Unit 8 Natural Disasters
Integrated skills
I. Teaching aims and learning objectives
By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:
1. give facts for writing;
2. organize ideas by making notes;
3. write an article about a natural disaster.
II. Teaching contents
1. New words and phrases: share … with …, keep falling, nearly fall over, clear the snow,
come from behind,
2. New structure: A snowstorm hit Beijing on Friday, 5 January.
I was doing my homework in the classroom when Mr. Wu came in.
My parents could not get home that night because of the heavy snow.
III. Focus of the lesson and predicted area of difficulty
Organize ideas by drawing up an outline.
Write an article about a natural disaster in easy and clear English.
IV. Teaching procedures
Step 1 Lead-in
1. Compare two articles
T: Today I am going to tell you a story about how Timmy survived the 1999 Taiwan earthquake.
Listen to this, please
In 1999, a terrible earthquake happened in Taiwan.
At first Timmy was sleeping. When he felt the shaking, he wanted to run out of the building, but he failed. And unluckily he was trapped in the dark. After that, he calmed down and tried to find his way out.
At last, some people heard him and saved him.
T: What do you think of the story? Do you think I’m good at telling stories? Why or why not?
Is there anything good in my story?
T: Here are some good points and bad points of my version. So you all think Timmy’s version is
better than mine. And I agree with you. Now let’s go over the structure of Timmy’s version.
In Timmy’s version we can see the changes of his feelings, and we can see how terrible the earthquake was. It seems that we were there with him at that time. How do we have such feelings? First, rticles in the first person make it easier for readers to have the same feelings as the writer’s. Second, facts in details help support the writer’s opinion.
3
2. Work out the structure
T: Now I think you know how to write a natural disaster. Maybe we can give Timmy’s version a
little bit change.
eg: At last, I was safe. I was so happy to see the bright daylight again.
【设计意图】通过比较两则关于Timmy在地震中的故事，让学生了解关于自然灾害文章的写作结构，并初步认识细节描写的重要性。
Step 2 Presentation
1. Read Part A on page 102
T: This week, a snowstorm hit Beijing. Our friend Sandy wants to write about it. And before writing she makes some notes. Let’s have a look.
2. Have a discussion
T: “A sandstorm happened in Beijing on Friday, 5 January.” “There was a sandstorm in Beijing
on Friday, 5 January.” Which is better? Why? What about this one? Why? A sandstorm
hit Beijing on Friday, 5 January. Some verbs can bring clear pictures in readers’ mind.
T: Here is an interesting example.“越来越多的人开始骑自行车。” So, suitable words
phrases or sentence structures can help make your article better.
3. Finish the table
Find out the detail about the sandstorm and fill up the table.
4. Answer the question
T: Why did I stay at Millie’s home? (The snow was very heavy. My parents couldn’t get home.
Millie asked me to go to her home. My parents agreed and her parents agreed too.)
T: As teenagers, you shouldn’t sleep outside without permission because you’re not old enough to do so. Remember to give more details and then readers will know how terrible the snowstorm was.
5. Compare
T: Which is better among the three versions? Why?
6. Finish Part B on page 103
T: Now it’s time for us to help Sandy complete her article.
【设计意图】通过提炼A部分里的信息填表，让学生学习在写作中陈述事实性信息。
通过讨论让学生进一步了解细节描写对观点的支撑，同时学习使用过渡词。
Step 3 Writing
1. Watch and take notes
T: Now it’s time for us to write. First we should choose a topic. There are many kinds of natural disasters and you can choose any one you like. Since you’ve no time to search the Internet for more information, I will provide some for you. And I want you to write down some key words while watching the video. After
3
that you need to write down some notes.
2. Show the structure
3. Offer some writing tips and useful expressions
T: Here are some writing tips and useful expressions for you.
【设计意图】通过过程性写作指导学生进行写作训练。
Step 4 Evaluation
1. Show the evaluation table
T: What is a good article about a natural disaster? Here is something you need to pay attention
to. Now read your article by yourself according to the writing tips and evaluation table.
2. Evaluate
(1) Self-evaluate
Read your article by yourself according to the writing tips and evaluation table.
(2) Peer-evaluate
Share your article with your partner.
【设计意图】通过提供评价表及评价的简单表达方式，使学生能够学会自我评价并对同伴的作品进行评价。
V. Homework
1． Read your article again and make changes where necessary.
2． Prepare for a presentation.
3
微信/支付宝扫码支付