Unit 2 Extended reading
Finding a balance: my tai chi experience
Teaching objectives:
By the end of this class, students will be able to:
1. tease out and summarize some basic information about the origin, types, practice requirements of tai chi and the culture behind it;
2. analyze the reasons for the changes of the author’s interest in tai chi and further explore the essence of tai chi;
3. learn to find and keep a balance on the opposite things in daily life to develop the right world outlook.
Teaching procedures:
1. Lead-in
2. First reading
Task 1: (1)Read the article and complete the chart.
(2) Two different explanations for the origin of Tai Chi:
Invented by Zhang Sanfeng, a_________Taoist, after drawing inspiration from______________________. Developed by Chen Wangting, a______ master of Chinese martial arts, based on__________________________.
3. Second reading
Task 2: Find more benefits of tai chi after the author has practiced it for a year.
Task 3: Use some adjectives to reflect the author’s interest in tai chi in different periods.
4. Third reading
Task 4: Read the article and complete the chart.
Task 5: Give more examples to explain the unity of opposites.
There is no ... without ...
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5. Critical thinking
How can you put the philosophy of tai chi into your study or your life?
(Hints:success and failure; study and fun; dream and reality; fairness and unfairness; beauty and ugliness...)
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6. Homework
Write an email to your friend Mike about a Tai Chi competition.