Period 7　Speaking，Li stening and Writing Task

Teaching goals　　　

1．Talk about different types of robots by using expressions of supposition and belief.

2．Listen to three people talking about robot pets.

3．Write a diary from the robot pet's point of view.

Teaching procedures　　　

Step 1　Speaking task

Ask students to use their imagination in groups to discuss the types of robots that could be used in the future.Guide them to use the expressions below in the discussion.

Sample：

Robots can be found in the manufacturing industry，the military，space exploration，transportation，and medical applications.

Well，for my conclusion I_guess that robots are the way of the future and will be used on a daily use without being controlled remotely or by a person.I_think there will be different robots for different uses.Some will be used for law enforcement and others will be used for constructive uses only.Others will be building cars，and the rest will be building the new schools we learn in and the houses we live in.

Step 2　Listening task

1．Before listening，ask students to look at the pictures of these robot pets on Page 59.In pairs，answer the following questions.

(1)What kinds of animal do you think they are?

(2)Would you like to own one？Which one？Give reasons.

(3)Do you think having a robot as a pet is a good idea？Give reasons.

Various answers are possible.Through asking students questions about the pictures，make sure students understand the following words they will hear in the listening text：wag，pat，flippers，purr and hiss.

2．Listen to Amanda，Victoria and Jamie talking about robot pets.Look at the pictures again and match them with the robots' names.

Aibo ______　Furby______　Paro______　Tama______

Keys：

Aibo Picture_2　Furby Picture_1　Paro Picture_3　Tama Picture_4

3．Ask students to fill in as much of the table on Page 60 as they can.Then listen to the first part of the discussion again and complete the table.Compare their answers with their partners.

　　Suggested answers：

　　4.Listen to the second part of the discussion again.Tick the correct box for each question.

Keys：

 

 

 

Step 3　Writing task

1．First ask students to imagine he or she is a robot pet which belongs to a child.

(1)Think about what kind of child you belong to.Is it a boy or a girl？What is the child like？Is the child kind or not？Is the child sick or in good health?

(2)What kind of robot pet are you—Aibo，Furby，Paro or Tama?

2．Write about one day in his/her life in his/her diary.Remember to write from the robot pet's point of view and remember to follow these steps.

(1)Collect their ideas in pairs or groups.

(2)Write down the main ideas and supporting details.Here is an example.

(3)Write the diary entry，paying attention to the use of conjunctions in their writing.

 

 

Step 4　Homework

Write a diary from the robot pet's point of view.

A sample：

Sunny　Wednesday

I am very happy today，because this is the first day that I has spent with my owner，Susan.Susan is a 6－year－old sick girl.She cannot go out with other children because of her poor health.So her parents bought me as her companion.There are different types of robot pets in the store.Her mom preferred the seal－type robot，while her dad thought the lovely dog would be a good companion.But Susan loves kitty very much.She insisted on having me as her companion.So they chose me.

The shop assistant told them I have more than just entertainment value，offering companionship and a variety of other services to the sick.A network system will enable me to speak to the children in a natural way，especially to children who are sick，and this will make them more comfortable.

I can be connected via cell phone or ISDN line to a network system center，allowing health workers or parents to send medical information and encouraging messages to the sick.I'm endowed with 100 phrases，ranging from the light－hearted (“Today is the karaoke party.Let's sing a lot.”) to more practical information (“It is three o'clock.It is time to have medicine.”)．

Susan smiled a lot and her parents said she has never spent a happier day.I am happy too because I've brought pleasure to her.