Unit 1The Art of Creative Thinking
Ⅰ Objectives
1. Understanding the text
2. Mastery of some language points
3. Have a general idea of creative thinking and creativity
4. Knowing what practical creative thinkers should do and the characteristics for each of the four types of creativity
5. Mastery of the reading skill: Newspapers and Headlines Ⅱ Key points 1. Better understanding of the text 2. Mastery of some language points
3. Insights and tips for practical creative thinkers should do and the characteristics for each of the four types of creativity
Ⅲ Difficult points 1. The elements of creation 2. The main difference between more creative minds and less creative minds 3. Analogy IV Time Arrangement ? About two periods of class will be used for the analysis and discussion of the
passage itself.
Total class hours: three periods V Teaching procedures 1. Author
Professor John Adair (born 18 May 1934) is a British academic who is a
leadership theorist and author of more than forty books on business, military and other leadership.
2. Introduction of creative thinking and Analogy
Creativity: Bringing into existence an idea that is new to you Innovation: The practical application of creative ideas
Creative Thinking: An innate talent that you were born with and a set of
skills that can be learned, developed, and utilized in daily problem solving.
Analogy: (类比）It is a form of comparison, but unlike simile or metaphor which usually uses comparison on one point of resemblance, analogy draws a parallel between
two unlike things that have several common qualities or points of resemblance.
3. Text analysis and follow-up exercises
Read the article in 25 minutes and finish all the exercises of it.
Find out the definition of “creative thinking” according to the author. Find out the mind idea of each part.
4. Structure of the Text
Para. 1: Conclusion Creative thinking is essential. Para. 2-5: Human Creativity
Para. 2: A story of Henry Ford Para. 3: The elements of creation
Para. 4: We do not form new ideas out of nothing. Only the creative minds can see possibilities in them or connections among them. Para. 5: Your task as a creative thinker is to combine ideas or elements that are already exist. Para. 6-8: Using Analogy
Para. 6: Put yourself into the shoes of an inventor.
Para. 7: You can use an analogy from nature to reach your model. Para. 8: You can applie the existing models to all creative thinking. Para. 9-12: Widen Your Span of Relevance Para. 9: A story of Jethro Tull.
Para. 10: inventors may have knowledge in more than one field. Para. 11: Too much knowledge may be a disadvantage.
Para. 12: A larger potion of the truth arises from the seemingly irrelevant Para. 13-17: Curiosity
Para. 13: Never lose a holy curiosity.
Para. 14: Such curiosity is, or should be, the appetite of the intellect. Para. 15: True curiosity is simply the eager desire to learn and know. Para. 16: We do have to be selective in our society.
Para. 17: In creative thinking, curiosity is a way of learning something new.
Para. 18-22: Chance favors only the prepared mind
Para. 18: A story about the float process invented by Sir Alastair Pilkington.
Para. 19: Examples of other inventions which have been the result of such unexpected or chance occurrences.
Para. 20: The example of Charles Goodyear’s discovery of the vulcanization of rubber in 1839
Para. 21: According to Charles Goodyear, the scientific discoveries
are the result of the closet application and observation.
Para. 22: In the field of observation, chance favors only the prepared mind. 5. Language Points 1.be lost in ?
a. Completely involved or absorbed; rapt: lost in thought. b. Bewildered or confused: I'm lost. Can you start over?
2. Disinterested vs uninterested : fairly vs not interested 3. -free : without a particular thing
Distortion-free Duty-free shop Fat-free food Admission free show Carefree
6. Reading skills: newspaper and headlines
Newspaper: along with reporting the news, instruct, entertain, and give opinions. Separate sections: world news, national and local news, sports, business, entertainment, opinions, comics, classified ads, etc.
Two types of headline: 1. Sentence headlines
Police rescue 12 divers as launch sinks off Phi Phi
Pen manufacturers still see good future for luxury pens 2. Phrase headlines
Heroism and cowardice at the “Top of the World” Reward for tracing suspect
The grammar of sentence headlines using the present tense
Omitting unimportant words, such as articles (“a” and “the”) , “and”, and
the verb “to be” wherever possible. Refer to the future with infinitives.
7. Assignment: Unusual Analogies
Form groups of about 4 students each. Each group develops as many clever or unusual analogies as you can.
For example: Going to school is like riding an elevator-some days you're up, some days you're down, and some days you get the shaft (to be treated badly or unfairly).
Unit 2English Reserve and Politeness
Ⅰ Objectives 6. Understanding the text 7. Mastery of some language points
8. .Have a general idea of the character of the British people, theAmerican people and the Chinese people
9. Knowing the difference among the British culture, the American culture and the Chinese culture
10. Mastery of the reading skill: Understanding Headline Vocabulary Ⅱ Key points 1. Better understanding of the text 2. Mastery of some language points
3. The different character of the British people, the American people and the
Chinese people Ⅲ Difficult points 1. The different character of the British people, the American people and the Chinese people
2. Cultural differences IV Time Arrangement ? About two periods of class will be used for the analysis and discussion of the
passage itself.
Total class hours: three periods V Teaching procedures 1. Title:
? reserve —self-restraint in expression; reticence 保守；慎言,在表达上的自我约束；沉默寡言 ? polite —
(1) marked by or showing consideration for others, tact, and observance of accepted social usage 有礼貌的,以为他人着想、圆滑和遵守被接受的社会规范为特征的或表现出这些特点的
(2) refined; elegant 教养的；文雅的
----The title means the British reticence and politeness
2. Related Information
General Knowledge on Great Britain
#LanguageThe UK is where the English language developed. There are more people using English as their first language in the UK than in any other country except the US (the countries with the most English speakers are the US: 230 million, the UK: 60 million, Canada: 20 million, Australia: 15 million, Ireland/New Zealand/South Africa: 3 million). British English is easily understood in many parts of the world. Many
people like British accents, although it can take some time for a foreigner to get used to some of the regional varieties. For details, see: English.
#Heritage
Britain has an interesting history and is good at preserving its traditions and old buildings and gardens. There are many museums and art galleries.
#Culture
Note that there are good and bad sides to each characteristic, and there are many exceptions to these stereotypes.
Diversity: There is a wide mix of cultures in the UK. In London there are foreign communities from most parts of the world.
Tolerance: British people are usually tolerant to foreigners, and respect the freedom to have different opinions and beliefs.
Freedom: People usually feel free to express their own opinions and wear what they want. Don't expect people to agree with you all of the time.
Humour: British people have a strong sense of humour, but it can be hard for foreigners to understand when someone is joking.
Cautiousness:People often avoid talking to strangers until they have been introduced, partly to avoid any possible embarrassment.
Creativity:Individual ideas are encouraged. Arts and music are creative. British people are often not so good at working as a group.
Modesty:People are quite modest. They do not like to complain directly: life is peaceful, but when there is poor service it is not challenged and changed.
3. Structure of the Text
Part I (Para. 1-2) — “Reserve” is one of the best-known qualities of the British people.
Part II (Para. 3 ) — The British tend to be modest. Part III (Para. 4) — Humor is highly prized in Britain. Para. IV (Para. 5) — Sportsmanship is an English ideal.
Part V (Para. 6 to the end) — Politeness is another feature in Britain
4.Language Points
1.compartment — one of the parts or spaces into which an area is subdivided. 火车中的小房间; 舱， 室； (分隔)间， 箱， 格， 层