欢迎访问甘肃省省级重点课程即精品课程---大学英语网站。Unit Eight Educational Problems
Teaching objectives:
After studying the first Unit
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Students can |
understand what is a fable |
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grasp different techniques of developing an exposition | |
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arrange and describe the life of Kevin Hanley in a certain year according to time markers, then state the importance of education | |
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use words and phrases: file, handful, upset, ignorant, private, slice, chill, indifference, accumulate, intellectual, affect, industrial, function, idle, jam, humble, portable, leisure, luxury, better off, scared, complex, manual, swear, faculty, miracle, run out of, sum up, break down, drive home, search for, better off, wake up, make a living by, etc. | |
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debate Is the increasing use of computers is beneficial or bad for students? | |
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write cause-and-effect essays |
Text A Fable of the Lazy Teenager
Teaching procedures
1. Speaking activity
Communicate and share: What are the effective ways of arranging study time in university?
2. Listening practice
First enjoy the funny story and reveal its underlined meaning: we should be concerned about the increasing intellectual laziness among young people.
Then finish the listening exercises and associate its theme with that of the unit: teenagers’ idleness and ignorance will seriously affect both themselves and society in general.
3. Warm-up questions for discussion:
1． How has the United States developed into the sole superpower in the world?
2． How did Japan manage to rebuild itself after the devastation of WWⅡ?
3． How will China grow into a prosperous and well-respected country? Name several factors and discuss the significance of them.
Reading practice
3.1 Skimming and scanning
3.1.1 Read the first part of the passage quickly and list the anecdotes
a happening in the drugstore
something about the son of the author’s friend
3.1.2 Read the second part of the passage quickly and underline the time makers concerning the life of Kevin Hanley in different years
– Kevin 1835, a poor peasant in Ireland
– Kevin 1928
– Kevin 1945
– Kevin 1966
– Kevin 1990
– Kevin 2020
– Kevin 2050,
3.2 Close reading
3.2.1 Read the first part of the passage and realize the causes and their relevant effects
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Cause |
Effect |
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a happening in the drugstore |
the author’s feeling to the happening — the problems American teenagers are facing such as ignorance, poor ability of calculations and other things |
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something about the son of the author’s friend |
the author’s purpose of offering a fable: to make American teenagers understand the danger of their ignorance and intellectual laziness |
3.2.2 Read the second part of the passage and describe the life of Kevin Hanley in a certain year according to time markers
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Kevin 1835 |
a poor peasant in Ireland |
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Kevin 1928 |
a steel-mill worker in Pittsburgh, U.S.A. |
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Kevin 1945 |
a soldier fighting the Japanese army |
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Kevin 1966 |
a student who studies all the time so as to get into college and law school |
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Kevin 1990 |
a cleaner in a Japanese-owned factory |
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Kevin 2020 |
a porter in a hotel for wealthy Europeans and Asians |
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Kevin 2050 |
living in a slum and searching through trash piles for food |
3.3 Questions discussion (pair work):
Ø When and where did the first anecdote take place?
One day last fall in a drugstore.
Ø Who were the main characters?
“I” and the salesgirl
Ø Why did the author go to the drugstore one day?
He wanted to buy some file folders.
Ø What was the salesgirl’s reaction to the author’s mental arithmetic?
She was very surprised at it.
Ø What examples does the author give to show children today are ignorant?
Children can’t spell correctly; their knowledge of world history and geography is non-existent.
Ø In the author’s opinion, what was the most serious problem for American teenagers?
They were indifferent to their ignorance.
Ø Why did the author give us the example of his friend’s son?
He just intended to show the seriousness of the problem.
Ø In what way might teenagers’ intellectual laziness affect society as a whole?
A modern industrial state cannot function with an idle ignorant labor force.
Ø In what way might teenagers’ intellectual laziness affect society as a whole?
A modern industrial state cannot function with an idle ignorant labor force.
Ø What was the author’s purpose of offering a fable?
He just wanted to make American teenagers understand the danger of their ignorance and intellectual laziness.
Ø What does Kevin Hanley do in a certain year according to the dream of Kevin Hanley 1990?
Refer to 3.2.2
3.4 Conclusion of the passage
3.4.1 A brief introduction to fable
The term fable refers to a short story in which animals or inanimate objects speak and behave like humans, usually to give a moral point. The term comes from the Latin fabula, “a telling.”
The greatest teller of fables was Aesop. He was believed to be a Greek slave who lived in the 6th century B.C. Another great teller of fables was Jean de La Fontaine. He wrote in France in the 17th century. La Fontaine based many of his fables on those of Aesop.
Some of their best-known fables are The Lion and the Mouse, The Hare and the Tortoise, The Fox and the Grapes, The Shepherd Boy and the Wolf, The Fox and the Crow, The Dove and the Ant, and The Fox and the Stork.
