Plane Crash

Senior 1 lesson: A Plane Crash
by Shannon

Objectives: Learning new vocabulary, arguing a position on a subject.

Students are given the following information in a handout. First the passage is read aloud by the teacher and new vocabulary is elicited (pilot, crash, etc.) Students take turns reading the descriptions of the 10 people, and the teacher posts pictures from the internet on the board to accompany each description, adding visual interest.

After the descriptions are read, students work in groups or pairs to answer the 2 questions at the bottom of the handout. Then the responses are shared as a group and listed on the board.

At the end of the class, a vote is taken to see which 4 people the class chose. As a variation, students could vote first before discussion, and then vote again to see if their votes changed after the discussion.

Handout:

There has been an airplane crash in a desert where nobody lives. 10 people are still alive after the crash. No people live in the desert and they are far from a city. There is enough food and water for the 10 people to live two days. Instead, they have decided to choose 4 people who will take all of the food and water and walk for 6 days to find a city. The pilot knows that a city is about 100 kilometers away. 4 people will try to find the city, 6 people will stay behind and might die. Which 4 people should be chosen to find the city?

1. The Girl: Works in a shop (20 years-old) She is beautiful, did not finish school, is 2 months pregnant, and not married.

2. The Army Soldier: (40 years-old) Trained to survive and help others. Very healthy.

3. The Pilot: (35 years-old) Understands directions well, believes he knows where the city is.

4. The Young Mother: (25 years-old) She is a teacher; her children were not on the airplane.

5. The University Student: (21 years-old) Very smart, will have a great job in the future.

6. The Rich Businessman: (45 years-old) Owns a huge business. Many people work for him.

7. The Famous Politician: (60 years-old) He will try to become the next President or leader of a country.

8. The Nurse: (35 years-old): Knows how to help people who are sick or hurt.

9. The Boy: (8 years-old) Very young and lovely. Wants to see his mommy and daddy again.

10. Yao Ming: (27 years-old) Great NBA player. Famous.

Please Answer These Questions:

#1) Why do you think each person should live? What does each person contribute to society?

#2) Choose 4 people who will live. Why did you choose them?