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Bilingual Newspaper Activity Cards for ESL

A Teacher's Guide

These Bilingual Newspaper Activity Cards for ESL were developed to meet the needs of the Spanish-speaking ESL student enrolled in grades six through 12, post-secondary, and adult continuing education. These activity cards are particularly useful for students who can already read in Spanish and are in the process of learning to read and write in English. The cards contain activities which student may carry out alone, with a partner, in small groups, or with an entire class. The activities are designed to help students practice and perfect their knowledge of the English language. If you would like a packet of activity cards for your classroom, please call NIE at 602-444-8846.

Is the answer for American energy blowin' in the wind?

All across America the winter winds are blowing.

That's a bad thing when they're pushing snowdrifts up and temperatures down, as they have the last two weeks.

But it could be a good thing in the future.

America's powerful winds could produce more of the energy the country needs for homes, schools and factories, helping make the United States less dependent on foreign energy sources.

As the nation starts a new year with a new president coming into the White House, wind energy is getting a new look as a way to reduce the amount of oil the United States buys from other countries.

As he campaigned for president, Barack Obama supported greater use of "renewable" energy sources like wind and solar power to produce electricity and reduce reliance on foreign oil.

His pick to be the nation's energy secretary is Nobel Prize winner Steven Chu, a scientist who is a strong supporter of renewable energy research.

And these days, Democrats are not alone in pushing for wind and other alternatives.

T. Boone Pickens, an oil tycoon and Republican who has spent millions of dollars to oppose Democratic candidates in the past, is now spending millions more to promote wind energy.

And under the Republican administration of outgoing President George Bush, the U.S. increased its use of wind power by nearly 50 percent in 2007.

With such bipartisan support, the 2008 World Wind Power Report predicts, the United States is poised to "march out to the front" in wind energy this year, along with the Asian nation of China.

World growth

In the world today, wind produces just 1.5 percent of the electricity people use (1.2 percent in the United States).

But alternative energy supporters say that wind eventually could produce as much as 60 percent of world electricity because there is an endless supply.

In the European country of Denmark, for example, wind now produces 20 percent of the nation's electricity. In Spain wind produces 12 percent.

Just this fall the African nation of Ethiopia announced a plan to build the largest wind farm on the African continent. It would provide 15 percent of Ethiopia's electricity.

Wind and more

For years, environmental groups have been urging U.S. leaders to invest in renewable energy sources like wind and solar power.

But it took gas prices hitting more than $4 a gallon last summer to make energy an issue that Americans couldn't ignore.

The summer "gas scare" made it clear to people that relying on foreign oil to meet energy needs carries great risks.

That is what the oilman Pickens has been preaching as he spends $58 million to promote his Pickens Plan to develop huge "wind farms" from Texas to North Dakota in the midwestern part of the country.

"In 1970 we imported 24 percent of our oil," Pickens said. "Today it's nearly 70 percent and growing. I've been an oilman my whole life, but this is one emergency we can't drill our way out of."

Talk About the News

Wind energy is clean to produce, doesn't contribute to global warming and has an unlimited supply. There are some drawbacks, however. Not every community wants giant windmills in their midst, they are expensive to build and more power lines must be built to transmit the electricity. As a class, talk about the benefits and shortcomings of wind power. Then talk about what you would do with wind power if you were in charge of the nation's energy planning.

Learning Standard: Engaging peers in constructive conversation about matters of public concern by clarifying issues, considering opposing views, applying democratic values, anticipating consequences and working toward making decisions.

Explore Your e-Edition

Oilman T. Boone Pickens has called attention to wind power in the United States. And on the world stage, 51 nations will meet later this month to sign a treaty establishing an International Renewable Energy Agency. In the e-Edition, look for news about energy for a week or a month. Keep a log or scrapbook about issues in the news. Then write a paragraph summarizing one of the issues.

Learning Standards: Acquiring information from multiple sources and then evaluating, organizing and communicating it in various contexts; writing fluently for multiple purposes.

Renewable energy sources like wind and solar power pollute less than fossil fuels like oil, coal and natural gas. Supporters say this could reduce global warming of Earth's air, land and water. Find stories about global warming in the e-Edition. Write a paragraph describing what is making news and what might happen next.

Learning Standards: Explaining ecosystem concepts and processes; understanding the nature of scientific inquiry; describing positive and negative effects of humans on the environment.

Editorial cartoons use art to express opinions. Look at an editorial cartoon in the e-Edition to see how they're drawn. Then draw one of your own expressing your opinion on increasing the use of renewable energy sources like wind power.

Learning Standards: Reading and writing fluently, speaking confidently, listening and interacting appropriately, viewing critically and representing creatively; using the craft of the illustrator to convey ideas artistically.

How Well Did You Read?

Understanding what you read is a skill that will help you all through life. Review the story about wind power by answering the questions below.

1. In addition to wind, which of the following is a "renewable" source of energy?

A. Gas.
B. Coal.
C. Solar.
D. Electricity.

2. According to the story, how much of the electricity used in the United States is produced by wind?

A. 1.2 percent.
B. 1.5 percent.
C. 12 percent.
D. 20 percent.

3. Which of the following is true about T. Boone Pickens?

A. He is an oilman.
B. He is promoting wind power.
C. He wants to build giant "wind farms."
D. All of the above.

4. According to the World Wind Report, which other country will be out front on wind energy with the United States this year?

A. Ethiopia.
B. Spain.
C. Denmark.
D. China.

5. According to the story, how much of the fuel the U.S. uses is imported from other countries?

A. 20 percent.
B. 24 percent.
C. 70 percent.
D. 85 percent.

ANSWERS: 1-C. 2-A. 3-D. 4-D. 5-C.

e-News Plus is written by Hollister Kids

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Bilingual Newspaper Activity Cards for ESL

Is the answer for American energy blowin' in the wind?

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Winter, 2008