Unit 4 Space Exploration Reading for Writing 教案-2024-2025学年高中英语人教版（2019）必修第三册

教学设计 课题 Unit 4 Space Exploration-Reading for Writing 教学目标 Knowledge: Grasp key vocabulary (e.g., "ambitious", "collaborate") and sentence patterns about space exploration; understand the structure of argumentative texts. Skills: Analyze the author’s viewpoints and supporting details; write a short argumentative paragraph on space exploration with logical organization. Affect: Develop interest in space science and awareness of international collaboration. Learning Strategies: Use context clues to infer word meanings; discuss and revise writings in groups. 重难点 Key: Mastering argumentative writing elements (claim, evidence) related to space exploration. Difficult: Expressing personal viewpoints coherently with appropriate supporting examples; distinguishing between facts and opinions in texts. 教学过程 一、开场导入 T: Good morning, class! Today, we are going to embark on an exciting journey into the vast realm of space exploration. As you all know, space has always held a certain allure, captivating the human imagination for centuries. In this unit, we've already delved into some amazing facts about space, from the wonders of the solar system to the feats of human spaceflight. Now, in this Reading for Writing session, we are going to take a deeper look at a very controversial topic: Is exploring space a waste of time and money? So, let's get started! 二、背景介绍 T: First of all, let's set the stage. Countries all over the world are investing huge amounts of resources, both in terms of billions of dollars and countless hours, into various space missions. These missions range from sending probes to Mars to exploring other planets that are much farther away. For example, NASA in the United States has been at the forefront of space exploration, with missions like the Apollo moon landings, which cost billions at that time. The European Space Agency also conducts a wide range of space projects. But this massive investment has led to a big debate. Some people strongly believe that we should stop pouring so much time and money into space exploration. They think that we should focus on more immediate and pressing issues here on Earth, like feeding the world's poor. You know, there are still so many people in different parts of the world who are suffering from hunger. Also, they argue that we should find quick solutions to problems such as pollution, which is harming our environment and our health, and fatal diseases like cancer and some rare genetic disorders. Now, I want you all to think about this for a moment. Raise your hands if you think we should stop spending so much on space exploration. (Wait for students to raise hands) Okay, now hands up if you think we should continue. (Wait again) As you can see, there are different opinions among us, just like in the real world. And that's exactly what our reading passage is about. 三、阅读前引导 T: Before we start reading the passage, let's quickly go over some tips on how to read an argumentative essay effectively. When reading an argumentative piece like this, we need to look for the main argument or the thesis statement. This is the central point the author is trying to make. Usually, it can be found in the beginning of the essay. Then, we should identify the supporting arguments or reasons the author gives to back up the main argument. These are like the building blocks of the essay. And finally, we need to pay attention to the evidence or examples provided for each supporting argument. This will help us understand why the author believes what they do. So, keep these things in mind as we read the passage titled "Is exploring space a waste of time and money?" Now, let's start reading silently. Try to finish reading within 5 minutes. 四、阅读与讲解 (After students finish reading) T: Alright, let's start with the first paragraph. Can anyone tell me what the main idea of the first paragraph is? Yes, [student's name]? S: It presents two different viewpoints. Some people think we should stop exploring space and use the money and time for other problems, while others think this view is shallow and that space exploration is helpful. T: Excellent! You've grasped it perfectly. The author starts by setting up this contrast. The first group of people, those who oppose space exploration, they have a point. They are concerned about the practical problems here on Earth. But then, the author uses the word "however" to introduce the other side of the argument, suggesting that there is more to space exploration than meets the eye. Now, let's move on to the second paragraph. What is the author's first argument in favor of space exploration? [Another student's name]? S: The author says that exploring space has helped in the fight against world hunger. T: Exactly! How has it done that? S: Because of space exploration, there are many satellites orbiting the Earth. These satellites record data on land and weather patterns, and then scientists on Earth analyze this data and give useful advice to farmers. T: Great explanation. So, in other words, space exploration has indirectly contributed to improving food production. The data from satellites helps farmers make better decisions, like when to plant, how much water to use, etc. This is a very practical benefit of space exploration that many people might not think about. Now, let's look at the third paragraph. What's the second argument? [Student's name]? S: Space exploration has promoted technological improvements that benefit us all. T: Right. Can you give some examples from the text? S: It says that because of advanced technology first created for space exploration, high - end products around the world are made to a higher standard. For example, space technologies have helped develop new materials and make better heart monitors and other medical machines. Also, everyday products like GPS, memory foam pillows, and smartphone cameras are the result of space - related technology. T: Very good. So, space exploration has not only advanced our knowledge of the universe but has also had a profound impact on our daily lives through technological innovation. These are all things we use or benefit from in our daily lives that have their roots in space exploration. Now, for the fourth paragraph. What's the last argument the author makes? [Student's name]? S: Sending astronauts into space has helped people think about the world's problems and find ways to solve them. T: How does it do that? S: When people see pictures of Earth as an island in a black sea, they realize that our planet's resources are limited. So, scientists are trying to find other planets that could be our new home in the future, like Mars. T: Correct. This shows how space exploration can change our perspective. It makes us more aware of the challenges we face on Earth and encourages us to find long - term solutions. Mars is a prime target because it's relatively close to Earth compared to other planets. Now, let's look at the last paragraph. What does the author conclude? [Student's name]? S: The author concludes that exploring space provides many benefits to the world, so it should continue. T: Exactly. The author sums up all the arguments and restates the importance of space exploration. This kind of "introduction - body - conclusion" structure is very common in argumentative essays. 