thesubjectclause

Teaching PlanSubject: EnglishTeaching topic: The subject clauseTeaching content: The usage the subject clauseSpeaker: Wang XiuqingSchool: The Zhongjiang Secondary Vocational SchoolPlace: Room 503, Science and Technology BuildingTime: April 16, 2008Class: Senior Grade ThreeTeaching aims: To understand what the subject clause is and to master the usage of it.Teaching key points: To master the usage of the subject clause led by conjunctions, conjunctive pronouns, conjunctive adverbs and compound words; To master the most commonly used fixed sentence patterns with it as its formal subject.Teaching difficulties: To master how to use conjunctions, conjunctive pronouns, conjunctive adverbials and compound words to form a subject clause; To master the four kinds of fixed sentence patterns with “it” as its formal subject; To understand the meanings of a sentence with a subject clause in it.Type: Theoretic lessonTeaching tools: Computer, presentations and blackboardPeriod: OneTeaching procedures:Step 1: Safety Education1, Count the number of the students.2, Safety education.Its getting hotter and hotter, but dont go swimming in the river or pool, for it is really dangerous for you to do that.Step 2: Lead-in Definitions of the subject clauseIf the subject of a sentence is a clause, not a word, nor a phrase, then this sentence is called a subject clause. It can be led by conjunctions, conjunctive pronouns, conjunctive adverbs and compound words. Conjunctions: that, whether, ifConjunctive pronouns: what, which, who, whom, whoseConjunctive adverbs: when, where, why, howCompound words: whatever, whoever, whomever, whichever, whenever, wherever, howeverStep 3: Detail explanations for each kind of subject clauses(一) ThatWhen “that” is used to lead the subject clause, it neither has certain meaning nor acts as part of the sentence, but cant be omitted. Especially when used at the beginning of a sentence or when the sentence is an interrogative one. But if we use “it” as its formal subject, it can be omitted, especially in the oral English.eg: 1, That the earth is round is true. 2, That he doesnt listen to me is certain. 3,That she will come here is known to us all. 4, That the weather is getting hotter and hotter is normal.If “it” is used as its formal subject, they can be changed into the following ones:eg: 1, It is true (that) the earth is round。Is it true that the earth is round？ 2, It is certain ( that) he doesnt listen to me.Is it certain that he doesnt listen to me? 3, It is known to all (that) she will come here.Is it known to all that she will come here? 4, it is normal (that) the weather is getting hotter and hotter. Is it normal that the weather is getting hotter and hotter？(二) Whether/If( 是否)It has a meaning of questioning. “whether” must be used if the subject clause is at the beginning, and especially there is “ or not ” in the sentence. But if “it” is used as its formal subject, then “if” can be used. eg: 1, Whether we will go for a picnic tomorrow depends on the weather. 2, Whether they will leave school at the end of this month is unknown.3,Whether you do it or not is up to you .If “it” is used as its formal subject, they can be changed into the following ones: eg: 1, It depends on the weather whether/ if we will go for a picnic. 2,It is unknown whether/if they will leave school at the end of this month. 3, It is up to you whether you do it or not.(三) Conjunctive Pronouns: what, who, whom, which, whoseWhen they are used to lead the subject clause, they are put at the beginning and cant be omitted. Which one to choose depends on their meanings and what part it acts as in the sentence. Also we can use “ it” as its formal subject, but not if the conjunctive is “what”eg. 1,Who broke the window is clear. 2, Whom we are studying for is of great importance. 3, Whose watch was lost is unknown. 4, Which team he will work for is obvious. 5, What we need is more knowledge. 6, What they want are more doctors.If “it” is used as its formal subject, they can be changed into the following ones: 1, It is clear who broke the window. 2, It is of great importance whom we are studying for. 3,It is unknown whose watch was lost. 4, It is obvious which team he will work for.（四）Conjunctive adverbs: when, why, where, howWhen they are used to lead the subject clause, which one to choose depends on their meanings. And also “it” can be used as its formal subject, but they cant be omitted at any case.eg: 1, When they will arrive is unknown to us. 2, Where he has been is a mystery. 3, How the accident happened is still a question. 4, Why he didnt come here is not clear to anyone.If “it” is used as its formal subject, then they can be changed into the following ones: 1, It is unknown to us when they will come. 2, It is a mystery where he has been. 3, It is still a question how the accident happened. 4, It is not clear to anyone why he didnt come here.（五）Compound Words: When they are used to lead the subject clause, they act as part of the sentence, so cant be omitted. And “it” cant be used as its subject.whatever= anything thatwhoever=any one who whichever= anything thatwhomever=any one whomhowever, whenever, wherevereg:1, Whatever she says goes. =Anything (that) she says goes. 2,Whoever comes will be welcome. = Any one who comes here will be welcome. 3,Whom you go there with is ok. =Any one whom you go there with is ok. 4,Whichever you want is yours. = Anything that you want is yours. 5, Whenever you come to my country is welcome. 6,Wherever she goes is forbidden. 7,However he finished the job is not important.（六）Four kinds of fixed sentence patterns with “it” as its subject1,It is + nouns +that clauseSuch nouns are: pity, fact, honor, common knowledge, shame, question, surprise etc.eg: 1,It is a pity that you didnt go to see the film.2, It is common knowledge that the whale is not a fish.2, It is + adjectives +that clauseSuch adjectives are: clear, natural, strange, obvious, necessary, important, etc.eg: 1,It is obvious that he will come here. 2, It is strange that she should have trusted him.3, It is +past participles+ that clauseSuch past participles are: said, reported, believed, known to all, decided, etc.eg: 1, It is said that the weather will be cold again tomorrow. 2, It is reported that the accident happened in Tibet.4, It + intransitive verbs + that clauseSuch intransitive verbs are: seem, occur, appear, happen.eg: 1,It seems that he is right. 2, It appeared that they would win the match. 3,It happened that I had no money with me that day.Step 4: Practice in Class1, That she doesnt like tea is true.2, Whether she will go there isnt known to me.3, What you have to do now is to study hard.4, Which school you want to go matters a lot.5, Where she will go doesnt interest me.6,whatever he said makes no difference to me.7,Wherever they travel is not allowed.8,It is a fact that he does like his motherland.9,It is known to all that Taiwan is a part of China.10,It appears that the price will keep on rising.Step 5: SummariesThe subject clause can be led by conjunctions, conjunctive pronouns, conjunctive adverbials and compound words. You should know how to use them to form a subject clause and if “it” can be used as its formal subject. And you should have a good understanding of a sentence which has a subject clause in it. Also you should know the most commonly used fixed sentence patterns with “it” as its subject.Step 6: Homework1, what caused the accident remains unknown.2, It is obvious that they will go to college.3, Whoever told you that is a lie.4, That she did her work by herself is certain.5, Whether she comes or not is uncertain.6, Why he said such silly words is unknown to all.7, It is believed that the speaker will come this afternoon.8, Which school she chooses matters a lot.9, Is it true that he hates me?10 It doesnt matter whether you accept my ideasAdditional designs for writing on the blackboard(一） Thateg: 1, That the earth is round is true.-It is true (th