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Student Activity - Burning Ban

Activity idea

In this activity, students consider three-level reading guide questions about the burning ban in Christchurch:

  • Level 1 (Literal) – questions 1–3 – reading ‘on the lines’ to find what is actually said on the page.
  • Level 2 (Interpretive) – questions 4–6 – reading ‘between the lines’ to infer what the author might mean.
  • Level 3 (Applied) – class discussion questions – reading ‘beyond the lines’ to relate the information to other knowledge and situations.

Instructions

Read this article from the Environment Canterbury website:
http://www.ecan.govt.nz/About+Us/DisplayMediaRelease.html?id=984 then answer the following questions:

  1. What is the fine for someone burning rubbish in their back yard?
  2. Is the problem getting worse or better?
  3. What are the alternatives to burning waste?
  4. Why don’t ECan want people to burn waste?
  5. Why weren’t all the people who broke the ban fined?
  6. Why do you think ECan would rather people composted their green waste?

Class discussion

  • Why is the fine heavier for industries?
  • Why is there a winter fire ban and a year round fire ban in Christchurch?
  • Do you think it is acceptable to break the ban and burn rubbish if you keep the fire under control?
  • Do you think it is fair for the council to charge for the disposal of green waste?

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