Unit 6 Bird watching
Task
I. Teaching aims and learning objectives
By the end of the lesson, the students will be able to:
1. learn how to write an application letter as well as an application form;
2. learn how to make their own ideas attractive and effective while writing;
3. learn to love and protect wildlife and their living space.
II. Teaching contents
1. New words and phrases: date of birth, join the Birdwatching Society, introduce myself, enjoy the natural world, take part in activities, call me on 010-5558 6390, email me at…
2. New structures: I would like to join the Birdwatching Society.
I will be very happy if I can become a member of the Birdwatching Society.
III. Focus of the lesson and predicted area of difficulty
Understand the organization of an application letter and the outline of the main body.
Develop the skill of writing attractive and effective ideas related to the topic and form the good habit of keeping the purpose of writing in mind while writing.
IV. Teaching procedures
Step 1 Lead-in
1. Show some amazing facts about birds
T: In this unit, we learnt many kinds of birds. Do you still remember them? (The teacher shows
some pictures about birds the students have already known.) There are also some other
amazing birds in the world. For example, the swan has about 25,000 feathers. It has the most feathers of all the birds in the world. Here, I’ve given some numbers under the bird pictures. Do you know anything amazing about them? (The teacher shows three more pictures about birds the students may not know.)
2. Introduce Hong Kong Birdwatching Society (HKBWS)
T: These amazing birds interest many birdwatchers around the world. HKBWS is one of the most famous among them. Let’s get to know more. (The teacher asks some students to read a short passage about HKBWS.)
T: I have more pictures about HKBWS to share with you. Let’s have a look at what we can do in the Birdwatching Society. (The teacher shows students some pictures about HKBWS.)
T: From its homepage, I also download this year’s activity plan of HKBWS. How many kinds of activities! Do you want to join it?
4
【设计意图】利用“鸟类之最”之趣，激发学生学习的热情与积极性。一方面，香港观鸟会真实语境的导入有利于提高学生的学习兴趣；另一方面语篇和词汇的输入为学生之后的写作搭建了词汇支架。
Step 2 Presentation
1. What makes an application form
T: If we want to join HKBWS, the first thing we have to do is to complete an application form. Here is part of an application form from HKBWS, can you find out what information we need to offer?
T: Besides all the general information, we also need to give more additional (额外的) information to show we are really interested in or prepared for the Bird Watching Society.
T: And here is why we need to offer the information and some advice we should pay attention to when filling in the application form.
2. Fast reading for information
T: Now, you have two minutes to read Amy's application letter quickly and then help her complete the application form on page 78. Let’s check the answers together.
3. Further reading for organization
T: Let’s read Amy’s letter again and find out the organization of an application. They are greeting, closing, signature and the main body.
T: How many paragraphs are there in the main body of Amy’s letter? (4 paragraphs) Please read
the main body of Amy's letter and try to match the main idea with each paragraph. (The
teacher asks some students to give their answers with the help of key words in each
paragraph.)
T: Just now, you’ve got the main ideas of each paragraph. When we are writing an application letter, we can borrow some useful sentences from Amy’s letter and then use them directly at the beginning of each paragraph. Then we give our own self-introduction, reasons to join the Birdwatching Society and contact ways to make up our special application letter.
4. Detail reading for ideas
(1) Read Paragraph 2 in detail
a. Read the paragraph and answer two questions
T: A good application letter should include creative and effective ideas. Amy’s letter is a good example. Now, let’s follow Amy to have a look.
T: In paragraph 2, Amy uses these two sentences to introduce herself. Can you have a
discussion in small groups and answer the two questions? (The students discuss and then the teacher invites some of them to share their opinions.)
4
Why does Amy say her favourite subject is Biology instead of Chinese, Maths or anything else?
Why does not Amy say she may get high marks in Biology exams since it is her favourite?
T: Some of you get to the point. Yes, when we are writing, make sure every sentence we
write is related to the topic. And never forget what we are writing the letter for or what we want to get from the letter.
a. Practice
The students do two practices about Wild Animals Club and Reading Aloud Club. Then the teacher will invite some students to share their production.
T: Let’s do some practice to check if you have a good understanding of what we’ve discussed.
(2) Read Paragraph 3 in detail
a. Read the paragraph and discuss
T: Let’s move to the next paragraph. In paragraph 3, Amy uses these two sentences to give her reasons to join the Birdwatching Society. If fact, she may have some other reasons. Do they have the same effect? Let’s have a discussion. (Comparation: which is better? I want to make more new friends, and I think it is important for me to have friends with similar interest.The students discuss and then the teacher invites some of them to share their opinions.)
T: From this discussion, we know when we are writing an application letter, we'd better think more about what the “Dear Chairperson” wants to read most and what a person they need most.
b. Practice
The students do two practices about Buddy Club and Volunteer Guide Club. Then the teacher will invite some students to share their production.
T: OK, some practice for you. And I am looking forward to enjoying your great work.
5. Last reading for expressions
T: A good piece of writing means more than attractive and effective ideas. It also needs nice expressions.
T: Besides the useful expressions borrowed from Amy's letter, we can also think of some more with the same or similar meanings. For example, instead of saying “I am very interested in” we can say “I am fond of” and so on. Now, please read Amy’s letter for the last time and find out or think of more useful expressions you can use in your own writing.
【设计意图】通过对教材范文的细节分析，引导学生在写作中选好要点，培养读者意识，达到有效写作之目的。四个写作小练习是在充分挖掘全册（甚至全套）《英语》教材素材之后，基于选材的多样性、真实性、有效性、有趣性等诸多因素而精心设计，它们从不同层面训练并培养了学生的英语写作思维与写作技能。最后再读范文，寻找并列举更多有用句型为之后的写作搭建句式支架。
4
Step 3 Writing
The students write their own application letters. If time permits, the teacher will invite some students to show their pieces in front of class. Evaluations and suggestions about the pieces shown both from the teacher and the students are always welcome.
T: Do you still remember HKBWS we talked about at the beginning of this class?
T: Good news: HKBWS needs more birdwatchers to help this coming summer holiday. I believe most of you also want to join it. It’s your turn to write your own application letter. And keep the advice in your mind when you are writing.
【设计意图】继续依托香港观鸟会这一真实语境，要求学生当堂英语写作。几点写作建议既是写前指导又是课堂总结，而师生的评价与建议则有利于学生初稿得以提升。
Step 4 Conclusion
T: A great person in India has the famous words “The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.” And Tao Yuanming, a great poet from ancient China, has a moving poem. It says “山气日夕佳，飞鸟相与还。” What an amazing picture it creates for us! Thanks. And I am sure we can do better！
【设计意图】用伟人名句和前人诗篇结课，不仅陶冶了学生的高尚情操，而且对其中外跨文化意识之熏陶于水到渠成处。
V. Homework
1. Review the useful expressions for writing application letters
2. Write an application for a job as a translator in a trading company.
4
微信/支付宝扫码支付