8B Unit 4 Newspapers—More Practice
Benjamin Franklin
Main Lesson Focus Reading
Language focus The simple past tense
Teaching aids Computer, projector, worksheets, blackboard
Teaching method Task-based method
Resources http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benjamin_Franklinhttp://sln.fi.edu/franklin/inventor/inventor.htmlBiography.Benjamin.Franklin. [DVD. English]
Material analysis Class profile
Benjamin Franklin is a newspaper article. The passage contains 4 paragraphs and 3 of them are about Benjamin’s inventions. The article is comparatively interesting and attractive for students to read. With the knowledge of former study, grammar and sentence patterns in this passage are familiar to most students. This is a class of 28 students of Grade 8. They are willing to participate in different teaching activities but there are still some students whose study is not satisfactory. They are very shy in class, keeping quiet and listening to others. I need to provide more chance for them to practice speaking. The average level is intermediate.
Teaching objectives
At the end of the lesson, students are expected to1. Know the meaning of new words according to the context, e.g. talented, curious.2. Understand the main idea and some key information through skimming, scanning, detailed reading, etc.3. Develop their ability to express ideas related to the topic after having a brainstorm.
Key points and difficulties
Students learn more about Benjamin Franklin, especially his famous inventions through a range of teaching activities. Students have a brainstorm in groups and use reasonable imagination to talk about their ideal inventions.
Stage Students’ activities Aim
Pre-reading Watch the video clip to get brief knowledge about Benjamin Franklin.Tick the jobs Franklin did and think about some adjectives to describe him.Learn new words in the context: talented, curious. 1. To set the context and briefly introduce Benjamin Franklin.2. To begin the lesson with a fun activity and arouse Ss’ interest.3. To elicit two new adjectives in the context.
While-reading Skim the whole passage and divide it into two parts.Think about the main idea of each part.Read the first paragraph and fill in the blanks in a table with Franklin’s basic information.Have a peer-check and get feedback on the screen.Scan and circle the names of Franklin’s inventions and underline their usage.Answer T’s CCQs to consolidate the understanding of new words.Read the whole passage and answer questions.Have a peer-check and get feedback on the screen. 1. To practise skimming skills and make sure that Ss can get the main idea of the passage.2. To require Ss to get the basic information of Franklin,3. To develop Ss’ ability to scan and find specific information.4. To elicit new words with visual help.5. To promote the detailed reading ability.6. To call Ss’ attention to some confusing statements.
Post-reading Look back to Paragraph 3 and think about how to introduce an invention.Have a brainstorm about an ideal invention and draw a mind map in groups. Share ideas with classmates. 1. To help Ss recall the description of an invention.2. To arouse Ss’ creative thoughts and organize ideas with the help of a mind map.3. To give Ss chances to express ideas.
Assignments Individual work: Copy and think over some maxims said by Benjamin Franklin.Write a passage of at least 60 words on the topic—my ideal invention.Group work:3. Make an e-newspaper in a group of 4 about one of the famous people in history on P67. 1. To know Franklin better through his words.2. To practise Ss’ writing skills of describing an item.3. To cultivate team spirit.
Worksheet
Read the first paragraph and fill in the blanks
Benjamin Franklin
Birthday
Nationality
The number of sisters and brothers
Job
Personality
Read and answer the questions
1. How did Franklin begin his experiment on electricity
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2. Benjamin Franklin invented electricity, didn’t he
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3. Why did Franklin have the idea of inventing bifocals
_______________________________________________________
4. How many times did Franklin travel across the Atlantic Ocean
_______________________________________________________
5. What did Franklin learn about during his long journeys
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Draw a mind map