Unit 4 Natural Disasters Reading and Thinking 阅读教案-2026-2027学年高中英语人教版必修第一册

Unit 4 The Night the Earth Didn’t Sleep Complete English Reading教案 Basic Information Topic: The Night the Earth Didn’t Sleep Grade: Senior High Grade One Class Type: Reading Lesson Duration: 45 minutes Theme Context: Natural disasters, disaster prevention & national unity I. Teaching Objectives 1. Language Ability Master chronological writing logic of literary journalism; sort out pre-quake signs, quake damage, post-quake rescue and city reconstruction; grasp descriptive words, numbers and rhetorical devices for disaster narration. 2. Thinking Quality Predict text content from the title; analyze text structure and paragraph main ideas; appreciate rhetorical techniques and figure out the author’s writing intention; carry out in-depth discussion on disaster prevention and reconstruction. 3. Cultural Awareness Feel the devastating power of natural disasters; understand the power of national unity reflected in Tangshan’s reconstruction; establish self-protection awareness and positive spirits to overcome difficulties. 4. Learning Ability Learn to sort out text information via mind maps and tables; cooperate to extract details and express personal opinions in group discussion. II. Key & Difficult Points Key Points 1. Sort out the three-stage text structure: before / during / after the Tangshan Earthquake. 2. Extract key details including abnormal signs, earthquake destruction and rescue measures. 3. Identify common rhetorical devices (personification, simile, exaggeration, repetition) and their functions. Difficult Points 1. Analyze the writing features of literary journalism and the effect of mass data in the passage. 2. Deeply understand the implied theme of unity and rebirth behind the disaster story. 3. Use chronological logic and descriptive expressions to retell the whole event fluently. III. Teaching Aids Multimedia PPT, textbook, pictures of Tangshan before and after the earthquake, blank mind map worksheets IV. Teaching Procedures Step 1 Lead-in & Prediction (5 mins) Activity 1 Lead-in Show old photos of Tangshan Earthquake and ask students: Have you heard about the Tangshan Earthquake? What words will you use to describe a terrible earthquake? Invite 2–3 students to share simple ideas. Activity 2 Title Prediction Guide students to analyze the title The Night the Earth Didn’t Sleep. Guiding questions: 1. What does the title imply? 2. What content do you predict the article will cover? After pair discussion, collect students’ predictions and lead into the text. Step 2 Skimming: Text Structure & Main Ideas (10 mins) Task 1 Judge text type & writing order Students skim the whole passage quickly, answer two core questions: 1. What is the genre of this passage? 2. How does the author organize the whole story? Teacher summary: It is literary journalism, arranged in strict chronological order (before-during-after the earthquake). Task 2 Summarize main idea of each paragraph Students finish skimming within 4 minutes and mark the core meaning of every paragraph: Para 1: Strange warning signs before the earthquake. Para 2: The sudden occurrence of the massive earthquake. Para 3: Severe destruction brought by the earthquake. Para 4: All-round rescue work carried out after the disaster. Para 5: Tangshan’s reconstruction and revival from ruins. Task 3 Divide the whole text into three parts Part 1 (Para.1): Pre-earthquake abnormal signs Part 2 (Paras.2–3): On-the-spot disaster and heavy losses Part 3 (Paras.4–5): Rescue efforts and city revival Step 3 Scanning: Detailed Information & Mind-map Sorting (12 mins) Activity 1 Complete layered details by timeline Students scan paragraphs separately and fill in mind map clues on worksheets. 1. Before the earthquake — strange signs Well water changes, abnormal animal behaviors, unusual lights and noises; local residents ignored all warnings. 2. During the earthquake — massive damage Collapsed houses, cracked roads, destroyed water systems, broken bridges and railway tracks; massive casualties, cut-off water, food and power supplies; people trapped and desperate. 3. After the earthquake · Rescue: Soldiers dug out survivors; doctors offered medical treatment; workers built temporary shelters. · Revival: Support from the whole country; joint efforts of government and citizens; Tangshan regained vitality. Activity 2 Analyze the function of figures in the text Ask students to circle all numbers appearing in the passage, then discuss their writing effect. Teacher conclusion: Specific time, distance and population data enhance the authenticity and shock of the disaster, showing how huge the losses were. Activity 3 Word guessing Guide students to infer the meaning of “ruins” from context and explain the sentence “Slowly, the city began to breathe again”. The sentence uses personification to show the city regained life and order after rescue. Step 4 Language Appreciation & Critical Discussion (10 mins) Part 1 Appreciate rhetorical devices Students underline sentences with figures of speech and analyze their expressive effects: 1. Personification: The night the earth didn’t sleep / the city began to breathe again Function: Make the text vivid, arouse readers’ emotional resonance. 2. Repetition: the water rose and fell, rose and fell Function: Strengthen the sense of weirdness and tension before the quake. 3. Exaggeration: It seemed as if the world were coming to an end! Function: Highlight the terrifying destructive force of the earthquake. 4. Simile & Metaphor: Bricks like red autumn leaves; rock hills became rivers of dirt Function: Draw a clear picture of the ruined city and deepen readers’ impression of the disaster. Part 2 Group discussion Divide students into groups of 4 to discuss two open-ended questions: 1. What practical help do disaster victims need most after an earthquake? 2. Which other cities suffered big earthquakes? What lessons can we learn from Tangshan and Wenchuan? Teacher guidance hints: emergency supplies, medical treatment, psychological comfort; disaster monitoring, emergency drills, national unity and mutual assistance. After group sharing, the teacher summarizes the theme: Disasters are ruthless, but people are full of warmth; unity helps us overcome all hardships. Step 5 Consolidation & Summary (5 mins) 1. Brief review: Sort out the complete timeline, text structure and core writing skills. 2. Teacher emotional sublimation: We should master disaster prevention knowledge and carry forward the spirit of unity and perseverance. Step 6 Hierarchical Homework Assignment (3 mins) 1. Basic task: Retell the Tangshan Earthquake following the before-during-after timeline with key details. 2. Extended task: Collect materials about another natural disaster and finish a short English report. V. Blackboard Design The Night the Earth Didn’t Sleep 1. Structure (Time order): Before signs → During damage → After rescue & revival 2. Genre: Literary journalism (numbers + vivid rhetoric) 3. Rhetoric: Personification / repetition / exaggeration / simile / metaphor 4. Theme: Unity, perseverance, disaster prevention awareness VI. Teaching Reflection 1. Check whether students can independently sort out timeline details and master text structure. 2. Evaluate students’ ability to analyze rhetorical devices and their expressive functions. 3. Reflect on whether group discussion fully inspires students’ thinking about disaster prevention and national spirit. 4. Optimize student oral retelling activities to improve their ability to describe events with chronological logic. 学科网（北京）股份有限公司 $