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Fist bumps more hygienic than handshakes (30th July, 2014)

The Reading / Listening - Level 6

A new(ish) and alternative form of greeting and showing respect has been found to be more hygienic than shaking hands. We have all seen it on TV. Basketball and baseball players do it after a teammate scores. Rock stars and actors do it onstage at awards ceremonies. Even U.S. President Barack Obama does it. What is it? Well, it's fist bumping. It's kind of like a high five, except the hand is clenched into a ball and the other person's fist is given a gentle nudge, knuckles to knuckles. Researchers at the University of Aberystwyth in Wales have discovered that this twenty-first-century greeting spreads one-twentieth of the germs than a traditional handshake does and around one-tenth of the germs in a high five.

An article on Wikipedia explains that the fist bump originated with American motorcycle gangs in the 1940s. It was easier and safer to fist bump another rider than to shake hands when two bikes were side by side at traffic lights. It achieved global exposure 70 years later when in 2008, President Obama and his wife Michelle fist bumped during a televised presidential campaign speech. There is less skin-to-skin contact during a fist bump so the chance of spreading germs is lower. A researcher said: "People rarely think about the health implications of shaking hands, but if the general public could be encouraged to fist bump, there is a genuine potential to reduce the spread of infectious diseases.

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

Level 4 or Level 5

Sources

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/ap/article-2707563/Fist-bumps-germy-handshakes-study-says.html#ixzz38jKgLxOM
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/world/fist-bump-is-the-cleanest-and-coolest-greeting-say-germ-researchers/story-fnb64oi6-1227004283151?nk=55de803b45b5dbd6b932106def38e4f1
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fist_bump

Make sure you try all of the online activities for this reading and listening - There are dictations, multiple choice, drag and drop activities, crosswords, hangman, flash cards, matching activities and a whole lot more. Please enjoy :-)

The 40 Lesson Activities on the PDF Handout

WARM-UPS

1. SHAKING HANDS: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about shaking hands. Change partners often and share your findings.

2. CHAT: In pairs / groups, talk about these topics or words from the article. What will the article say about them? What can you say about these words and your life?

alternative / showing respect / hygienic / awards ceremonies / knuckles / high five / motorcycle gangs / traffic lights / global exposure / campaign / spreading germs

Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.

3. GREETINGS: What are the good and bad things about these greetings? Which cultures use them? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

	Good things	Bad things	Culture(s)
Words only
Handshake
Fist bump
Bowing
Rubbing noses
Kiss on the cheeks

4. HYGIENE: Students A strongly believe we should stop shaking hands for hygiene reasons; Students B strongly believe this would be silly. Change partners again and talk about your conversations.

MY e-BOOK

ESL resource book with copiable worksheets and handouts - 1,000 Ideas and Activities for Language Teachers / English teachers

See a sample

5. UNHYGIENIC: Rank these with your partner. Put the most unhygienic at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

• hand shakes

• computer keyboards

• door handles

• toilet seats

• chopping boards

• restaurant menus

• the handle of a fridge

• pets

6. RESPECT: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "respect". Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about them. Together, put the words into different categories.

BEFORE READING / LISTENING

1. TRUE / FALSE: Read the headline. Guess if a-h below are true (T) or false (F).

a.	Fist bumps are used as a greeting and a show of respect.	T / F
b.	Barack Obama fist bumps.	T / F
c.	The article says fist bumping is for people who don't like high fives.	T / F
d.	There are 20 times fewer germs from a fist bump than a handshake.	T / F
e.	Fist bumps first started with hippies in the late 1960s.	T / F
f.	Barack Obama fist bumped his wife live on TV in 2008.	T / F
g.	There is more skin contact in a fist bump than with a handshake.	T / F
h.	A researcher said fist bumps could increase infectious diseases.	T / F

2. SYNONYM MATCH: Match the following synonyms from the article.

1.	alternative	a.	prod
2.	respect	b.	began
3.	clenched	c.	conventional
4.	nudge	d.	admiration
5.	traditional	e.	persuaded
6.	originated	f.	closed tightly
7.	achieved	g.	transmittable
8.	implications	h.	different
9.	encouraged	i.	suggestions
10.	infectious	j.	acquired