In the Chinese language, some idioms come from fables such as The Frog in the Shallow Well (井底之蛙), His Spear against His Shield (自相矛盾), Making His Mark (刻舟求剑), Ostrich Logic (掩耳盗铃) and Blessing or Bane (塞翁失马).
Aesop (620?~560? B.C.) ancient Greek writer of fables
Jean de La Fontaine (1621~1695) French writer
3.4.2 The moral lesson revealed by the Fable of Kevin Hanley
Education is a key to success, while lack of it leads to serious consequences for both individuals and soc, iety as a whole.
4. Useful expressions:
4.1 Pick out the useful expressions in the passage
run out of 用完了
a handful of一大把
ask in amazement 惊奇地问
be upset by为…感到难过
better-natured 温厚和气的
a private college私立大学
a tiny slice of the problem问题的一小部分
a chilling indifference about …对…毫不在乎
compete with… 跟…竞争
at some point soon用不了多久的某个时候
intellectual laziness 懒于用脑
way of life生活方式
an idle and ignorant labor force 一支懒散无知的劳动力大军
manual work体力劳动
drive … home使彻底认识到…
a humble suggestion愚见
as the story opens故事开始时
feel bitter 心情痛苦
go shopping for …去商店买…
put sb. to sleep使某人入睡
steady wages固定工资
feed oneself and help one’s family 养活自己，补贴家用
his hope lies in… 他把希望寄托在…身上
be far better off than …比…的境遇好多了
fight against a most determined for 与死敌作战
live in peace and security 生活在和平安全的环境中
live by one’s brains 干脑力活
live by one’s back 干苦力
shaken by one’s dream 被睡梦惊醒
human capital 人力资本
rise from the ashes从废墟中站起来
make a living by one’s mind 凭脑力为生
catch one’s eye跳入眼帘
4.2 Choose at least ten words or phrases in the table on page 215 and do the creative writing.
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Summary writing: Nowadays there is a widespread problem in America which is the ___________ ___________of young people and their_______ of and ____________to the laziness. Thinking that they could live on the_________, __________and __________capital accumulated by the ancestors, they don’t want to make their efforts to compete with the hard-working Asians. This problem will not only affect___________, but ____________as a whole, since ________________________with an idle, ignorant labor force. To drive this message home to the young people, the author suggests that a movie be made to__________ how difficult ____________________and how easily________________________. |
4.3 Class Activity: Discussion
Do you agree with the author’s analysis of the problem of the young people? What do you think should be responsible for this?
4.4 The Drama for Review
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Character |
Occupation |
Living Condition |
Wish |
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Kevin 1835 |
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Work in s still mill in Pittsburgh |
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Kevin 1945 |
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Kevin 1966 |
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Kevin 1990 |
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Kevin 2020 |
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Kevin 2050 |
Conclusion: __________________ ________________________ ________________ and ___________can do anything.
A man without the proper use of the _________________________ of a man is more contemptible than a coward.
5. Writing: a cause-and-effect essay
5.1 A Brief Introduction
Cause and Effect Essay Writing
Cause and effect essays are concerned with why things happen (cause) and what happens as a result (effect). Cause and effect is a common method of organizing and discussing ideas. The following tips can help you draft this type of essay:
1) Distinguish between cause and effect. To determine causes, ask, “Why did this happen?” To identify effects, ask, “What happened because of this?”
2) Develop your thesis statement. State clearly whether you are discussing causes, effects, or both. Introduce your main idea, using the terms “cause” and/or “effect.”
3) Find and organize supporting details. Back up your thesis with relevant and sufficient details that are organized.
4) Use appropriate transitions. To blend details smoothly in cause and effect essays, use the transitional words and phrases.
