Breaking News English Lesson: Height Measurement

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New iPhone instantly measures a person's height (8th December, 2022)

The Reading / Listening - Height Measurement - Level 3

Smartphones are a wonder of modern technology. They have many features that we rely on every day. They also have many hidden functions that we are unaware of. One such secret is on the new Apple iPhone 14 Pro. This has the ability to measure someone's height. You just point your phone camera at a person, click on the Measure app, and get an instant measurement of how tall that person is. The person whose height you are measuring must be standing in front of the camera from head to toe. It is possible to measure your own height in a mirror, but this is not so accurate. It would be better for a friend to do it for you. The new Measure app could end arguments about who is the tallest.

The Measure app uses AR (augmented reality) and a special sensor that is inside the camera. The technology behind the sensor is called LiDAR. This is an acronym for "light imaging, detection, and ranging". LiDAR is also called 3D laser scanning. It is used to make digital 3D models of areas of the Earth's surface and of the bottom of the ocean. LiDAR measures a person's height by sending out pulses of light. These light pulses bounce off the person being measured and return to the LiDAR sensor. The app measures how long this took. The length of time helps the app to calculate the person's height. The website bgr.com joked that the app, "isn't as cool as drawing lines on a door" to find someone's height.

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

Height Measurement - Level 0, Height Measurement - Level 1 or Height Measurement - Level 2

Sources

https://lifehacker.com/how-to-instantly-measure-someones-height-on-your-iphone-1849854921
https://bgr.com/tech/iphone-14-pro-has-a-brilliant-trick-for-measuring-a-persons-height/
https://www.macrumors.com/2022/12/03/iphone-measure-height/

Make sure you try all of the online activities for this reading and listening - There are dictations, multiple choice activities, drag and drop activities, sentence jumbles, which word activities, text reconstructions, spelling, gap fills and a whole lot more. Please enjoy :-)

Warm-ups

1. OUR HEIGHT: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about our height. 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?
smartphones / wonder / technology / secret / height / camera / head / toe / friend /
augmented reality / laser / sensor / light / 3D / Earth / ocean / calculate / line / door
Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.
3. HEIGHT: Students A strongly believe height isn't important; Students B strongly believe the opposite. Change partners again and talk about your conversations.
4. TECHNOLOGY: How can technology help with these things? Would you like an app to help you? Why? Complete this table and share what you wrote with your partner(s). Change partners often.

	Help	Do You Want the App?	Why?
Height
Weight
Eyesight
Hearing
Fitness
Intelligence

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. LIGHT: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "light". Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about them. Together, put the words into different categories.
6. APPS: Rank these with your partner. Put the best health apps at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

Height
Blood pressure
Stress levels
Eyesight
Tooth decay
Cholesterol
Hearing level
Exercise advice

Vocabulary

Paragraph 1

1.	wonder	a.	Information, measurements, or predictions correct in all details.
2.	feature	b.	Be dependent on.
3.	rely	c.	Having no knowledge of a situation or fact.
4.	hidden	d.	A thing or a quality of something that causes amazement.
5.	unaware	e.	Happening or coming immediately.
6.	instant	f.	A special part or aspect of something.
7.	accurate	g.	Be out of sight so no one can see.

Paragraph 2

8.	sensor	h.	A very large area of sea.
9.	acronym	i.	Of light, sound, or an electronic signal - come into contact with an object or surface and be reflected back.
10.	surface	j.	Fashionably good looking or great.
11.	ocean	k.	A word made from the first letters of other words, and pronounced as a word (e.g. UNESCO, NASA).
12.	bounce	l.	Find the amount or number of something using maths.
13.	calculate	m.	The outside part or uppermost layer of something.
14.	cool	n.	A device which detects or measures something.