3. PHRASE MATCH: (Sometimes more than one choice is possible.)

1.	alternative form of greeting and	a.	motorcycle gangs
2.	do it after a	b.	into a ball
3.	the hand is clenched	c.	of the germs
4.	one-twentieth	d.	implications
5.	Around one-tenth of the germs	e.	side at traffic lights
6.	originated with American	f.	showing respect
7.	two bikes were side by	g.	campaign speech
8.	a televised presidential	h.	diseases
9.	People rarely think about the health	i.	in a high five
10.	reduce the spread of infectious	j.	teammate scores

GAP FILL

A new(ish) and (1) ____________ form of greeting and showing respect has been found to be more (2) ____________ than shaking hands. We have all seen it on TV. Basketball and baseball players do it after a (3) ____________ scores. Rock stars and actors do it onstage at awards ceremonies. Even U.S. President Barack Obama does it. What is it? Well, it's fist bumping. It's kind of like a high five, (4) ____________ the hand is (5) ____________ into a ball and the other person's fist is given a gentle (6) ____________, knuckles to (7) ____________. Researchers at the University of Aberystwyth in Wales have discovered that this twenty-first-century greeting spreads one- (8) ____________ of the germs than a traditional handshake does and around one-tenth of the germs in a high five.

nudge
hygienic
clenched
teammate
twentieth
alternative
knuckles
except

An article on Wikipedia explains that the fist bump (9) ____________ with American motorcycle gangs in the 1940s. It was easier and safer to fist bump another (10) ____________ than to shake hands when two bikes were (11) ____________ by side at traffic lights. It achieved global (12) ____________ 70 years later when in 2008, President Obama and his wife Michelle fist bumped during a (13) ____________ presidential campaign speech. There is less skin-to-skin contact during a fist bump so the chance of spreading germs is (14) ____________. A researcher said: "People rarely think about the health implications of shaking hands, but if the (15) ____________ public could be encouraged to fist bump, there is a genuine potential to reduce the spread of (16) ____________ diseases.

televised
general
side
originated
lower
rider
infectious
exposure

LISTENING - Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)	A new(ish) and alternative form of greeting ______
	a. and showing respect b. and shoving respect c. and showering respect d. and shouldering respect
2)	Basketball and baseball players do it after ______
	a. a teammates scores b. a teammate scores c. a teammate score d. a teammates score
3)	Rock stars and actors do it onstage at ______
	a. award ceremonies b. awards ceremony c. award ceremony d. awards ceremonies
4)	the other person's fist is given a gentle nudge, ______
	a. knuckles to chuckles b. knuckles to knuckles c. chuckles to knuckles d. chuckles to chuckles
5)	this twenty-first-century greeting spreads one-______
	a. twentieth in the germs b. twentieth for the germs c. twentieth of the germs d. twentieth if the germs
6)	shake hands when two bikes were side by ______
	a. sides at traffic lights b. side at traffic light c. side at traffic lights d. sides at traffic light
7)	President Obama and his wife Michelle fist bumped during a televised ______
	a. presidential campaigns speech b. presidential campaign speech c. presidential campaigner speech d. presidential campaigning speech
8)	There is less skin-to-skin contact during a fist bump so the chance of spreading ______
	a. germs is lover b. germs is lower c. germs is low a d. germs is low air
9)	A researcher said: "People rarely think about ______"
	a. the healthy implication b. the healthy implications c. the health implication d. the health implications
10)	there is a genuine potential to reduce the spread ______
	a. of infection diseases b. of infectiously diseases c. of infect chase diseases d. of infectious diseases

LISTENING – Listen and fill in the gaps

A new(ish) and alternative (1) ___________________ showing respect has been found to be more hygienic than shaking hands. We have all seen it on TV. Basketball and baseball players do it (2) ___________________ scores. Rock stars and actors do it onstage (3) ___________________. Even U.S. President Barack Obama does it. What is it? Well, it's fist bumping. It's kind of like a high five, except the hand is (4) ___________________ and the other person's fist is (5) ___________________, knuckles to knuckles. Researchers at the University of Aberystwyth in Wales have discovered that this twenty-first-century greeting spreads one-twentieth of the germs than a traditional handshake does and (6) ___________________ the germs in a high five.

