英语泛读课woods

2. The frontier influence. The frontier experience promoted democracy. Established leaders rarely migrated from the East, and so the frontier brought a wide range of people into government. Class lines also blurred in frontier societies. It became difficult to distinguish a permanent upper or lower class because anyone might strike it rich or suffer a setback. The frontier's abundant resources were equally available to all.
While-reading Questions


Where did the family live? What did the father do one morning? Can you describe the surroundings of the little house? What did Ma do when her husband didn’t come back one night? When they saw the bear, what did Ma and Laura do? What did they see in the barnyard? What did they think of the bear? Were they safe in the end? What did the father bring back?
The frontier experience also encouraged the development of certain "American" characteristics. As people moved from place to place, they lost their attachment to a specific region. They began to identify more with the nation as a whole and to see themselves as "Americans." In that way, the westward movement promoted nationalism. Many historians believe that such frontier traits as nationalism, inventiveness, and optimism survive in the American character today.
Further Discussion
1. When Ma and Laura saw the bear what did they do? 2. Why did Ma say that Laura was a good girl?
3. What kind of people were Laura's parents?
Mary & Carrie Ingalls
Laura’s Sisters
Education in the Big Woods
Mary and Laura
attended Barry
Corner School. in 1871.
I.2. Cultural background notes
1.
Westward Movement in America Westward movement in America carried settlers across America, from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean. The westward movement began in the early 1600's with European settlements along the Atlantic Coast of North America. It continued until the late 1800's. By that time, the western frontiers of the United States had been conquered. An abundance of land and other natural resources lured America's pioneers westward. Fur traders, cattle ranchers, farmers, and miners led the push to the west. Merchants and other business people followed. These hard-working men and women faced great dangers, endured severe hardships, and suffered loneliness and boredom in the hope of making a better life for themselves and their children. Some of them looked to the west for wealth or adventure. Others sought to improve their social position or increase their political power.

Understand the meaning of new words in the context
thaw icicle eaves quiver sparkle strap chores mitten barn shaggy glitter prayer smuggle limp
Language Points
4. What kind of life the family lived in the big woods?



The family lived in the Big Woods. In winter, Pa usually trapped animals so that they could trade the furs for some daily necessities in the next spring. They lived far from the town. The children in the family had not even seen a store. As natural threats such as a bear's breaking in were always around, they had to learn to cope with the harsh surroundings.
Unit 2
Learning objectives


Grasp the main idea of the text Grasp the basic reading skill—previewing
procedures
I. Related Information
II. Reading Comprehension
About the author:
Laura Ingalls Wilder(1867-1957): born in Pepin, Wisconsin. She was the second of four daughters. Wilder's early life was spent constantly moving from place to place. Her father called himself a pioneer man and dreamed of going west to explore and settle on unknown territory.
1. Pa said he must go to town to trade the furs of the wild animals he had been trapping all winter.(para.3)
conversions in English. e.g. verbs converted from nouns
Little House in the Big Woods
Little House in the Big Woods takes place in Pepin, Wisconsin.
The Ingalls Family Cabin in Pepin, Wisconsin
Pa & Ma Ingalls
Her writing
Little House books include:
Little House in the Big Wood (1932) Farmer Boy (1933) Little House on the Prairie (1935) On the Banks of Plum Creek (1937) By the Shores of Silver Lake (1939) The Long Winter (1940) Little Town on the Prairie (1941) Those Happy Golden Years (1943)
III. Language Points
IV. Reading Skills
I. Related Information
1.1 Laura Ingalls Wilder 1.2 Cultural background notes
About the author:
Laura Ingalls Wilder(1867-1957)



Ma said that Laura might come with her while she milked the cow, Laura could carry the lantern. So Laura put on her coat and Ma buttoned it up. Other examples: He watered the wine before drinking it. The earth orbits the sun. Point this pencil for me, please. Oil the machine before you operate it. She journeys to Europe once a year on business.
wenku.baidu.com
Seated from left: Ma (Caroline), Pa (Charles), Mary
Standing from left: Carrie, Laura, Grace
About the author:
Wilder did not begin writing her first book, Little House in the Big Woods, until 1931 and it was released the following year. The instant success of the book led to the Little House series, which became popular with young readers. Wilder took great care with each book to make sure that the point of view was consistently from that of a child.