Before reading / listening

1. TRUE / FALSE: Read the headline. Guess if 1-8 below are true (T) or false (F).

The article says we often wander about modern technology. T / F
The new measurement app is available on iPhones 12, 13 and 14. T / F
The person you are measuring can be sitting or standing. T / F
Measuring yourself in the mirror is not so accurate. T / F
The new measurement app uses a sensor and augmented reality. T / F
The app's technology is used to make digital 3D models of the Moon. T / F
The app sends sound waves to calculate someone's height. T / F
A website joked that using a door to measure height is cooler. T / F

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

wonder
rely
hidden
accurate
arguments
behind
detection
areas
calculate
cool

at the back of
concealed
disputes
fashionable
regions
miracle
work out
correct
depend
discovery

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

Smartphones are a wonder
They have many features that we rely
You just point your phone camera
The person whose height
end arguments about who
a special sensor that
make digital 3D models of areas
The app measures how
The length of time helps the app to
the app isn't as cool as

is inside the camera
is the tallest
calculate the person's height
on every day
you are measuring
drawing lines on a door
of modern technology
of the Earth's surface
long this took
at a person

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.

standing
wonder
unaware
arguments
ability
mirror
instant
rely

Smartphones are a (1) _____________________ of modern technology. They have many features that we (2) _____________________ on every day. They also have many hidden functions that we are (3) _____________________ of. One such secret is on the new Apple iPhone 14 Pro. This has the (4) _____________________ to measure someone's height. You just point your phone camera at a person, click on the Measure app, and get an (5) _____________________ measurement of how tall that person is. The person whose height you are measuring must be (6) _____________________ in front of the camera from head to toe. It is possible to measure your own height in a (7) _____________________, but this is not so accurate. It would be better for a friend to do it for you. The new Measure app could end (8) _____________________ about who is the tallest.

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.

laser
door
calculate
areas
acronym
measures
inside
sending

The Measure app uses AR (augmented reality) and a special sensor that is (9) _____________________ the camera. The technology behind the sensor is called LiDAR. This is an (10) _____________________ for "light imaging, detection, and ranging". LiDAR is also called 3D (11) _____________________ scanning. It is used to make digital 3D models of (12) _____________________ of the Earth's surface and of the bottom of the ocean. LiDAR measures a person's height by (13) _____________________ out pulses of light. These light pulses bounce off the person being measured and return to the LiDAR sensor. The app (14) _____________________ how long this took. The length of time helps the app to (15) _____________________ the person's height. The website bgr.com joked that the app, "isn't as cool as drawing lines on a (16) _____________________ " to find someone's height.

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1) They also have many hidden functions that we ______
     a. are anywhere of
     b. are inner wear of
     c. are run aware of
     d. are unaware of
2) you are measuring must be standing in front of the camera from ______
     a. heed two tow
     b. head tow too
     c. head to toe
     d. heed too toe
3) It is possible to measure your own height in a mirror, but this is ______
     a. not so accuracy
     b. not so accurate
     c. not some accurate
     d. knots oh accurate
4) It would be better for a friend to do ______
     a. wit from you
     b. wit for you
     c. it further
     d. it for you
5) The new Measure app could end arguments about who ______
     a. is a tallest
     b. is the tall lest
     c. is the tallest
     d. is the toilets

6) The Measure app uses AR (augmented reality) and ______
     a. a special sensor
     b. especial sensor
     c. a special sense or
     d. a special sense sir
7) It is used to make digital 3D models of areas of ______
     a. the Earth's surfaced
     b. the Earth's surf face
     c. the Earth's surface
     d. the Earth's Sir Face
8) LiDAR measures a person's height by sending out ______
     a. pulse is of light
     b. pull seasons light
     c. purses of right
     d. pulses of light
9) The app measures how ______
     a. long these took
     b. long this took
     c. long this stalk
     d. long this steak
10) joked that the app, isn't as cool as drawing lines ______
     a. honour door
     b. on a door
     c. own a door
     d. owner door

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

Smartphones are (1) ____________________ modern technology. They have many features that (2) ____________________ every day. They also have many hidden functions that we are unaware of. One (3) ____________________ on the new Apple iPhone 14 Pro. This has the ability to measure someone's height. You just point your phone camera at a person, click on the Measure app, and (4) ____________________ measurement of how tall that person is. The person whose height you are measuring must be standing in front of the camera from head to toe. It is possible to measure your own height (5) ____________________, but this is not so accurate. It would be better for a friend to do it for you. The new Measure app could (6) ____________________ who is the tallest.

