Learning about Language教案和学案内容

Teaching Plan for Module 8, Unit 3 Inventors and Inventions

新世纪外国语学校

苗梦娇

T: Teacher

Ss: Students 1.

The analysis of the learning material and learning conditions The teaching material is the reading part taken from Book 8, Unit 3, NSEFC. The topic of this unit is inventors and inventions. Nowadays, new inventions and creative inventors have become an important productive force in the development of our country, so it is necessary for the students to understand the importance of new inventions and the key factors for successful inventions. The reading passage is titled

The Problem of the Snakes, which records how the writer invented a merciful way to get rid of the snakes in her mom’s courtyard and tried to apply for a patent. It shows students the six stages of inventions and how to get a patent. Reading this passage, the students will learn how to invent something and become interested in invention. The students have mastered enough vocabulary to understand the passage, but their reading and speaking abilities are to be improved. What’s more, this lessen will offer them a good chance to practice their abilities to deal with information and solve problems.

2.

Teaching ideology According to the new national curriculum, as teachers, we should pay attention to students’

overall language ability. Language teaching is no longer aimed for developing language skills and knowledge, but expanded to developing learners’ positive attitude, motivation, confidence as well as strategies for life-long learning along with cross-cultural knowledge, awareness and capabilities. And we should promote learner-centeredness and respect individual difference.

3.

Teaching aims 

Language knowledge and skills 1)

Ss will be able to use new words and expressions, such as “convenient”, “stainless”, “set about”, “adjust”, etc. to introduce their inventions, and review the words, such as “passion”, enthusiasm”, “persistence”, etc. to describe qualities of the inventors. 2)

Ss will be able to understand some difficult sentences by comprehending the key words. 3)

Ss will summarize the main idea of each part of the passage to get the right order of the six stages of inventions. 4)

The speaking ability of the students will be improved when they talk about their inventions and give presentations. 

Learning strategies 1)

Ss will learn to replace some difficult words with synonyms found in the related context. 2)

Ss will get the chance to work cooperatively to solve the problem in the group task. 

Affects and cultural awareness 1)

Ss will understand that inventions are the driving force in the development of a country. 2)

Ss will realize the qualities of an inventor, such as persistence, passion, creativity, are essential to successful inventions. 3)

Ss will learn that it is necessary for them to work hard and learn more if they want to invent something. 4.

Teaching focus and anticipated difficulties 

Teaching focus:

1)

Summarize the main idea of each part to get the right order of the stages of the invention

2)

Understand the importance of new inventions and the qualities of successful inventors. 

Anticipated difficulties 1)

It might be difficult for students to describe their own inventions, so some useful words and expressions should be prepared for them. 2)

It might be difficult for students to summarize the main idea of each part, so the question-answer method is adopted. 5.

Teaching methods Question-answer teaching method, Situational teaching method, Cooperative learning method, Task-based learning method 6.

Teaching aids

The multi-media, large pieces of paper, color pens 7.

Teaching procedure Step 1: Warming-up and Pre-reading Task 1: Watching a video about China’s four great new inventions Ss watch a video about China’s four great new inventions and discuss the following questions: 1)

What is the video about? 2)

Do you like these new inventions? Why? Ss talk about the benefits of new inventions and their importance in the development of the society. Task 2: Giving a definition T: Today we are going to talk about inventors and inventions. First, what is an invention? Ss look at 3 pictures (lamp bulb, computer and DNA) and tell the difference between an invention and a discovery. And then give a definition to the word “invention”. Task 3: Thinking about the stages of inventions T: It is not easy to invent something new. So, how does an invention happen? Here are six stages of inventions, please put them in order. Ss put the six stages in order. Step 2: While-reading

Task 1: Finding the problem T: let’s see whether you are right by reading a passage which is titled “The Problem of the Snakes”. Please read paragraph 1 and answer the following questions 1)

Where are the snakes? 2)

What’s the problem? T: Well, now do you know what the first stage is? Ss: Finding a problem T: We can see that a problem usually comes people’s needs in daily life. Thomas Edison once said, “I find out what the world needs. Then I go ahead and invent it.” People’s need or necessity is the mother of invention. 3)

How did the writer feel when she got the opportunity to invent something? 4)

