Download Questions for discussion Copenhagen Explain the BtN story to

Questions for discussion
Copenhagen
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Explain the BtN story to another student.
Describe the event that will happen in Copenhagen in December.
How many countries are involved in the conference?
Give a brief summary of what you know about climate change.
What is the Kyoto agreement?
Why is 2012 an important date?
Why are reducing greenhouse gases expensive?
Why is it a problem for developing countries?
How does the United Nations want developing countries supported?
What do you think should happen next?
Find out more about climate change by completing the quizzes at the following website
http://www.ecokids.ca/pub/games_activities/climate_change/index.cfm
TV Ban
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Briefly summarise the BtN story.
What do you think is meant by TV being a one-way communication?
What sorts of things do kids learn in the first two years of their lives?
How do children under two learn?
Explain why some people are concerned about young children watching TV.
What do the researchers want to happen in child care centres? Do you agree?
Why or why not?
7. What do some people say the benefits of watching TV are?
8. Create a plus, minus and interesting chart about young people watching TV.
9. Create your own `what do you reckon?’ Video record interviews with other
students in your school about the issue.
10. What do you understand more clearly since watching the BtN story?
`Should kids younger than two be banned from watching TV?’ Vote in the online poll.
iPod inattention
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
© ABC 2009
Discuss the BtN story with another student.
Why is it dangerous for pedestrians to use MP3 players or mobile phones?
What do the NSW Police want to happen?
What did a study in the United States find?
How are police trying to raise awareness about the issue?
What could the consequences be for a pedestrian who causes an accident?
Do you think the consequence is fair? Why or why not?
What do police recommend pedestrians do to stay safe?
EPISODE 29
20TH OCTOBER 2009
9. Are you affected by this issue? Explain your answer.
10. Create your own advertisement about the hazards of using MP3 players and
mobile phones for pedestrians.
Send a message or tell us what you think on the BtN Guestbook.
Wombats
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Summarise the main issues in the BtN story.
Why are wombats being treated by Brigitte and Frank?
What species of wombat are they treating?
What impacts are some wombats having in farming areas?
How are some farmers dealing with problem?
Do you think there is another solution to the problem?
What is the disease affecting wombats?
Why do Brigitte and Frank need more space?
How did the story make you feel?
Illustrate an aspect of the story.
Test your knowledge in the online wombat quiz.
Cadet camp
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Explain the BtN story to another student.
Apart from the army, what other defence forces have cadets?
What sorts of skills do the Army cadets learn?
Why do kids choose to become cadets?
What sorts of military exercises do they practise?
In your own words, describe what personal development is.
What is Maddie’s role in the cadets?
What do you think are the advantages of being an army cadet?
Who can join the cadets?
What was surprising about the BtN cadets story?
Visit the Kids HQ at the Australian War Memorial website
http://www.awm.gov.au/kidshq/
Copenhagen
© ABC 2009
Focus Questions
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
Explain the BtN story to another student.
Describe the event that will happen in Copenhagen in December.
How many countries are involved in the conference?
Give a brief summary of what you know about climate change.
What is the Kyoto agreement?
Why is 2012 an important date?
Why are reducing greenhouse gases expensive?
Why is it a problem for developing countries?
How does the United Nations want developing countries supported?
What do you think should happen next?
Climate change
Students will be investigating what climate change is - the cause, effects and what
actions individuals can take to make a difference. After watching the BtN story,
ask students to record what they know about climate change in the chart below.
They can also record the words that they associate with climate change. Students
then think about what they want to know about climate change and record in the
chart below. These key questions/issues will form the basis of their research.
What do I know
about climate
change?
What do I want to
know about climate
change?
How will I find out?
EPISODE 29
20TH OCTOBER 2009
Learning Area
Society and
Environment
Key learning
Students will
develop an
understanding of
what climate
change is - the
causes, effects
and actions
individuals can
take to reduce
their impact.
What have I learnt?
Some possible questions or issues to investigate include:

What is climate change?

What causes climate change?

What are the effects of climate change?

Who should take responsibility for climate change?

Who is most affected by climate change?