The Measure app uses AR (augmented reality) and a special sensor (7) ____________________ the camera. The technology behind the sensor is called LiDAR. This is (8) ____________________ "light imaging, detection, and ranging". LiDAR is also called 3D laser scanning. It is used to make digital 3D models of areas of the Earth's surface and of the bottom (9) ____________________. LiDAR measures a person's height by sending out pulses of light. These light pulses (10) ____________________ person being measured and return to the LiDAR sensor. The app measures how long this took. The (11) ____________________ helps the app to calculate the person's height. The website bgr.com joked that the app, "isn't as cool as (12) ____________________ a door" to find someone's height.

Comprehension questions

How often does the article say we use features on smartphones?
What does the article say smartphones have that we are unaware of?
Where must a person stand to have their height taken by the app?
What is it possible to use to measure one's own height?
What could end arguments about who is the tallest?
Where is a special sensor?
What is the technology LiDAR also known as?
What is LiDAR used to make models of besides the Earth's surface?
What does the app send out to measure someone's height?
What did a website joke we should draw lines on?

Multiple choice quiz

1) How often does the article say we use features on smartphones?
a) too often
b) once or twice an hour
c) every day
d) three times a minute
2) What does the article say smartphones have that we are unaware of?
a) many hidden functions
b) wires
c) buttons
d) colours
3) Where must a person stand to have their height taken by the app?
a) in front of the camera
b) next to a door
c) outside
d) in bright light
4) What is it possible to use to measure one's own height?
a) a hospital
b) a mirror
c) a library
d) a DIY store
5) What could end arguments about who is the tallest?
a) a parent
b) a court
c) a good friend
d) the Measure app

6) Where is a special sensor?
a) behind the camera
b) inside the camera
c) on the person being measures
d) on a website
7) What is the technology LiDAR also known as?
a) 3D laser scanning
b) Light, Diodes And Rader
c) 4D photos
d) augmented reality
8) What is LiDAR used to make models of besides the Earth's surface?
a) Mount Everest
b) the Moon
c) the bottom of the ocean
d) the Solar System
9) What does the app send out to measure someone's height?
a) e-mails
b) text messages
c) a survey
d) light pulses
10) What did a website joke we should draw lines on?
a) a door
b) paper
c) the app
d) the top of our head

Role play

Role A – Height
You think a height app is best. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their apps. Also, tell the others which is the least useful app of these (and why): blood pressure, eyesight or cholesterol.

Role B – Blood Pressure
You think a blood pressure app is best. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their apps. Also, tell the others which is the least useful app of these (and why): height, eyesight or cholesterol.

Role C – Eyesight
You think an eyesight app is best. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their apps. Also, tell the others which is the least useful app of these (and why): blood pressure, height or cholesterol.

Role D – Cholesterol
You think a cholesterol app is best. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their apps. Also, tell the others which is the least useful app of these (and why): blood pressure, eyesight or height.

After reading / listening

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

'height'

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

and 'app'.
________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

• 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:

wonder

secret

click

front

mirror

end

special

acronym

digital

sending

took

door

Student survey

Write five GOOD questions about this topic 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.

(Please look at page 12 of the PDF to see a photocopiable example of this activity.)

Discussion - Height Measurement

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

What did you think when you read the headline?
What images are in your mind when you hear the word 'height'?
What do you think of smartphones?
What are the wonders of modern technology?
How much do you rely on your phone?
What do you think of the Measure app?
Are you happy with your height?
What are your favourite smartphone apps?
Do you ever argue about who is the tallest?
What advice do you have for app makers?