An article on Wikipedia (7) ___________________ bump originated with American motorcycle gangs in the 1940s. It was easier and safer to fist bump another rider (8) ___________________ when two bikes were side by side at traffic lights. It achieved (9) ___________________ years later when in 2008, President Obama and his wife Michelle fist bumped during a televised presidential campaign speech. There is (10) ___________________ contact during a fist bump so the chance of spreading germs is lower. A researcher said: "People rarely think about the (11) ___________________ of shaking hands, but if the general public could be encouraged to fist bump, there is a genuine potential to reduce the spread (12) ___________________.

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS

1.	Why do people fist bump besides using it for greetings?
2.	When do basketball players fist bump?
3.	What did the article say fist bumping was similar to?
4.	What shape does the hand make in a fist bump?
5.	How many fewer germs does fist bumping spread than handshaking?
6.	When did fist bumping first start?
7.	When did Barack and Michelle Obama fist bump on television?
8.	What kind of contact is less prevalent with fist bumping?
9.	What does the article say people rarely think about with handshakes?
10.	What could fist bumps reduce the spread of?

MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ

1.	Why do people fist bump besides using it for greetings?	6.	When did fist bumping first start?
	a) to show respect b) to say goodbye c) to express doubt d) to disagree		a) after a basketball final b) a few months ago c) 1768 d) in the 1940s
2.	When do basketball players fist bump?	7.	When did Barack and Michelle Obama fist bump on television?
	a) in the mornings b) at half time c) after a teammate scores d) before they shoot for goal		a) 2009 b) 2008 c) 2012 d) 2010
3.	What did the article say fist bumping was similar to?	8.	What kind of contact is less prevalent with fist bumping?
	a) punching b) high fives c) political protests d) arm wrestling		a) knuckle to knuckle b) face to face c) mouth to mouth d) skin to skin contact
4.	What shape does the hand make in a fist bump?	9.	What does the article say people rarely think about with handshakes?
	a) a hexagon b) a heart c) an apple d) a ball		a) if they washed their hands b) eating c) health implications d) hand injuries
5.	How many fewer germs does fist bumping spread than handshaking?	10.	What could fist bumps reduce the spread of?
	a) one-twentieth b) nineteen-twentieths c) half d) twice		a) respect b) infectious diseases c) love d) skin problems

ROLE PLAY

Role A – Handshakes

You think handshakes are the best way to greet someone. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things that are wrong with their ways. Also, tell the others which is the least desirable of these (and why): fist bumps, cheek kissing or bowing.

Role B – Fist bumps

You think fist bumps are the best way to greet someone. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things that are wrong with their ways. Also, tell the others which is the least desirable of these (and why): handshakes, cheek kissing or bowing.

Role C – Cheek kissing

You think cheek kissing is the best way to greet someone. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things that are wrong with their ways. Also, tell the others which is the least desirable of these (and why): fist bumps, handshakes or bowing.

Role D – Bowing

You think bowing is the best way to greet someone. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things that are wrong with their ways. Also, tell the others which is the least desirable of these (and why): fist bumps, cheek kissing or handshakes.

AFTER READING / LISTENING

1. WORD SEARCH: Look in your dictionary / computer to find collocates, other meanings, information, synonyms … for the words 'fist' and 'bump'.

fist

bump

Share your findings with your partners.

Make questions using the words you found.
Ask your partner / group your questions.

2. ARTICLE QUESTIONS: Look back at the article and write down some questions you would like to ask the class about the text.

Share your questions with other classmates / groups.
Ask your partner / group your questions.

3. GAP FILL: In pairs / groups, compare your answers to this exercise. Check your answers. Talk about the words from the activity. Were they new, interesting, worth learning…?

4. VOCABULARY: Circle any words you do not understand. In groups, pool unknown words and use dictionaries to find their meanings.

5. TEST EACH OTHER: Look at the words below. With your partner, try to recall how they were used in the text:

form
scores
awards
ball
traditional
tenth

article
rider
70
skin
rarely
reduce

SHAKING HANDS SURVEY

Write five GOOD questions about shaking hands in the table. Do this in pairs. Each student must write the questions on his / her own paper.

When you have finished, interview other students. Write down their answers.

	STUDENT 1 _____________	STUDENT 2 _____________	STUDENT 3 _____________
Q.1.
Q.2.
Q.3.
Q.4.
Q.5.

