Questions for discussion
Super Trawler
1. Discuss the issues raised in the Super Trawler story with another student and record the main points of your discussion.
2. What is the new fishing super trawler called?
3. The new fishing super trawler is the second biggest in the world. True or false?
4. What does ‘trawling’ mean?
5. How many fish can the super trawler catch in one day?
a. 2 tonnes b. 25 tonnes c. 250 tonnes
6. Name a type of fish that the super trawler specifically catches?
7. How is the super trawler different to other fishing boats?
8. Why are some people concerned about the super trawler?
9. What are the pros and cons of the super trawler? Do you think the trawler is destructive or sustainable?
10. Do you think the super trawler should be allowed to fish in Australian waters?
Explain your answer.
Test your knowledge in the Super Trawler quiz. Go to the BtN website and follow the links.
Cotton Wool Kids
1. What is meant by the phrase `bubble wrap kids’?
2. What do studies show about the amount of time kids are spending outside?
3. In the past 20 years, childhood injuries have reduced by ____________.
4. Why are some people concerned about kids not taking risks when they play?
5. How could it affect a person’s decision making later in life?
6. Why do some parents not want their children to take risks?
7. Why are the legal risks a concern for some schools, councils and clubs?
8. Describe the playground at Redcliffe Primary School in Perth.
9. How has it helped kids in the classroom?
10. How has your thinking changed since watching the Cotton Wool Kids story?
‘Are we becoming too safety conscious?’ Vote in the BtN online poll http://www.abc.net.au/btn/
Plastic Oceans
1. Briefly summarise the BtN story.
2. How many pieces of plastic end up in the world’s oceans every day?
a. 350 b. 3,500 c. 3.5 million
3. Where is Lord Howe Island?
4. Why do thousands of birds and marine life off Lord Howe Island die each year?
EPISODE 27
18TH SEPTEMBER 2012
5. How is all the plastic getting into the ocean?
6. What incentives has South Australia put in place to help reduce the amount of plastic going into our oceans?
7. Why are plastic bags and bottles harmful to the environment?
8. What are some kids doing around the coastline of Australia to help with this issue?
9. What are the advantages of recycling and reusing plastic bottles and containers?
10. Make a list of environmental benefits of recycling or reusing plastic.
Post a message on the Behind the News Guestbook http://www.abc.net.au/btn/
Wombat Weeds
1. What type of animal is a wombat?
a. Marsupial b. Reptile c. Monotreme
2. What type of wombat is Dale?
3. Southern hairy-nosed wombats are known as “bulldozers of the bush”. True or false?
4. What toxic plants are these wombats eating that is making them so sick?
5. Name a side effect that this toxic plant is having on these wombats?
6. Why is it so difficult for the southern hairy-nosed wombat to find its native food?
7. What does Brigitte feed to Dale to try and restore his health?
8. What type of environment do wombats like?
9. Name three facts you learnt watching this story.
10. How did this story make you feel?
Create a diagram or artwork that shows the threats to the Southern hairy-nosed wombat.
Show Business
1. What was the main point of the Show Business story?
2. What is the show ride called that is owned by the Pavier family?
3. How many months of the year does the Pavier family spend travelling to shows around Australia?
a. 1 month b. 9 months c. 12 months
4. What does the Pavier family live in when they are working at the show?
5. What do you think are the pros and cons for families that work at the show?
6. List the any similarities and differences between the travelling show school and your school?
7. Complete the following sentence. ‘Last week the families found out that their school is losing its___________ and might be shut down’.
8. Do you think the government should spend money on travelling schools?
Explain your answer.
9. Illustrate an aspect of this story.
10. Send a message to the show kids on the Behind the News Guestbook.
Create a short argument for or against the travelling show school continuing. Present your argument to the class.