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

Did you like reading this article? Why/not?
What do you think of when you hear the word 'app'?
What do you think about what you read?
What are the wonders of old technology?
Would you like to be a bit taller or shorter?
What do you know about augmented reality?
What other uses could the Measure app have?
Is it better to be shorter or taller?
Is it cooler to draw a line on a door to find your height?
What questions would you like to ask an app developer?

Discussion — Write your own questions

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

(a) ________________

(b) ________________

(c) ________________

(d) ________________

(e) ________________

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

(f) ________________

(g) ________________

(h) ________________

(i) ________________

(j) ________________

Language — Cloze (Gap-fill)

Smartphones are a (1) ____ of modern technology. They have many features that we rely (2) ____ every day. They also have many hidden functions that we are unaware of. One such secret is on the new Apple iPhone 14 Pro. This has the ability to measure someone's (3) ____. You just point your phone camera at a person, click on the Measure app, and get an instant measurement of how tall that person (4) ____. The person whose height you are measuring must be standing in front of the camera from head to (5) ____. It is possible to measure your own height in a mirror, but this is not so (6) ____. It would be better for a friend to do it for you. The new Measure app could end arguments about who is the tallest.

The Measure app uses AR (augmented (7) ____) and a special sensor that is inside the camera. The technology behind the sensor is called LiDAR. This is an acronym (8) ____ "light imaging, detection, and ranging". LiDAR is also called 3D laser scanning. It is used to make digital 3D models of areas of the Earth's surface and of the (9) ____ of the ocean. LiDAR measures a person's height by sending out pulses of light. These light pulses bounce off the person being measured and (10) ____ to the LiDAR sensor. The app measures how long this took. The length (11) ____ time helps the app to calculate the person's height. The website bgr.com joked that the app, "isn't as (12) ____ as drawing lines on a door" to find someone's height.

Which of these words go in the above text?

(a) wonder (b) wander (c) winder (d) windier
(a) in (b) up (c) on (d) to
(a) heighten (b) high (c) height (d) tall
(a) grows (b) has (c) heights (d) is
(a) toe (b) ankle (c) calf (d) finger
(a) accuracy (b) accurate (c) calculate (d) calculation
(a) realise (b) really (c) real (d) reality
(a) on (b) for (c) as (d) by
(a) low (b) below (c) bottom (d) under
(a) returns (b) returned (c) returning (d) return
(a) on (b) in (c) at (d) of
(a) freezing (b) cool (c) fresh (d) cold

Spelling

Paragraph 1

a rdnwoe of modern technology
features that we yelr on every day
head to eot
measure your own height in a omrirr
this is not so racctaue
end mngsearut about who is the tallest

Paragraph 2

The Measure app uses AR (augmented tyirael)
a special esnosr that is inside the camera
3D laser nncgansi
the bottom of the oncae
These light pulses obnuec off the person
alceucalt the person's height

Put the text back together

(...) friend to do it for you. The new Measure app could end arguments about who is the tallest.
(...) the new Apple iPhone 14 Pro. This has the ability to measure someone's height. You just point your phone camera
(...) person is. The person whose height you are measuring must be standing in front of the camera from head to toe. It is possible
(...) "isn't as cool as drawing lines on a door" to find someone's height.
(...) scanning. It is used to make digital 3D models of areas of the Earth's surface and of the bottom of the
(...) at a person, click on the Measure app, and get an instant measurement of how tall that
( 1 ) Smartphones are a wonder of modern technology. They have many features that we rely
(...) The Measure app uses AR (augmented reality) and a special sensor that is inside the camera. The technology behind
(...) to measure your own height in a mirror, but this is not so accurate. It would be better for a
(...) on every day. They also have many hidden functions that we are unaware of. One such secret is on
(...) of time helps the app to calculate the person's height. The website bgr.com joked that the app,
(...) the sensor is called LiDAR. This is an acronym for "light imaging, detection, and ranging". LiDAR is also called 3D laser
(...) measured and return to the LiDAR sensor. The app measures how long this took. The length
(...) ocean. LiDAR measures a person's height by sending out pulses of light. These light pulses bounce off the person being

