Step one: Greetings

Greet the whole class as usual.

Step two: Lead-in

I’m very glad to give you a class. Today, we’ll talk about something about humor. But before the class, let’s look at the screen. Please enjoy the proverb:

A smile always makes a young man.

Do you know what this proverb is about? Yes, good. It’s about laughter. Laugh is very important in our life because It can brighten up our daily life It is also good for our health. So do you want to laugh? Pay attention to the screen.

Picture one is a man, he is driving a cow with wheels at a high speed, on a freeway I guess. Picture two is a little kid, but he is so strong. They’re very interesting and humorous. But stop here; we cannot watch another one, ’cause the proverb goes:” A smile makes a young man”. So you are too young to laugh more than twice. Otherwise you will be like this.

Oh Gee. Thank God, you didn’t laugh that hard

Who is the most humorous person in the world? Maybe it’s Charlie Chaplin. He was one of the most famous humorists that can make others laugh all the time. He was a great silent movie star. His acting was so amazing that sometimes you may find him a genius full of imagination. Here is an example from his movie: Think about this question: If you are very hungry will you eat a pair of shoes? But Charlie Chaplin did. Now look at the screen carefully:

What do you think about this?

His acting is convincing.

OK. Today, we will learn more about him.

Step three: Fast Reading

Please turn to page 18. Let’s see the passage --- A Master of Nonverbal Humor. Listen to the tape and then find out the answers to some questions. You can follow the tape.

Questions:

1. Notes about Charlie Chaplin’s career

2.Find out the main idea of each part.

Step four: Careful Reading

Through fast reading we’ve known the main idea about this passage. Now let’s understand the text paragraph by paragraph.

Para one: Read this paragraph together, and then find out the answer to the question.

What effect does Charlie Chaplin's acting have?

He made people laugh at a time when they felt depressed, so they could feel more content with their lives.

Part two: Let the students read it silently, then answer the following questions.

1. When was he taught to sing and dance?

As soon as he could speak and walk.

2. How did he spend his childhood after his father died?

He spent his time looking after his mother and his brother.

Part three: Listen to the tape, and then answer the questions.

Can you give a description on the little tramp?

Large trousers, worn-out shoes, small round black hat and a walking stick

All his appearance makes the little tramp a poor and homeless person

Para four: Listen to the tape of paragraph four, and then answer questions.

1. Read Para 4 and answer the questions about The Gold Rush.

Time：In the middle of the 19th century Place：California

2. Can you put them in a right order?

a. Cut off the leather top of the shoe 3

b. Pick out the laces and eat them 2

c. Try cutting and eating the bottom of the shoe 4

d. Sit down at the table. 1

Para five: Read it together, and then fill in the blanks.

Step five: Discussion

From this passage, we can see that Charlie Chaplin is a successful actor. Now think about this: why was he so successful? What should we learn from him?

Step six: Sum-up

From what you said, we can conclude some reasons for his success. Firstly, determination: from the passage we know that when he was a child he has made up his mind to be a good actor. Secondly, he is the underdog just like his famous character—the little tramp. His miserable childhood makes him have a strong sympathy to the poor. And just as the little tamp did, he is optimistic to life and also, his devotion to his career plays an important part in his success. More over, He is kind; from his works we can see that.

I think these are what we should learn from him

Step seven: Homework

Write a composition about Charlie Chaplin in English for the local newspaper.

Related website: http://www.Charlie Chaplin.com

新人教必修四 Unit 3 A Taste of English Humor阅读教案