A record-setting balloon adventure

Topic:

         

This article is about a man who has gone on many adventures in his lifetime, and has recently set a new world record.

        

      

Before reading:

          

General Knowledge:

• Can you find Australia on a map?
• What does it mean to "circumnavigate the globe"? What are some different ways that people have done this?

        

Speculate:

• A Russian man has successfully circumnavigated the globe in a hot air balloon. What are some of the challenges he might have faced during his journey?

        

          

Click on the embedded link below to read the article and see photos on the NPR website. Word count: 493

       

Russian Balloonist Circumnavigates The Globe, Claims World Record

After reading:

        

Review and discuss:

• Write a 3-4 sentence summary of this article. Begin your summary with "This article is about…".
• Considering what the article says about Fedor Konyukhov, what kind of person do you think he might be? Explain.
• Re-read the list of adventures that Konyukhov has completed. Which one do you think was the most dangerous? The strangest? The most unique or interesting?
• In your opinion, what was the most interesting thing mentioned in this article? Why?

           

Reflect and evaluate:

• Many of the things that Konyukhov has done, including his balloon journey, are called "adventures". In your own words, what does "adventure" mean? What are the characteristics of an "adventure"?
• What kinds of adventures have you had, or would you like to have? What kind of adventure would you prefer: sailing, hiking, flying, or something else?
• What are some "adventures" that people could try while visiting your country?
• 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:

• If you really like this news article, try the novel "Around the World in 80 Days". This is a fictional story about a man who takes a bet to travel around the world—before it was possible to travel by air.
• How does a hot air balloon work? Why are they difficult to steer? Do an internet search to find out more.
• Here is a list of other people who have set records by traveling around the globe. Do an internet search to find out what record each of them set. In other words, what was each of these people the first to do and when did they do it? Follow the example: 
• Example: Ferdinand Magellan was a Portuguese explorer who organized the first circumnavigation of the earth. The expedition lasted from 1519-1522. 

1. Jeanne Baré
2. Thomas Stevens
3. Joshua Slocum
4. Wiley Post
5. Steve Fossett
6. Rick Hansen

             

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!

Russia offers free land to citizens

Topic:
        
The Russian government wants to give free land to some of its citizens.
      

Before reading:

       

General Knowledge:

• Can you find Russia on a map? What do you know about the geography of this country?

      

Speculate:

• The Russian government is giving away land in one of its eastern districts. What might be the purpose of this plan? Why might the land be available?

        
Click on the embedded link below to read the article and see photos on the PRI website. Word count: 558

         

Russia is literally giving away land for free  

After reading:

           

Review and discuss:

• Write a 3-4 sentence summary of this article. Begin your summary with "This article is about…".
• What problems might the Russian government be attempting to solve by implementing this program?
• Aleksandr Galushka said this plan will offer young people "a real chance for self-realization". What do you think he means? How might the plan accomplish this?
• What might be the pros and cons of participating in the government's plan? What are the advantages of this program for the Russian government?
• What are some strategies that the Russian government might use to promote this program and to encourage people to participate?
• In your opinion, what was the most interesting thing mentioned in this article? Why?

       

Reflect and evaluate:

• What kind of person do you think is best suited to participate in the government's plan? What kind of people do you think would be successful in a venture like this? (Hint: you might want to consider things like personality or skills.)
• Which areas of your country are the least populated? Do you think a plan like this would help to revitalize those regions? Why or why not?
• In many countries, the percentage of people working in agriculture has decreased significantly. What are some factors that have contributed to this trend?
• 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:

• Do an online search to find out more about Russia's Far Eastern Federal District. Look for pictures of the landscape. Does this change how you feel about the government's plan?

           

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!