Unit 4 Amazing art Developing ideas Han Gan and His Horses 课件-2026-2027学年高中英语外研版必修第三册

UNIT 4 · Amazing art Han Gan and His Horses Unit 4 Developing ideas Learning Objectives 01 / A BRUSH FULL OF LIFE 01 Know the artist — follow Han Gan from a wine shop in the early Tang to the royal court of Emperor Xuanzong. 02 Read the painting — see how Night-Shining White captures both the body and the spirit of a horse. 03 Present the master — retell his life and work as a museum tour guide, with your own words. One horse. One thousand years. Still burning-eyed, still ready to run. Lead-in: Words for a Horse Which words would you use to describe horses? Compare with your partner. Which of these words could describe a painting of a horse as well? cute, wild, strong, loyal, elegant, graceful, clever, proud... Predict: What Is the Text About? Read the title and the first paragraph. Choose the best answer: a · An introduction to the Metropolitan Museum of Art b · The story behind Night-Shining White c · The famous artist Han Gan Learning to learn: before reading, recall what you already know about the topic — the Tang Dynasty, Chinese painting, or horses. New information sticks better to old knowledge. Reading Strategy: Connect to Know Read like a biographer Our reading map The masterpiece → the poor boy → the lucky accident → the stable years → the emperor's question → the praise of Su Shi Reading map: Night-Shining White Find out the evidence that it is a masterpiece ①Kept in New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art, it is regarded as one of the most significant horse paintings in Chinese art. ②"What a magnificent horse! Even after more than a thousand years, we can still feel the power within its burning eyes, bared teeth and kicking hooves." Reading map: What is the Lucky Accident? Born into a poor family in the early Tang Dynasty, young Han Gan had to help support his family by working in a local wine shop. One day he was sent to the poet Wang Wei's house to collect payment for wine. While waiting at the gate, he drew pictures in the dirt with a stick — and the poet himself saw them. Wang Wei decided to sponsor the young man to study painting — and recommended him to a master. Mind Map: The Life Behind the Painting THE MASTERPIECE Night-Shining White · burning eyes · bared teeth · kicking hooves · power that lasts 1,000 years THE BEGINNING Poor family · wine shop · drawing in the dirt · discovered by Wang Wei THE METHOD Not copying the old masters · living with the royal stables · the horses themselves as teachers THE PRAISE "Could gallop off the paper" · Su Shi: "real horses" · a master of horse painting Han Gan · Tang dynasty · Observation over imitation Artist and work — the painting opens the story; the artist explains it. Life of the artist — birth, the accident, the court: time order builds character. Comments on his work — Su Shi and other viewers close the circle with praise. Activity: Complete the Diagram Artist & masterpiece Han Gan · Night-Shining White · burning eyes, bared teeth, kicking hooves Life of the artist Poor family, early Tang · wine shop → Wang Wei's sponsor → court painter of Xuanzong Comments on his work Su Shi: "real horses" · viewers: "could gallop off the paper" Now check with the text: which details come from observation, and which from imagination? What does that balance tell us about art? Language Focus: Telling a Life Story Even after … "Even after more than a thousand years have passed" — time phrases that make old things feel near. was discovered by accident Story-telling phrases: by accident ; was chosen to do sth.; decided to do sth. — how lives turn on small moments. sang high praises for Praise language: express admiration for... regard as a master of... Retell Han Gan's life in three sentences — use "by accident" once and one praise phrase at the end. "All the horses in your stables are my very teachers." Think in pairs: Han Gan refused to copy the old masters and went straight to the living animals. Where are your own "stables" — the places where real learning actually happens, inside or outside the classroom? THINK · PAIR · SHARE Group Talk: Be the Tour Guide Scenario You are a tour guide at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Introduce the life and work of Han Gan to your group. Step 1 · Choose Think about what information to include — the painting, the life, or the comments. Step 2 · Order Decide in what order you will introduce him, and give your tour a strong first and last sentence. Step 3 · Speak Introduce Han Gan and his painting to your group members in one minute. Critical Thinking: Think and Share 1. What made Han Gan a successful painter — his talent, his hard work, Wang Wei's help, or his way of learning? Rank the reasons and defend your top choice. 2. Do you know any other artists famous for painting animals? Introduce one to the class — what makes their animals feel alive? Summary: What We Learned Today The text — a life told in time order: masterpiece → poor boy → lucky accident → stable years → lasting praise. The language — "by accident", "sponsor", "sang high praises for": the words that build a life story. The idea — great art comes from life itself: observation over imitation, spirit over surface. Remember: the world is the best classroom — find your own stables. Homework 1 Required · Draw a mind map of Han Gan's life, then write 80–100 words introducing Night-Shining White to a foreign friend. 2 Required · Search for one more traditional Chinese painting you love. Note its artist, dynasty and one detail that moves you. Thank You May your brush always paint the spirit, not just the shape. $