进阶精读4unit1

Unit 1 Ocean Exploration

I. Objectives:

Students are required to be able to

1. Have a thorough understanding of the next contextually and linguistically ;

2. Expand their vocabulary to talk about deep sea and know how to use

the key words and expressions in context properly;

3. Talk about the importance of the oceans and ocean study, the current

status of ocean study and why it is far from satisfactory;

4. Get familiar with argumentative writing.

II. Importance and difficulties:

1. Usage: sort of/kind of

2. Analysis of some complex sentences;

3. To learn to appreciate the reading skills demonstrated in the text.

III. Teaching methods:

1. Blackboard (with detailed explanations and analysis of the text);

2. Multi-media (to display the lead-in and background information of the text);

3.Discussion (to divide students to several groups to discuss the possible benefits and drawbacks of ocean exploration.)

IV. Teaching-Steps:

1. Opener (for one class)

a. Ask Ss to Look at the picture on page 13 while listening to the

recording and then work with their partner to answer the questions that follow.

(1)According to the speaker, what does the SeaOrbiter look like?

It looks like a giant ship sinking in the sea.

(2)What purpose will it serve?

It will be a permanent mobile exploration station for scientists to observe what is going on under the surface of the sea.

(3)How many such vessels will be built and launched according to the

architect?

According to him, half a dozen such vessels will be built and launched.

b. Briefly explain to Ss what Shark Week is .

Shark Week is an annual, week-long TV programming block at the Discovery channel, which, usually beginning in July or early August, features shark-themed programs. It was originally devoted to conservation efforts and correcting misconceptions about sharks.

《鲨鱼周》是美国有线电视探索频道一年一度、为期一周的以鲨鱼为主题的电视节目，通常于每年7月或8月初播放。其初衷是保护海洋、纠正对鲨鱼的错误观念。

c. Introduce the Times to the ss

The Times is a British daily (Monday to Saturday) national newspaper based in London, England. It began in 1785 under the title The Daily Universal Register, adopting its current name on 1 January 1788. The Times is the first newspaper to have borne that name, and it is also the originator of the widely used Times New Roman typeface. The Times had an average daily circulation of 446,164 in December 2016; An American edition of The Times has been published since 6 June 2006. It has been heavily used by scholars and researchers because of its widespread availability in libraries and its detailed index.

d. Direct Ss’ attention to the new words and expr essions in opener.

Sea Orbiter 海洋探测者号(建造中的一艘用作海洋探索平台的垂直船舶)

vessel n. 船

currently ad. 现在

set sail 扬帆起航

permanent a. 永久的

Houseboat n. 船屋

e. play the audio in Opener twice and ask Ss to answer the questions.

(1) What is the video clip about?

(2) What is the name of this kind of fish?

(3)Why do people in this documentary decide to find and observe coelacanth?

(4) Why does the documentary mention dinosaurs?

(5) What was the coelacanth called according to 1938’s newspaper titles?

(6) What do you feel after watching the video? What do you think we

can find through tracing and observing coelacanth?

f. choose some Ss to report their answers to class and then give feedback.

2. Reading & Interacting (for two classes)

a. New words and phrases of Reading & Interacting;

b. Give a brief introduction of the general idea of the story told in the text;

This article sets out to win us over to the idea that more resources should be given to deep sea research. The writer could have simply given us a dry lecture on the benefits. Instead he engages our interest by wrapping up his argument in a series of contrasts. Difficulty and success are held in skilful tension throughout. Having started by quoting an authority on how little we know about the deep sea in general, he moves on to regret how little we know about the giant squid in particular. It comes as a pleasant surprise when the negative tone set by these details of our ignorance is suddenly shattered in