1. Target Language
a. 重點詞匯和短語
scan, boundary, graduate, research, disable, theory, seek, misunderstand, scientific, observe, match, predict, work on, go by, be/get engaged to sb, use up, go on with, dream of, turn out
b. 重點句型
Nor did he let the disease stop him from living the kind of life he had always dreamed of.
2. Ability goals
Learn the story of Stephen Hawking and encourage students to become strong-minded. From his story students should learn to solve problems with scientific methods.
3. Learning ability goals
Students are divided into different groups. Each group will be assigned different tasks. They are asked to collect Stephen Hawking’s information from different resources. Each group member should be involved. In these activities students should learn to co-operate and solve problems.
4. Teaching important points
Learn about how Stephen got rid of his difficulties and became successful.
5. Teaching difficult points
How to analyze the text and grasp the main idea of the text.
6. Teaching methods
Listening, reading, discussing
7. Teaching aids
A tape recorder, a projector and a computer
8. Teaching procedures
Step I Revision
Check the homework. Give the answers to the listening part on Page 81. Ask students to say something about Stephen Hawking.
Step II Leading in
In this class we are going to learn something about a great scientist. The title is “No Boundaries”. How do you understand the title?
OK. Have you heard of Hawking’s famous no boundary proposal? He explains his proposal like this: … that both time and space are finite in extent, but they don’t have any boundary or edge. … There would be no singularities, and the laws of science would hold everywhere, including at the beginning of the universe. So when reading the title, people will think of Stephen Hawking. I’m glad you have learned something about Stephen Hawking. The text will tell us more about him.
Step III Reading
Scanning
Ask the students to scan the text and find the information about his misfortune, his attitude towards difficulty, results from his disease and his achievements. Then fill the information in the form.
Show the form on the PowerPoint.
His misfortune At the age of 21 Incurable disease Had no more than 12 months to live
His attitude Never give up Got married Dreams come true
Results from his disease Has to sit in a wheelchair Speak through a computer
Achievements In the early 1970s became famous The Big Bang and black holes A brief History of Time became a best seller
T: From this form we can have a clear image of Stephen Hawking. Please discuss with your group members: What should we learn from Stephen Hawking?
Students are given several minutes to discuss. Several minutes later, spokesmen or spokeswomen from different groups will stand up and speak out their opinions.
Skimming
Ask students to skim the text and then finish the first question of the Post-reading part.
Careful reading
Read the text carefully and find the answers to the following questions.
Show the questions on the PowerPoints.
1. According to Professor Hawking, how do people misunderstand science?
2. What are the basic steps of the scientific method?
3. What is it that Hawking doesn’t like about his speech computer?
Four minutes later, check the answers with the whole class.
Sum up the main idea of each part.
Ask the students to read through the text and grasp the main idea of the text.
Part1 (Paragraph1~3)
This part tells us about Stephen Hawking’s positive attitude towards life in the face of great difficulties. It is his positive attitude that helps him succeed.
Part2 (Paragraph4~5)
His achievements and his best seller A Brief History of Time.
Part3 (Paragraph6)
The basic steps of the scientific method.
Part4 (Paragraph7)
Science (The speech computer) enables Stephen Hawking to give lectures all around the world.
Step IV Explanation
During this procedure Teacher will play the tape for students. Students will underline the difficult sentences. After listening to the tape, Teacher will explain the text and deal with language problems.
There did not seem much point in working on my PhD-I did not expect to survive that long?
“point” here means reason, value
There is no point in arguing further.
Nor did he let the disease stop him from living the kind of life he had always dreamt of.
Little did I dream of succeeding so well.
seek (for, after)
We sought an answer to the question, but couldn’t find one.
They are seeking for solutions to the current problems.
match
be matched in
They are equally matched in their knowledge of Chinese.
match … with/against …
I’m ready to match my strength with/against yours.
predict
She predicted that he would marry a doctor.
Step V Post-reading
Students are given several minutes to go over the text to make sure they fully understand the text. Then come to the third group questions of Post-reading. These are open ending questions. Students are encouraged to give various solutions.
Step VI Homework
Surf on the Internet and find more about Stephen Hawking and his contributions to the world.