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. Predict
Look at the title and the illustration in the story and try to predict what would happen in it.
3. Read the lines
Activity 1 Find the basic elements of this short story. (1st reading)
4. 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)
Qualities:
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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?
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5. 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?
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Q2: Why does Mama tell a lie? What does Mama’s Bank Account stand for?
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Activity 2 Critical thinking
Since Mama’s white lie gives children a sense of security, why does Mama finally tell her children the truth?
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6. Free talk
In your memory, what’s the most touching thing that your mother did for you?
7. Homework