Term+2,+Behind+the+News

Introducing you to the world of news!

[|BTN stories]
Epissode 15 Quoll

Should people pay more to stream music from websites?’ Vote in the BtN online poll http://www.abc.net.au/btn/ 1.Summarise the issues raised in the //Quoll// story. / 2.What has happened to the Eastern quoll population in Tasmania? 3. When was the last sighting of the quoll on mainland Australia? 4.What do scientists think are the threats to the quoll? 5.What other species have declined over the years in Tasmania? 6.What impact have cats had on the quoll population? 7.Why are cats a threat to quolls? 8.Why are there feral cats in this area of Tasmania? 9.What are some solutions to the problem? 10.Why is it important to protect native species’? Create a diagram or artwork that shows the threats to the Easter quoll in Tasmania.

Episode 14 App kid Focus Questions 10. What are your three favourite apps? Why?
 * 1) Explain the App kid story to another student.
 * 2) What is an app and on which devices would you find them?
 * 3) What sorts of things do apps let people do?
 * 4) Which photo-sharing app sold recently for a billion dollars?
 * 5) Who created the popular game Angry Birds?
 * 6) Describe the app that Zeryab has created.
 * 7) What makes his app different to other taxi apps?
 * 8) Who is helping Zeryab develop his app?
 * 9) How has your thinking changed since watching the App kid story?

OPTIONAL ACTIVITY What’s your idea for an app?
 * Reflect on your own app use by responding to the following questions: Which apps do you use? Why?

Design an app Write a short description of your idea for an app and draw a sketch of the different elements of your app. Support your app idea by answering the following questions: What does your app have to offer that the others don’t? What problem does your app solve? Who is the target audience? Ask your 5/6 teachers for some time to present your app idea to the class and ask them to give you feedback.
 * What are your three favourite apps? What makes these apps better than others? How often do you use apps?

= Episode 13: Head injuries =


 * 1) What was the main point of the // Head Injuries // story?
 * 2) What happens to the brain when someone gets concussed?
 * 3) What are some symptoms of concussion?
 * 4) What did scientists find when studying the brain of American football  players?
 * 5) What problems does Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) cause?
 * 6) Explain what the neuroscientist meant by the statement `three strikes and  you’re out.’
 * 7) What changes have the football codes made to make the sport safer?
 * 8) Why do some people think wearing head protection could make things worse?
 * 9) Do you think wearing head protection should be compulsory for all contact sports? Explain your answer.
 * 10) What do you think should be done to make contact sports safer?
 * 11) Should kids be made to wear protective headgear when playing contact sports?

Episode 12: CIRCUS ANIMALS

Focus Questions 1. What words do you associate with `the circus’? 2. Describe the role animals have played in circuses over the years. 3. The use of circus animals has been banned across Australia. True or false? 4. What arguments does the owner of Stardust Circus make about animals being used in the circus? 5. Animal liberation is opposed to the use of animals in any way that inhibits their ability to live their life naturally. What do you think that means? 6. Describe the conditions in which the animals are kept. 7. Do you think animals are an important part of a circus? Explain your answer. 8. Which side of the argument was more convincing? Why? 9. Explain your position on animals being kept in zoos. 10. Has your opinion about the use of circus animals changed since watching the BTN story?

Optional activity What is your opinion? Write a persuasive letter to BTN. // 'Animals should be banned from the circus' //

Episode 11

Koalas [[image:Koalas.jpg width="240" height="163"]]
Focus Questions
 * 1) Why are koalas considered an Aussie icon?
 * 2) In which states have koalas been declared vulnerable?
 * 3) What were koalas hunted for in the early 1900’s?
 * 4)  What has happened to koala populations in Queensland and New South Wales?
 * 5) Why did some people question koalas being on the threatened species list?
 * 6) What impact were koalas having in Victoria?
 * 7) What was done on Kangaroo Island to control koala numbers?
 * 8) Many people agree that overall the number of koalas is a. Increasing b. Decreasing c. Staying the same
 * 9) Why do some people think that all koalas should be declared vulnerable?
 * 10) What are the arguments against extra protection for koalas?

Episode 10



Pygmy possums
 * 1) The Mountain Pygmy-possum is a
 * 2) Reptile
 * 3) Monotreme
 * 4) Marsupial
 * 5) Where in Australia does the Mountain Pygmy-possum live?
 * 6) Describe the habitat of the possum.
 * 7) What are the threats to the Pygmy-possum’s survival?
 * 8) What is genetic diversity and why is it important?
 * 9) What did the scientists do to encourage genetic diversity?
 * 10) Usually endangered species are bred ___.
 * 11) How did scientists test for genetic diversity?
 * 12) How successful was the breeding program?
 * 13) How has the `tunnel of love’ helped the possums?

//Optional activity:// Can you create a cartoon strip that helps raise awareness of the threats to the Mountain Pygmy-possum population? Have a go, if you have some time.