Making a difference（The First Period）

   (teacher may go among the students and join them in their discussion.)
t: (five minutes later.) what’s the meaning of the first quote, wu liping?
s: i think it means that if we make great efforts to do something, we'll succeed. and no matter how clever he is, a person will fail if he doesn’t try his best.
t: very good. who do you think said this quote?
s: i think it was thomas alva edison who said it. in chinese, it means“天才就是百分之九十九的汗水加上百分之一的靈感”
t: do you agree with it?
ss: yes.
   (teacher asks two other students to explain the other quotes and tell who said them.)
s. “想象力比知識更重要”。（albert einstein）
   if you want to succeed, it's more important for you to have imagination than knowledge.
s:生活中沒有什么可怕的東西，只有需要理解的東西。（maria curie）
  there are only things to be understood in the world, while there is nothing to be feared.
t: do you know any other quotes about science and thinking?
   (one student stands up.)
s: i'd like to have a try. wisdom is only found in truth.－johann wolfgang von goethe
s: knowledge is power.－francis bacon
…
 (ask the students to open the books at page 1 and let them have a discussion about the quotes and pictures in warming up.)
t: (a few minutes later.)we have learnt some quotes now. if you want to know more about quotes about science and thinking, you can collect more information in the library or on the internet after class.
step ⅲ listening
t: ok. now let's do some listening practice on page 2. today we are going to listen to the descriptions of some famous scientists. before listening to the tape, please read the requirements        by yourself quickly. when i play the tape for the first time, you just listen to get the general idea. the second time i play the tape, you should try to finish the exercise. the last time, check     your answers. are you clear?
ss: yes.
t: ok. let’s begin. please listen carefully.
  (teacher plays the tape for the students to listen and pauses the tape for the students to write down their answers when necessary. in the end, check the answers with the whole class and give some explanations or play the tape again if necessary. )
step iv speaking
t: now let's look at the speaking part on page 2. work in groups of five. each group member represents a branch of science, for example, biology, maths, chemistry, physics, computer science. you are going to debate each other to see which branch of science is the most important and useful for society. first you should decide who will represent each branch and then prepare your role card and them begin to debate. are you clear?