair of trousers the teachers don't like….She's lost two days' (12) ____________ because of this (13) ____________ rule and I'm absolutely livid." She added: "We were sent letters from the school to say pupils must wear black, (14) ____________ trousers. In my opinion, [my daughter's] trousers are tailored; they are not (15) ____________. The school should be more specific." Ms Ackland said: "We clearly need to be much more (16) ____________ with people in future."

tailored
badly
furious
education
specific
skintight
deeply
ridiculous

LISTENING - Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)	A school in Britain has apologised to more than 50 students ______
	a. for punishment them b. for punish in them c. for punishing them d. for pun wishing them
2)	Pupils at the school in the north of England were taken out of class ______
	a. and gave them detention b. and given detention c. and giving detention d. and give them detention
3)	many of the trousers were "skintight" and were not ______
	a. appropriately dress b. appropriate the dress c. appropriate dress d. appropriated dress
4)	the school had been in the process ______ uniform rules
	a. of tighten in its b. of tight an in its c. of tie the tin its d. of tightening its
5)	She said she had not anticipated the variety of trouser ______
	a. stylish her pupils b. styles the pupils c. styles her pupils d. styles her pupil
6)	My daughter was in that room for eight hours yesterday and she ______
	a. was deep distressed b. was deeply distressed c. was deep in distress d. was deeply distresses
7)	I'd understand if she'd ______
	a. behave badly b. behaved bad c. behaved badly d. behave bad
8)	She's lost two days' education because of ______
	a. this ridiculous rule b. this ridiculously rule c. this ridiculous rules d. this ridiculous ruled
9)	We were sent letters from the school to say pupils must wear black, ______
	a. tailor trousers b. tail lard trousers c. tie laid trousers d. tailored trousers
10)	Ms Ackland said: "We clearly need to be much more ______"
	a. specifics with people b. specific with people c. specific within people d. specific with peoples

LISTENING – Listen and fill in the gaps

A school in Britain has (1) ___________________ than 50 students for punishing them after they wore the wrong trousers to class. Pupils at Heaton Manor school in the north of England (2) ___________________ and given detention (3) ___________________ school uniform rules. They had to spend around eight hours in a small classroom for (4) ___________________. School bosses said many of the trousers were "skintight" and were not appropriate dress for school. Head teacher Lynne Ackland explained that the school had been in the (5) ___________________ its uniform rules. She said she had not (6) ___________________ of trouser styles her pupils would wear. She admitted the school had been too strict with the students.

Parents were (7) ___________________ their children received. A mother of an 11-year-old told reporters: "[My daughter] was in that room for eight hours yesterday and she (8) ___________________. I'd understand if she'd behaved badly, but this is punishment for a pair of trousers the teachers don't like….She's lost two days' education because (9) ___________________ and I'm absolutely livid." She added: "We were sent letters from the school to say (10) ___________________, tailored trousers. In my opinion, [my daughter's] (11) ___________________; they are not skintight. The school should be more specific." Ms Ackland said: "We clearly need to (12) ___________________ with people in future."

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS

1.	How many students got an apology from the school?
2.	In which part of England is the school?
3.	For how long did the school detain the students?
4.	What is the school in the process of doing?
5.	What did the head teacher admit?
6.	How did parents feel about the treatment of their children?
7.	How did an 11-year-old girl feel?
8.	What did a mother say her daughter had lost?
9.	What kind of trousers did a school letter describe?
10.	What did the head teacher say the school needed to be in the future?

MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ

1.	How many students got an apology from the school?	6.	How did parents feel about the treatment of their children?
	a) fifteen b) 55 c) just under 50 d) over 50		a) bemused b) furious c) amused d) befuddled
2.	In which part of England is the school?	7.	How did an 11-year-old girl feel?
	a) the southwest b) the north c) the middle d) London		a) liberated b) insulted c) livid d) distressed
3.	For how long did the school detain the students?	8.	What did a mother say her daughter had lost?
	a) six-and-a-half hours b) 8 hours and 22 minutes c) about 8 hours d) 8 days		a) two days' education b) her confidence in the school c) her homework d) faith in the school
4.	What is the school in the process of doing?	9.	What kind of trousers did a school letter describe?
	a) tightening uniform rules b) designing a new uniform c) building a detention room d) writing letters of apology		a) trousers from a uniform shop b) black trousers with no pockets c) black, tailored trousers d) skintight leggings
5.	What did the head teacher admit?	10.	What did the head teacher say the school needed to be in the future?
	a) that uniform wasn't important b) she hated uniforms as a kid c) the school had been too strict d) wearing skintight trousers		a) more spacious b) more specific c) more spatial d) more special

ROLE PLAY

Role A – Purple hair

You think purple hair is the biggest no-no for schools. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things that aren't so serious about their things. Also, tell the others which is the least serious of these (and why): facial tattoos, bullying or cheating in exams.