Now return to your original partner and share and talk about what you found out. Change partners often.

Make mini-presentations to other groups on your findings.

SHAKING HANDS DISCUSSION

STUDENT A's QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student B)

a)	What did you think when you read the headline?
b)	What springs to mind when you hear the word 'handshake'?
c)	How important is a handshake in your culture?
d)	What are the best forms of greeting that you know of?
e)	What do you think of the high five?
f)	What do you think of fist bumping?
g)	Will you now fist bump to lower the risk of spreading germs?
h)	Do you think fist bumping is cool?
i)	Is bowing the best way of greeting without spreading germs?
j)	Do you have to be young to fist bump?

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

STUDENT B's QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student A)

a)	Did you like reading this article? Why/not?
b)	How did fist bumping first start?
c)	How did fist bumping become better known around the world?
d)	Do you have to be young to fist bump?
e)	What do you think of the fact that Barack Obama fist bumps?
f)	Should hospitals and schools encourage more fist bumping?
g)	Do you worry about germs when shaking hands?
h)	Is fist bumping more of a men's or women's thing?
i)	What do you do every day to stop germs spreading?
j)	What questions would you like to ask the researchers?

DISCUSSION (Write your own questions)

STUDENT A's QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student B)
1.	________________________________________________________
2.	________________________________________________________
3.	________________________________________________________
4.	________________________________________________________
5.	________________________________________________________
6.	________________________________________________________

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

STUDENT B's QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student A)
1.	________________________________________________________
2.	________________________________________________________
3.	________________________________________________________
4.	________________________________________________________
5.	________________________________________________________
6.	________________________________________________________

LANGUAGE - CLOZE

A new(ish) and (1) ____ form of greeting and showing respect has been found to be more hygienic than shaking hands. We have all seen it on TV. Basketball and baseball players do it after a teammate (2) ____. Rock stars and actors do it onstage at awards (3) ____. Even U.S. President Barack Obama does it. What is it? Well, it's fist bumping. It's kind of like a high five, except the hand is (4) ____ into a ball and the other person's fist is given a gentle (5) ____, knuckles to knuckles. Researchers at the University of Aberystwyth in Wales have discovered that this twenty-first-century greeting spreads one-twentieth (6) ____ the germs than a traditional handshake does and around one-tenth of the germs in a high five.

An article on Wikipedia explains that the fist bump originated (7) ____ American motorcycle gangs in the 1940s. It was easier and safer to fist bump another rider than to shake hands when two bikes were (8) ____ by side at traffic lights. It achieved global exposure 70 years later (9) ____ in 2008, President Obama and his wife Michelle fist bumped (10) ____ a televised presidential campaign speech. There is less skin-to-skin contact during a fist bump so the (11) ____ of spreading germs is lower. A researcher said: "People rarely think about the health implications of shaking hands, but if the general public could be encouraged to fist bump, there is a (12) ____ potential to reduce the spread of infectious diseases.

Put the correct words from the table below in the above article.

1.	(a)	alternator	(b)	alternate	(c)	alternatively	(d)	alternative
2.	(a)	scorer	(b)	scorers	(c)	scoring	(d)	scores
3.	(a)	ceremonials	(b)	ceremonies	(c)	ceremony	(d)	ceremonial
4.	(a)	crunched	(b)	clinched	(c)	clenched	(d)	crinkled
5.	(a)	heave	(b)	slap	(c)	nudge	(d)	whack
6.	(a)	of	(b)	for	(c)	on	(d)	as
7.	(a)	by	(b)	with	(c)	as	(d)	on
8.	(a)	side	(b)	next	(c)	near	(d)	level
9.	(a)	where	(b)	when	(c)	which	(d)	while
10.	(a)	while	(b)	inside	(c)	during	(d)	within
11.	(a)	chances	(b)	chancing	(c)	chance	(d)	chanced
12.	(a)	original	(b)	lawful	(c)	authentic	(d)	genuine

SPELLING

Paragraph 1
1.	ttvelaniare form of greeting
2.	at awards neireceoms
3.	neclehdc into a fist
4.	knuckles to knlceuks
5.	spreads one-itewtnteh of the germs
6.	a tilitdnaaro handshake
Paragraph 2
7.	idgtnaioer with American motorcycle gangs
8.	It achieved global xrepeosu
9.	presidential cgnpimaa speech
10.	the chance of ipegrasnd germs
11.	health pticsliainmo
12.	eoifntusci diseases

PUT THE TEXT BACK TOGETHER

Number these lines in the correct order.

