S7: Astronomy is the scientific study of the universe and the heaven bodies (such as the sun, moon, and stars), gas, and dust within it.
T: What do we call people who study astronomy?
S8: Astronomer.
Step 2 Warming up
Talk about universe and solar system
S9: After the "Big Bang", the universe came into being.
T: Do you know the solar system in the universe? What is it made up of?
S10: The solar system contains eight planets and many comets and other objects.
(Note:According to the present day scientific study, there are only eight planets, with the Pluto excluded. Why the planets remove the Pluto?)
S11: Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune.
T: Which planet do we live on? Can you describe what it looks like?
S12: Earth. It supports a variety of life and 70% of the earth is covered with seas or oceans.
T: Is there life on other planets?
S13: Not yet.
T: Right, there is a famous saying "Water is the headspring of life". But how did the water appear on the earth? If you want to get the correct answer, please read the passage on P25. It will tell you.
Step 3 Reading
Task1: Fast-reading
Fast reading for the main idea and the structure
1. Ask the students to number the paragraphs and pay attention to the first and the last sentences of each paragraph.
Para. 1 The development of plants and animals
Para. 2 The importance of water
Para. 3 The formation of the universe
Para. 4 The arrival of human beings