Teaching Plan for Unit 1, Book One Section A: Learning a Foreign Language (4 hours) Section B: Keys to Successful Online learning (2 hours) The texts are used as inputs (for output), stimuli (for response), prompts (for thinking) Teaching Objectives: This unit is intended to introduce you to studying by computer. After learning it, Ss should be able to understand the main idea (the author’s experiences of learning English and the way to learn a foreign language by using a computer) and structure of the text in Section A (three parts : Introduction, Body and Conclusion). learn the way to write a paragraph of cause and effect. master a reading skill: Finding out word meanings by using context clues and word part clues . grasp the key language points and grammatical structures in the texts in Section A and B . conduct a series of reading, listening, speaking and writing activities . Time allotment 1st period 2nd period 3rd period 4th period 5th period 6th period  Pre-reading; While-reading (Part I: Para.1, Part II: Para. 2-4) While-reading (Part II: Para. 5-7, Part III: Para.8) Post-reading Exercises Text structure analysis: A paragraph of cause and effect Reading skill: Finding out word meanings Checking on students’ home reading; Review  Teaching Procedures: Pre-reading Activities 读前活动与主题有关又与学生个人经历有关，便于因势利导，是一种“导入式”活动。 Questions (stimulating, involving, extending, thought-provoking, inductive questions, opinion-gap activity (20 minutes) T asks the following questions to learn about the students’ experiences of learning English. Questions: 1) How long have you learned English? 2) What do you think of learning English? T asks Ss to listen to a short passage (provided with the textbook) twice and answer the questions with their own experiences 1) What problems do you have in trying to learn English in your middle school? 2) What other things do you think we can gaine through English language learning ? 3) Why do you think the computer can help you in learning English? Thus leading into the text by saying: Although English language learning is not easy and sometimes frustrating, we can get many things from it. Besides studying English in regular classrooms, we can learn it online. The text we are going to learn is to tell us how one student learned English by using a computer. While-reading tasks （设计课堂活动的原则是，每一个活动都不再是讲授式、讲解式，只重视知识；而是让学生动脑、动口、动笔、经历，应用语言，注重技能。凡是遇到个人经历问题，作为教师都首先以自己的经历说起，从而达到师生互动、共同参与其中的目的和效果）。 T asks Ss to read the first paragraph and try to find the topic sentence (Learning a foreign language was one of the most difficult yet most rewarding experiences of my life.) (5mins) Ss skim the paragraphs from 2 to 4 and find out the answers to the following questions by working in pairs.(20 minutes) Questions: What made the author’s English learning in junior middle school very successful? (The kind and patient teacher and her positive method of praising all students often.) How was the author’s experience with English learning in senior middle school different from his experience in junior middle school? (In junior middle school, his English teacher was kind and patient. He liked to answer questions in class and he made much progress in English. But, in his senior middle school, his teacher punished those who gave wrong answers. He didn’t want to answer questions any more in class. As a result, he didn’t make much progress in English.) In what way is the author’s experience with English in junior middle school similar to his experience in college? In what way are they different from each other? (In college and junior middle school, his English teachers were both patient and kind, but he didn’t have as many chances to answer questions in college as he did in junior middle school.) Language points and difficult sentences in the first four paragraphs (10minutes) Although at times, learning a language was frustrating, it was well worth the effort. (Para.1) Meaning: Although sometimes learning a language is disappointing, it was rewording enough to spend time and effort on it. Be well worth sth./doing sth.: be rewording enough for the time and effort This film is well worth seeing. He has decided to have a look at the house for it is well worth buying. Because of the positive method, I eagerly answered all the questions I could, never worrying about making mistakes. (Para.2) Meaning: Because of the effective and helpful method, I was very willing to answer all the questions I could, and I never worried about making mistakes. Note: The present participle phrase “never worrying about making mistakes” functions as an adverbial of reason. positive: adj. A. effective; helpful B. definite, allowing no room for doubt C. sure, having no doubt about sth. Would you please give me any positive advice? We have to wait because we still don’t have a positive answer as to what to do next. Are you positive that he is the person you are looking for? Not only did I lose my joy in answering questions, but also I totally lost my desire to anything at all in English. (Para.3) Meaning: I not only didn’t feel happy answering questions, but also I didn’t want to say anything in English. Note: With “not only” or “only” placed at the beginning of a sentence, the sentence order should be inverted. Only in this way can we finish the work in time. Not only did we enjoy the