Put the words in the right order

technology . a are of wonder modern Smartphones
rely on Many we day . every that features
a You camera at point just person . your
a mirror . own Measure height in your
who It'll tallest . end the is arguments about
that is camera . special sensor the inside A
models . used is digital to It 3D make
Light the pulses measured . person bounce off being
app long The this how took . measures
doors someone's height . find on Drawing lines to

Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

Smartphones are a wander / wonder of modern technology. They have many features that we rely / relay on every day. They also have many hidden functions that we are unaware on / of. One such secret is on the new Apple iPhone 14 Pro. This has the able / ability to measure someone's height. You just point your phone camera at a person, click on / at the Measure app, and get an instant measurement of how / what tall that person is. The person whose high / height you are measuring must be standing in front of the camera from head to finger / toe. It is possible to measure your own height in a mirror, but this is not so / such accurate. It would be better for a friend to do it for you. The new Measure app could end arguments about who is the tallest / tall.

The Measure app uses AR (augmented reality) and a special sensor what / that is inside the camera. The technology behind the sensor is calling / called LiDAR. This is an anchor / acronym for "light imaging, detection, and ranging". LiDAR is also called 3D laser skimming / scanning. It is used to make digital 3D models of areas of the Earth's surface and of the under / bottom of the ocean. LiDAR measures a person's height by sending in / out pulses of light. These light pulses pounce / bounce off the person being measured and return to the LiDAR sensor. The app measures how long / length this took. The length of time helps the app to calculate / calculation the person's height. The website bgr.com joked that the app, "isn't as cool / cold as drawing lines on a door" to find someone's height.

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

Insert the vowels (a, e, i, o, u)

Sm_rtph_n_s _r_ _ w_nd_r _f m_d_rn t_chn_l_gy. Th_y h_v_ m_ny f__t_r_s th_t w_ r_ly _n _v_ry d_y. Th_y _ls_ h_v_ m_ny h_dd_n f_nct__ns th_t w_ _r_ _n_w_r_ _f. _n_ s_ch s_cr_t _s _n th_ n_w _ppl_ _Ph_n_ 14 Pr_. Th_s h_s th_ _b_l_ty t_ m__s_r_ s_m__n_'s h__ght. Y__ j_st p__nt y__r ph_n_ c_m_r_ _t _ p_rs_n, cl_ck _n th_ M__s_r_ _pp, _nd g_t _n _nst_nt m__s_r_m_nt _f h_w t_ll th_t p_rs_n _s. Th_ p_rs_n wh_s_ h__ght y__ _r_ m__s_r_ng m_st b_ st_nd_ng _n fr_nt _f th_ c_m_r_ fr_m h__d t_ t__. _t _s p_ss_bl_ t_ m__s_r_ y__r _wn h__ght _n _ m_rr_r, b_t th_s _s n_t s_ _cc_r_t_. _t w__ld b_ b_tt_r f_r _ fr__nd t_ d_ _t f_r y__. Th_ n_w M__s_r_ _pp c__ld _nd _rg_m_nts _b__t wh_ _s th_ t_ll_st.

Th_ M__s_r_ _pp _s_s _R (__gm_nt_d r__l_ty) _nd _ sp_c__l s_ns_r th_t _s _ns_d_ th_ c_m_r_. Th_ t_chn_l_gy b_h_nd th_ s_ns_r _s c_ll_d L_D_R. Th_s _s _n _cr_nym f_r "l_ght _m_g_ng, d_t_ct__n, _nd r_ng_ng". L_D_R _s _ls_ c_ll_d 3D l_s_r sc_nn_ng. _t _s _s_d t_ m_k_ d_g_t_l 3D m_d_ls _f _r__s _f th_ __rth's s_rf_c_ _nd _f th_ b_tt_m _f th_ _c__n. L_D_R m__s_r_s _ p_rs_n's h__ght by s_nd_ng __t p_ls_s _f l_ght. Th_s_ l_ght p_ls_s b__nc_ _ff th_ p_rs_n b__ng m__s_r_d _nd r_t_rn t_ th_ L_D_R s_ns_r. Th_ _pp m__s_r_s h_w l_ng th_s t__k. Th_ l_ngth _f t_m_ h_lps th_ _pp t_ c_lc_l_t_ th_ p_rs_n's h__ght. Th_ w_bs_t_ bgr.c_m j_k_d th_t th_ _pp, "_sn't _s c__l _s dr_w_ng l_n_s _n _ d__r" t_ f_nd s_m__n_'s h__ght.

