Unit 2 Extended reading
Mama and Her Bank Account
Teaching objectives:
By the end of this class, students will be able to:
1. tease out and summarize some basic elements of a short story: setting, characters, plot and theme;
2. analyze and infer Mama’s qualities and influences on her children;
3. learn to express gratitude for parents’ love and have a positive attitude to improving a parent-child relationship.
Teaching procedures:
1. Lead-in
2. Read the lines
Activity 1 Find the basic elements of this short story. (1st reading)
3. Read between the lines
Activity 1 Read the short story and complete the table. (2nd reading)
There are three times when Mama talked about the Bank Account. Find out Mama’s actions and expressions and children’s feelings at that time.
Activity 2 Based on the sentences below, judge what qualities Mama has shown her children.
(1) Mama would look up and smile. (Line 8)
(2) Mama gave him a bright smile and wrote down a number.(Line 20)
(3) Mama reached across the table and touched Papa’s arm.(Line 23)
(4) Papa seemed shorter and Mama’s hair was silver now.(Line38-39)
(5) Mama said seriously, “It is not good for little ones to be afraid---to not feel secure.”(Line 45-46)
[Word bank:gentle, positive, considerate, hard-working, thoughtful, wise, loving, selfless(无私的)]
Qualities:
___________________________________________________________
Activity 3 If you have an opportunity to use some adjectives(形容词) to describe your mother, what words would you like to use?
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
4. Read beyond the lines
Activity 1 Read the short story and discuss the following questions. (3rd reading)
Q1: Since Mama talked about the Bank Account again and again, why didn’t Mama use her bank account to solve financial(财务的) problems?
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Q2: Why does Mama tell a lie? What does Mama’s Bank Account stand for?
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Activity 2 Critical thinking
Q1: Since Mama’s white lie gives children a sense of security, why does Mama finally tell her children the truth?
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Q2：In this short story, the author uses the first person that can make the story sound personally true and natural. Explore the deeper meaning about it.
___________________________________________________________
5. Share
Your parents have made a lot of sacrifice(牺牲) for you since you were born. They never ask for any payments or returns. In your memory, what’s the most touching thing that they have done for you?
___________________________________________________________
6. Homework
Write a thank-you card to your mother according to your personal experience and the short story.
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