1、Reading and Thinking Unit 1FESTIVALS AND CELEBRATIONS Learning objectives1.To discover the topic sentence of each paragraph and make out the structure of the whole passage.2.To develop reading skills in different ways and know the reasons for festivals and celebrations.3.To encourage critical thinki
2、ng through activities.Brainstorm and share What foreign festivals do you know?What Chinese festivals do you know?What foreign festivals do you know?Carnival 狂欢节Valentines day 情人节Halloween 万圣节Easter 复活节 What foreign festivals do you know?Chinese traditional festivalsThe Spring FestivalThe Lantern Fes
3、tivalThe Qingming FestivalThe Tomb Sweeping FestivalThe Dragon Boat FestivalThe Double Seventh FestivalChinese Valentines DayThe Mid-Autumn FestivalThe Double Ninth FestivalWhat is the most important festival you celebrate with your family each year?the Spring Festival How do you celebrate the Chine
4、se New Year?I.eating reunion dinner with family on New Years eveII.giving and receiving lucky money,III.wearing new clothes,and decorating houses with red couplets IV.watching the CCTV GalaV.sending message greetings and cyber money gifts.VI.Setting off the fireworks春节快乐Why do people celebrate Chine
5、se New Year?I.to celebrate a year of hard workII.to have a good rest;III.to wish for a lucky and prosperous coming year;IV.to enjoy the time with families and old friends.Read and answer Read the passage quickly and finish the following tasks.1.Why do we celebrate festivals?Find the reasons the text
6、 mentions.2.Discover the topic sentence of each paragraph.1.Harvest2.Traditions/customs3.Important figures4.Important events5.Having fun 6.Online shopping7.Sharing joy,gratitude,love or peaceWHY DO WE CELEBRATE FESTIVALS?Para.2Para.4Para.3Para.1Festivals are an important part of society.Task 1Festiv
7、als are becoming more and more commercial,with businesses taking advantage of the celebrations.Customs play a significant role in festivals,but sometimes they can change over time.Of all the traditional festivals,the harvest festival can be found in almost every culture.Festivals are celebrated all
8、around the world.Identify the“topic sentence”of each paragraph.Festivals are an important part of society.Task 2A topic sentenceDetails It is a good idea to place topic sentences at the beginning of paragraphs.Careful readingRead and understandPara.1sharing joy,gratitude,love,or peace seasons,religi
9、ons,famous figures,and important events.A wide range of origins,such asDifferent customs and unique charmsNo matter how different they may seem,the spirit of is common in all festivals.differences similarityFestivals are celebrated all around the world.Para.2 The important agricultural festival take
10、s place_ People celebrate to_ Egypt：it featured_European countries:people_China:Mid-Autumn Festival:families gather to _after the crops have been gathered in.show that they are grateful for the years supply of food.a parade,a great feast with music,dancing and sports.decorate churches and town halls
11、 with get together to celebrate over a meal.admire the shinning moon and enjoy delicious mooncakes.Of all the traditional festivals,the harvest festival can be found in almost every culture.收割，收获；聚集，聚合；收拢，归拢；be thankful to对感激timereasonactivitiesWhy do some traditions possibly fade away?_Customs play
12、 a significant role in festivals,but sometimes they can change over time.Para.3Because of the development of modern society and the spread of new ideas.How does the author support his topic sentence?The typical Chinese Spring Festival custom of lighting firecrackers is stopped.Halloween became an ex
13、citing festival for children.By giving examples.gradually disappearWhy is lighting firecrackers stopped in Chinese Spring Festival?A.To drive away the evil spirits.B.To avoid air pollution.C.To become an exciting festival for children.D.To save money and spend more on gifts.Another example is Hallow
14、een,_ became an exciting festival for children,in spite of its _.One example Another example which religious origins despite尽管,不管 Are there any different attitudes to the commercialisation?If any,what are they?Although some believe festivals should not be commercialized,others believe the increase i
15、n spending is good for the economy and public happiness.Festivals are becoming more and more commercial,with businesses taking advantage of the celebrations.Para.4 with 复合结构，e.g.with time going by,with spring approaching,They are occasions thatallow to relax and enjoy life,and forget about work for
16、a whileThey help usunderstand where we came from,who we are,and what to appreciatepeoples wishes,beliefs,faiths and attitudes towards lifeThey reflectFestivals are an important part of society.Para.5Why?Map and summarize para2.the harvest festivalEgypt,EuropeanChina para3.Changes of customsLighting
17、firecrackersHalloween para4.CommercialisationDifferent attitudes para5.ImportanceWHY DO WE CELEBRATE FESTIVALS?mon spirit of festivalsstructure总 分 总Activity 5 Todays festivals have a wide _ of origins,including the seasons of the year,_,famous_,and important events.The harvest festival is one of the
18、 most popular festivals and is _in many cultures.Customs play a _role in festivals but they can change over time.Some traditions may _.For example,some Chinese cities no longer allow firecrackers during the Spring Festival as they can increase air pollution.These days,festivals are becoming more _ w
19、ith people spending more money on gifts.Festivals _ peoples wishes,beliefs,_ and attitudes towards life.There are _ to spend time with family and to relax and enjoy life.rangefiguresreligionscelebratedsignificantfade awaycommercialreflectfaithsoccasionsWhat do most festivals seem to have in common?W
20、hy do you think people around the world all find these things important?The spirit of sharing joy,gratitude,love,or peace is common in all festivals.Festivals reflect peoples wishes,beliefs,faiths and attitudes towards life.They allow us to relax and enjoy life.They help us understand where we came
21、from,who we are,and what to appreciate.How do you feel about festival customs that have already faded away?Its natural.With the development of modern society,the spread of new ideas,some traditions may fade away and others may be established.逐渐消失What is the writers attitude towards the commercializa
22、tion of festivals?Although some believe festivals should not be commercialized,others believe the increase in spending is good for the economy and public happiness.Write a short passage in 80 words:What other festivals do you think we are in need of?Design a festival you think we need.Tell the reasons why we need it and the ways to celebrate it.Thank you!
