Learning Objective: This is a reading and comprehension class. At the end of the session, the participants are expected to be able to learn new words and practice speaking skills.


Story Proper

Researchers who found a new species of mushroom have named it after the cartoon character SpongeBob SquarePants. The team of scientists from San Francisco State University discovered the new fungus when they were exploring forests in Borneo. They decided it looked like SpongeBob and named it Spongiforma squarepantsii. Co-author of the research paper professor Dennis Desjardin said: "We go to under-explored forests around the world…collecting all the mushrooms and focusing on various groups.”

SpongeBob shot to fame as a TV series in 1999. He is a very energetic and optimistic, square-shaped sea sponge who lives in a pineapple in the underwater city of “Bikini Bottom”. He has a pet snail called Gary, who meows like a cat. SpongeBob is the creation of marine biologist and animator Stephen Hillenburg. He came up with the idea while he was teaching marine biology in 1984. The cartoon series is the highest rated show on the Nickelodeon TV channel. It is also the most widely-shared media on MTV.


Activity Proper



Activity 4. Construct your own questions regarding the story today.



"Online activities, the mp3 and printable handouts are available for this lesson at http://www.breakingnewsenglish.com"