5.2 Practice
5.2.1 Debate: Effects of the increasing use of Computers in School
Pros:
– stimulate interest in a subject by sound and visual illustrations
– have an easy access to a wealth of reference material
– communicate with other students around the world via internet
–. develop computer skills such as programming
Cons:
–. encourage “cut-and-paste” copying without a real understanding of what is being said
–. Offer the temptation to play games
Sample
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The Advantages and Disadvantages of Computers Computers have found wide application in our daily life. Although some people claim that they have a bad influence on students, I insist that their advantages outweigh their disadvantages. My decision that there are more advantages of computers lies in the following two conspicuous aspects. Firstly, computer makes out life convenient. We store and access files by computers, no longer need to rewrite the same files. It is really convenient, especially when we need to make a new file by changing the original draft slightly. Another reason for my preference for computers is that they make our life more colorful. We can use it as a TV set by connecting it with a special facility, so that we can entertain us with various programs. We can also use it as a game machine by setting up some game software. Also we can use it as an information machine by connecting it with internet. On the other hand, there are some disadvantages induced by computer. The most serious one is that it makes students lazy, for they do not have to analyze the processes step by step, which is sometimes necessary. In addition, too much time staring at screen is a main cause of nearsightedness, and too much radiation from computer may also affect out health. On the whole, computers have both advantages and disadvantages. But fairly speaking, everyone should admit that the merits of computers outweigh the troubles they bring to us, which, after all, is a problem of how to use them properly. |
5.2.2 Discussion: the advantages of cell-phones
Sample
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Cell-phones have become popular because of their various functions. With cell-phones we can do a lot of things that we have never thought of before. Cell-phone is no longer only a tool of communication, but also a good way of entertaining and getting information. For instance, my mobile phone can be used as a radio. So it is quite convenient for me to listen to all kinds of programs as I take it along with me. And my brother’s cell-phone is even much better than mine. He likes taking beautiful photographs with it. Sometimes I borrow this mobile phone to surf the Internet for some useful information, or to play some games. I think using a cell-phone to search for some information is very convenient in case you have no computer at hand. I believe in the future there will be more functions about the cell-phone to be invented. Then our life will be more colorful and entertaining. |
6. Reflection after class
Realize the importance of education. Make effective use of time and study hard.
Text B Ditch the Calculator
Activity 1: Read the passage and discuss the following questions:
1. What is the main reason we teach students math according to the author?
2. According to the author, what is the negative effect of using calculators in class?
3. What is the author’s suggestion concerning stopping children using a calculator?
4. According to the author, what is the basis of communication?
5. Is it difficult or easy to learn to use calculator in the author’s viewpoint?
Activity 2: use the reading skills of scanning and find out the pros and cons in the passage
Topic: Increasing use of calculators in class
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Pros (some educators) |
Cons (the author) |
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Calculators let students concentrate on how to solve problems instead of getting tied up with tedious computations. Calculators are helpful for students to do long division. Calculators are so inexpensive and commonplace that students must become competent in using them. |
Math trains the mind. Without a calculator, students might reflect on the problem first but not try different combinations. Math is as much about knowing why the rules work as knowing what the rules are. Calculators prevent students from seeing the natural structure and beauty in math. Handling numbers can mentally foster students’ “number sense”. A student who has grown up with a calculator will struggle with both strategies and computations. If they can do the math themselves, they can learn far more. Calculators are hardly education tools and its basic functions can be easily learned by almost anyone. We teach math for thinking and discipline, both of which expand the mind and increase the student’s ability to function as a contributing individual in society: the ultimate goal of education |
Activity 3: use the pros and cons analyzed above to summary the whole passage.
Language Focus (exercises and reference answer)
1. Vocabulary: fill in the gaps with words or phrases given below. Change the form where necessary.
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handful manual intellectual jam slice luxury industrial scare upset miracle idle function private ignorant wake up break down |
1) The problem of air pollution in our city is very serious because ours is a big zone of both residential and buildings.
(industrial)
2) Average students who work hard usually do better than clever students who are .
(idle)
3) When the camera properly, a green light comes on.
(is functioning)
4) The fundamental issue in the current debate is whether environmental lead contamination causes impairment in children.
(intellectual)
5) The girl, and trembling, stood in the doorway hiding from the man who had followed her.
(scared)
6) It is reported that no more than a of U.S. companies have been successful in the Japanese market.
(handful)
7) I’ve been doing the summer job for two months now. It would be a to be able to have a day off.
(luxury)
8) Clarence refused to comment on the state of his marriage, saying it is “a matter.
(private)
9) William late and didn’t get to work until ten o’clock.
(woke up)
10) We agreed before we did the deal that we’d both take an equal of the profit.
(slice)
11) When you look at the state of his car it’s a that he wasn’t killed.
(miracle)
12) A week before the Spring Festival the telephone exchange with people wanting to book train tickets.
(was jammed)
2. Translation: translate the sentences into English, using the words or phrases in bracket.
1) 没有个人档案，求职者很难指望受雇当老师。 (file)
(Without his personal file, an applicant can hardly expect to get / be employed as a teacher.)
2) 有了足够的冰，我们就能冰这些饮料了。 (chill)
(With enough ice, we should be able to shill the drinks.)
3) 依我愚见，阅读是打发闲暇的最悦人方式。 (humble, leisure)
(In my humble opion, reading is the most pleasant way to spend one’s leisure.)
4) 有人说， 美国运动员迈克尔·菲尔普斯(Michael Phelps)在2008北京奥运会上赢得八枚金牌简直是个奇迹。 (miracle)
(Some people said it was simply a miracle that the American athlete Michael Phelps won eight gold medals at the 2008 Bejing Olympic Games.)
5) 洗衣机坏了，我们只能用手洗衣服了。(break down)
(The washing machine has broken down, so we have to wash our clothes by hand.)