An educator with a passion for getting children emotionally invested in saving the ice caps gave a lesson to students as a polar bear stayed on his shoulder. The bear seemed to say “hi” to them about climate change.
Gavin McCormack is trying to bring the “amazing natural phenomena” to the fingertips of children in an attempt to get them to help stop rising sea levels and become passionate about climate change, which is threatening the home of polar bears.
The primary school teacher decided to jump headfirst into his teachings and spent ten days on an icebreaker heading towards the North Pole. On the first day at sea, a polar bear climbed out of the water right in front of him and onto an island where it was attacked by a group of Arctic terns (北极燕鸥).
“Each day is different but so interesting,” McCormack said. “This week, my dream to teach children about the wonder of a polar bear with one right over my shoulder came true.”
The most memorable moment for him while in the Arctic was when his ship reached the pack ice. The ship crunched (嘎吱地响) through the ice as they reached 82 degrees north and the noise was deafening. Earlier this week he launched his new course “Be the Change”, which is free to all schools nationwide. “Be the Change” is designed to empower children, families and communities around the world to bring about changes and make global impacts. “It takes a course-related approach to improve the world in meaningful ways,” Mr. McCormack said.
McCormack hopes to teach the “leaders of tomorrow” to include nature and the climate in every decision they make. He is planning another course named “It Starts With You”, with the hopes of bringing purposeful education to as many children as possible.
“Working alongside teachers, schools and students, we believe that when children are empowered to make real choices about the future, the skills for life are developed not through listening to what others tell them, but through experience,” McCormack said.
4. Why did McCormack head to the North Pole?
A.To observe an amazing natural sight. |
B.To measure the rate of sea level rise. |
C.To save polar bears from extinction. |
D.To educate children in a real situation. |
5. What can we learn about polar bears according to the text?
A.They are friendly towards human beings. |
B.Climate change causes the loss of their habitats. |
C.Arctic terns are their natural enemies. |
D.Hunger drives them out of water for food. |
6. What does “Be the Change” aim to do?
A.To make a difference in improving the world. |
B.To change people’s decision-making methods. |
C.To teach students to think twice before making choices. |
D.To develop students’ life skills through experience. |
7. Which of the following could be the best title for the text?
A.Climate Change — A Worldwide Concern |
B.New Ways of Teaching About Climate Change |
C.Join Hands and Say No to Global Warming |
D.An Interesting Trip to the North Pole |