1. M6U2 What is happiness to you?
Task Writing an article about problems and solutions
Changde No. 1 Middle School
Annabel（刘则会）

2. sad/upset/in low spirits…
I felt

3. Words to express problems
sad
alone
regretful
confused
nervous
disappointed
沮丧的
words
depressed
guilty
hopeless
挫败的
afraid
anxious
frustrated

4. I am Ma Jie

5. What does his coach wish him to do? How about his parents’ wish?
Recognizing problems:
What does his coach wish him to do?
How about his parents’ wish?
Why does Ma Jie feel unhappy?

6. What does his coach wish him to do?
Playing basketball harder to be a basketball star
How about his parents’ wish?
Studying harder
Why does Ma Jie feel unhappy?
Because he feels caught between basketball and studies.

7. Read a letter Read the letter on page 26.
Underline the words, phrases and patterns describing Ma Jie’s problems.

8. They make me feel like I am a bad son.
Dear friends I have a problem, and I don’t know what to do. I really hope someone can help me find a solution! I've been very sad in the past few months. I feel caught between what I want, what my parents want and what my basketball coach wants. I have always been an average student. My parents feel that I need to spend more time improving my marks so I can go to a good university. They make me feel like I am a bad son when I don’t obey them and focus on what they think is best for me. For the past few years, I have been playing for the city basketball team. The coach thinks I have the talent to become a real star. He thinks that I need to arrange to spend even more time working on my basketball skills. I feel guilty when I don’t practise harder because he has spent a lot of time coaching me, and he really believes in me. The problem is that I don’t have time to study more because I play basketball so often, and I don’t have time to work harder at basketball because I have to study. I want to go to a good university, but I also want to play basketball. I’m so confused. Whichever way I look at it, I’ll never be really good at anything unless I quit doing everything else. I’m really tired of feeling worried about this and being sad. I am uncertain what to do! Ma Jie
I don’t know what to do.
I've been very sad…
I feel caught between…
They make me feel like I am a bad son.
I feel guilty…
I’m so confused.
I’m really tired of feeling worried …being sad. I am uncertain what to do!

9. Useful expressions that describe Ma Jie’s problems
1. I don’t know what to do.
2. I have been very sad…
3. I feel caught between...
4. They made me feel like I’m a bad son.
5. I feel guilty...
6. I’m so confused.
7. I’m really tired of feeling worried about this and being sad.
8. I’m uncertain what to do.

10. Try harder at everything, but take a lot of time. both things
Listen to Ma Jie’s solutions and fill in blanks with no more than three words.
Try harder at everything, but
take a lot of time.
both things
play basketball
2. Focus on school, at the weekend, but two days a week is not enough.
Study less
, but I failed two exams and my parents were very disappointed.
4. Quit basketball, but if I don’t play, .
I’m not happy.

11. Group discussion
What advice can we give to solve Ma Jie’s problems?

12. Micro-class

13. More Useful Expressions
How to give advice
Give sb some advice on… 在…给某人建议
Take something into consideration…考虑…
Why not…? 为什么不呢?
You’d better (not)… 你最好…
It would be a good idea to… …是一个好主意
I’d like to advice you to… 我建议你…
I strongly recommend that… 我强烈推荐…
If I were you, I would… 如果我是你,我会… …

14. Challenge your memory 1.在…给某人建议 . 2.考虑… . 3.你最好… . 4. …是一个好主意 .
1.在…给某人建议
2.考虑…
3.你最好…
4. …是一个好主意 .
5.我强烈推荐…
give sb some advice on
take something into consideration…
You’d better(not)…
It would be a good idea to…
I strongly recommend that…

15.
-----xxx
Dear Ma Jie
I am writing to tell you that…/ I know that recently you feel…You meet a problem that… Here I will give you some advice.
Your advice
The first and last paragraphs are given to you. Finish your writing in groups of five and write the main body with 4 pieces advice on the paper! Now, 10 minutes. Please do it.
(It would be good for you to use some linking words so that your writing will be natural.)
which group is willing to show your work?
Focus on sentence patterns and feasibility (whether it is practicable).
I think everyone has done a very good job today. I hope you can try to beautify your letter after class, and that is also our today’s homework. Don’t forget to evaluate your writing by yourself and your peers according to the evaluation form.
In a word…/With these advice, I believe…/I do hope you will….
Yours truly

16. Group work: Task allocation
Advice
Advice
Ending
Beginning

17.
-----xxx
Dear Ma Jie
I am writing to tell you that…/ I know that recently you feel…You meet a problem that… Here I will give you some advice.
Your advice
The first and last paragraphs are given to you. Finish your writing in groups of five and write the main body with 4 pieces advice on the paper! Now, 10 minutes. Please do it.
(It would be good for you to use some linking words so that your writing will be natural.)
which group is willing to show your work?
Focus on sentence patterns and feasibility (whether it is practicable).
I think everyone has done a very good job today. I hope you can try to beautify your letter after class, and that is also our today’s homework. Don’t forget to evaluate your writing by yourself and your peers according to the evaluation form.
In a word…/With these advice, I believe…/I do hope you will ….
Yours truly

18. Evaluation criteria (评价标准)
The full score is 25 points. The writing will be judged from the following aspects.
Proper solutions
Useful expressions
Grammatical mistakes
Handwriting
You’re required to write a letter to Liu Xiaowei. But, who is he? what is his problem?

19. Fly to Ma Jie

20. Nobody can stay happy forever
Nobody can stay happy forever. Life is full of everything including worries, fears and problems. The process of living is just a process of solving problems. When we are dealing with them, we are on the way to getting happiness.

21. Appreciating About Happiness
Never give up ; 永不放弃；
Never lose hope ; 永不心灰意冷；
Always have faith ; 永存信念；
Trying times will pass ; 难捱的时光终将过去；
So put on a smile ; 露出微笑；
You will live through your pain ; 你会走出痛苦；
Know it will pass ; 相信苦难定会过去；
And happiness you will gain ! 你将会收获幸福！

22. Have a happy life!

23. Homework
Beautify your letter and learn to help others find solutions.