film, but also we had a good time. unlike: prep. Different; not like, not the same (Para.4) Her recent report is quite unlike her earlier work. Unlike me, Tom often plays football in his spare time. far from: not… at all; rather than (Para.4) Far from (being) angry, he’s very happy. Her son is far from (being) handsome; he is somewhat ugly. a couple of: two or three (Para.4) a pair of: two a pair of shoes, a pair of gloves, a couple of children, a couple of questions I began to feel intimidated. (Para. 4) Meaning: I began to feel frightened and lack confidence. intimidate: vt. Make one frightened by threats John intimidated his brother by saying that he would kill him. As a boy, I used to intimidate my sister into crying by telling her that a wolf was coming. Ss work in pairs to skim the paragraphs from 5 to 7 and fill in the following blanks.(10 min) The necessary equipment for learning English online is (a computer, phone line and modem) 2) Online learning is not easier than regular classroom study because it requires . (much time, commitment and discipline) 3) The method used by the author for online English learning is .(hard work) T sums up the main idea of Part II (Para.2-7) (the author’s experiences of learning English and the way to learn English online) and asks Ss to read Para.8 and then answer the following questions.(10 minutes) Questions: 1) Why wouldn’t the author trade his experience in learning a foreign language for anything else? (Because learning a foreign language taught him the value of hard work and gave him insights into another culture.) 2) According to the last paragraph, what interests the author most about English? (He could communicate with many more people than before.) T explains the language points in the last four paragraphs and asks Ss to make sentences with them. (20 minutes) 8) access: n. way of entering; right of using, reaching, or entering (Para.5) The only access to the building was guarded by the soldiers. With the mayor’s help, we at last allowed access to those people who suffered from the traffic accident. 9) as well as: in addition to (Para.7) He gave me money as well as advice. It is not easy to do scientific research; it requires time, energy and money as well as discipline and commitment. 10) feel like sth./doing sth.: want to do sth. (Para.7) After traveling a long distance, I felt like a rest. At the sight of the miserable scene, the lady felt like crying. 11) give up: stop having or doing (Para.7) In order to lead a happy life, you’d better give up smoking. 12) I had finally reaped the benefits of all that hard work. (Para.7) Meaning: I gained the good things that happened as a result of all that hard work at last. reap the benefits of: get sth. as a reward He felt that he reaped the benefits of conversations with foreigners. Note: We may say: reap a profit; reap a reward; reap wheat. 13) Learning a foreign language has been a most trying experience for me, but one that I wouldn’t trade for anything. (Para.8) Meaning: Learning a foreign language has been an experience full of difficulties, but I wouldn’t exchange it for anything else. trade ( in) …for…: exchange…for… In order to buy a birthday present for his wife, he traded his watch for a comb. trade on: make use of He traded on his father’s name to run for mayor. 14) participate in: take part in (Para.8) I want to have the opportunity to participate in the party. 15) now that: conj. because (something has happened) (Para.8) Now that you’re grown up, you must take good care of yourself. 16) reach out to: communicate with; contact (Para.8) reach out for: try to get reach for: hold out one’s hand to get sth. With the introduction of Internet, we can reach out to our friends by e-mail. You must reach out for any opportunity that comes your way. The boy reached for the apple but failed. Post-reading tasks T checks if Ss have done vocabulary exercises (Exercise III and IV), structure exercises (Exercise V and VI) and story summary, and discuss some common errors that crop up. (35minuts) Ss are asked to have compound dictation (Para.8) and translate this paragraph into Chinese. (15 minutes) Learning a foreign language has been a most experience for me, but one that I wouldn’t for anything. Not only did learning another language teach me , but it also gave me into another culture, and my mind new ways of seeing things. The most result of having learned a foreign language was that I could_________ many more people than before. Talking with people is one of my , so being able to speak a new language lets me meet new people,____________ conversations, and form new, friendships. I speak a foreign language, staring into space when English is , I can participate and . I am able to _______ others and the gap between my language and culture and theirs. Text structure analysis T explains the way to write a paragraph of cause and effect and asks Ss to do Exercise X in pairs. (15 minutes) T writes a topic sentence “The computer is good for our life.” on the blackboard; Ss are divided into small groups (four Ss in a group) and discuss the cause and the effect, and then a group leader writes a paragraph showing a cause-and-effect relationship. T walks around the classroom and participates in the discussion. (20 minutes) Several Ss are asked to read their paragraphs to