6-life beyond earth.docVIP

Lesson Six Life beyond Earth Objectives: To enable the students To enlarge their knowledge about the universe, and the galaxy as well as the vocabulary related to astronomy. To note the writing skills of paragraph transition, touches of humor, and heavy reliance of subjunctive mood、modal verbs、vocabulary expressing less assertive affirmations. To get more involved in the protection of the earth and if possible foster their love in astronomy Time Allotment: The teaching plan will be carried out within 10 periods. Background Information About the Author Joel Achenbach: Washington Post staff reporter. National Public Radio (NPR) commentator and author of Captured by Aliens; former writer for Miami Herald; writer of three columns a week for Washingtonpost. Com. He wrote a syndicated column for 7 years called Why Things Are. Organization of the Text: Paras1—2 the emergence of life 2 Para3 (transition) what else is alive out there? Paras4—10 search for life 4) Paras11—23 search for intelligence Paras24—42 Mars 6) Paras43—45 Allen’s argument Paras46—52 conclusion Detailed Study of the Text Part I Paras1—3 introduce the question: Is there life out there/beyond earth? Para 1 1. S1 the author is announcing an important event. Such an announcement would immediately arouse readers’ curiosity. What is this astonishing thing? The following sentence gives the answer. 2. Qualitatively different from----: different from them as a result of evolution. In what way is “life” different from rocks, gas, ---? Life is a living thing while rock is inorganic matter. 3. What is life? (Paras1-2)Does the word “life” mean the same thing throughout the article? No. 1) Life on Earth 2) life beyond Earth (alien life), alien life or extraterrestrial life Para2 1. S1 It is not difficult for you to detect/find life, but when you try to define it, it is difficult to give a definition, a whole complete explanation. To give a complete/clear definition is difficult. It is not