Do wealthy countries have an obligation to help poor countries deal with
the effects of climate change?
Discuss with students how they will find information about the key questions or
issues they will be investigating. They can record these in the chart above. Students
can use their research findings to think about how their own actions impact on
climate change. Calculating their individual ecological footprint is the best way to
measure their impact on climate change. The following website
http://www.powerhousemuseum.com/education/ecologic/bigfoot/bigfoot2007/ will
support students to do this online.
Ask them to list five positive and five negative ways their actions impact on climate
change. What future actions could they take to reduce their impact? Discuss and
© ABC 2009
.
record student responses. These actions could form the basis of a whole class action
plan.
Further investigations
Find out more about climate change by completing the quizzes at the following website
http://www.ecokids.ca/pub/games_activities/climate_change/index.cfm
Investigate how young people are responding to the issue of climate change. The report
`Two degrees of separation’, was written by young people involved in the United
Nations Development Program. What kinds of actions are they
recommending/encouraging people to take?
http://www.teachsustainability.com.au/resources/two-degrees-of-seperation-betweenhope-and-despair/report-human%20solidarity%20in%20a%20divided%20world.pdf/
 Related Research Links
ABC News Climate Change special coverage
http://www.abc.net.au/news/events/climate-change/
ABC News – Climate Change frequently asked questions
http://www.abc.net.au/news/events/climate-change/faq.htm
ABC Lateline – Tim Flannery discusses Copenhagen climate talks (transcript and
video)
http://www.abc.net.au/lateline/content/2008/s2692526.htm
United Nations Climate Change Conference 2009
http://en.cop15.dk/
United Nations Climate Change website
http://www.un.org/wcm/content/site/climatechange/cache/offonce/lang/en/pages/gat
eway/youth;jsessionid=248EBF76D792B82304B1F57F784E725E
Cool climate – Kids climate change website
http://www.coolclimate.org/whatisit.htm
TV ban
Focus Questions
21. Briefly summarise the BtN story.
22. What do you think is meant by TV being a one-way communication?
EPISODE 29
20TH OCTOBER 2009
Learning Area
© ABC 2009
Society and
Environment
Key learning
23.
24.
25.
26.
27.
28.
29.
30.
What sorts of things do kids learn in the first two years of their lives?
How do children under two learn?
Explain why some people are concerned about young children watching TV.
What do the researchers want to happen in child care centres? Do you agree?
Why or why not?
What do some people say the benefits of watching TV are?
Create a plus, minus and interesting chart about young people watching TV.
Create your own `what do you reckon?’ Video record interviews with other
students in your school about the issue.
What do you understand more clearly since watching the BtN story?
TV ban
Students will investigate the pros and cons of kids watching TV. Working in pairs,
ask students to highlight key words and phrases or unfamiliar words in the BtN
story. The transcript is available on the story page of the Behind the News website
http://abc.net.au/news/btn/ Students can then develop a glossary of terms relating to
the issue.
What are the pros and cons of kids watching TV?
Students will create a list of pros and cons about kids watching TV. They will need
to decide whether they will focus on younger children or their own age group. The
following questions may help them to think about the pros and cons:

What sorts of things do you learn from TV?

How much TV do you think it is healthy to watch?

How does TV affect kids’ health?

How do you think TV impacts kids’ learning?

What sorts of programs do you think are beneficial? Why?

