Period 3 Grammar 1

Goals: 1. To get the Ss to have knowledge of this grammar point: the present tenses;

2. To enable the Ss to use the correct forms of verbs in the present tenses.

Teaching procedures:

Step 1. Revision

Individual Work

Ask the Ss to retell the diary using the words and phrases in Activity 5 on page 4.

Step 2 Grammar 1

Purpose: Let Ss find out the differences between the present simple and the present continuous.

1. Individual Work

Give Ss several sentences. Ask them what they find from the sentences. Do they use the same tense?

(1) I live in Shijiazhuang, a city not far from Beijing.

(2) We are using a new textbook.

(3) The teachers write on the computer, and their words appear on the screen behind them.

(4) I'm writing down my thoughts about it.

Suggested answers:

(1) Sentence 1 means "I" am in Shijiazhuang now. It is a permanent state of affairs. My home is in Shijiazhuang. And the tense of the sentence 1 is present simple tense. Sentence 3 means when the teachers write on the computer, the words will appear on the screen. It is a habit, or something you do regularly. Once you write on the computer, the words will appear on the screen.

(2) Sentence 2 means we are looking at the book now. Something is taking place at this moment. Sentence 4 means I am writing something. Something is taking place in this period of time (e.g. this month, this term, this year, etc.)

2. Group Work

　　Ask Ss to finish Activity 1 on P4 and discuss with their partners. And then ask some of them to give their opinions on how to use the present simple tense and the present continuous tense.

(1) Simple Present Tense is used

◆ to give one's opinion

Eg I like playing table-tennis very much. You don't like to go with me.

◆ to talk about schedules

Eg ① His ship leaves at 9 am.

② The meeting is at 2 pm.

◆ to talk about daily habits

Eg ① The students have sports at five every afternoon.

② He is always ready to help others.

◆ to give facts

Eg ① Three plus two is five.

② He said the earth is round.

◆ to indicate a permanent state of affairs

Eg ① He is a teacher now.

② She lives in Beijing at present.

(2) Present Continuous Tense is used