大学英语精读第三版第二册U4教案

Unit 4 The Professor and the Yo-YoTeaching Time: 8 hoursStudents’ level: non-English majors of the second semester of the 1st year.Teaching Objectives:1. Make students have an idea about the Einstein’s unusual personality whether as a scientist or as an average man.1). Analyze the personal characteristics of Einstein.2). Understand the way of life of Einstein.2. About the text, Ss should grasp the text content, text structure, basic vocabularies and required grammar points of the section.Words: ambition, application, approach, argue, bewilder, capable, correspond, display, exclusively, mainly, fortune, function,immune, impress, modest, observe, present, profound, pursue,puzzle, relatively, seriesPhrases & Expressions: at ease, off balance, come to terms with, as far as, mean nothing to, believe in, so much so that, a series of,take apart, work out, capable of, single outGrammar: be made to, that clause3.About the reading, Ss should acquire the skill—reading beyond lines.4.About the writing, Ss should get to know the paragraph developing —writing in logical order.5.About the listening, Ss finish Unit 4 directed by the teacher. Teaching Procedures:I.Pre-reading Activities1.Background information: Einstein & his achievementsIntroductory remarks: Einstein is one of the greatest scientists of all time. His ideas and theories have, directly or indirectly, influenced many areas of the modern world ——science, art, and philosophy. In spite of his great achievements and fame, he always remained a simple man: he was honest and open, very easy to get along with; he lived a plain life and had simple habits, caring very little for material well-being. And the text The Professor and the Yo-Yo, whose author is the son of a close friend of Einstein’s, sheds more light on Einstein’s personality both as a scientist and as a man.2.Key words and expressions:1). modest:a. having, showing, not a too high opinion of one’s merits, abilities, etc. For example:Asian women are more modest and shy, yet they tend to have an inner force.b. moderate; not large in size or amount- For example:The police came to suspect the man who lived a luxurious life on a modest income.2). balance:Useful phrases: keep one's balance; lose one s balance: be in balance; be out of balance; off balance.Special attention: “in the balance”, means 'undecided'. For example: Though her life was in the balance, she thought only of the safety of her fellows.3)impress:a) have a strong effect on the mind or feeling of. For example:I was deeply impressed by the scenery there.He impressed me as a modest scholar.My parents impress on me the importance of honesty time and again. b) fix (sth.) deeply or firmly on the mind or memoryE.g. His words were strongly impressed on my memory.4)immune:be immune to: be free from or unaffected by. For example: Vaccination makes people immune to smallpox.It seems to me that few people are immune to vanity or jealousy.5)exclusively:only; completely. For example:Eton college is an exclusively male public school in Britain.The report is written exclusively for the country's top leaders.6). pursue:v. a) follow, go on steadily with (study or other activity)E.g. He consistently pursued his task no matter how bad the situation was.b) follow in order to catch or do harm toE.g. The policeman pursued the thief.c) <derivative> pursuit (n.)E.g. We work hard in pursuit of happiness.7) displaya) (v.) showE.g. It is fashion designer's dream to display their dresses in Paris.b) (n.) displaying, show or exhibitionE.g. Are you interested in anything on display, sir?8) functiona) (v.) workE.g. The government functions through various ministries.b) (n.) special activity or purpose of a person or thingE.g. As one grows older, there is usually something wrong with body functions.9) frustrate :vt. a) cause (sb.) to have feeling of annoyed, upset disappointment E.g. Staying at home all day frustrated her because she had been a brilliant scientist before her marriage.b) make (plan, effort etc) useless, defeatE.g. The bad weather frustrated all our hopes of going out.10) bitter :adj. a) filled with anger or hatredE.g. You shouldn't have said those bitter remarks about him.b) having a sharp unpleasant taste, causing sorryE.g. They have learned a bitter lesson in the accident.c) <derivative> bitterness (n.)11) arguea) (vt.) try to prove sth. by giving reasons, maintain by reasoningE.g. Columbus argued that the world was round.b) (vi.) (for or against) give reasons for or against sth., (over / against) discussE.g. In the debate, one team argued for political reform, the other team argued against it.12) approacha) (n.) method of doing sth.E.g. Writers take a more romantic approach to the historic event than historians.b) (n.) way, pathE.g. All approaches to the park were blocked after the explosion.c) (n.) coming near toE.g. The pop star is easy of approach.d) (v.) come nearE.g. As night approaches, nightingales start to singing.13) fortune :n. a) luck, chanceE.g. He decided to try his fortune here.b) a large sum of moneyE.g. He has made a fortune by hard work.14). at ease:free from worry or nervousness; comfortable. For example:The doctor soon made the worried patient feel at ease.Donald was not at ease (or ill at case) at such a big party.