Winni 17 Nov. 2007

Welcome to the unit

We’ll discuss some problems about youngsters’ growing, especially the pains we got. Have you ever seen the TV shows: Growing Pains?

This is from a TV play ‘Growing Pains’

Everyone looks very happy. But life is not always plain sailing. Each has growing pains.

Do you love your parents? Do you think you have showed respect to your parents? Have you ever quarreled with your parents? What is your quarrel about? Present family albums and ask:

When you have a problem and want to talk to someone, who do you choose to talk to? FriendsTeachersParents

Why don’t you first choose your parents to talk to?

What? Who? When? Teenagers/Kids. When kids are between the ages of 3 and 5 or 8 and 12. The troubles and difficulties that teenagers meet when they grow up. How? Talk to friends/parents/teachers. Write to magazines. See doctors.

Picture 1 What is the boy doing? What is the mother doing? How is she probably feeling? What feelings may the boy have? He is listening to music that has been turned up so loud. She is shouting at him. Angry. He feels embarrassed/sorry and was at a loss. Read the instructions and discuss each picture in pairs.

Picture 2 What happens to the girl with a bag? What did her parents ask her to do? Can you guess what might have happened to her? What will she do? She comes home late. They asked her to be home by 6 o’clock. not later than She may explain it to her parents. I told you to be home by 6 and now it’s 7.

Picture 3 Why are the boys and girls around the pretty lady? What does the girl want to do? Is she allowed to do so? Why or why not? What feelings may the girl have ? They are asking her for her signature. She wants her signature too. she is not allowed to do so because her mother thinks it’s a waste of time. She may feel pitiful/regretful. She may be angry with her mother. Don’t you think this is a waste of time

Picture 4 What is the boy probably doing? Did the boy do well in his exams? How does his mother feel about the score? What feelings may the boy have? He is probably playing computer games. No. She feels upset and angry. The boy may feel sorry and upset. There will be no more computer games for you

Look at the pictures again and discuss in groups to imagine the situation of each picture, then describe it with your own words: ( team work: Create a short story about the picture) Here are some words to help you: adult respect quarrel argument conflict interfere (in) force ( sb. to do / into doing ) influence ( 影响 ) career peacefully extra resolve obey disobey instruction handle misunderstand unpleasant imagine social activities generation gap scold ( 冲突 )( 干预 ) ( 事业 / 生涯 ) ( 解决 ) ( 服从 ) ( 处理 ) ( 社会活动 )( 责备 )

Tom got home feeling very tired, and he just wanted to have good relaxation. Example : After a while, his mother rushed into Tom’s room and shouted at him for the loud music coming from his room. ··· They didn’t ask him the reason though they were very confused. When his families said hello to him, he said nothing and just went straight to his bedroom.

I told you to be home by 6 and now it’s 7. Don’t you think this is a waste of time There will be no more computer games for you

Sharing information Discuss the questions under the pictures in groups of four. Have several groups to report their opinions in class.

Further discussion: What do you do when you have family arguments with your parents? Do you think there is a generation gap between you and your parents? If so, what is the best way to solve the problem?

You think sometimes your parents cannot understand you and then the generation gap （代沟） comes up. Do you think you understand your parents?

Do you know what your mother’s favorite food is? Do you know what your father’s favorite sport was when he was at your age?

Do you remember to call back home to express your gratitude （感激之情） and best wishes for them on their birthdays? Do you remember the birthdays of your father and mother?

You know little about your parents …

Communication Do spend some time talking with your parents, and you will find your parents have the same interests as you.

When your parents don’t understand you, please try to think from the angles( 角度 ) of your parents. Your parents truly love you ! You will become parents one day!

Homework:  Preview the Reading part.  Describe an unpleasant experience with your friends/teachers. Thanks for your co-operation!