Naoshima: a getaway for contemporary art lovers

An outdoor sculpture on Naoshima

         
Topic:

      

This article is about a small Japanese island that has become the home of a world-class art collection.

        

Before reading:

       

General Knowledge:

• Can you find Japan on a map? How about the island of Naoshima?
• What is public art?
• What are the characteristics of places that rely on tourism?

       

Speculate:

• This article tells us about a large company that built museums on a small island. How do you think this affected the people who live there?

        

       

Click on the embedded link below to read the article and see photos on the NPR website. Word count: 819

      

How Art Transformed A Remote Japanese Island

After reading:

        

Review and discuss:

• Write a 3-4 sentence summary of this article. Begin your summary with "This article is about…".
• What might have happened to Naoshima if Benesse Holdings had not decided to house its collection on the island?
• What do you think it is like for the local people of such a small island to live in a place where so many tourists come to visit?
• If you were a member of Naoshima's tourist board, what would you do to attract tourists that aren't interested in art?
• What do you think Naoshima might be like 20 years from now? 50 years? Explain your answer using information from the article along with your own ideas.
• In your opinion, what was the most interesting thing mentioned in this article? Why?

             

Reflect and evaluate:

• Mr. Okuda says that some Naoshima residents were initially skeptical about the project, but over time they have been able to see the benefits. Has anything like this ever happened in your country or community? Can you think of a time where something changed, but it was hard to see the advantages until after some time had passed?
• People who live on Naoshima are surrounded by art in their daily lives. How about you? How often do you have the opportunity to appreciate works of art?
• Is there anything else you'd like to know about this topic? Do you have any questions that weren't answered in the article?
• What vocabulary words were new to you in this article? Make a record of what you have learned.

         

Beyond the page:

• Learn more about Naoshima by visiting one of these pages: Benesse Art Site Naoshima, Naoshima Travel Guide, or Naoshima Travel Information.
• Is there any public art in the area where you live? Find out.

              

Join the conversation: add your thoughts about this article in the comments section below. And don't forget to share this post with your friends!

California summer camp brings traditional music to children

Topic:

This article is about a summer camp where kids learn to play a style of traditional Mexican music.

       

    

Before reading:

       

General Knowledge:

• Can you find the US state of California on a map?
• What is mariachi music? What kinds of instruments are played? Do an internet search if you aren't sure.

            

Speculate:

• This article tells the story about a man who created a free program to teach children how to play mariachi music. What do you think are his goals for the program?

         

          

Click on the embedded link below to read the article, see photos, watch a video, and listen to or download the audio file on the PRI website. Word count: 901

         

Mariachi camp in California teaches kids tradition for free

After reading:

         

Review and discuss:

• Write a 3-4 sentence summary of this article. Begin your summary with "This article is about…".
• Jose Soto tells the children to "see if you can fit [an instrument] into your life". What do you think he means by this?
• What are some possible reasons that Rebecca Humphreys might have decided to join the mariachi music program?
• Debate with your partner(s): Is it a good idea to recruit more students like Rebecca Humphreys (students with no ties to Mexico) for the mariachi music program? Consider arguments for and against this option.
• What might be some of the benefits of having a program like this for children? Make a list.
• In your opinion, what was the most interesting thing mentioned in this article? Why?

            

Reflect and evaluate:

• Describe traditional musical styles and instruments from your culture. Do children learn how to play them? In what kinds of situations do people hear this music? Is there special clothing to wear while playing this music?
• What role has music had in your life? Do you enjoy traditional music? Can you play an instrument? Tell your partner how music makes you feel.
• Reflect on the relationship between music and culture. Write down your thoughts.
• Is there anything else you'd like to know about this topic? Do you have any questions that weren't answered in the article?
• What vocabulary words were new to you in this article? Make a record of what you have learned.

