Art and architecture（The Second Period）
step iii reading and understanding
t: by now, we've talked much about architecture. now, let's read the passage. first of all, read the new words after me, please.
(teacher teaches the students to read the new words in this period. then
students read the words by themselves for a moment. at last, ask some
students to read the words. )
t: now, read the passage quickly. you'll find two words in bold. try to find out
what they refer to.
(three minutes later, ask two students to say their answers. )
t: ok. have you finished?
ss: yes.
t: ok. who can tell us what “them” in the fourth paragraph refers to?
s: i can. it refers to “modern buildings”.
t: do you agree?
ss: yes.
t: now, how about the word “that” in the sixth paragraph? who knows?
s: i'll have a try. it refers to the sentence: nature doesn't have any straight lines.
t: do you think his/her answer is right?
ss: yes.
t: very good! now, you know two architects are mentioned in the passage. and the passage also talks about their works, which were inspired by looking at nature. read the passage again. this time, you should read it carefully to find out who they are and what inspired them. are you clear?
ss: yes.
t: (a few minutes later.)let's stop here. who can tell us who the two architects are?
s: they're frank lloyd wright and antonio gaudi.
t: yes, quite right. do you know what inspired them?
s: frank lloyd wright was inspired by japanese seashells and antonio gaudi
was inspired by fish, dragons and so on.
t: very good. please sit down. we know that beijing will host the olympic
games. this passage also talks about the new olympic stadium in beijing.
people call it “the bird's nest”. do you know why?
s: because viewed from the top, it looks as if the stadium is covered by a gray
net of steel, and it looks just like a bird's nest made of tree branches.
t: that's right. we know traditional and modern architectures make use of different materials. who can tell us what they are?