Unit 8.docx

1、Unit 8 Unit 8 CloningI. Suggested Teaching Plan(6 periods)ObjectivesStudents will be able to:1. understand the main idea (cloning is a two-edged sword) and structure of the text;2. appreciate the writing strategies employed by the author;3. master the key language points and grammatical structures i

2、n the text;4. conduct a series of reading, listening, speaking and writing activities related to the theme of the unitTime allotment1st period: Pre-reading; While-reading (Part I)2nd period: While-reading (Part I, Part II)3rd period: While-reading;4th & 5th period: Post-reading; . Check on 5s home r

3、eading (Text B)6th period: Theme-Related Language Learning TasksPre-reading tasks1. Tasks 5s the following questions on the recorded interview: (5 minutes) - What does Prof. Greely think of human cloning? (We must distinguish different types of human cloning. Some are justified; others are not. ) -

4、What is the greatest problem with human reproductive cloning? (safety)2. Out-of-class research project (30 minutes)1) The research project should be assigned at the end of the last unit. Ss form groups to use library resources and Internet resources to get answers to the following questions:- What i

5、s cloning?- Give a brief history of the scientific research into cloning.- What are the major pros and cons of human cloning?- During your research, what new vocabulary items have you come across that are related to cloning? 2) Groups report to class. To save time and give presentation opportunities

6、 to more groups, no one group need answer all the questions. A group member may write down new vocabulary . items(in both English and Chinese) on the blackboard while another member is presenting. :3. T may lead in to the text by saying: By now many of you may have already formed your own idea about

7、 human cloning, but lets refrain from opinions for the moment. The author of Text A is a science reporter. Like a good journalist, lets first make the facts clear. (2 minutes)While-reading tasks I1. Part I (70 minutes) 1) Ss scan the first three paragraphs to see where a tense change takes place. By

8、 thus doing they will see that the first two paragraphs act as introduction to the whole essay. 2) Tasks Ss the following questions: - This is a piece of journalistic writing like Text A, Unit 7. What important role do beginning paragraphs play in journalistic writing? - Why didnt the author start f

9、rom the very beginning of cloning research, but start with the birth of Dolly? (see Text Analysis) 3) T explains language points in Part I and gives Ss practice (see Language Study). 4) Ss sum up the main-idea of Part I.2. T explains language points in the rest of the text and gives Ss practice (see

10、 Language Study). (70 minutes)3. Ss do Text Organization Exercises 1 and 2. (25 minutes)1. Learning about writing strategy (40 minutes)1) Ss read Writing Strategy in this unit.2) Ss do the after-text structure exercise on It is true. ., but. and True., but., so that they realize this is one form of

11、concession. ,3) T reminds Ss that this is a piece of journalistic writing, the author of which must refrain from passing judgment. He / She concedes to achieve objectivity.4) Ss find other examples of balanced, objective writing. (see Text Analysis)2. T guides Ss through some after-text exercises. (

12、35 minutes)3. T checks on Ss home reading (Text B). (3 minutes)4. Ss do Part IV: Theme-Related Language Learning Tasks. (1 period)ll. Text Analysis This text has some features in common with Text A, Unit 7: an eye-catching introduction and objectivity The text starts with the birth of Dolly, because

13、 it is a critical point in cloning research. Reader interest is further aroused by the low-key tone. Why no excitement, why no champagne, why were few people around? Readers are then ready to be told an objective account about human cloning.The father of Dolly is level-headed about his achievement,

14、so is the author. She quotes Wilmut and OppenHeimer to show how science can be a double-edged sword. Before listing the many benefits of human cloning in Part IV, she first identifies the ethical problems involved in Part III. In her article she asks many questions, to which she gives no answer. If

15、she said that there were definite answers, she would not be objective. .However, compared with Text A, Unit 7, the word choice is more elaborate;. sentences and paragraphs grow longer and more complex. After all, this is about science and ethics!III. Cultural Notes1. clone: a group of organisms or c

16、ells that are genetically identical, having been produced from one parent by asexual reproduction. The individual organisms or cells are precise copies of the parent and genetically identical to it. Clones are found naturally among single-celled organisms (such as bacteria), a few invertebrates (such as corals), and some asexually reproducing plants as