            

Beyond the page:

• Choose one type of traditional music from your culture and research its history.
• The British Library has a collection of traditional music from around the world. Choose a region to explore: British Library World and Traditional Music

              

Join the conversation: add your thoughts about this article in the comments section below. Like Lively Exchanges on Facebook, and don't forget to share this post with your friends!

Finish the summer with a little follow-up reading

Let's take a minute to revisit some of the topics we've seen in recent months. Did one of these topics interest you? Take a look at other perspectives on the problems or situations that have been covered in Lively Exchanges discussions.

         

Topic #1: Google Street View

            

All the way back in March—in the post "How Map Data Saves Lives"—we read about a unique way that one city in Tanzania was gathering map data. Now, check out this article about how another country is using sheep to take pictures of the landscape:

'Sheep View' Campaign Calls On Google To Photograph Roads In Faroe Islands

            

Topic #2: Bird watching

          

In the original post "Bird Watchers Flock to Colombia", we read about bird-watching tourism in the country of Colombia. Next, read this article and find out why you might like to try bird watching, too:
         
Here's why your new hobby should be bird watching or bee hunting

         
Or take a look at some beautiful photographs of exotic birds:
     
These photos will help you appreciate the beauty and diversity of birds

       

Topic #3: Healthy Eating

           

And last but not least, in the June post "Eat Like Arnold Schwarzenegger", we learned about a Chinese campaign to encourage healthy eating habits. Next, try this article about a campaign to get kids to eat more vegetables:
       
Want Kids To Eat More Veggies? Market Them With Cartoons
        

Or try this article if you'd like to find out how seaweed can make your burgers healthier:
    
Better Burgers, More Healthful Hot Dogs: Could A Pinch Of Seaweed Be The Answer?

What's next?

Talk about these topics with others, or write about your reflections in a notebook. Do these new articles change the way you thought about anything? How do they help you understand the topic better? Download this free Lively Exchanges worksheet to help you analyze what you have read.

Finally, don't forget to share your thoughts in the comments section below, and like the Lively Exchanges page on Facebook!

Take your dog to work

Topic:

           

This article is about the increase in companies allowing employees to bring pets to work.

         

     

Before reading:

          

General Knowledge:

• Can you find the US state of North Carolina on a map?
• What is it like to take care of a dog or cat? What are some of the responsibilities of owning a pet? What are the benefits?

         

Speculate:

• What might be some positive effects of bringing your pet to work? How about negative effects?

        

           

Click on the embedded link below to read the article, see photos, and listen to or download the audio file on the NPR website. Word count: 753

         

Who Let The Dogs In? More Companies Welcome Pets At Work

After reading:

         

Review and discuss:

• Write a 3-4 sentence summary of this article. Begin your summary with "This article is about…".
• In the article, taking your pet to work with you is described as a "nonfinancial benefit" of employment. What could be other examples of this kind of benefit?
• What rules or policies might be necessary in an office that allows pets? Write a set of rules that you think would be appropriate for a place like Replacements Ltd.
• The article suggests that having animals in the workplace can be good for the people that work there. What about for the animals? Do you think that this kind of environment is beneficial for pets, too? Explain your position.
• In your opinion, what was the most interesting thing mentioned in this article? Why?

           

Reflect and evaluate:

• Are pets allowed in your workplace or school? How do you feel about this kind of policy?
• In addition to the companionship that many people enjoy with pets, what are some other ways that pets like dogs or cats can improve people's lives?
• Is there anything else you'd like to know about this topic? Do you have any questions that weren't answered in the article?
• What vocabulary words were new to you in this article? Make a record of what you have learned.

           

Also in the news:

• Read about a library that has its own cat: Public library takes in cat named Chance

          

          

Join the conversation: add your thoughts about this article in the comments section below. And don't forget to share this post with your friends!

Last call for the Summer Photo Exhibition!

      

Hi everyone!

        

One last reminder: there's just a week left to send in your photos for the Summer Photo Exhibition. If you've got a great picture to share (maybe something from your summer vacation?), send it in!

        

Check out this post for more information: Get Your Cameras Ready