Role B – Facial tattoos

You think facial tattoos are the biggest no-no for schools. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things that aren't so serious about their things. Also, tell the others which is the least serious of these (and why): purple hair, bullying or cheating in exams.

Role C – Bullying

You think bullying is the biggest no-no for schools. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things that aren't so serious about their things. Also, tell the others which is the least serious of these (and why): facial tattoos, purple hair or cheating in exams.

Role D – Cheating in exams

You think cheating in exams is the biggest no-no for schools. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things that aren't so serious about their things. Also, tell the others which is the least serious of these (and why): facial tattoos, bullying or purple hair.

AFTER READING / LISTENING

1. WORD SEARCH: Look in your dictionary / computer to find collocates, other meanings, information, synonyms … for the words 'uniform' and 'rule'.

uniform

rule

Share your findings with your partners.

Make questions using the words you found.
Ask your partner / group your questions.

2. ARTICLE QUESTIONS: Look back at the article and write down some questions you would like to ask the class about the text.

Share your questions with other classmates / groups.
Ask your partner / group your questions.

3. GAP FILL: In pairs / groups, compare your answers to this exercise. Check your answers. Talk about the words from the activity. Were they new, interesting, worth learning…?

4. VOCABULARY: Circle any words you do not understand. In groups, pool unknown words and use dictionaries to find their meanings.

5. TEST EACH OTHER: Look at the words below. With your partner, try to recall how they were used in the text:

50
detention
hours
dress
variety
strict

11
deeply
badly
two
letters
clearly

SCHOOL UNIFORM SURVEY

Write five GOOD questions about school uniform in the table. Do this in pairs. Each student must write the questions on his / her own paper.

When you have finished, interview other students. Write down their answers.

	STUDENT 1 _____________	STUDENT 2 _____________	STUDENT 3 _____________
Q.1.
Q.2.
Q.3.
Q.4.
Q.5.

Now return to your original partner and share and talk about what you found out. Change partners often.

Make mini-presentations to other groups on your findings.

SCHOOL UNIFORM DISCUSSION

STUDENT A's QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student B)

a)	What did you think when you read the headline?
b)	What springs to mind when you hear the word 'uniform'?
c)	What do you think of school uniforms?
d)	Should the school have apologised to the students?
e)	Should the parents have bought the right trousers?
f)	What did (do) you think of your school uniform?
g)	Is eight hours detention for breaking rules too strict?
h)	Should all schools have a strict dress code?
i)	What are the advantages of children wearing a uniform?
j)	Why do children dislike wearing uniforms?

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

STUDENT B's QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student A)

a)	Did you like reading this article? Why/not?
b)	Why are parents distressed?
c)	Are standards of behaviour in schools getting worse?
d)	Do uniforms prepare students for life at work?
e)	Are uniforms important for giving the school a good image?
f)	Do uniforms take away a student's individuality?
g)	Would it be OK for students to have tattoos and face piercing?
h)	Is there a difference between skintight and tailored trousers?
i)	Brits say "trousers" and Americans say "pants". Which is best?
j)	What questions would you like to ask the school head?

DISCUSSION (Write your own questions)

STUDENT A's QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student B)
1.	________________________________________________________
2.	________________________________________________________
3.	________________________________________________________
4.	________________________________________________________
5.	________________________________________________________
6.	________________________________________________________

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

STUDENT B's QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student A)
1.	________________________________________________________
2.	________________________________________________________
3.	________________________________________________________
4.	________________________________________________________
5.	________________________________________________________
6.	________________________________________________________

LANGUAGE - CLOZE

A school in Britain has apologised to more than 50 students for (1) ____ them after they wore the wrong trousers to class. Pupils at Heaton Manor school in the north of England were (2) ____ out of class and given detention for not conforming (3) ____ school uniform rules. They had to spend around eight hours in a small classroom for breaking the rules. School bosses said many of the trousers were "skintight" and were not (4) ____ dress for school. Head teacher Lynne Ackland explained that the school had been in the process (5) ____ tightening its uniform rules. She said she had not anticipated the variety of trouser styles her pupils would wear. She (6) ____ the school had been too strict with the students.