What qualities does an inventor have? T: passion and enthusiasm are important qualities for an inventor. Task 2: Scanning for information Ss read paragraph 2 to find out what the writer did first to solve the problem. T: So what’s the second stage? Ss: Doing research

T: So we can see that to invent something, enough knowledge and information are fundamental. Task 3: Finding the solution Ss read paragraph 3 and answer the following questions: 1)

What’s the meaning of “approach”? Please find the words that have the similar meaning in this paragraph. 2)

How many approaches did the writer come up with? 3)

Which one did she take? What do you think of this solution? T: Have you got the third stage? Ss: Thinking of a creative solution Task 4: Improving the solution 

Ss read the first sentences of paragraph 4~6 to find out what the writer did. 

Ss find out information about the tests and the improvements.

Test 1 Test 2 1)

Place the frozen bowl over the habitatand ice-cubes on top. 2)

Cover them with a bucket A whole night The snakes were very sleepy but tried to bite (failure) Test 3 1)

Place the frozen bowl over the habitatand ice-cubes on top. 2)

Cover them with a bucket 3)

Catch them with a small net. A whole night The snakes were caught and released (success) Equipment 1)

Place the frozen bowl over and the habitat and ice-cubes on procedure top. 2)

Cover them with a bucket Time

Result 2 hours the snakes were still too fast to catch (failure) 

Ss compare the three tests and answer the questions 1)

What’s the final invention? 2)

What’s the fifth stage? Ss: Deciding on the invention 3)

Did the writer give up? What qualities does the writer have? T: Edison once said, “Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time.” So, qualities, such as determination, persistence and patience, of an inventor are decisive to successful inventions. Task 5: Being a patent examiner (Role-playing) T: Now only one stage is left, which is to apply for a patent. Ss read paragraph 7 and answer the following questions. 1)

Is it easy to get a patent? Why? 2)

What kind of invention can get a patent? T: pretend you are a patent examiner. Will you give the following products a patent?

1. Healthier meat: In Japan scientists have managed to produce pigs that have a plant gene inserted into their DNA. This means the fat in the meat is better for human health. Should this method of inserting plant genes in animals be given a patent?

2. Mapping the stars: Scientists have found a new star system that is millions of light years away. This information is very important to astronomers. Do you think this should be given a patent?

Patent?

3. A trap for insects: You and your friends have invented a new way to prevent insects coming into

the house without hurting them. They cannot enter the house and will be caught ready to be taken back to the wild. Do you think this should be given a patent?

T: What about the writer’s invention? Is it the right invention?

Ss read the last paragraph and answer the following questions: 1)

What did the writer do to apply for a patent? 2)

How long will it take before her invention gets patented? 3)

Why does it take so long? 4)

Why are inventors willing to wait for such a long time? What can they get in return? Task 6: Further discussion Ss have a discussion about why the government is willing to spend so much money on supporting people to get patents and how it can benefit our country. Step 3: Post reading Task 1: Giving a conclusion Ss review the six stages of inventions quickly and conclude the key factors for a successful invention. Task 2: Becoming an inventor Ss work in groups to invent something they really need in their study and daily life. 1) What's the problem? 2)What kind of research do you do? 3)What's your solution? 4)How do you test your solution? 5)What do you invent? 6)How will it change your life?

Ss finish question 1, 3 and 6 in class. And then give a presentation to the class. Ss give each group a score. The best invention will win award. Evaluation criteria Is it a true invention?(0/4) Is the idea novel? (1~4) Is it unique?(1~4) Is it something that people really need?(1~4) How is the presentation?(1~4) Total score(1~20)

Assignment:Write down the process of your invention and fill a patent application

8.

Blackboard design Unit 3 Inventors and Inventions 6) Applying for a patent

Necessity 1) Finding a problem

Passionate, persistent inventors

successful

3) Thinking of a creative solution

Enough knowledge and information

inventions 2) Doing research

4) Testing the solution

the development of the country 5) Deciding on the invention

9.

Teaching reflection

Interesting tasks have been designed to make the students active, and the lesson is logical and clear. The question-answer teaching method makes it easier for the students to comprehend the passage. By learning this class, the students get to know how to invent something people really need and be aware of the importance of inventions as well as the key factors for successful inventions.