( )	spreads one-twentieth of the germs than a traditional handshake does and around one-tenth of the germs in a high five.
( )	the University of Aberystwyth in Wales have discovered that this twenty-first-century greeting
( )	think about the health implications of shaking hands, but if the general public could be
( )	a ball and the other person's fist is given a gentle nudge, knuckles to knuckles. Researchers at
( )	does it. What is it? Well, it's fist bumping. It's kind of like a high five, except the hand is clenched into
( )	wife Michelle fist bumped during a televised presidential campaign speech. There is less skin-to-
( )	gangs in the 1940s. It was easier and safer to fist bump another rider than to shake hands when two bikes were side
( )	than shaking hands. We have all seen it on TV. Basketball and baseball players do it after a teammate
( )	encouraged to fist bump, there is a genuine potential to reduce the spread of infectious diseases.
( )	by side at traffic lights. It achieved global exposure 70 years later when in 2008, President Obama and his
( 1 )	A new(ish) and alternative form of greeting and showing respect has been found to be more hygienic
( )	skin contact during a fist bump so the chance of spreading germs is lower. A researcher said: "People rarely
( )	scores. Rock stars and actors do it onstage at awards ceremonies. Even U.S. President Barack Obama
( )	An article on Wikipedia explains that the fist bump originated with American motorcycle

PUT THE WORDS IN THE RIGHT ORDER

1.	shaking to than Found hygienic more hands be.
2.	after Baseball a players teammate do scores it.
3.	actors onstage ceremonies and it awards Stars do at.
4.	other is gentle The fist a person's given nudge.
5.	five high a in germs the of tenth - one Around.
6.	with The American fist motorcycle bump gangs originated.
7.	bikes by Shake two side when were side hands.
8.	contact skin bump skin less fist - is a to There during -.
9.	hands health implications Think of about shaking the.
10.	spread Potential of to infectious reduce diseases the.

CIRCLE THE CORRECT WORD (20 PAIRS)

A new(ish) and alternative / alternatively form of greeting and showing respect has been finding / found to be more hygienic than shaking hands. We have all seen it on TV. Basketball and baseball players do it before / after a teammate scores. Rock stars and actors do it upstage / onstage at awards ceremonies. Even / Ever U.S. President Barack Obama does it. What is it? Well, it's fist bumping. It's kind of like / liking a high five, except the hand is clenched onto / into a ball and the other person's fist is given a gentle nudge, knuckles / chuckles to knuckles. Researchers at the University of Aberystwyth in Wales have discovered that this twenty-first-century greeting spreads / spread one-twentieth of the germs than a traditional handshake does and around one-tenth for / of the germs in a high five.

An article on Wikipedia explains that the fist bump origins / originated with American motorcycle gangs in / on the 1940s. It was easier and safer to fist bump another / others rider than to shake hands when two bikes were side by side at / in traffic lights. It achieved global / globally exposure 70 years later when / where in 2008, President Obama and his wife Michelle fist bumped during a televised presidential / president campaign speech. There is less skin-to-skin contact during a fist bump so the chance / change of spreading germs is lower. A researcher said: "People rarely think about the health implications / complications of shaking hands, but if the general public could be encouraged to fist bump, there is a genuine potential to reduce / deduce the spread of infectious diseases.

Talk about the connection between each pair of words in italics, and why the correct word is correct.

