Issue 34/537 for Junior 2
北行实验学校 姜瑶

Tales of growing up (P4)

I. Lead-in
Who is the most famous writer of children’s books?
Can you name some of his works?

II. Pre-reading
Hans Christian Andersen (2 April 1805 – 4 August 1875)
Andersen was a Danish author. He is best remembered for his fairy tales, including “The Emperor‘s New Clothes”, “The Little Mermaid”, “The Nightingale”, “The Snow Queen”, “The Ugly Duckling”, “Thumbelina”, and many more. His fairy tales have been translated into more than 125 languages and read by more than just children. He expressed themes that transcend (超越) age and nationality.

What is children’s literature？
Children's literature includes stories, books, magazines, and poems that are enjoyed by children. Modern children's literature is classified in two different ways: genre or the intended age of the reader.
The late 19th and early 20th centuries became known as the "Golden Age of Children's Literature", when many books, known as classics today, appeared.

III. While-reading
Choose the answer:
1. Which is TRUE about the Hans Christian Andersen Prize？
A. It is the highest award in literature.   
B. Many Chinese writers won this before.
C. A writer can only win it once in his life.
D. The winner can get a large amount of money.
2. What is shown in Cao’s book?
A. A beautiful and perfect world.
B. A real world with many sensations.
C. His challenges in life.
D. Hopelessness and sadness.
3. Whose life challenge is The Grass House mainly about?
A. Du Xiaokang  B. Sang Sang
  C. Lu He    D. Wen Xuan
4. Which of the books has a different theme from the others?
A. The Grass House
B. The Little Match Girl 
C. The Little Mermaid
D. The Sleeping Beauty

IV. Post-reading
What kind of children's literature do you prefer? Poetry? Fiction?
Have you ever read any books by Cao Wenxuan before? Love it or not?
What do you think makes a good book for children?
Modern Realistic Fiction is considered the most popular genre among young readers, perhaps because it was closer to the lives they know and therefore easier to read. Some may contain unhappy feelings such as sadness and sorrow, just like in Cao’s books.

Movies star the latest in science (P5)

I. Pre-reading
Do you love science movies? Why?
Are all the scenes you see in a movie real?
What or who makes them?

II. While-reading
 Answer the following questions:
1. What do animated movies use to look as real as possible?

2. How can mathematicians make the snow look more natural?

3. What are superheroes supposed to have?

4. Does the movie Frozen have something to do with science?

5. What can scientists do in real life to make new elements?
 
III. Post -reading
a. Science and movies
Besides actors and directors, there are often some scientists on a movie team. That is because more movies depend on science to make them more real, not only for plots but also in how the movie scenes look. So, don’t worry about earthquakes or cars crashing in movies, since they’re only made by science!
b. Movies and science
On the other hand, movies also influence science in some ways. For example, getting the idea from movies, Google invented the Google glasses, just like the ones James Bond used in movies.

Life without air conditioning (P6)

I. Lead-in
What does summer remind you of? Heat?
What does your family usually do to stay comfortable inside the house?

II. Brain-storming
How can you keep cool in the hot summer?
Turn on the air conditioner
Take showers
Drink more water
Eat popsicles
Switch on an electrical fan
Use fans made of paper or Bajiao leaves

III. While-reading
Choose the answer:
1. Why does the writer decide to turn off the air conditioner?
A. To have fun.
B. To save money.
  C. To have an adventure.
  D. To educate the kids.
2. Who might love the idea of turning off the air conditioner?
A. The 13-year-old daughter.
  B. The 92-year-old grandma.
  C. The 7-year-old son.
D. The 15-year-old son.
3. Why did the writer stare at the thin white curtain in the summer heat of her childhood?
A. To find something interesting.
B. To be close to Grandma.
C. To find the sign of wind.
D. To enjoy the beautiful view.
4. What will the writer probably do tomorrow?
A. Turn on the air conditioner.
B. Change the curtains into thin and white ones.
C. Go back to her mom’s garden.
D. Continue to live through the hot but peaceful nights.

IV. Post-reading
Life in the past
Peaceful
Enough time
Clean
Simple but enjoyable
…
Modern life
Fast, stressful
Busy
Polluted
Convenient?
…
How to live a simple life?
Reduce the use of some modern inventions.
Always try to DIY first.
Spend more time with family.
See nature more.
Eat more home-made food.

Keys:
【P4】III. 1-4 CBBD
【P5】II. 1. Science and math.
2. By creating a computer program.
3. Special powers that can’t always be explained.
4. Yes.
5. Make atoms collide.
【P6】III. 1-4 BBCD