Unit 4 Astronomy the science of the stars

Unit 4 Astronomy : the science of the starsVocabulary, Speaking and WritingI. The Background of This Unit This unit about astronomy is from Module 3of Peoples Education Press.II. The Analysis of Teaching MaterialsThis lesson is the first lesson of unit 4. The topic of this lesson ,astronomy, is unfamiliar and kind of difficult for students. All the teaching procedures are designed around space, with the teaching materials regrouped with vocabulary speaking and writing.As the first lesson of this unit, it is necessary for students to have a passion to learn the vocabulary and useful sentence patterns to describe space and give suggestions. And students can be cultivated to show more interest in space. To achieve these aims, there are three videos in this lesson to arouse students interest and make the topic easier.III. The Analysis of Students1. Advantages: The students are from Grade One in No. 1Senior School whose level of learning is a little bit better than others.2. Disadvantages: The students in Grade One are still poor in spoken ad written English. So exercises are designed from the lower level to higher one. IV. Teaching AimsKnowledge aims1. Students have passion to learn the words about space.2. Students can use the key words and expressions on space freely and correctly.3. Students can write a fluent advice letter by using some usefulsentence patterns and conjunctions.Ability aims1. Students should have the ability of using language.2. Students should try their best to express themselves correctly.Moral attitude aims1. Students will build up their patriotic enthusiasm and the sense of mission.2. Students can learn more about the development of aerospace industry.V. Teaching Difficult and Important Points1. With the help of multi-media , students are aroused to have the passion for the knowledge of the helpful expressions about space.2. Students can be instructed to write a fluent advice letter on space trip by using the key words , sentence patterns and conjunctions. VI. Teaching and LearningMethods1. Situational teaching method2. Communicative approach3. Cooperative learning methodVII.Teaching ProceduresStep 1. Lead in.（8 mins）Show students an interesting and vivid video about space .The teacher will inspire students to say the key words in this lesson with a video.Students can learn the key words in this step.Teacher: What did you see in the video or what words can you think of when you watched the video?Students: spaceship, spacesuit, .Teaching aim: This step is designed to stimulate the passion of students for learning about space; meanwhile, help the students get the hang of the new words and useful expressions on the topic of space.Step 2. Consolidation of the given words and expressions.(4 mins)Playa flash game with students about the key words and phrases on space taught in the last period.Teacher shows the key words on the screen to review them.With the aid of this game, students can be more familiar with the key words. Teacher: I want to play a game with you to check your memory.Students speak out the words on the screen.Teaching aim:This step is aimed to review the words and phrases that students have learned. With the step finished, a good preparation will be made for their later writing.Step 3. Teach key sentence patterns.(11 mins)Having introduced a video of a future space hotel, teacher will ask the students to discuss the questions about the space hotel with the help of some useful sentence patterns.The teacher shows the key sentence patterns on the screen and ask students to remember them.Students should remember these useful sentence patterns and use them to have a discussion.The teacher: You should discuss the questions on the screen in groups of 6. And dont forget to use the words and the sentence patterns that we have learned.Teaching aim: With the purpose of instructing the students to master the ways of giving advice, this step will be given enough time so that the students can fully understand and fluently use the key sentence structures.Step 4. Writing(15 mins)Create a real situation for students to give advice to Tim, a Tuhao , who will go to the space hotel and have a space trip. Ask the students to use the words and expressions which they have learned in this class to write an advice letter.Teacher: I hope you will write an advice letter to Tim about his questions. Now please start your writing.After their writing, students will be given time to share his/her letter with others.Teaching aim: With the former steps well finished, this step is to strengthen the students ability of using what they have learned in this class.Step 5. Moral education.(2 mins)Show students a video about the development of Chinese aerospace industry.Teacher: China has already made great achievements in space. Its your turn to go on with the duty to make our country stronger! Lets remember: Keep on going. Dont forget the original heart.Teaching aim: As a Chinese, being proud of our own country China is a must withou