Steps

Activities

Intentions

Time & mode

Pre-reading

Step 1

Ss share their personal experience of helping others or being helped by others.

Activate Ss’ background knowledge.

3’CW

Step 2

Ss read the title and predict the content of the story.

Have predictions in mind and make preparations.

2’ CW

While-reading

Step 3

Ss read the short story by themselves and fill in the table:

Comprehend the plot of the story.

3’ IW

Step 4

Ss summarize Tom’s emotions and fill in blanks:

Identify detailed information and prepare for following tasks.

2’GW

Step 5

Ss read paras. 1-2 again and answer the questions:

1. What are some key vocabulary the writer uses to describe the rain?

(explode, strain, desert, close in, furiously ...)

2. Why does the author describe the rain like this?

(The writer use vivid verbs and adverbs to describe the rain so as to show Tom’s emotion of helpless and desperate.)

Appreciate the language and identify the writing intention.

3’ CW

Step 6

Ss read paras. 3-12 gain and fill the table by comparing two main characters:

Compare the similarities and the differences between characters.

10’ GW

CW

Step 7

Based on paras. 3-12, answer the following questions:

1. In para. 3, what does “a light twinkling in the blackness” symbolize?

(It symbolize others’ help on the way.)

2. In para. 7, why does the words “come out flat”?

(Because Tom sees the old man and the young girl’s kindness and is willing to be honest about his own disability.)

In para. 12, how do you understand the sentence “The rain was now only a light mist”?

(It symbolize the change of Tom’s attitude towards his disability and his life.)

Dig the symbolic meaning of the story. Understand more thoroughly of the theme.

5’ CW

Step 8

Ss read paras.13-14, have a group discussion:

1. Why is the old man so different with Tom in attitude towards life and his own disability?

(Maybe he was once helped by others when he was desperate and helpless.)

2. What will Tom do to continue the chain of kindness?

Make preparations for the writing part.

2’ GW

Step 9

Ss write a paragraph about what Tom might do in the future.

Have a group discussion and grade each others paper via the criteria below. Choose the best writing and T presents to other groups and give feedback.

Review the plot and writing techniques of the story, predict plot development by themselves.

14’ IW,

GW

CW

Homework:

1. Polish up and hand in your own writing;

2. Read the short story again and underline words or sentences you’re still unfamiliar with.

1’