How good is your memory? How would you feel if were unable to remember what you've just done? There a plenty of questions that could be asked during a lesson on memory. I've prepared an advanced lesson integrating reading, listening, writing and speaking. It also allows to practice some new vocabulary and introduces idioms connected with the subject of memories and remembering. To make the lesson less serious you may play memory game with the students using any vocabulary previously taught. Enjoy.
READING
Read the article and
decide if the sentences below are TRUE or FALSE.
Are cell phones
dumbing down the humans? According to a new study out of Britain, the answer is
"yes." Too much RELIANCE on
technology has reduced our brain power, and we can measure it.
The research REVEALED that most citizens in Britain
have to remember five passwords, five pin numbers, two number plates, three
security ID numbers, and three bank account numbers--quite a lot to just managed
life on a daily basis! To do this, most people use only one or two passwords.
This results in POTENTIAL security
problems for the average person. Cell phones and other memory devices offer a
solution to all the numbers and codes the average person has to remember. Scientists
STATED that people are relying too
much on devices for their memory. And the less you use your memory, the poorer
it becomes.
The study discovered
that 1/4 of all Britons couldn't give their home phone number when asked.
What's more, only 1/3 of those SURVEYED
could remember more than three birthdays of their IMMEDIATE family members.
The study divided the
results into groups. About 1/3 under the
age of 30 couldn't RECALL their home
phone numbers without using a cell phone. In the same group only 40% could
provide important dates, such as birthdays or anniversaries, for family
members. For those over 50, 87% could remember details on family. The study
also showed that 58% believed it impossible to remember numbers and codes they
use every day.
T
/ F According to the article, cell
phones are making humans stupid.
T / F People can't remember numbers well because
they have so many passwords.
T
/ F If you don't use your memory, it
becomes poor.
T
/ F Most people in Britain don't know
their home phone number.
T / F Older people couldn't remember numbers and
codes as well as young people.
Match words from the text with their
synonyms.
close ______________
remember ______________
dependence ______________
say ______________
possible ______________ show ______________
question ______________
Can you remember
those?
your
boyfriend/girlfriend birthday your
dad's (or mom's) birthday
your
parent's anniversary your
sibling’s birthday
DISCUSSION
POINTS
- How many birthdays,
anniversaries, and other important dates can you remember? How about numbers?
- Has your cell phone
helped or harmed your life? Why?
- What can you do to
improve memory?
- Could you live
without your cell phone?
VIDEO
Watch a video about a
man who has a thirty second memory and the impact this has upon his life.
Answer the questions below.
How
long ago did he lose his memory? __________________________
How
long does his memory work? __________________________
What
celebration is his wife talking about?__________________________
Which
celebration he mixes it with? __________________________
What
is he saying about doctors? __________________________
Apart from the
difficulties shown on the video, what other difficulties do you think Clive
would have on a day to day basis?
Why do you think he
can play the piano despite his condition?
WRITING
Write about memories your most vivid memories for 10
minutes.
FIRST
MEMORY ______________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
SCARY
MEMORY _____________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
HAPPY
MEMORY _____________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
IDIOMS,
EXPRESSIONS AND PHRASES
a trip down memory
lane
– to remember some of the happy things that you did in the past
commit something to
memory
– to memorise something
if my memory serves
me correctly – if I have remembered correctly
to jog someone’s
memory
– to stimulate someone’s memory to recall something
to have a memory/mind
like a sieve – to be very bad at remembering things
to refresh your
memory
– to help you remember something
