What date is it today?

lesson plan

• meditation "mindful breathing", feedback
• tongue twisters practice
• winter weather vocabulary
• homework check ( zero condition exercises), WB exercises

Winter weather vocabulary

Sleet, snow, ice and wind

In some places, sleet (=icy rain) is falling instead of snow

Strong winds have blown the snow into snowdrifts (=piles of snow), which block the roads.

Blizzards (=snow storms) and freezing fog reduce visibility and create a treacherous conditions ( =very dangerous conditions)

More than just a "cold snap" (=brief period of cold weather) this winter is breaking all the records.

More than two metres of snow has fallen in some places.

Lakes has frozen over, and icicles (=long piece of frozen water) hang from roofs and windows

The effects

This freak weather (=very unusual weather) has caused widespread disruption to services.

Severe weather warnings have been issued by the authorities, and in many places, the treacherous driving conditions mean that motorists need to have snow tyres or snow chains on.

However, many motorists have got stuck or have broken down (=when your car stops working) on blocked roads, and there are many more emergency call-outs (=when you call someone in an agency to come and help you) than usual.

Drivers should only venture out (=try to make a journey) when strictly necessary, and to head out with warm clothes, a shovel (=to clear away snow) and a fully-charged mobile phone.

The authorities have used snow ploughs, salt spreaders and gritters (=all machines to clear the snow or put salt and grit on the roads to prevent ice) to clear the roads.

Schools and public offices are closed, and there are reduced transport services, with some airports closed, flights grounded, and trains cancelled.

Main roads have been closed to heavy vehicles (=lorries/trucks).

High winds have brought down power lines (=power cables) in some areas, leading to power cuts.

Many homes have been left without electricity or heating, while in some regions, there's a risk that gas supplies will run out.

Tasks:

• write the text in your notebooks
• imagine you are a tv announcer) Present the information from the text to your viewers