the class and decide which is the best one. (15 minutes) A paragraph for reference The computer is good for our life. Because of its ability to store vast amounts of information and the incredible speed at which it can work, it can speed up calculation, save us from arduous calculation, keep company accounts, analyze statistics, finish designation of projects and monitor production in factories. With the development of science and technology, people use the computer to send e-mail, or even to learn a foreign language. There is now hardly aspect of everyday life that doesn’t bring us into contract with computers. Reading skill: Finding out word meanings 1. T introduces ways to figure out word meanings by using context clues and guides Ss through Exercise XII. (25 minutes) Context Clue 1: Definition All other birthdays are called sing il (born day). The sixty-first birthday is called huan gup (beginning of new life). The harbor is protected by a jetty — a wall built out into the water. Context Clue 2: Restatement He had a wan look. He was so pale and weak that we thought he was ill. I am a resolute man. Once I set up a goal, I won’t give it up. Context Clue 3: General knowledge The door was so low that I hit my head on the lintel. Mark got on the motorbike, so I sat behind him on the pillion. Context Clue 4: Related information “She went to school for 12 years and she can’t write a sentence?” Timken said. “They made an illiterate out of my daughter!” Timken was now angry… Once again he flew into a rage. Context Clue 5: Example Select any of these periodicals: Time, Newsweek, Reader’s Digest or The New Yorker. Context Clue 6: Comparison The snow was falling. Big flakes drifted with the wind like feathers. Context Clue 7: Contrast Most of us agreed; however, Bill dissented. 2. T introduces ways to figure out word meanings by using words part clues and gives some common prefixes and suffixes. (15 minutes) 1) Dividing Compound Words background back+ground newspaper news+paper runaway run+away skyscraper sky+scraper 2) Recognizing Prefixes A prefix is a word or syllable put at the beginning of a word to change its meaning or add to its meaning. indirect in- +direct remarry re- +marry 3) Recognizing Suffixes A suffix is a syllable or syllables added to the end of a word. Suffixes can also offer clues to meanings of new words as they usually just change the parts of speech of the base words. peaceful peace+ -ful amazement amaze+ -ment Note: some common prefixes and suffixes Prefixes Prefix Meaning Example  in-, il- im-,ir- mis- un- re- dis- over- under- non- sub- pre- post- co- ex- bi- not not bad(ly) or wong(ly) not again or back not to an excessive degree not enough, not sufficiently not under or beneath before after with or together former two or twice indirect, illegal impatient, irregular misunderstand, mislead unfair repay, return dislike, dishonest overwork underdeveloped non-smoker subway preschool postwar co-owner ex-con bicycle   Suffix Verb suffixes Example Noun suffixes Example  -en -fy -ize sharpen purify modernize -ment -ion, -ation -ness -ity -y -or, -er -hood -ship -dom -al -age -ance -ence movement suggestion, organization kindness feasibility difficulty actor, leader childhood friendship freedom arrival postage assistance difference            Adjective suffixes Example    -ful -less -an, -ian -y -ic(al) -able, -ible -ish -like -some -worthy -ive -ly peaceful careless American, musician windy historic(al) movable, divisible girlish catlike tiresome praiseworthy active monthly                                              Adverb suffix Example    -ly quickly       Ss work in pairs to complete Exercise XVI and check the answers. (10 minutes) Checking on students’ home reading (the text in Section B) and review 1. Ss are asked to answer the question “What are the ideal qualities of successful online students?” (10 minutes) 1) Be open-minded about sharing life, work, and learning experiences as part of online learning. Be able to communicate through writing. Be willing to “speak up” if problems arise. Take the program seriously Accept critical thinking and decision making as part of online learning. Be able to think ideas through before replying. Keep up with the progress of the course. T writes some words and expressions in Unit One on the blackboard and helps Ss review them. (15 minutes) play a role in be/become aware of/that- in addition reflect on allow for be vital to arise embarrass reap the benefits of commit not only…but also now that come across keep up with insight be well worth sth./doing sth. trade for feel like access participate in frustrate unlike opportunity be likely It is/was critical that- Ss are divided into two groups to have a sentence-making contest in 20 minutes. The group who make more sentences will be the winner. (T-S interaction, 20 minutes) T assigns the homework . (5 minutes) Do Exercise XI in the exercise books. Preview the text in Section A, Unit Two and prepare a story about the generation gap between children and parents. Authentic tasks after class --look up / search for information about online learning; SAT: The Scholastic Aptitude Test; GCE: General Certificate of Education -- find and read Section C, copy a thought-provoking/inspring quotation from it, bring it to the next class and share it with the class.