<related phrases> set / put sb. at ease; make sb. feel at ease; with ease;E.g. The teacher has a good way to put his nervous students at ease.The doctor soon made the worried patient at ease.He solved the problem with ease.15). come to terms with:accept (sth. usually disagreeable) as it is; reach an agreement with.It has taken me a long time to come to terms with the fact that I’ll never be a good writer.It seems that the two sides will never come to terms (with each other).We have come to terms with them that the meeting will be delayed until next month.Later she had to come to terms with the difficult situation.16)as far as:to the extent that. For example:As far as I know he will be away for three months.He will help you as far as he can.17) so much so that:to such an extent that; so that…For example:He longed to visit Paris, so much so that he often dreamed about it.I was worn out, so much so that I thought I would never recover.18) single out:separate or choose from a group for special treatment or notice.All of us did a very good job but the teacher singled out for praise.It is an honour for him to have been singled out to represent the school at the celebration ceremony.20)point out :draw attention to, explainE.g. It was pointed out to us that it was getting very late.21) off balancea) not in balance, not bale to keep from turning over or fallingE.g. Don't rock the boat, you will throw it off balance and get it turnedover.b) <related phrases> keep one's balance; lose one's balance;22) work outa) solve, find by calculationE.g. It didn't take her much time to work out that she would soon have no money left.b) produce by thinkingE.g. We have worked out a scheme which should save the company several pounds a year.23) correspond with :exchange letters withE.g. Will you correspond with me while I am away?24) mean nothing / every thing to :be of no / great importance or value toE.g. Material things meant nothing to Einstein, but to some people they mean everything.25) revert to :go back toE.g. My thought reverted to my childhood days.26) take apart :separate sth. into partsE.g. The professor spent the whole afternoon taking apart his old car.Ⅱ. While-reading Activities1.Ss have the silent reading on the text (10 mins)2.T explains the text in detail.Lines 1--91. Language Points…I display my few tricks and pointed out to him that the incorrectly looped string had thrown the toy off balance. = …I showed of my skills of handling the Yo-yo and explained to him that the toy had turned over instead of rolling up the string because it had not been looped in a proper way.2. Questions for Discussion(1) What do you think are some of the way to make a shy young visitor feel at ease?---Being friendly and hospitable, offering sth. to play with, choosing a topic he or she is interested in, telling a joke, offering him or her chance to show off, etc.(2) From this example do you know what kind of person Einstein was?---He was kind, considerate, interested in children.(3) How do you understand Einstein's nodding?---He was not upset about the fact that the young man pointed out his wrong way of playing, He was modest and easy to get along with.(4) Do you think that daily matter show a person's character?Lines 10--161. Language Pointsthe personality that was Einstein = the personality which was the most striking characteristic of Einstein.a) <additional example> the military genius that was NapoleonHe was the only person O knew who had come to terms with himself and the world around him. = Of all the persons I knew he was the only one who was at peace with himself and the outside world because he accepted the world as it was and knew his limits as a human being.He knew there were answers beyond his intellectual reach. = He knew that the universe had more mysteries than he ever hope to solve, great as his intellectual capabilities were.He was content to go as far as he could. = He was satisfied with what he could achieve and would desire nothing beyond his reach.2. Questions for Discussion(1) Do you know how personality is formed?---It depends on many factors, e.g. genetic background, education, living surroundings, influential persons, etc.(2) What does " he had come to terms with the would around him" mean?---He accepted the world as it was and didn't fight against things he couldn't change.(3) What does "be content to go as far as one could " mean?---Work hard and go as far as one can, be satisfied with what one could achieve. This is a philosophy of life.Lines 17--211. Language PointsHe was beyond any pretension. = He was completely sincere and honest without the slightest intention to show off.2. Questions for Discussion(1) Do you know why he was free from these emotions?---He had come to terms with himself and the world around him. He was interested only in his work, and not in these worldly distractions.(2) How do you know that he was a great person who disliked showing off. He used inexpensive stationary to write to people of high rank, without feeling ashamed.Lines 22--341. Language PointsMaterial things meant nothing to him. = Material things were of no important to him.The razor and water do the job. = The razor and water will do.2. Questions for Discussion(1) Do material things mean nothing to you? What's your point of view? ---Material things include necessities of life. In this sense, they meanmuch to most human beings. They also depend on people's concept of value as we discussed earlier.(2) What does it mean when a person shrugs?---It may mean "I don't care", "It doesn't matter". "I don't believe", "I can't do it", "I won't do it" and so on.(3) Why did he revert to using plain water to shave after finishing the shaving cream?---He accepted the tube of cream as a gift and used it, but wouldn't go out and buy one for himself.Lines 35--521. Language PointsHe didn't have the slightest interest in the practical application…a) not…the slightest : not…any; noE.g. He didn't feel the slightest pain when the needle went into hie wrist....that's not it. = That's not right. / That's not what is expected. 2. Questions for Discussion(1) What does "his quick expression of disapproval" tell us here?---He wanted to know things by reasoning. He believed and was interested only in theory and he refused to take short cuts.(2) What do you think of the example?---He was sort of stubborn, impractical, odd, unique and true to his ideas.Lines 53--611. Language PointsHis name was a household world. = His name was well-known to everyone.2. Questions for Discussion(1) His theories were capable of exciting relatively few scientists. Why do you think his name was a household word?