911, what is your Emergency?

e-Lesson Plan

American English Lessons, �Simply Fun

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Level:Upper- Intermediate/ Advanced (B2/C1)

30 min

© All rights reserved. For use only with license. www.amerilingua.com

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“911, what’s your emergency?”

Warm-Up Discussion

• Have you ever called 911 or the equivalent in your country?
• What are common reasons for someone to call an emergency number?
• What emergency have you had before? How did you deal with it?
• What do you think “stop, drop, and roll” is in reference to? When is it used?
• Have you used a first aid kit before? What can you find inside of one?

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• How fast do you think police or first responders can arrive at the scene after you call for help?

Warm up

Possible answers include cleansing wipes, antiseptic cream and spray, thermometer, sterile gloves, bandages, sticky tape, painkillers, safety pins, and scissors.

sample answer

“Stop, drop, and roll” is a simple fire safety technique taught to children, emergency personnel, and workers as part of health and safety training in North America and most other English-speaking countries.

Task 1

Task 1

Put a checkmark next to the reasons that someone would call 911. Next, answer the question.

1. There is a fire.
2. You witnessed a burglary.
3. Your brother took your cell phone.
4. There is a serious car accident.
5. You witnessed an attack

6. Your food was not delivered on time.
7. Someone is choking.
8. There was a kidnapping.
9. A store didn’t have your correct shoe size.
10. You saw someone pass out.

answers

v

v

v

v

v

v

v

Grammar Review

Compound Relative Pronouns

Adding –ever to question words changes their meaning to:

“it doesn’t matter how / what / which / when / where / who”.

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• who + -ever = whoever (it doesn’t matter who)
• what + -ever = whatever (it doesn’t matter what)
• where + -ever = wherever (it doesn’t matter where)
• when + -ever = whenever (it doesn’t matter when)
• which + -ever = whichever (it doesn’t matter which one)
• how + -ever = however (it doesn’t matter how/in what way)

Grammar review

Compound Relative Pronouns

Whoever / whatever / wherever / whenever / whichever / however” are called compound relative pronouns. They can be used as subjects, objects, and adverbs, or as conjunctions to join a clause (partial sentence) to the rest of the sentence. However = in any way

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Examples:

How should I do your makeup?

You can do it however you want. (=adverb modifying “do”)

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Grammar review

Compound Relative Pronouns

• Whichever = any one from a limited set

Examples:

Which T-shirt should I choose?

Choose whichever you prefer. (=object of action “choose”)

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• Whenever = any time

Examples:

When should I come to your apartment?

Come whenever you want. (=adverb that modifies “come”)

Grammar review

Compound Relative Pronouns

• Wherever = any place

Examples:

Where should I live?

You can live wherever you like. (=adverb that modifies “live”)

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• Whoever = any person

Examples:

Who should I invite to the Christmas party?

You can invite whoever you want. (=object of action “invite”)

Grammar review

Compound Relative Pronouns

NOTE: “Whoever” can also be used as a subject when the identity of the subject is not important or unknown. For instance, if you say, “Whoever left their baby on the playground is very irresponsible!”, you are saying that the person who left their baby is very irresponsible.

Grammar review

Task 2

1. She locks the door __________ she leaves the house.
2. Tell __________ comes to go away.
3. Here are two books. __________ one you choose, you are sure to enjoy it.
4. __________ much he works out, he is still overweight.
5. I bring my pepper spray with me __________ I go.
6. __________ I ate yesterday is still hurting my stomach.
7. Here is a black pen and a red pen. Take __________ one you need.
8. __________ long it takes, they will not give up.

Task 2

Choose a compound relative pronoun from the box to fill in the blanks. Some words are used more than once. Next, answer the question.

answers

whenever

whoever

Whichever

However

whichever

however

whichever

wherever

whatever

whoever

whenever

wherever

However

Whatever

What would you do if you needed to call 911 but your phone battery was dead?

Task 3

1. Who calls 911, and what is the emergency?

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• What information does the 911 operator need first?

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• What does the operator tell George to do? What was the result?

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• Who is coming to help? When will they arrive?

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Task 3

Answers

Listen to the audio and answer the questions.

George calls 911 because his friend collapsed in the grass.

The 911 operator needs to know George’s name and the age of his friend who collapsed.

The operator tells George to check his friend’s pulse to see if he is breathing. He was breathing.

First responders were sent to help in an ambulance and will arrive in five minutes.

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• The operator says, “you are in safe hands”. What do you think this means?

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• Why do you think it is important to stay on the line with a 911 operator?

Task 3

Answer the questions.

“You are in safe hands” means you are looked after by a reliable person, and there is no risk.

Task 4

• What are some important things to remember when calling 911?
• What information is not very important to share when calling 911? Why shouldn’t you include all the little details?
• Have you ever been involved in an emergency in which someone had to give CPR or perform the Heimlich maneuver?
• If you hear someone say, “hang on for dear life”, what do you think they mean?
• Why do you think the emergency number in the United States is called “9-1-1”? What is the emergency number in your country?

Task 4

Answer the questions relating to the topic.

“Hang on for dear life” is used when you are in a dangerous situation, and you need to grip something firmly, so you do not fall.

“9-1-1” was chosen by the FCC and AT&T because it is short, unique, easily remembered, and can be dialed quickly

Thank You

Don’t forget to do your homework!