Ready for something interesting to read?

Choose your favorite from the four topics below. Pick whatever interests you most. After reading through an article (or two!), download this Lively Exchanges free worksheet and use it to help you think about what you have read.

         

Up for an extra challenge? Create some of your own discussion questions for the article you chose and discuss the topic you chose with your study group, friends or classmates!

          

Article choices:

1. People in many small, rural towns in Alaska survive off of wild plants and animals. But climate change is destroying their way of life. This article describes the changes affecting these communities, and explains why going to the grocery store just isn't an option.

          

"The debate here isn't over whether climate change is happening. For these rural communities, the question is whether they can continue to survive there."

           

In Alaska's Remote Towns, Climate Change Is Already Leaving Many Hungry
          

2. This article offers insight into the Korean tradition of kimchi-making, and explores how strong an influence the dish has in the country's culture.

         

"And even as the government supports its citizens in opening Korean restaurants around the world, it pays special attention to promoting that most ubiquitous of Korean foods: kimchi."
         

How South Korea Uses Kimchi To Connect To The World - And Beyond

          

3. This next article has a special, more personal significance to me: it's about how my hometown is preparing for a large earthquake that is predicted to strike soon. In a region where tremors are rare, this article touches on the huge task of preparing a city for something it has never experienced before.
          

"When preparing for a natural disaster, training matters. But can you train an entire city?"
           
West Coast tests how it would respond to a big quake

         

4. Politicians as superheroes? It might seem like a stretch…and maybe even a little strange. But Marvel Comics has done exactly that: Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has become a hero in one of its latest editions.
         

"Justin Trudeau has had a number of careers: schoolteacher, snowboard instructor, and since last year, prime minister of Canada. Now he's an action hero."
            

Can A Canadian Prime Minister Be An Action Hero? Marvel Comics Thinks So

     

And finally...
          

Let us know how your discussion went! What did you talk about with your group? Did your discussion increase your understanding of the article? Post about your experience in the comments section on the blog.

Another round of weekend reads:

It's time for our next edition of Weekend Reads!

       

Choose your favorite from the four articles below. Pick whatever interests you most. After reading through it, download the most recent Lively Exchanges free worksheet and use it to help you assess what you have read.

       

Up for an extra challenge? Create some of your own discussion questions for the article you chose and discuss the topic you chose with your study group, friends or classmates!

Take your pick from the following list:
        

Topic #1: Some international cuisines have a reputation as being healthier than others. In the US, a Mediterranean diet (think dishes with lots of veggies and olive oil, as well as some fish and red wine) has been associated with certain benefits. But how about foods from other parts of the world? This article discusses how a group of people is trying to improve the way people in their community eat by teaching how to cook African dishes. (Bonus: this article includes a recipe for something yummy!)

          

"'There are alternative foods that other cultures have historically eaten that could be slightly shifted, for a whole different perspective of what is healthy and what is nutritious.'"

         

Forget the latest diet fad - here's a class that teaches how to eat better with traditional African dishes

        

        

Topic #2: Did that first article make you hungry? Then try this one, too! In May, the bison was chosen as the national mammal of the United States. And in Yellowstone National Park, it's also a popular menu item…

          

"Whether it was buttermilk biscuits smothered in buffalo sausage gravy, petite buffalo sliders, bison carpaccio, bison bratwurst, or hot-off-the grill buffalo ribeyes, it turns out bison is a breakfast, lunch or dinner kind of protein."

           

Beyond Bison Burgers: Around Yellowstone, The National Mammal Is Local Cuisine

           

         

Topic #3: Depending on who you ask, a zoo might be educational or entertaining. It might be a place that helps animals at risk of extinction. Or it might be a place that keeps wild animals in captivity, causing concern for animal welfare. A recent decision by the Buenos Aires Zoo to close down and re-house their animals in natural reserves has caused many people to reconsider the role of a zoo. This article presents 10 reasons that the current system for housing animals on public display might be ready for an overhaul:

         

"'This situation of captivity is degrading for the animals, it's not the way to take care of them.'"

         

As A Major Zoo Closes, 10 Reasons To Rethink The Concept

          

          

Topic #4: World markets have seen a lot of turmoil over the past few weeks, but people in Venezuela have been suffering much longer. Dependency on oil exports has left the country in a crisis. And yet, while many people cannot buy basic necessities, other people are well-off. This article looks at what is causing such inequality:

         

"'There's less than half the goods on the market now than in 2012. You can imagine how that impacts people's well-being.'"

            

Venezuela's Economic Implosion Exacerbates Inequality

        

          

And finally...
         

Let us know how your discussion went! What did you talk about with your group? Did your discussion increase your understanding of the article? Post about your experience in the comments section on the blog.

Weekend reads

Looking for something interesting to read this weekend? I've got you covered!

       

Today, instead of our usual news-story-with-questions format, let's try something new. I've come across several interesting topics while scanning news headlines, and sometimes there are too many great stories to cover them all here on the blog, sooooo this time *you* get to choose the topic.

        

First, pick one of the four articles from the list below to discuss with your study group, friends or classmates—whatever interests you most. (Click on the article titles in blue to be directed to the news websites.) Then, use the questions below to guide your discussion, or better yet create your own!
        

        

Article choices:

         

1. The Arctic Suicides: It's Not The Dark That Kills You

I read this article not long after it was published, and it's been on my mind ever since. It isn't cheerful subject matter, but this article captivated me with its deep exploration of the problem of suicide in Greenland. It's definitely a long read (the longest on this list) but the article is accompanied by beautiful (and sometimes haunting) pictures, so if you're up for the challenge I highly recommend it.

Carl Skou

        

         

2.  One of Africa's Most Active Volcanoes is Showing New Signs of Life 
Nature is powerful, and an interesting theme of the following story is how displays of that power fascinate us--and can even boost tourism. This article covers the very recent eruptions of Africa's Mount Nyiragongo and also delves into the history of how this volcano has affected the lives of the people who live in its shadow. In addition to photos and an audio file, don't miss the YouTube video with aerial footage of the mountain.

     

Mark Robinson

       

                 

3. Wildlife in Chernobyl is Thriving 30 Years After the Nuclear Accident

This article begins with an interesting, albeit sensitive, question: "Is it possible that radiation isn't as bad as we think it is?" In an era when debates about the use of nuclear power ignite some pretty powerful arguments, scientific research has given us even more to think about.

       

Tatyana Deryabina

        

        

4. Paris Extends Summer Nights By Keeping Parks Open After Sunset

This article has more light-hearted subject matter compared to the others on this list. Here we read about how the French capital plans to change operating hours for public parks...to help people enjoy every minute of those delightful summer nights in Paris. This story offers a window into French culture that just might convince you to book your summer holiday in France this year.

          

Eleanor Beardsley / NPR

         

        

Questions to consider:

• Write a 3-4 sentence summary of this article. Begin your summary with "This article is about…".
• Does the writer do a good job of covering all the facts? Is there any information left out?
• How many points of view are represented in this article? Do we hear only one side of things?
• Why was the article written? Does the writer want to inform people, to influence people's opinions, to clarify an issue?
• Is there any evidence of bias or stereotypes in this article? Does the writer make assumptions about people or situations?
• Has the writer or editor done a good job of using images to enhance the report?
• What is your reaction to the story? In your opinion, what was the most interesting thing mentioned in this article? Why?

          

And finally...

Let us know how your discussion went! What did you talk about with your group? Did your discussion increase your understanding of the article? Post about your experience in the comments section on the blog.