---The significance of a theory lies in its real value. Although average people didn't understand his theories, they owed many useful things to his contributions, such as TV. His ideas were put to practical uses. Above all, his ideas created a revolution in science that excited even people who were not scientists.(2) How do you understand what he said about his achievement? Why was he bewildered about people's admiration?---He was very modest. He regarded himself as an ordinary man. He thought he had done no more than many other men.Language Points:make sb. feel at ease; when my turn came; throw sth. off balance. Questions:a.From this example do you know what kind of person Einstein was?b.How do you understand Einstein's nodding?Paragraph Two:Language Points:a.the personality that was Einstein: the personality which was the most striking characteristic of Einstein.b.He was the only person I knew who had come to terms with himself and the world around him: Of all the persons I knew he was the only one who was at peace with himself and the outside world because he accepted the world as it was and knew his limits as a human being.c.He knew there were answers beyond his intellectual reach: He knew that the universe had more mysteries than he could ever hope to solve, great as his intellectual abilities were.Questions:a.What does 4% he had come to terms with himself and the world around him" mean?b.What does "be content to go as far as one could^ mean? (be satisfied with what one could achieve-)Paragraph Three:Language Point:He was beyond any pretension: He was completely sincere and honest without the slightest intention to show off.Questions:a.Why he was free from these emotions?b.How do you know that he was a great person who disliked showing off?Paragraph Four, Five and Six:Language Points:a.Material things meant nothing to him: material things are of no importance to him.b.finally: at last For example:The detective finally tracked down the suspect.c.present sb. with sth.; a tube of (cream, toothpaste, etc.)d.revert to : go back to (a former condition or habit). For example:The stress lie felt made him revert to the old habit of smoking. Questions:a.Do material things mean nothing to you? What’s your point of view?b.Why did Einstein shrug? What does it mean when a person shrug?c.Why did he revert to using plain water to shave after finishing the shaving cream?Paragraph Seven, Eight and Nine:Language Points:a.E=mc2: Einstein’s special theory of relativity proposes，among other things, that the maximum speed possible in the universe is that of light; that mass appears to increase with speed; that the rate of a clock moving through space will decrease as its speed increases; and that energy andmass are equal and interchangeable. The last point was expressed in the famous formula E=mc2 (energy equals mass times the square of speed of light) and was later proved by atomic fission.b.have curiosity in doing sth.c.take apart: separate (sth.) into parts. For example:Nick took apart the dock and spread the bits all over the carpet.d.work out: solve; find the answer to. For example:John worked out the math problems all by himself.Questions:a.What did Einstein think of his photoelectric theory? Did it prove to be of any practical value?b. What does “his quick expression of disapproval” tell us here?c. From this example, what kind of people was Einstein?(He was sort of stubborn，impractical，odd, unique and true to his ideas.) Paragraph Ten:Language Points:a.profound: deep; needing much thought or study to understand. For example: Philosophy is profound and beyond the reach of ordinary people.b.capable of: having the ability or power for: for example:He is capable of doing such a difficult job.Some airplanes are capable of going beyond 1,000 miles an hour.c. a household word: word known far and wide.Questions:a.His theories were capable of exciting relatively few scientists. Why do you think his name was a household word?b.How do you understand what he said about his achievement? Why was he bewildered about people’s admiration?3. T asks Ss to come out the main idea, structure of the text (10 mins)4. T summarizes the main idea and structure of the text (5 mins)Ⅲ. Summary Questions and Concluding RemarksSummary Questions1. What do you think of Einstein? Can you tell why he is so respected?---He was one of the greatest scientists in history. He created a revolution in science.2. Can you sum up his personality and life style?---(1) Einstein was a modest man.a) When the boy pointed out his mistake in playing with the toy Yo-yo, he nodded.b) When he received great attention, he thought he was fortunate rather than deserving.---(2) He was a man without personal ambition.a) He had come to terms with himself and the world around him.b) He wanted only to understand the universe within his intellectualreach.c) He was content to go as far as he could .d) He was never seen to show personal ambition.e) He cared little for fame.---(3) He believed in simplicity.a) He used inexpensive stationary to correspond with the world most important people.b) He used only a safety razor and water to shave.---(4) He was purely and exclusively a theorist.a) He wouldn't walk down a street to se a reactor create atomic energy.b) He didn't have the slightest interest in observing how his theory made TV possible.c) He would rather give up than use a practical approach to discover the operating principle of the toy bird.Concluding Remarks---As a scientist, Einstein was so great, so extraordinary and distinguished but as a man, he was modest, simple and ordinary. After studying the text, we can learn a lot from him both as a scientist and as a man..Ⅳ. Post-reading Activities1.Let the students do the exercises in the textbook which arc related to the new words.2.Ss hand in the summary of the text.3.Ss discuss the questions on the topic related to the text.4.Let Ss do the exercises in the text book which are mainly related to the new words and topic.。