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!

Eat like Arnold Schwarzenegger

Topic:

            

This article is about efforts in China to reduce the amount of pork in people's diets.

         

          

Before reading:

         

General Knowledge:

• Can you find China on a map?
• What are some examples of "diet-related diseases"?
• Vocabulary: Do you know the meaning of these initialisms? Look them up if you aren't sure.
• The WHO
• USDA
• PSA

       

Speculate:

• An advocacy group in China is trying to convince people to eat less meat. In addition to health benefits, what might be some other advantages to reducing meat consumption?
• What challenges might the advocacy group encounter during their campaign?

         

Click on the embedded link below to read the article, see photos, and watch a YouTube video on the NPR website. Word count: 632

        

Can Arnold Schwarzenegger Persuade China To Eat Less Meat?

After reading:

        

Review and discuss:

• Write a 3-4 sentence summary of this article. Begin your summary with "This article is about…".
• Re-read the first sentence of the article. Why might the writer have chosen to begin by identifying similarities between the US and China? How might this comparison affect the way the audience perceives China?
• Why are celebrities often chosen as spokespeople for campaigns?
• What is the importance of reducing greenhouse gas emissions? What are possible consequences of failing to reduce emissions?
• Jeremy Haft doesn't think the media campaigns will be successful. On the contrary, he thinks Chinese demand for meat will increase. If media efforts fail, what are some alternative strategies that could be used to convince people to change their meat-eating habits?
• In your opinion, what was the most interesting thing mentioned in this article? Why?

         

Reflect and evaluate:

• What do you think about the choice to use Arnold Schwarzenegger for this particular campaign? What are some possible reasons that he was chosen?
• In your country or culture:
• Is obesity a concern for many people? Does the government make balanced nutrition a priority?
• Is meat a big part of your local cuisine? What kinds of meat are most common?
• Are celebrities (from the US or other countries) often used to promote certain campaigns? Give an example. Do you think this strategy is effective? Explain.
• Are there any dishes that signal social status, like eating pork in China?
• 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 the WildAid organization: wildaid.org
• Check out some examples of different food guidelines in countries around the world: Food-based Dietary Guidelines

        

Also in the news:

• In the United States, celebrity endorsements of unhealthy food have made headlines recently. Take a look at this article: This Is How Much Celebrities Get Paid To Endorse Soda And Unhealthy Food

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!

Chinese police on patrol in...Italy?

Beginning this month, Chinese police may be seen patrolling some Italian streets. 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: 462

  

Before reading:

General Knowledge:

• Can you find Italy on a map? Where are Rome and Milan?
• What are some problems that tourists should prepare for before they travel abroad?

        

Speculate:

• Chinese police officers have begun patrolling parts of Italy. Why do you think the Italian police might have invited foreign officers to patrol jointly with them? What could be the goal of this partnership?

           

Tourists in St. Peter's Square, Rome

          

        

After reading:

      

Review and discuss:

• Write a 3-4 sentence summary of this article. Begin your summary with "This article is about…".
• What might be the most challenging parts of creating and maintaining partnerships between Chinese and Italian police forces?
• What is your opinion of this police partnership?
• Why do Chinese tourists feel "amazed, astonished, [and] happy" to see a Chinese officer patrolling in Italy? Explain what Pang Bo means.
• According to Italian national police chief Alessandro Pansa, "proximity policing" is a new approach the Italian police are taking. How does cooperation with Chinese police fit into this plan? What are other ways that Italian police could "[be] close to citizens' needs"?
• In your opinion, what was the most interesting thing mentioned in this article? Why?

          

Reflect and evaluate:

• Why do you think that Italian police are partnering specifically with Chinese police? What does this suggest about Chinese tourism in Italy?
• Do you think partnerships between local and foreign police would be good in parts of your country? Explain.
• 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 proximity policing or community policing. Is it happening where you live?

             

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!