Why do you think there is so much debate about kids TV viewing?
Students can publish their pros and cons in an interesting way and present them to
the class. Collate all student responses and discuss them. What was surprising
about students’ thoughts on the issue?
Further investigations
Discuss the different viewpoints in the debate about children under two not watching
TV. Write a brief argument from the viewpoint of either a parent or child care worker.
What are the factors that influence early brain development? Create a poster to display
your findings.
© ABC 2009
 Related Research Links
ABC News – Guidelines tipped to push toddler TV ban
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/10/12/2711195.htm
ABC News - TV in child care `damaging toddlers’
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/10/12/2711686.htm
BrainsRule – Games about neurons
http://www.brainsrule.com/kids/games/#
Early Childhood Australia – Get up and grow
http://www.earlychildhoodaustralia.org.au/every_child_magazine/every_child_inde
x/get_up_and_grow.html
BtN: Episode 29 Transcripts
On this week's Behind the News:
 Should young kids be banned from TV?
 Could listening to tunes get you in trouble with the law?
 And we check in with some very weary wombats.
© ABC 2009
20/10/09
Hi I'm Nathan Bazley welcome to Behind the News.
Also on the show today – Sarah sees if she is cut out for cadet camp.
Those stories all in a sec. but first, it’s been a big week in news, so let’s
check out the headlines. Here’s Kirsty.
The Wire
There was a big time panic in the United States last week when
everyone thought a six year old boy had climbed in to this giant
balloon and was trapped alone in there when it took off.
All America watched as it floated along, but when the balloon
eventually came down the boy was nowhere to be found.
He eventually turned up after and said he was hiding at home.
But now police want to charge his parents with wasting their time
because they think it was just a publicity stunt!
********
A kid who is definitely in the good books is Abby Wootsler in New
Zealand.
She saved dozens of lives during last month’s tsunami in Samoa, so
she was given a certificate of appreciation in front of her school.
The 10 year old was on a beach holiday with her family when she saw
the water all disappear out to sea.
© ABC 2009
She knew that was a danger sign so she ran along the beach warning
people.
ABBY: I think it's ok I guess. Yeah. I guess everyone who survived is a
hero at the end of the day.
She'd studied tsunamis in class.
********
And the police have told off some parents in Victoria for smacking
their kid with a wooden spoon.
It all started when the girl told her school that she had been smacked
with the spoon at home.
The case has sparked a lot of debate about whether parents should be
allowed to discipline their kids.
Presenter: What do you think about punishment at home? Let us
know what you think on the guestbook.
Copenhagen
Reporter: Sarah Larsen
INTRO: Alright now for our features.
© ABC 2009
If you've been watching the news lately you would have seen heaps
of stories with our pollies getting worked up about something called
Copenhagen.
But no, they're not fighting over ice-cream - Copenhagen is a place
in Europe.
But it's what's happening there in a few months that's got everyone
talking. Sarah's been finding out why.
SARAH LARSEN, REPORTER: Welcome to Copenhagen; city of
canals, cobbled streets, copper spires and cyclists! It’s the capital of
Denmark which is in Europe. It was the home of the Little Mermaid's
author Hans Christian Anderson. It's where Australia's very own
princess lives. It's also the birthplace of Lars Ulrich from Metallica
and it’s a brand of ice-cream.
REPORTER: All very good reasons to know about Copenhagen but
none of them explain why it’s been on everyone's lips
ABC PRESENTER: Copenhagen
MALCOLM TURNBULL: Copenhagen
ABC PRESENTER: In Copenhagen
REPORTER: Something very big is brewing in the Danish city.
KOFI ANNAN, FORMER UN SECRETARY: Tick, tick, tick. In
December in Copenhagen our leaders will have an opportunity to
come up with a robust post-climate change agreement.
They're singing about the 15th International Climate Change
Conference which will be held in Copenhagen in December. Leaders
from 192 countries will come to the city and some say the fate of the
world could rest on what happens there.
© ABC 2009
Kid: So what's so important about it?
Climate change. While there's still some debate about whether or not
humans are causing it, many now agree the possible consequences are
too scary to ignore. And since it’s a problem facing the entire world,
the world is looking for solutions. Since 1992 world leaders have been
meeting to talk about it. In a place called Kyoto in Japan they came up
with an agreement to cut carbon emissions by 2012 but now the UN
wants a new plan get carbon emissions down even more. But getting
190 countries to agree will be difficult.
Kids: So if it is so important why would they be arguing about it?
