Unit Nine Is There Life on Earth I.Teaching Aims 1.Enlarge the students'vocabulary by learning the new words and doing the vocabulary exercises. 2.Help the studentsto get the general ideas ofthe article. 3.Cultivate student's sense of protecting the environment 4.Help the students to build up their language skills through discussion,writing,etc. II.Key and Difficult Points: 1.New Words feasibility,compose,survive,hover,consolidate,indicate,emit,crash,smash 2.Phrases as well as,ever since,be known as,name after,as to.come to a conclusion,base on, for one thing...for another,be composed of,as far as...is concerned,stick up,give off, set back 3.Sentences (1)For the first time Venusian scientists managed to land a satellite on the planet Earth,and it has been sending back signals as well as photographs ever since. (2)Because of excellent weather conditions and extremely strong signals,Venusian scientists were able to get valuable information as to the feasibility of a manned flying saucer landing on Earth. (3)"For one thing,Earth's surface in the area of Manhattan is composed of solid concrete and nothing can grow there.For another,the atmosphere is filled with carbon monoxide and other deadly gases and nobody could possibly breathe this air and survive.” (4)You see this dark black cloud hovering over the surface of Earth? III.Teaching Methods Discussion,explanation,ask and answer
Unit Nine Is There Life on Earth I. Teaching Aims 1. Enlarge the students’ vocabulary by learning the new words and doing the vocabulary exercises. 2. Help the students to get the general ideas of the article. 3. Cultivate student’ssense of protecting the environment 4. Help the students to build up their language skills through discussion, writing, etc. II. Key and Difficult Points: 1. New Words feasibility, compose, survive, hover, consolidate, indicate, emit, crash, smash 2. Phrases as well as, ever since, be known as, name after, as to, come to a conclusion, base on, for one thing…for another, be composed of, as far as…is concerned, stick up, give off, set back 3. Sentences (1) For the first time Venusian scientists managed to land a satellite on the planet Earth, and it has been sending back signals as well as photographs ever since. (2) Because of excellent weather conditions and extremely strong signals, Venusian scientists were able to get valuable information as to the feasibility of a manned flying saucer landing on Earth. (3) “For one thing, Earth’s surface in the area of Manhattan is composed of solid concrete and nothing can grow there. For another, the atmosphere is filled with carbon monoxide and other deadly gases and nobody could possibly breathe this air and survive.” (4) You see this dark black cloud hovering over the surface of Earth? III. Teaching Methods Discussion, explanation, ask and answer
IV.Time:3 periods V.Teaching procedures: Step1.Introduction 1.Warm-up questions: (1)Do you think our humankind will ever stop exploring the space?Why or why not? (2)Can you name a few big events of space exploration in human history? (3)Do you believe there are some other beings living on the other planets in space?Is it possible for them to land on the Earth in some sort of flying saucers?Why? (4)Make comments on the living conditions around you.Are they satisfactory?Why? A)Air pollution B)Waste in water (water pollution) C)The polluted soil/cement,solid ground D)Traffic problem E)Noise 2.Background Information (1)Art Buchwald(1925-) He is a well-known American humor columnist for Washington Post.His columns frequently deal with stories about politicians and famous personalities. current events in politics and issues in the news (2)Manhattan Manhattan is in New York City.It's one of the commercial,financial and cultural centers of New York City.It has many famous landmarks and tourist attractions.They include Broadway,Chinatown,the Empire State Building,Greenwich Village,Times Square,the United Nations Headquarters,Wall Street,etc. (3)Venus It is the nearest planet to the earth in the solar system.Besides the sun and the moon,Venus is the brightest object in the sky.It is called the"moming star"in the east at sunrise,and"the evening star"in the west at sunset.The average temperature is about 47.5 degrees centigrade.Oxygen is rare there.95%of its atmosphere is carbon dioxide It is satirically interesting that Art Buchwald has chosen the planet Venus as the