五、文章结构分析 T: Now, let's take a closer look at the structure of this essay. We can see that it follows a very clear "total - sub - total" structure. In the introduction, which is the first paragraph, the author presents the controversial topic and two opposing views. This immediately grabs the reader's attention and sets the stage for the rest of the essay. Then, in the body paragraphs, which are paragraphs 2, 3, and 4, the author gives three different supporting arguments for space exploration. Each paragraph has a clear topic sentence at the beginning, which states the argument, and then follows up with details and examples to support it. Finally, in the conclusion, the last paragraph, the author restates the main point that space exploration is beneficial and should continue. This kind of structure makes the essay very organized and easy to follow. When you write your own argumentative essays, you can also use this structure. First, introduce the topic and present different views. Then, give your own arguments with evidence. And finally, conclude your essay by restating your main point. Now, let's look at some of the language features of this essay. 六、语言特点分析 T: One thing you might have noticed is the use of logical connectives. In the first paragraph, the author uses "however" to show the contrast between the two views. This word is very important as it signals a shift in the argument. In paragraphs 2, 3, and 4, the author uses "firstly", "secondly", and "finally" to introduce each supporting argument. These words help the reader easily identify the different points. Can you think of any other logical connectives that we can use in an argumentative essay? [Student's name]? S: We can use "moreover", "in addition", "furthermore". T: Great! These words are useful when you want to add more arguments or evidence. Another language feature is the use of specific examples. For instance, in the third paragraph, when talking about technological improvements, the author gives examples like new materials, heart monitors, GPS, etc. Using specific examples makes your arguments more convincing. When you write your essays, don't just make general statements. Try to provide real - life examples to support your points. Now, let's move on to some vocabulary related to space exploration. 七、词汇讲解 T: In the passage, we come across some important words and phrases related to space exploration. Let's go through them. "Space missions" refers to any journey or project related to exploring space. For example, the Apollo moon landing was a very famous space mission. "Orbit" as a verb means to move in a circular path around a planet or star. The satellites orbit the Earth. As a noun, it is the path itself. "Transmit" means to send information, signals, etc. from one place to another. The satellites transmit data to Earth. "Analysis" is the process of examining something carefully. Scientists do a lot of analysis on the data they receive. Another word is "recommendation", which means a suggestion. Scientists give recommendations to farmers based on their analysis. "Advanced technology" refers to very modern and developed technology, often used in space exploration and then applied to other fields. And "fatal diseases" are diseases that can cause death. Now, I want you to use some of these words in sentences. [Student's name], can you use "orbit" in a sentence? S: The International Space Station orbits the Earth at a very high speed. T: Perfect! [Another student's name], can you use "transmit" in a sentence? S: The radio tower transmits signals so that we can listen to the radio. T: Good job! Using these words correctly will help you better express your ideas when writing about space exploration. 八、小组讨论 T: Now, I want you to work in groups of four. Discuss the following question: Do you think space exploration is worth the time and money? Use the ideas from the passage and your own thoughts. Each group should choose a spokesperson to report your group's discussion later. You have 10 minutes to discuss. (After 10 minutes) T: Alright, time's up. Let's start with group 1. [Spokesperson's name], can you tell us your group's opinion? Group 1 Spokesperson: Our group thinks that space exploration is definitely worth the time and money. Just like in the passage, it helps with food production, which is very important for the whole world. Also, the technological advancements are amazing. We use so many products in our daily lives that are a result of space technology. And exploring space can help us find a new home in the future when Earth's resources run out. T: Great. What about group 2? Group 2 Spokesperson: Our group has a different view. We think that although space exploration has some benefits, the money could be better spent on solving problems on Earth. There are still so many people living in poverty and without proper healthcare. We should focus on improving the lives of people here first before spending so much on space. T: Interesting. Group 3? Group 3 Spokesperson: We believe that space exploration is important, but we need to find a balance. We can't stop exploring space completely, but we also need to make sure we are taking care of the problems on Earth. Maybe we can reduce the budget for space exploration a little bit and use some of that money for more urgent issues. T: Thank you, everyone. It's great to see that you all have thought - provoking opinions. 九、写作指导 T: Now, it's time for you to try your hand at writing an argumentative essay. Your topic is "Is exploring space a waste of time and money?" You can either agree or disagree with this statement. Remember to follow the structure we learned. Start with an introduction where you present the topic and two different views. Then, in the body paragraphs, give at least two supporting arguments for your own view, with examples for each argument. Finally, conclude your essay by restating your main point. Also, use the logical connectives and vocabulary we learned. You can start writing now. If you have any questions, feel free to ask me. (Students start writing. The teacher walks around the classroom, providing individual help and guidance) 十、总结与作业布置 T: Alright, class. We've come to the end of this Reading for Writing session. Today, we've learned about the controversial topic of space exploration and whether it's a waste of time and money. We analyzed an argumentative essay, learned about its structure and language features, and had a great discussion in groups. For your homework, I want you to finish writing your argumentative essay. Make sure it's well - organized, has clear arguments, and uses proper language. You can also do some extra research on space exploration if you want to add more interesting facts to your essay. Next class, we will share our essays with each other. Have a great day! 学科网（北京）股份有限公司 学科网（北京）股份有限公司 $$