Francesca Costa

  • Article

    The Stars, the Sun and the Moon

    How many years till the sun burns out? Why are stars like human beings? What has ‘wax’ got to do with the moon? Students learn the answers to these questions through pairwork, a listening exercise entitled ‘Under the Milky Way’, and two reading exercises entitled: ‘The sun’ and ‘Phases of ...

  • Article

    Life on Mars

    Students summarise a long essay on the topic: Is it possible that life evolved on Mars? They are then challenged to debate the topic in three different groups. A useful language box provides ideas to keep the debate going. A writing exercise then has students writing their own essay on ...

  • Article

    Bodies in orbit

    What keeps the moon up in the sky? Why is Pluto no longer a planet? Students practise making notes based on a teacher-led listening and find the answers to questions through listening. A third activity on ‘Dwarf planets’ tests students’ ability to remember and interpret what they have heard.

  • Article

    Ecosystems web activities

    These teacher’s notes contain two activities ideal for students who have been learning about food chains. In the first activity students research a website on food chains, watch a presentation and answer comprehension questions. In the second activity students watch separate parts of a presentation on woodland ecosystems before quizzing ...

  • Article

    Types of rainforest

    A information-gap activity in which pairs of students ask and answer questions to complete a short text on the two main types of rainforest. A very effective way for students to learn about the various locations of the world’s temperate and tropical rainforests.

  • Article

    The Earth's biomes

    This substantial four-page worksheet provides students with plenty of stimulating material to learn about the Earth’s biomes and how and why they differ. A clear reading text (with important vocabulary highlighted) explains the difference between aquatic and terrestrial biomes and tropical and temperate rainforests. Information on taigas, tundras, grasslands and ...

  • Article

    Animal habitats

    In this lesson plan, groups of students look at colour pictures of exotic animals and decide which biome they might live in and how they have adapted to their surroundings. A matching activity asks students to connect pictures of animals with their habitats and the corresponding biomes.

  • Article

    A Field Trip to Examine an Ecosystem

    This lesson plan focuses on a class project to examine a local ecosystem e.g. a park. It includes detailed teacher’s notes, an observation grid for students to complete when in the park and a useful language sheet to help them write a report based on their findings.