U.S. judge orders mother to cut off her daughter's hair in court Breaking World News (January 9th, 2013)

Pre Questions
Why do you think the judge would order this?
The Original Article
The mother of a 13-year-old says she has filed a formal complaint against a juvenile court judge who said she had cut her daughter's hair in his courtroom. As a punishment after her daughter Kaytlen Lopan cut the hair of a 3-year-old girl in McDonald’s. 
"She definitely needs to be punished for what had happened," said Valerie Bruno to the news media. "But I never imagined it would be that much of a punishment."
Bruno's daughter, Kaytlen Lopan, was referred to the seventh district court under Judge Scott Johansen on charges of assault. Lopan and a friend fought with a 3 year old girl in McDonald’s and then used scissors to cut several inches of hair from the head of the 3-year-old girl, police said.
"It was beautiful, it was long, she was naturally curly, and now it is all cut up," said the victim's mother, Mindy Moss.
The judge also ordered Lopan to spend 30 days in a detention center, pay a $350 fine and 150 hours of community service.
Picture
Easy Version
A 13 year old girl and her friend had a fight with a  3 year old girl at McDonald's. The older girl cut the younger girls beautiful long curly hair with scissors. She got in trouble and went to court. She was charged with assault. The judge made the mother cut her daughters hair in the courtroom. The mother is now formally complaining against the court. The girl also had to spend 30 days in a detention center, pay a $350 fine and do 150 hours community service.
Conversation Starter Questions
  • Do you think this punishment is fair? Would it be acceptable in your country?
  • What punishment would you give if you were the judge?
  • How would you punish your child if you were the parent?
  • Do you think it should be the mother who carried out the punishment?
  • Can you think of any examples of unfair punishments?
  • Why do you think she cut the 3 year old girl's hair?
  • Where do you think she got the scissors from?
  • Do you know anyone who has had their hair cut as a prank, bullying or punishment?
  • Do you like McDonald's? If so, what is your favorite food / burger from there? What do you usually order?
  • What's your favorite fast food restaurant?
  • How often do you eat fast food?
  • Is there any fast food that you think is healthy?
  • Have you ever laid a complaint before? eg. with the police, school, city office, parents, etc
  • Do you have a juvenile court in your country?
  • What is the juvenile age limit?
  • Can you explain what happens in juvenile detention in your country?
  • Have you ever been to court for something?
  • Is your the court system in your country fair and efficient? or is it slow and unfair?
  • Have you ever paid a fine for something? Do you think it was fair?
  • What do you definitely need?
  • Would you like to punish someone for doing something to you?
  • Did something happen to that you never imagined would?
  • Do you know anyone who has been assaulted before?
  • What do you think of curly hair? Is it common in your country? Would you like it?
  • Have you ever been a victim of something?
  • Is community service a punishment in your country? Do you think it is a good punishment? advantages? disadvantages?
  • Do you understand the imperial measuring system?
  • Do you use it at all? eg. to measure height, weight, distance, size ....
  • If you don't use it does any older person you know use it?
  • What other measuring systems does your country use beside metric? old and new.
Practice making sentences using 'as a'                               Examples
as a punishment
as a man / woman
as a mum / father / parent
as a Japanese (etc)
as a job
as a guest
as a treatment
as a gift
as a result
as a way
as a means
as a solution
as a service
as an obligation
as a matter of fact
as a lingua franca
as a .....................
You should never hit someone's head as a punishment
As a man, I like to open doors for ladies.
As a parent,I am my child's most important teacher.
As a Japanese, I can't go without rice.
As a job, I think you can't beat being a professional sportsman.
As a guest in a foreign country, we should respect the local way.
Pure molasses is good as a treatment for high blood pressure.
I never know what to give as a gift.
He studied hard. As a result, he was successful.
As a way to teach kids, games are very effective.
As a means of transport, bikes are very handy when there is a disaster.
As a solution to our financial problems, we should cut all waste and corruption.
I was given a free drink as a service.
As an obligation, we must all pay taxes.
As a matter of fact, he is very friendly.
English is the best as a lingua franca, as you can visit many countries and communicate.
Further Practice
be referred to
need to / have to
order (sb) to (st)
punish (sb) for (st)
use (st) to (st)
make (sb) (st) / Let (sb) (st)

______says________
______said________
______told_______


definately

I never imagined it would be_________
______ and then ______
have a fight with
get in trouble