Parents were furious at the treatment their children received. A mother of an 11-year-old told reporters: "[My daughter] was in that room for eight hours yesterday and she was (7) ____ distressed. I'd understand if she'd behaved (8) ____, but this is punishment for a pair of trousers the teachers don't like….She's lost two days' education because of this (9) ____ rule and I'm absolutely (10) ____." She added: "We were sent letters from the school to say pupils must wear black, tailored trousers. (11) ____ my opinion, [my daughter's] trousers are tailored; they are not skintight. The school should be more specific." Ms Ackland said: "We (12) ____ need to be much more specific with people in future."

Put the correct words from the table below in the above article.

1.	(a)	punished	(b)	punishing	(c)	punishment	(d)	punishes
2.	(a)	taking	(b)	taken	(c)	took	(d)	takes
3.	(a)	at	(b)	of	(c)	by	(d)	to
4.	(a)	approach	(b)	appropriate	(c)	append	(d)	apparently
5.	(a)	from	(b)	of	(c)	by	(d)	in
6.	(a)	admission	(b)	admitting	(c)	admitted	(d)	admiring
7.	(a)	depth	(b)	deepness	(c)	deeply	(d)	deep
8.	(a)	bad	(b)	badness	(c)	badly	(d)	baddie
9.	(a)	superfluous	(b)	injurious	(c)	incredulous	(d)	ridiculous
10.	(a)	livid	(b)	placid	(c)	riveted	(d)	limited
11.	(a)	In	(b)	On	(c)	To	(d)	Of
12.	(a)	solely	(b)	early	(c)	clearly	(d)	nearly

SPELLING

Paragraph 1
1.	ogspoldaie to more than 50 students
2.	given eidotnnet for not conforming
3.	many of the trousers were "gstiihnkt"
4.	not opipaarertp dress for school
5.	she had not diciattapne the variety
6.	She deidattm the school had been too strict
Paragraph 2
7.	Parents were urosiuf at the treatment
8.	she was deeply itdsssedre
9.	… because of this irdiloscuu rule
10.	I'm ustolabley livid
11.	black, ldaitore trousers
12.	be much more cefsiicp

PUT THE TEXT BACK TOGETHER

Number these lines in the correct order.

( )	badly, but this is punishment for a pair of trousers the teachers don't like….She's lost
( )	trousers. In my opinion, [my daughter's] trousers are tailored; they are not
( )	styles her pupils would wear. She admitted the school had been too strict with the students.
( )	Parents were furious at the treatment their children received. A mother of an 11-year-old told
( )	process of tightening its uniform rules. She said she had not anticipated the variety of trouser
( )	to class. Pupils at Heaton Manor school in the north of England were taken out of class and given
( )	livid." She added: "We were sent letters from the school to say pupils must wear black, tailored
( )	skintight. The school should be more specific." Ms Ackland said: "We clearly need to be much more specific with people in future."
( )	two days' education because of this ridiculous rule and I'm absolutely
( )	appropriate dress for school. Head teacher Lynne Ackland explained that the school had been in the
( )	detention for not conforming to school uniform rules. They had to spend around eight hours in a small classroom for
( 1 )	A school in Britain has apologised to more than 50 students for punishing them after they wore the wrong trousers
( )	breaking the rules. School bosses said many of the trousers were "skintight" and were not
( )	reporters: "[My daughter] was in that room for eight hours yesterday and she was deeply distressed. I'd understand if she'd behaved

PUT THE WORDS IN THE RIGHT ORDER

1.	conforming of given not out and for Taken class detention.
2.	trousers were "skintight". School bosses said many of the
3.	In tightening of rules process uniform the its.
4.	the not trouser variety She styles anticipated had of.
5.	had She been admitted too the strict school.
6.	received children their treatment the at Furious.
7.	understand she'd badly I'd if behaved.
8.	days' of rule two because ridiculous Lost education this.
9.	pupils must wear black Letters from the school to say.
10.	specific with people We clearly need to be much more.

CIRCLE THE CORRECT WORD (20 PAIRS)

A school in Britain has apologies / apologised to more than 50 students for punishing / punishment them after they wore the wrong trousers to class. Pupils at Heaton Manor school in the north of England were taken out of class and given / taken detention for not conforming for / to school uniform rules. They had to spend around eight hours in a small classroom for breaking / breakage the rules. School bosses said many of the trousers were "skintight" and were not appropriateness / appropriate dress for school. Head teacher Lynne Ackland explained that the school had been in the process / recess of tightening its uniform rules. She said she had not anticipated / anticipatory the variety / various of trouser styles her pupils would wear. She admitted the school had been too strictly / strict with the students.