The plan to reduce greenhouses gases will make it more expensive to
burn fossil fuels. Burning fossil fuels has helped many countries
become big, bustling modern economies. Less developed countries
haven't produced as much in the past but they're starting to catch up.
They say it’s not fair to make them pay for a problem they haven't
caused when they're trying to improve the lives of their people. But
some developing countries are becoming massive polluters so it’s
really important they're involved. The UN wants the richer countries
to help out the poorer ones with money and by cutting their own
emissions even more. Back home, cutting back emissions could affect
a lot of people so there's been a lot of arguing about what Australia
should be doing. So you can see why Copenhagen is bracing itself. It’s
possible nothing will be decided and it’s possible we'll see a decision
that could change the way we live.
Presenter: One important meeting – and we’ll let you know how it
goes.
Quiz 1
© ABC 2009
As well as being part of Europe, Denmark is part of Scandinavia so we
might make that a quiz.
Which country is not in Scandinavia?
1. Sweden
2. Finland
3. Norway
Answer: Finland
Presenter: Most people agree Norway, Sweden and Denmark make
up Scandinavia, but there's argument about Finland and Iceland.
TV Ban
Reporter: Kirsty Bennett
INTRO: When you turn on the TV there are loads of programs to
choose from; cartoons, documentaries, sport and news.
But are all those programs out there good for you?
Some people say it's bad for young kids and they want childcare
centres to ban TV for kids under two. Why? Here's Kirsty.
KIRSTY BENNETT, REPORTER: As we watch television, all of the
information, jokes and gossip flow into our minds. It's a one-way
communication, which means you don't talk back like you would if
you were with friends or family. And while this might be OK for you in
small doses, for really young kids it might not be good for their future.
In the first two years of life, kids learn a lot of very important things.
The way your mum sang songs or your Dad hugged you has had a
© ABC 2009
huge impact on the growth of your brain. You see there are about 100
billion nerve cells in your brain which connect to each other as you
experience the world, and the way they connect shapes the way we
feel or act as we get older.
REPORTER: Kids around this age learn by touching things, tasting
things and hanging out with their parents. But researchers are
concerned if kids like Ollie here, are plonked in front of the television
they won't be learning and getting the experiences like this.
And they reckon that affects a lot of important skills kids need when
they grow up. They say they don't improve language skills because
they're not talking with friends. They're also worried that watching TV
can stop kids from paying attention for long periods of time, which is
pretty important when you're at school. Watching TV is also a bit of a
health concern, and researchers want the ban so kids have more time
to run around outside and stop the rise of obesity.
So they've made some suggestions to the Federal Government. They
want childcare centres to ban children under two years old from
watching television and they want kids between 2 and 5 to be limited
to just one hour of TV a day. They want parents to cut back at home as
well.
But some other experts disagree. They say TV can grow the
imaginations of young kids and be entertaining. They say it all comes
down to balance, that is, watching TV and then doing something
active like playing soccer with your mates outside. As for the final
decision, the Federal Government isn't keen on a ban. It thinks
parents should make the decision on how much TV kids watch. So
what do you reckon?
GIRL: Cos ABC Kids, I used to watch it and like cos when I was really
new here I didn't really know how to speak their language so I like
sort of learnt how to speak English and like learnt new stuff from
watching TV.
© ABC 2009
BOY: It's alright in moderation I guess but if they're like stuck in front
of the TV all day then that's a bit - should probably change it.
GIRL 2: I think the TV is kind of boring sometimes they don't have
many like interesting TV shows or new things to yeah watch.
BOY 2: It's probably a good idea. Some kids are on it too much.
GIRL 3: I think it's sort of also the child's choice, whether like if
they're bored then they can watch a bit of TV or something.
Presenter: A few different opinions there, but not too many in
favour of a complete ban.
Poll
Let’s see what you think in this week’s poll.
The question is ‘Should kids younger than 2 be banned from watching
TV?’
If you want to vote go to our website at abc. net.au/btn
iPod Inattention
Reporter: Nathan Bazley
INTRO: Another debate around at the moment also has to do with
entertainment and technology.
© ABC 2009
In NSW, police have decided using MP3 or mobiles while crossing
the road can be a big hazard and if you get hit by a car - you could
be held responsible.
Let's check out how inattention can lead to serious injury.