Punctuate the text and add capitals

smartphones are a wonder of modern technology they have many features that we rely on every day they also have many hidden functions that we are unaware of one such secret is on the new apple iphone 14 pro this has the ability to measure someones height you just point your phone camera at a person click on the measure app and get an instant measurement of how tall that person is the person whose height you are measuring must be standing in front of the camera from head to toe it is possible to measure your own height in a mirror but this is not so accurate it would be better for a friend to do it for you the new measure app could end arguments about who is the tallest

the measure app uses ar augmented reality and a special sensor that is inside the camera the technology behind the sensor is called lidar this is an acronym for light imaging detection and ranging lidar is also called 3d laser scanning it is used to make digital 3d models of areas of the earths surface and of the bottom of the ocean lidar measures a persons height by sending out pulses of light these light pulses bounce off the person being measured and return to the lidar sensor the app measures how long this took the length of time helps the app to calculate the persons height the website bgrcom joked that the app isnt as cool as drawing lines on a door to find someones height

Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

Smartphonesareawonderofmoderntechnology.Theyhavemanyfeat
uresthatwerelyoneveryday.Theyalsohavemanyhiddenfunctionsthat
weareunawareof.OnesuchsecretisonthenewAppleiPhone14Pro.This
hastheabilitytomeasuresomeone'sheight.Youjustpointyourphoneca
meraataperson,clickontheMeasureapp,andgetaninstantmeasurem
entofhowtallthatpersonis.Thepersonwhoseheightyouaremeasuring
mustbestandinginfrontofthecamerafromheadtotoe.Itispossibletom
easureyourownheightinamirror,butthisisnotsoaccurate.Itwouldbeb
etterforafriendtodoitforyou.ThenewMeasureappcouldendargument
saboutwhoisthetallest.TheMeasureappusesAR(augmentedreality)a
ndaspecialsensorthatisinsidethecamera.Thetechnologybehindthes
ensoriscalledLiDAR.Thisisanacronymfor"lightimaging,detection,an
dranging".LiDARisalsocalled3Dlaserscanning.Itisusedtomakedigital
3DmodelsofareasoftheEarth'ssurfaceandofthebottomoftheocean.Li
DARmeasuresaperson'sheightbysendingoutpulsesoflight.Theseligh
tpulsesbounceoffthepersonbeingmeasuredandreturntotheLiDARse
nsor.Theappmeasureshowlongthistook.Thelengthoftimehelpstheap
ptocalculatetheperson'sheight.Thewebsitebgr.comjokedthattheap
p,"isn'tascoolasdrawinglinesonadoor"tofindsomeone'sheight.

Free writing

Write about height measurement for 10 minutes. Comment on your partner’s paper.

_____________________________________________________________________________

Academic writing

It is very important for us to know our exact height. 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 this news story. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.
3. OUR HEIGHT: Make a poster about our height. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?
4. THE DOOR: Write a magazine article about our using marks on a door instead of an app to measure our height. Include imaginary interviews with people who are for and against this.
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 expert on our height. Ask him/her three questions about it. Give him/her three of your opinions on why height is or isn't important. 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

Buy my book

$US 9.99

Answers

(Please look at page 26 of the PDF to see a photocopiable example of this activity.)

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Breaking News English Lesson: Height Measurement

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