IV. Time: 3 periods Ⅴ. Teaching procedures: Step1. Introduction 1. Warm-up questions: (1) Do you think our humankind will ever stop exploring the space? Why or why not? (2) Can you name a few big events of space exploration in human history? (3) Do you believe there are some other beings living on the other planets in space? Is it possible for them to land on the Earth in some sort of flying saucers? Why? (4) Make comments on the living conditions around you. Are they satisfactory? Why? A) Air pollution B) Waste in water（water pollution） C) The polluted soil/cement, solid ground D) Traffic problem E) Noise 2. Background Information (1) Art Buchwald (1925- ) He is a well-known American humor columnist for Washington Post. His columns frequently deal with stories about politicians and famous personalities, current events in politics and issues in the news. (2) Manhattan Manhattan is in New York City. It’s one of the commercial, financial and cultural centers of New York City. It has many famous landmarks and tourist attractions. They include Broadway, Chinatown, the Empire State Building, Greenwich Village, Times Square, the United Nations Headquarters, Wall Street, etc. (3) Venus It is the nearest planet to the earth in the solar system. Besides the sun and the moon, Venus is the brightest object in the sky. It is called the “morning star” in the east at sunrise, and “the evening star” in the west at sunset. The average temperature is about 47.5 degrees centigrade. Oxygen is rare there. 95% of its atmosphere is carbon dioxide. It is satirically interesting that Art Buchwald has chosen the planet Venus as the
setting for his story.His satire is most deeply felt when he has the Venusian professor say that if the Venusian can learn to breathe in an Earth atmosphere,then they can live anywhereelse (4)Light Year A light year is the distance that light travels in one year,at the speed of 186.282 miles per second.Art Buchwald is being humorous when he deliberately says"20.000 light years ago."The intended meaning is only"a very,very long time ago." 3.Introductory Remarks "Is There Life on Earth?"is an essay written by Art Buchwald,a well-known American columnist.He has meant this article to appear as a piece of science fiction or to be an amusing nonsense story just for light reading.But in fact it is a very serious article,conveying a grave and thought-provoking message. We human beings tend to take pride in our "mastery"of nature.We've viewed ourselves as"conqueror"of the skies and oceans.We've devised ways of using the natural resources of the earth for great profits.In recent years,however,we've begun to realize that we are not masters of the natural world,but a part of it.We've also begun to understand that if we don't treat the world with great respect,our very existence as a species may be threatened.And Art Buchwald is just issuing such a wamning in his seemingly humorous article. Step2.Global Reading 1.True or false questions (1)The planet of Venus was filled with excitement because scientists had managed to land a satellite on the planet Earth. (2)The satellite hasn't sent back any information since it landed on Earth. (3)The Venusian scientists were concemed about the feasibility ofa manned flying saucer landing on Earth. (4)The Venusian scientists will probably come to the conclusion that there is no life on Earth. (5)Earth's surface in the area of Manhattan is composed of solid concrete and only a few things can grow there
setting for his story. His satire is most deeply felt when he has the Venusian professor say that if the Venusian can learn to breathe in an Earth atmosphere, then they can live anywhere else. (4) Light Year A light year is the distance that light travels in one year, at the speed of 186,282 miles per second. Art Buchwald is being humorous when he deliberately says “20,000 light years ago.” The intended meaning is only “a very, very long time ago.” 3. Introductory Remarks “Is There Life on Earth?” is an essay written by Art Buchwald, a well-known American columnist. He has meant this article to appear as a piece of science fiction or to be an amusing nonsense story just for light reading. But in fact it is a very serious article, conveying a grave and thought-provoking message. We human beings tend to take pride in our “mastery” of nature. We’ve viewed ourselves as “conqueror” of the skies and oceans. We’ve devised ways of using the natural resources of the earth for great profits. In recent years, however, we’ve begun to realize that we are not masters of the natural world, but a part of it. We’ve also begun to understand that if we don’t treat the world with great respect, our very existence as a species may be threatened. And Art Buchwald is just issuing such a warning in his seemingly humorous article. Step2. Global Reading 1. True or false questions (1) The planet of Venus was filled with excitement because scientists had managed to land a satellite on the planet Earth. (2)The satellite hasn’t sent back any information since it landed on Earth. (3)The Venusian scientists were concerned about the feasibility of a manned flying saucer landing on Earth. (4) The Venusian scientists will probably come to the conclusion that there is no life on Earth. (5) Earth’s surface in the area of Manhattan is composed of solid concrete and only a few things can grow there