INSERT THE VOWELS (a, e, i, o, u)

_ n_w(_sh) _nd _lt_rn_t_v_ f_rm _f gr__t_ng _nd sh_w_ng r_sp_ct h_s b__n f__nd t_ b_ m_r_ hyg__n_c th_n sh_k_ng h_nds. W_ h_v_ _ll s__n _t _n TV. B_sk_tb_ll _nd b_s_b_ll pl_y_rs d_ _t _ft_r _ t__mm_t_ sc_r_s. R_ck st_rs _nd _ct_rs d_ _t _nst_g_ _t _w_rds c_r_m_n__s. _v_n _.S. Pr_s_d_nt B_r_ck _b_m_ d__s _t. Wh_t _s _t? W_ll, _t's f_st b_mp_ng. _t's k_nd _f l_k_ _ h_gh f_v_, _xc_pt th_ h_nd _s cl_nch_d _nt_ _ b_ll _nd th_ _th_r p_rs_n's f_st _s g_v_n _ g_ntl_ n_dg_, kn_ckl_s t_ kn_ckl_s. R_s__rch_rs _t th_ _n_v_rs_ty _f _b_rystwyth _n W_l_s h_v_ d_sc_v_r_d th_t th_s tw_nty-f_rst-c_nt_ry gr__t_ng spr__ds _n_-tw_nt__th _f th_ g_rms th_n _ tr_d_t__n_l h_ndsh_k_ d__s _nd _r__nd _n_-t_nth _f th_ g_rms _n _ h_gh f_v_.

_n _rt_cl_ _n W_k_p_d__ _xpl__ns th_t th_ f_st b_mp _r_g_n_t_d w_th _m_r_c_n m_t_rcycl_ g_ngs _n th_ 1940s. _t w_s __s__r _nd s_f_r t_ f_st b_mp _n_th_r r_d_r th_n t_ sh_k_ h_nds wh_n tw_ b_k_s w_r_ s_d_ by s_d_ _t tr_ff_c l_ghts. _t _ch__v_d gl_b_l _xp_s_r_ 70 y__rs l_t_r wh_n _n 2008, Pr_s_d_nt _b_m_ _nd h_s w_f_ M_ch_ll_ f_st b_mp_d d_r_ng _ t_l_v_s_d pr_s_d_nt__l c_mp__gn sp__ch. Th_r_ _s l_ss sk_n-t_-sk_n c_nt_ct d_r_ng _ f_st b_mp s_ th_ ch_nc_ _f spr__d_ng g_rms _s l_w_r. _ r_s__rch_r s__d: "P__pl_ r_r_ly th_nk _b__t th_ h__lth _mpl_c_t__ns _f sh_k_ng h_nds, b_t _f th_ g_n_r_l p_bl_c c__ld b_ _nc__r_g_d t_ f_st b_mp, th_r_ _s _ g_n__n_ p_t_nt__l t_ r_d_c_ th_ spr__d _f _nf_ct___s d_s__s_s.

PUNCTUATE THE TEXT AND ADD CAPITALS

a new(ish) and alternative form of greeting and showing respect has been found to be more hygienic than shaking hands we have all seen it on tv basketball and baseball players do it after a teammate scores rock stars and actors do it onstage at awards ceremonies even us president barack obama does it what is it well it's fist bumping it's kind of like a high five except the hand is clenched into a ball and the other person's fist is given a gentle nudge knuckles to knuckles researchers at the university of aberystwyth in wales have discovered that this twenty-first-century greeting spreads one-twentieth of the germs than a traditional handshake does and around one-tenth of the germs in a high five

an article on wikipedia explains that the fist bump originated with american motorcycle gangs in the 1940s it was easier and safer to fist bump another rider than to shake hands when two bikes were side by side at traffic lights it achieved global exposure 70 years later when in 2008 president obama and his wife michelle fist bumped during a televised presidential campaign speech there is less skin-to-skin contact during a fist bump so the chance of spreading germs is lower a researcher said "people rarely think about the health implications of shaking hands but if the general public could be encouraged to fist bump there is a genuine potential to reduce the spread of infectious diseases

