Two young pandas are adjusting to a new culture

           
Well it's been a snowy week here in Portland--quite a bit more than we're used to, actually, and I've had a lot of extra time to catch up on some reading. I'll be posting collections of articles over the next week or two.  But in the mean time, I thought I'd share a couple of snapshots of my snow-covered neighborhood. (Today's article follows.)
         
        

        
Topic:

         

This article is about two pandas who are experiencing culture shock after being moved to China from their birthplace in the United States.

         

       

Before reading:

          

General Knowledge:

• Can you find the country of China on a map? How about the city of Atlanta, Georgia, in the United States?
• What is culture shock? When does it happen, and why?

              

Speculate:

• In what ways might animals be affected by the "culture" of the humans around them? What are the biggest changes that the two pandas in this article might be experiencing?

        

          

Click on the embedded link below to read the article and see photos on the NPR website. Word count: 642.

        

Culture Shock: When Pandas And Pets Long For Home

After reading:

          

Review and discuss:

• Write a 3-4 sentence summary of this article. Begin your summary with "This article is about…".
• The article mentions a "panda diplomacy" program. What could this phrase mean? Why might pandas have been chosen for this role?
• The author contrasts the terms "natural home" with "cultural home". What does each phrase mean in this context?
• Why is it important that the author also mentions pets in this article? Do you think that culture shock for a dog, for example, would be different than culture shock for a panda in a zoo? Explain your answer.
• In your opinion, what was the most interesting thing mentioned in this article? Why?

           

Reflect and evaluate:

• The writer compares her own experience with culture shock to the pandas' experience. In your opinion, what are some other experiences or emotions that humans and animals might share? In what ways are humans and animals different? Give examples.
• Consider the author's explanation of the term "Mother Culture": "as we grow up, we're so steeped in the ways that things happen around us, we barely even notice how right they feel until we're confronted with (even shocked by) an alternative way of doing things". Have you ever experienced this? What emotions did you feel? What did you learn from the experience?
• 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 pandas: National Geographic: Giant Panda

              

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!

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!

Bhutan's model for managing stray dogs

Topic:

       

Dogs have an important role in the ecosystem of Bhutan. This article is about how the country is managing its population of strays.

       

      

Before reading:

        

General Knowledge:

• Can you find the country of Bhutan on a map? What do you know about it?
• What is a "stray" animal? How do these animals affect the areas where they live?
• What does it mean to spay or neuter an animal? What is the purpose of this?

       

Speculate:

• When the people of Bhutan tried removing all stray dogs from the streets, they noticed an unexpected negative consequence. What might that have been?

           

Click on the embedded link below to read the article, see photos, and listen to or download the audio file on the PRI website. Word count: 910

         

Bhutan carried out a nationwide program to spay and neuter its stray dogs

After reading:

       

Review and discuss:

• Write a 3-4 sentence summary of this article. Begin your summary with "This article is about…".
• What do you think about Bhutan's system of "community" pet ownership? Compare and contrast the way dogs are cared for in Bhutan with the way they are cared for in your culture.
• What effects might the Catch-Neuter-Vaccinate-Release method have on Bhutan's economy? How about on tourism? What other outcomes do you predict?
• Explain the purpose of putting a notch in a dog's left ear after it has been spayed or neutered. Why is it important to be able to recognize whether a dog has been spayed/neutered?
• In your opinion, what was the most interesting thing mentioned in this article? Why?

          

Reflect and evaluate:

• Twig Mowatt says, "Bhutanese people, who are largely Buddhist, believe that sentient beings should be cared for." Where you live, are there religious ideas or other beliefs that affect the way people interact with animals or the environment? Explain.
• Are there stray animals where you live? What kind? Do they have an important role in the ecosystem, like the dogs in Bhutan?
• 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:

• Find out more about Humane Society International, the organization that helped Bhutan establish its program. Then, look for information about Humane Society programs where you live.

           

Also in the news:

Read recent news about stray animals in other parts of the world

• India: Stray dogs, pigs a menace in Maharani Bagh
• Serbia: Call to Help! Belgrade activist sets up animal charity
• Turkey: Turkish children hide stray dogs from municipal police

           
           

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!