November Week One

This week we talked about innovation and inventions, the things that have changed our lives: microchips, bar codes, can openers, washing machines, cell phones, Internet, video games... What would we do without all of these inventions? Now that you've been inspired to think outside the box, take a look at the homework for this week.

Listening
For learners, try the news article over at VOA: Scientific and Engineering Inventions Save Lives (available with transcript) or watch a video about the 5 Laziest Inventions. For more of a challenge, I recommend original version options such as the PBS Inventor's series (you can turn on the captions for subtitles!) or one of the many TED talks that touch on innovation.

Reading
Let's not forget to practice reading.  Learners may enjoy an article about a prize-winning invention or the activity Mystery Inventor (which incorporates listening, too!). There is also an interesting article about the 3D Printed Gun. For original version, read about the Science Museum's Top 10 Objects or the New Yorker article about how good ideas spread.

Writing
For writing this week, visualize yourself as a ground-breaking inventor.  What would your invention be? Describe it with strong adjectives and explain how it works and moreover, how it would change our lives!

Best,
Kelly

"Invention is the most important product of man's creative brain. The ultimate purpose is the complete mastery of the mind over the material world, the harnessing of human nature to human needs." -Nikola Tesla.