Parents were furious / furiously at the treatment their children received. A mother of an 11-year-old told reporters: "[My daughter] was in that room for eight hours yesterday and she was deeply / depth distressed. I'd understand if she'd behaved bad / badly, but this is punishment / punishing for a pair of trousers the teachers don't like….She's lost two days / days' education because of this ridiculous / ridicule rule and I'm absolutely placid / livid." She added: "We were sent letters from the school to say pupils must wear black, tailors / tailored trousers. In my opinion, [my daughter's] trousers are tailored; they are not skintight. The school should be more specific / specified." Ms Ackland said: "We clearly / clarity need to be much more specific with people in future."

Talk about the connection between each pair of words in italics, and why the correct word is correct.

INSERT THE VOWELS (a, e, i, o, u)

_ sch__l _n Br_t__n h_s _p_l_g_s_d t_ m_r_ th_n 50 st_d_nts f_r p_n_sh_ng th_m _ft_r th_y w_r_ th_ wr_ng tr__s_rs t_ cl_ss. P_p_ls _t H__t_n M_n_r sch__l _n th_ n_rth _f _ngl_nd w_r_ t_k_n __t _f cl_ss _nd g_v_n d_t_nt__n f_r n_t c_nf_rm_ng t_ sch__l _n_f_rm r_l_s. Th_y h_d t_ sp_nd _r__nd __ght h__rs _n _ sm_ll cl_ssr__m f_r br__k_ng th_ r_l_s. Sch__l b_ss_s s__d m_ny _f th_ tr__s_rs w_r_ "sk_nt_ght" _nd w_r_ n_t _ppr_pr__t_ dr_ss f_r sch__l. H__d t__ch_r Lynn_ _ckl_nd _xpl__n_d th_t th_ sch__l h_d b__n _n th_ pr_c_ss _f t_ght_n_ng _ts _n_f_rm r_l_s. Sh_ s__d sh_ h_d n_t _nt_c_p_t_d th_ v_r__ty _f tr__s_r styl_s h_r p_p_ls w__ld w__r. Sh_ _dm_tt_d th_ sch__l h_d b__n t__ str_ct w_th th_ st_d_nts.

P_r_nts w_r_ f_r___s _t th_ tr__tm_nt th__r ch_ldr_n r_c__v_d. _ m_th_r _f _n 11-y__r-_ld t_ld r_p_rt_rs: "[My d__ght_r] w_s _n th_t r__m f_r __ght h__rs y_st_rd_y _nd sh_ w_s d__ply d_str_ss_d. _'d _nd_rst_nd _f sh_'d b_h_v_d b_dly, b_t th_s _s p_n_shm_nt f_r _ p__r _f tr__s_rs th_ t__ch_rs d_n't l_k_….Sh_'s l_st tw_ d_ys' _d_c_t__n b_c__s_ _f th_s r_d_c_l__s r_l_ _nd _'m _bs_l_t_ly l_v_d." Sh_ _dd_d: "W_ w_r_ s_nt l_tt_rs fr_m th_ sch__l t_ s_y p_p_ls m_st w__r bl_ck, t__l_r_d tr__s_rs. _n my _p_n__n, [my d__ght_r's] tr__s_rs _r_ t__l_r_d; th_y _r_ n_t sk_nt_ght. Th_ sch__l sh__ld b_ m_r_ sp_c_f_c." Ms _ckl_nd s__d: "W_ cl__rly n__d t_ b_ m_ch m_r_ sp_c_f_c w_th p__pl_ _n f_t_r_."

PUNCTUATE THE TEXT AND ADD CAPITALS

a school in britain has apologised to more than 50 students for punishing them after they wore the wrong trousers to class pupils at heaton manor school in the north of england were taken out of class and given detention for not conforming to school uniform rules they had to spend around eight hours in a small classroom for breaking the rules school bosses said many of the trousers were "skintight" and were not appropriate dress for school head teacher lynne ackland explained that the school had been in the process of tightening its uniform rules she said she had not anticipated the variety of trouser styles her pupils would wear she admitted the school had been too strict with the students

parents were furious at the treatment their children received a mother of an 11-year-old told reporters "[my daughter] was in that room for eight hours yesterday and she was deeply distressed i'd understand if she'd behaved badly but this is punishment for a pair of trousers the teachers don't like…she's lost two days' education because of this ridiculous rule and i'm absolutely livid" she added "we were sent letters from the school to say pupils must wear black tailored trousers in my opinion [my daughter's] trousers are tailored they are not skintight the school should be more specific" ms ackland said "we clearly need to be much more specific with people in future"