NATHAN BAZLEY, REPORTER: It's easy to get wrapped up in your
favourite track.
Sometimes it might mean doing something a little embarrassing.
But what about something a lot more serious?
With so many people using ipods and other electronic devices while
strutting around, police have become worried about how much
attention we're giving our music and how little we're giving to the cars
ahead of us.
NATHAN: A study in the US looked into it and found some scary
stats. Kids are much more likely to get hit by a car or come very close
when using a mobile. Wearing headphones has caused pedestrian
deaths overseas as well.
Last year, NSW police launched an ad campaign aimed at kids which
show what could really happen if they aren't careful around roads.
But this year, they have noticed a big surge in pedestrian deaths - so
police are cracking down.
Anyone who causes an accident while listening to an ipod or using a
mobile can now be fined.
© ABC 2009
That's exactly what happened in NSW a few months ago. A man was
hit by a car but he was fined instead of the driver because he wasn't
paying attention.
So what do police suggest to make sure you're safe?
Well the first step is to take out your headphones as soon as you get to
any road.
They also recommend hanging up your phone and not answering text
messages anywhere near a crossing.
That way you should be right to hear that favourite track over and
over again!
Wombats
Reporter: Nathan Bazley
INTRO: If there is one animal that takes life pretty easily, it's got to
be the wombat.
They move pretty slowly, eat pretty slowly and generally spend a lot
of their days just chilling out.
But a few factors are making their cruisy lives all the more difficult.
In some areas drought and disease are reducing numbers and some
farmers are also allowed to cull them.
Needless to say, it isn't easy for them to relax with all that on their
hairy shoulders!
But there is one place where they can breathe a sigh of relief.
© ABC 2009
NATHAN BAZLEY, REPORTER: The sun is shining, the birds are
singing and these wombats are still fast asleep!
But there's no need to whisper; these guys aren't waking up for
anyone!
It might look like these southern hairy-nosed wombats are just
sleeping but in actual fact they are recovering from all sorts of
different injuries and illnesses.
And they get the chance to do that here, in the intensive care unit of
the Wombat Awareness Centre.
Here they have two carers, Brigitte and Frank, and they'll go to almost
any lengths to make sure they feel at home.
REPORTER: What is it like, having wombats in the bed with you?
BRIGITTE STEVENS, WOMBAT AWARENESS ORGANISATION:
Embarrassing. No, it's - Frank won't do it. Frank sleeps on the top
bunk now. But I'm so used to it, I just love it. I hate going to bed
without them now. But I would just like them not to keep me up all
night.
Now that's dedication - but I suppose you need that to treat the 400
or so wombats that have come through this hospital in the past year.
Right now we're in South Australia, which is the habitat of the
Southern Hairy-Nosed wombat. But there are other types around
Australia. There are common wombats on the south-eastern coast
and a tiny pocket of Northern Hairy-Nosed wombats is found just in
one national park in Queensland. They are critically endangered,
while the other types are found in healthy numbers in most areas.
© ABC 2009
When wombats do finally get moving, they love to dig and they make
huge burrows like this.
But their digging escapades annoy farmers quite a bit because it ruins
their land, so in some areas they are allowed to shoot them.
This little one came in with a gun-shot wound.
BRIGITTE STEVENS: He came in last week and basically he was just
wandering around looking for somewhere to go. He's in really poor
condition and he also had a huge abscess on his back as well, so that
needed antibiotic treatment.
But farmers aren't these guys only concern. A disease called mange is
also taking its toll.
It's caused by a bug that lives under their skin and can eventually kill
wombats that aren't treated.
So that's what these guys do - give them their medicine and release
them back into the wild.
That's the result for a vast majority of the wombats that come through
this centre - a quick recovery, but some require much longer care.
And that's the problem this centre has now hit. They just don't have
room for so many wombats!
Their solution is a grand one. They want to buy a big property and
turn it into a special wombat refuge.
But in the meantime, these two are just going to have to get used to
their houseful of wombats. After all, they don't seem to make the
worst housemates.
© ABC 2009
As long as you don't mind snoring, anyway.
Presenter: They are noisier than my dad!
Quiz 2
While they are still snoring away, we might do a quiz about them.
Does a wombat have a pouch?
Answer: Yes
Presenter: The pouches actually face backwards - probably so their
babies don't get hit with dirt when they're digging.
Meanwhile Kirsty has been digging around for some sports news.
