Teaching Aims:

1. Train the students' reading ability.

2. Learn some useful words and expressions

3. Learn more about art and architecture.

Teaching Important Points:

1. Help the students to understand the passage better.

2. Learn and master the important words and phrases in this period.

Teaching Difficult Points:

1. How to help the students improve their reading ability and understand the passage

better.

2. How to master the important language points in the passage.

Teaching Methods:

1. Discussion to help Ss understand what they've learnt better.

2. Fast reading to get the general idea of the text.

3. Careful reading to understand the passage better.

4. Explanation to help Ss master some language points.

Teaching Aids:

1. a tape recorder

2. a projector

3. the blackboard Teaching Procedures:

Step I Greetings

Greet the whole class as usual.

Step II Pre-reading

(Show the following on the screen. )

T: Look at the screen, please. What do you see?

Ss: Tian'an men.

T: Yes. Last summer I went to Beijing and visited it. It is beautiful, isn’t it? Ss: Yes.

T: Is it modern architecture or classical architecture?

Ss: It's classical Chinese architecture.

T: OK. Now, please look at another picture on the screen.

(Show the following on the screen.)

T: Do you know what it is?

Ss: Yes, it’s the Opera House in Sydney.

T: Is it classical or modern?

Ss: Modern.

T: What does it look like?

Ss: It looks like ship sails or seashells.

T: OK. Look at the screen. Here are some other pictures. Some of them are classical and the others are modern. Look carefully and then tell me which you prefer.

(Show the following pictures on the screen.)

T: OK. Who would like to tell us your opinion?

S: I like modern architecture better because it makes you get excited and encouraged when you see it.

T: OK. Who has a different opinion?

S: In my opinion, I think classical architecture can make you relax and make you feel close to nature. And you can find many beautiful things in it. Many parts are carefully designed and constructed. I like classical architecture better.

T: Good. Today, we'll read more about architecture. First, open your books and

turn to Page 19. Look at the pictures in Pre-reading and the title of the text “Modern architecture” and finish Ex. 2 quickly. Then check your answers in pairs.

(A few minutes later, ask some students to say their answers. )

Step III Reading and Understanding

T: By now, we've talked much about architecture. Now, let's read the passage. First of all, read the new words after me, please.

(Teacher teaches the students to read the new words in this period. Then

students read the words by themselves for a moment. At last, ask some

students to read the words. )

T: Now, read the passage quickly. You'll find two words in bold. Try to find out

what they refer to.

(Three minutes later, ask two students to say their answers. )

T: OK. Have you finished?

Ss: Yes.

T: OK. Who can tell us what “them” in the fourth paragraph refers to?

S: I can. It refers to “modern buildings”.

T: Do you agree?

Ss: Yes.

T: Now, how about the word “that” in the sixth paragraph? Who knows?

S: I'll have a try. It refers to the sentence: Nature doesn't have any straight lines.

T: Do you think his/her answer is right?

Ss: Yes.

T: Very good! Now, you know two architects are mentioned in the passage. And the passage also talks about their works, which were inspired by looking at nature. Read the passage again. This time, you should read it carefully to find out who they are and what inspired them. Are you clear?

Ss: Yes.

T: (A few minutes later.)Let's stop here. Who can tell us who the two architects are?

S: They're Frank Lloyd Wright and Antonio Gaudi.

T: Yes, quite right. Do you know what inspired them?

S: Frank Lloyd Wright was inspired by Japanese seashells and Antonio Gaudi

was inspired by fish, dragons and so on.

T: Very good. Please sit down. We know that Beijing will host the 2008 Olympic

Games. This passage also talks about the new Olympic Stadium in Beijing.

People call it “The Bird's Nest”. Do you know why?

S: Because viewed from the top, it looks as if the stadium is covered by a gray

net of steel, and it looks just like a bird's nest made of tree branches.

T: That's right. We know traditional and modern architectures make use of different materials. Who can tell us what they are?

S: Let me try. They are: earth, stones, bricks, wood, steel, concrete, glass and so on.

T: Who can divide them into two groups?

S: We can divide them into natural materials and modern materials. Earth,

bricks, stones and wood are natural materials. Steel, glass and concrete are

modern materials.

T: (Write them down on the blackboard.)Very good. Now, think carefully. What other materials belong to these groups? If anybody knows,please come to write them down on the blackboard.

(Ss may have various answers.)

Step IV Discussion and Explanation

T: Read the passage again silently and then have a discussion about the questions

in Ex. 5 and Ex. 6 on Page 21 in groups of four.

(A few minutes later, the teacher may collect their answers.)

T: Good. I think you've understood the meaning of the passage. Now, I'll explain some important words and phrases to you. Listen carefully and take notes.

(Show the following on the screen. )

1. impress vt. have a favourable effect on sb.; make sb. feel admiration and

respect

e. g. We were most impressed by/with your efficiency.

The film impressed me very much.

2. act as: perform the role or function of sb./sth.

e. g. I don't understand their language; you’ll have to act as an interpreter.

The chemical acted as a catalyst.

3. despite prep. without being affected by

e. g. Despite wanting to see him again, she refused to reply to his letters.

Despite what others say, I think he is a good boy.

4. inspire vt. fill sb. with thoughts, feelings or aims

e. g. His best music was inspired by the memory of his mother.

His speech inspired me to try again.

5. view vt. look at/watch (sth.) carefully

e. g. We'll go and view the house before we buy it.

He viewed the whole thing as a joke.

6. fill up with: make/become completely full

e. g. The solider filled up the tank with petrol.

The room soon filled up with people.

(Bb: impress, act as, despite, inspire, view, fill up with)

Step V Listening and Reading

T: Now, let's listen to the tape. I'll play the tape twice for you. You should listen carefully the first time and then read after the tape when I play the tape the second time. Pay attention to your intonation.

(Play the tape for Ss to listen and repeat. Then ask some students to read

the passage. One student, one paragraph. Help them with their pronunciation. ) Step VI Summary and Homework

T: Today we've read a passage about modern architecture. We’ve also talked about traditional architecture. We’ve learnt some useful words and phrases, too. After class you should read the text more to understand it better and try to use the new words and phrases more to master them better. That's all for today.

Step VII The Design of the Writing on the Blackboard

Unit 3 Art and architecture

The Second Period

Building materials:

Group 1:

natural materials:

earth, bricks, stones, wood...

Group 2:

modern materials:

glass, steel, concrete...

Words and phrases:

impress, act as, despite, inspire, view, fill up with

Step VIII Record after Teaching