PUT A SLASH ( / ) WHERE THE SPACES ARE

AschoolinBritainhasapologisedtomorethan50studentsforpunishi
ngthemaftertheyworethewrongtrouserstoclass.PupilsatHeatonM
anorschoolinthenorthofEnglandweretakenoutofclassandgivende
tentionfornotconformingtoschooluniformrules.Theyhadtospend
aroundeighthoursinasmallclassroomforbreakingtherules.School
bossessaidmanyofthetrouserswere"skintight"andwerenotappro
priatedressforschool.HeadteacherLynneAcklandexplainedthatth
eschoolhadbeenintheprocessoftighteningitsuniformrules.Shesai
dshehadnotanticipatedthevarietyoftrouserstylesherpupilswould
wear.Sheadmittedtheschoolhadbeentoostrictwiththestudents.P
arentswerefuriousatthetreatmenttheirchildrenreceived.Amother
ofan11-year-oldtoldreporters:"[Mydaughter]wasinthatroomfor
eighthoursyesterdayandshewasdeeplydistressed.I'dunderstandi
fshe'dbehavedbadly,butthisispunishmentforapairoftrousersthet
eachersdon'tlike….She'slosttwodays'educationbecauseofthisridi
culousruleandI'mabsolutelylivid."Sheadded:"Weweresentletters
fromtheschooltosaypupilsmustwearblack,tailoredtrousers.Inmy
opinion,[mydaughter's]trousersaretailored;theyarenotskintight
.Theschoolshouldbemorespecific."MsAcklandsaid:"Weclearlyne
edtobemuchmorespecificwithpeopleinfuture."

FREE WRITING

Write about school uniform for 10 minutes. Comment on your partner's paper.

_____________________________________________________________________________

ACADEMIC WRITING

All schools should have a strict school uniform policy. Discuss.

_____________________________________________________________________________

HOMEWORK

1. VOCABULARY EXTENSION: Choose several of the words from the text. Use a dictionary or Google's search field (or another search engine) to build up more associations / collocations of each word.

2. INTERNET: Search the Internet and find out more about school uniforms. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.

3. SCHOOL UNIFORM: Make a poster about school uniform. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?

4. WRONG TROUSERS: Write a magazine article about the pupils being punished for wearing the wrong trousers. Include imaginary interviews with people who are for and against it.

Read what you wrote to your classmates in the next lesson. Write down any new words and expressions you hear from your partner(s).

5. WHAT HAPPENED NEXT? Write a newspaper article about the next stage in this news story. Read what you wrote to your classmates in the next lesson. Give each other feedback on your articles.

6. LETTER: Write a letter to an education expert. Ask him/her three questions about school uniform. Give him/her three of your ideas on it. Read your letter to your partner(s) in your next lesson. Your partner(s) will answer your questions.

A Few Additional Activities for Students

Ask your students what they have read, seen or heard about this news in their own language. Students are likely to / may have have encountered this news in their L1 and therefore bring a background knowledge to the classroom.

Get students to role play different characters from this news story.

Ask students to keep track of this news and revisit it to discuss in your next class.

Ask students to male predictions of how this news might develop in the next few days or weeks, and then revisit and discuss in a future class.

Ask students to write a follow-up story to this news.

Students role play a journalist and someone who witnessed or was a part of this news. Perhaps they could make a video of the interview.

Ask students to keep a news journal in English and add this story to their thoughts.

Also...

Buy my 1,000 Ideas and Activities for Language Teachers eBook. It has hundreds of ideas, activity templates, reproducible activities for:

News
Warm ups
Pre-reading / Post-reading
Using headlines
Working with words
While-reading / While-listening
Moving from text to speech
Post-reading / Post-listening
Discussions
Using opinions
Plans
Language
Using lists
Using quotes
Task-based activities
Role plays
Using the central characters in the article
Using themes from the news
Homework

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ANSWERS

TRUE / FALSE (p.4)

a

F

b

T

c

T

d

F

e

F

f

T

g

F

h

T

SYNONYM MATCH (p.4)

1.	apologised	a.	said sorry
2.	conforming	b.	complying
3.	breaking	c.	contravening
4.	appropriate	d.	suitable
5.	variety	e.	assortment
6.	furious	f.	enraged
7.	distressed	g.	anguished
8.	ridiculous	h.	absurd
9.	opinion	i.	viewpoint
10.	specific	j.	exact

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS (p.8)

1.	More than 50
2.	The north
3.	8 hours
4.	Tightening its uniform rules
5.	Being too strict
6.	Furious
7.	Deeply distressed
8.	Two days' education
9.	Black, tailored trousers
10.	More specific with people

MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ (p.9)

1.

d

2.

b

3.

c

4.

a

5.

c

6.

b

7.

d

8.

a

9.

c

10.

b

ALL OTHER EXERCISES

Please check for yourself by looking at the Article on page 2.
(It's good for your English ;-)

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School children punished over wrong trousers (8th September, 2014)

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