The Score
Jessica Watson's dream of becoming the youngest person to sail
around the world on her own has begun.
She left Sydney yesterday, weeks after having to return home early
when her yacht collided with a ship off the Queensland coast.
Lots of people say she shouldn't be making the attempt because it's
too dangerous and she's only 16.
© ABC 2009
Not all you guys agree though, you've flooded our website with
comments.
*******
In bike racing, Casey Stoner has won the Aussie GP - his third in a
row.
He hasn't raced much this year because he's been sick, but he started
on pole and held off World Champion Valentino Rossi right to the
end.
******
There was also good news for the Aussies on four wheels.
Mark Webber won his second grand prix in Brazil.
But Englishman Jensen Button did enough in the race to make sure
he was crowned World Champion.
******
And it wasn't all soccer skills but a loose beach ball which helped
Sunderland beat Liverpool one-nil in the English Premier League.
It was thrown onto the pitch by a Liverpool supporter - the real ball
hit it and went into the goal.
The referee allowed the score because he said the goalkeeper should
have got rid of the beach ball.
© ABC 2009
Presenter: Ha – what are the chances?
Quiz 3
Let's do a quiz.
Which rank is higher in the army?
1. Colonel
2. General
3. Major
Answer: General
Presenter: General is the highest active rank - only a Field Marshall is
higher, but they are usually only appointed during times of war.
Cadet Camp
Reporter: Sarah Larsen
Cadets aren't quite as senior but they're still an important part of the
defence forces.
Kids between the ages of 12 and 20 can join up to get a taste of life in
the navy, the air force or the army.
They're also designed to help kids gain skills and self-confidence and
have a lot of fun.
© ABC 2009
During the school holidays a group got together for a special camp, so
Sarah thought she'd see if she could join in.
SARAH LARSEN, REPORTER: Cadets are an important part of the
defence forces. Kids between the ages of 12 and 20 can join up to get a
taste of life in the navy, the airforce or the army. They're also designed
to help kids gain skills and self-confidence and have a lot of fun.
During the school holidays a group got together for a special camp. so
Sarah thought she'd see if she could join in.
SARAH LARSEN, REPORTER: They could be watching TV. They
could be still in bed! But these are cadets and that's not how cadets
roll!
RHIANNON: We're out in the open, in the bush, with all our friends,
having life experiences. Its memories we'll never forget.
MITCHELL: We learn everything from navigation skills to first aid
skills. You get lots of personal skills.
For some kids, Cadets is a fun activity - kind of like after-school
sports. For others, its a pathway to a military career.
MITCHELL: I've always been interested in the army so basically I had
the idea to follow it up and join the cadets.
REPORTER: So is it just kids who want to join the army that join
cadets?
MITCHELL: Absolutely not! I'd say, about, only half actually want to
be in the army. Most come for friends.
KID: BtN have reached the vehicle check point.
© ABC 2009
REPORTER: We're on army ground now and I'm coming up to a
check point. I hope I get through!
KID: This is a check point we're checking for some smuggled goods
can I please check your ID?
REPORTER: Is this it?
KID: Is it a green card? Thankyou ma'am.
We made it! Others weren't so lucky.
NICHOLAS: If you can just step out of the car
NICHOLAS: Pretty much we're going to question them on their
reason for being here, why they're travelling down this road, as well as
searching the vehicle for any suspicious items.
REPORTER: Now this all looks very serious and authentic. Is this the
sort of thing they do in the adult army?
LINDSAY: Yeah we try to keep it as close to it as we can.
This sort of thing help kids develop self-confidence and management
skills and that's what cadets is all about.
Kids can also rise through the ranks and end up with some serious
responsibilities. At 16, Maddie's become the most senior cadet in her
state.
MADELINE: My position is I'm the regional cadet underofficer for
South Australia so I'm the senior cadet representative for the state
and I represent the opinions of all the cadets around South Australia.
© ABC 2009
REPORTER: So all these guys answer to you?
MADELINE: Yes they do
Some even get the chance to go overseas on exchanges. There's also
an annual competition between teams of cadets from throughout
Australia. It all looked like way too much fun, so I thought it was time
for a bit of friendly competition of our own
This is way harder than it looks!
MADELINE: Good job!
It was a huge victory for the ABC!
MADELINE: Good job!
But then came the ropes
REPORTER: Na, not going to happen. Not even close.
Closer
Disgraceful effort there Sarah - drop and give us twenty!
And that brings us to the end of another show!
We'll catch you back here for all the latest next week. See you then!
© ABC 2009
© ABC 2009