(6)Venusian scientists have discovered that the atmosphere of Earth is filled with carbon monoxide and other deadly gases. ()Venusian scientists have found out what the Consolidated Edison Belt is made of (8)They will have to carry their own water to Earth because water on Earth is unfit to drink. (9)They have not found a safe way to land a flying saucer. (10)The flying saucer program will be carried out ahead of schedule 2.Questions about the text (1)Why were the Venusians excited? (2)Based on last week's satellite landing.what was Professor Zog's conclusion? (3)Why did Pro.Zog say so? (4)What were the other hazards they found? (5)Why were the Venusian scientists determined to carry out the flying saucer program? 3.Structure of the text Part I.(para.1-3)The Venusians landed a satellite on earth and it had been sending back signals and photographs.A press conference was held at the Venus Institute of Technology Part II.(para.4-15)Venusian Scientists have come to the conclusion that Earth is unfit for people to live on because of existing problems, such as air pollution,water pollution,traffic problems,etc Part III.(para.16-19)The flying saucer program will be set back,but the Venusian scientists are determined to proceed with the exploration of the planet Earth. Step 3 Detailed Study 1.For the first time Venusian scientists managed to land a satellite on the planet Earth, and it has been sending back signals as well as photographs ever since
(6) Venusian scientists have discovered that the atmosphere of Earth is filled with carbon monoxide and other deadly gases. (7)Venusian scientists have found out what the Consolidated Edison Belt is made of. (8) They will have to carry their own water to Earth because water on Earth is unfit to drink. (9) They have not found a safe way to land a flying saucer. (10)The flying saucer program will be carried out ahead of schedule. 2. Questions about the text (1)Why were the Venusians excited? (2)Based on last week’s satellite landing, what was Professor Zog’s conclusion? (3)Why did Pro. Zog say so? (4)What were the other hazards they found? (5)Why were the Venusian scientists determined to carry out the flying saucer program? 3. Structure of the text Part I. (para.1-3) The Venusians landed a satellite on earth and it had been sending back signals and photographs. A press conference was held at the Venus Institute of Technology. Part II. (para.4-15) Venusian Scientists have come to the conclusion that Earth is unfit for people to live on because of existing problems, such as air pollution, water pollution, traffic problems, etc. Part III. (para.16-19) The flying saucer program will be set back, but the Venusian scientists are determined to proceed with the exploration of the planet Earth. Step 3 Detailed Study 1. For the first time Venusian scientists managed to land a satellite on the planet Earth, and it has been sending back signals as well as photographs ever since
(1)manage:v.try,succeed in doingsth. e.g.He managed to get the work done with very little help. manage,attempt,try&endeavor 这四个词都是动词，均含有“试图，努力，力图”之意。 manage指设法做成了某事，暗含经历了周折，克服了障碍，或总算“将就 着做成了。 attempt较正式用词，强调已经开始，且希望完成，但常隐含着不一定有预 期的结果的意思。当attempt后接不定式时，不能用于被动。 ty普通用词，可与attempt换用，但强调努力或尝试，后跟不定式表示努 力或争取：后跟动名词表示尝试。例如： endeavor正式用词，指尽最大努力、认真地克服困难去做某事。 (2)as well(assb/sth):in addition to sb/sth,too除.之外；也；还 e.g.Are they coming as well? They sell books as well as newspapers. (3)ever since:from then till now自从一直 e.g.He went to the United States in 1982 and has lived there ever since. (4)Grammar....it has been sending signals.(the present perfect progressive tense) e.g.They have been waiting outside for two hours. You've been working hard all day. 2.The satellite was directed into an area known as Manhattan (named after the great Venusian astronomer Prof.Manhattan,. (1)was directed into:was aimed and launched in the direction of the area known as Manhattan. (2)be known as:be generally recognized as,be publicly called as以...而知名 e.g.He was better known as a poet Collocation: be known for因而出名 e.g.Guilin is known for its beautiful scenery be known to all 众所周知 e.g.It is known to all that these islands have always been under Chinese
(1) manage: v. try, succeed in doing sth. e.g. He managed to get the work done with very little help. manage, attempt, try & endeavor 这四个词都是动词，均含有“试图，努力，力图”之意。 manage 指设法做成了某事，暗含经历了周折，克服了障碍，或总算“将就 着”做成了。 attempt 较正式用词，强调已经开始，且希望完成，但常隐含着不一定有预 期的结果的意思。当 attempt 后接不定式时，不能用于被动。 try 普通用词，可与 attempt 换用，但强调努力或尝试，后跟不定式表示努 力或争取；后跟动名词表示尝试。例如： endeavor 正式用词，指尽最大努力、认真地克服困难去做某事。 (2) as well (as sb/sth): in addition to sb/sth, too 除…之外；也；还 e.g. Are they coming as well? They sell books as well as newspapers. (3) ever since: from then till now 自从……一直 e.g. He went to the United States in 1982 and has lived there ever since. (4)Grammar: …it has been sending signals …(the present perfect progressive tense) e.g. They have been waiting outside for two hours. You’ve been working hard all day. 2. The satellite was directed into an area known as Manhattan (named after the great Venusian astronomer Prof. Manhattan, … (1) was directed into: was aimed and launched in the direction of the area known as Manhattan. (2) be known as: be generally recognized as , be publicly called as 以……而知名 e.g. He was better known as a poet. Collocation: be known for 因……而出名 e.g. Guilin is known for its beautiful scenery. be known to all 众所周知 e.g. It is known to all that these islands have always been under Chinese