Last year the 25th April was International Noise Awareness Day & so one would assume it would be the same this year. But no, it was on the 16th! I'm not sure who really decides all of these Days but in order not to miss such a worthy Day entirely, better late than never, here are some ideas for using 'noise' as a theme, as well as looking at Noise Awareness Day:

- Noise lexis; a noise, make a noise, noisy, noiseless, noise pollution, soundproof...

- Students list 5 most pleasant noises & 5 worst noises & then compare to see if they have any similarities.

- Order the following in order of irritation, most to least:
* aircraft
* loud neighbors
* traffic
* leaf blowers and other lawn equipment
* loud music, "boom cars"
* sirens, car alarms, horn honking
* barking dogs and other animals, jet skis, snowmobiles
* other?

- Play a series of sounds & the students work out a story - see the Tip 'Sounds Intriguing': http://www.developingteachers.com/tips/pasttips66.htm

- Develop comprehension strategies, ways to clarify comprehension, by introducing language such as 'I didn't catch that.', 'Could you repeat that, please?', 'Could you talk a little slower, please?'... Maybe make your own audio recording of a conversation with lots of background noise that makes the dialogue dificult for both speakers, & include some of the clarification exponents. Deal with the content of the dialogue with appropriate tasks & then notice & pull off the language, clarify it & go on to practise it.

- Noise complaint roleplays - e.g.
A: You are fed up wiuth the noise from your neighbours. At all hours there is music coming from their flat. You would like some peace & quiet. Go & talk to your neighbours about the problem.
B: Your neighbours are very sensitive to noise, totally over the top. You play music but don't play it excessively, or loudly.

For a lesson plan on neighbourse & complaints:
http://www.developingteachers.com/plans/neighbours.htm

- Noise quotes for discussion:
'The worst wheel of the cart makes the most noise.' Benjamin Franklin
'Silence is the true friend that never betrays.' Confucius
'Silence is a source of great strength.' Lao Tzu
'The Arctic expresses the sum of all wisdom: Silence.' Walter Bauer
'Nowadays most men lead lives of noisy desperation.' James Thurber
'Silences make the real conversations between friends. Not the saying but the never needing to say is what counts.' Margaret Lee Runbeck

- Reading - from the League for the Hard of Hearing - lots of short reading that couold be used for some nice jigsaw reading - see the following - change the texts to suit:
Facts on noise: http://www.lhh.org/noise/facts/index.html
* Noise & Hearing
* Noise & Health
* Noise in the Workplace
* Recreational Noise
* Personal Stereo Systems & Headsets (mp3 players)
* Noise & Music
* Noise & Health Clubs
* Noise in the Home
* Noise Levels Common in Our Environment
* Airport Noise
* How To Handle A Noise Complaint

- Recipe for A Quiet Diet - from the above site - students brainstorm what they might do on the Day & then compare with the list of things below, deciding on the best ideas. The same for the younger learners but they try to do the tasks as quietly as possible, whispering to each other.

Take these few, simple steps to preserve the peace and quiet in your life:
ALL DAY:

Pay attention to the noises you make and respect your neighbor's right to peace and quiet.
Turn down the volume two notches on your radios and personal stereo systems with headphones.
Turn down the volume one notch on your television.
Do NOT honk your horn, except in the case of imminent danger.
Do NOT tip cab drivers who honk their horns illegally.
Avoid noisy sports events, restaurants, rock concerts and nightclubs unless you use hearing protection.
Replace noisy activities with quiet ones such as taking a walk, visits to libraries and museums.
Ask your health club instructor to lower the music.
Ask the movie theater manager to turn down the volume.
Wear adequate hearing protection if you must be in a noisy environment (the subway, mowing the lawn)
Turn off the television during dinner and have a quiet conversation instead.
Get a free hearing screening.
Organize a town meeting to review (or develop) a local, enforceable noise ordinance.
Participate in the Noise Center's letter writing campaign to reestablish the Environmental Protection Agency's Office of Noise Abatement & Control.
Spread the word about the danger of noise,

http://www.lhh.org/noise/recipe.html