PUT A SLASH ( / ) WHERE THE SPACES ARE

Anew(ish)andalternativeformofgreetingandshowingrespecthasb
eenfoundtobemorehygienicthanshakinghands.Wehaveallseenito
nTV.Basketballandbaseballplayersdoitafterateammatescores.Ro
ckstarsandactorsdoitonstageatawardsceremonies.EvenU.S.Presi
dentBarackObamadoesit.Whatisit?Well,it'sfistbumping.It'skindof
likeahighfive,exceptthehandisclenchedintoaballandtheotherpers
on'sfistisgivenagentlenudge,knucklestoknuckles.Researchersatt
heUniversityofAberystwythinWaleshavediscoveredthatthistwent
y-first-centurygreetingspreadsone-twentiethofthegermsthanatra
ditionalhandshakedoesandaroundone-tenthofthegermsinahi
ghfive.AnarticleonWikipediaexplainsthatthefistbumporiginatedwi
thAmericanmotorcyclegangsinthe1940s.Itwaseasierandsafertofi
stbumpanotherriderthantoshakehandswhentwobikesweresideby
sideattrafficlights.Itachievedglobalexposure70yearslaterwhenin2
008,PresidentObamaandhiswifeMichellefistbumpedduringatelevi
sedpresidentialcampaignspeech.Thereislessskin-to-skinconta
ctduringafistbumpsothechanceofspreadinggermsislower.Aresear
chersaid:"Peoplerarelythinkaboutthehealthimplicationsofshaking
hands,butifthegeneralpubliccouldbeencouragedtofistbump,therei
sagenuinepotentialtoreducethespreadofinfectiousdiseases.

FREE WRITING

Write about shaking hands for 10 minutes. Comment on your partner's paper.

_____________________________________________________________________________

ACADEMIC WRITING

We should all bow instead of shake hands to avoid the spread of germs. Discuss.

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HOMEWORK

1. VOCABULARY EXTENSION: Choose several of the words from the text. Use a dictionary or Google's search field (or another search engine) to build up more associations / collocations of each word.

2. INTERNET: Search the Internet and find out more about shaking hands. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.

3. SHAKING HANDS: Make a poster about shaking hands. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?

4. FIST BUMPING: Write a magazine article about fist bumping. Include imaginary interviews with people who are for and against it.

Read what you wrote to your classmates in the next lesson. Write down any new words and expressions you hear from your partner(s).

5. WHAT HAPPENED NEXT? Write a newspaper article about the next stage in this news story. Read what you wrote to your classmates in the next lesson. Give each other feedback on your articles.

6. LETTER: Write a letter to an expert on etiquette. Ask him/her three questions about fist bumping and shaking hands. Give him/her three of your opinions on the best and most hygienic ways to greet people. Read your letter to your partner(s) in your next lesson. Your partner(s) will answer your questions.

A Few Additional Activities for Students

Ask your students what they have read, seen or heard about this news in their own language. Students are likely to / may have have encountered this news in their L1 and therefore bring a background knowledge to the classroom.

Get students to role play different characters from this news story.

Ask students to keep track of this news and revisit it to discuss in your next class.

Ask students to male predictions of how this news might develop in the next few days or weeks, and then revisit and discuss in a future class.

Ask students to write a follow-up story to this news.

Students role play a journalist and someone who witnessed or was a part of this news. Perhaps they could make a video of the interview.

Ask students to keep a news journal in English and add this story to their thoughts.

Also...

Buy my 1,000 Ideas and Activities for Language Teachers eBook. It has hundreds of ideas, activity templates, reproducible activities for:

News
Warm ups
Pre-reading / Post-reading
Using headlines
Working with words
While-reading / While-listening
Moving from text to speech
Post-reading / Post-listening
Discussions
Using opinions
Plans
Language
Using lists
Using quotes
Task-based activities
Role plays
Using the central characters in the article
Using themes from the news
Homework

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ANSWERS

TRUE / FALSE (p.4)

a

T

b

T

c

F

d

T

e

F

f

T

g

F

h

F

SYNONYM MATCH (p.4)

1.	alternative	a.	different
2.	respect	b.	admiration
3.	clenched	c.	closed tightly
4.	nudge	d.	prod
5.	traditional	e.	conventional
6.	originated	f.	began
7.	achieved	g.	acquired
8.	implications	h.	consequences
9.	encouraged	i.	persuaded
10.	infectious	j.	transmittable

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS (p.8)

1.	To show respect
2.	After a teammate scores
3.	A high five
4.	A ball
5.	One-twentieth
6.	In the 1940s
7.	2008
8.	Skin to skin contact
9.	Health implications
10.	Infectious diseases

MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ (p.9)

1.

a

2.

c

3.

b

4.

d

5.

a

6.

d

7.

b

8.

d

9.

c

10.

b

ALL OTHER EXERCISES

Please check for yourself by looking at the Article on page 2.
(It's good for your English ;-)

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Fist bumps more hygienic than handshakes (30th July, 2014)

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