Reading & Writing (P6 –P7)


Warming up1.Do you know what is the center of the solar system?2.Can you name the nine planets in the solar system?


Nine Planets In the Solar System.


Mercury 水星Venus 金星Earth 地球Mars 火星Jupiter 木星Saturn 土星Uranus 天王星Neptune 海王星Pluto 冥王星Nine Planets In the Solar System:


Mnemonics (记忆术)Mercury Venus Earth Mars Jupiter Saturn Uranus Neptune PlutoMy Very Easy Method: Just Set Up Nine Planets.Can you use a good method to memorize them ?


Fast readingListen to the tape, and find out the answers to the questions.1. What did Copernicus think was the center of the solar system?2.When did Copernicus publish his theory?Reading Copernicus’ Revolutionary Theory


Careful readingWhy didn’t Copernicus publish his theory before he died?Discussion (pair work)If you were Nicolaus Copernicus, would you have hidden your theory for so many years? Give a reason.


P7. 1.Use the reading to help you draw the two theories of the universe.Before Copernicus’ theoryA diagram showing the solar system with the earth at its centreShowing Copernicus’ theoryA diagram showing the solar system with the sun at its centre


Persuasive writing (Please refer to P8 Learning Tip)Writing Task: P7.3.Now writing a short letter asking Copernicus to publish his ideas so everyone can read them.


One possible version:Dear Nicolaus Copernicus, I am a student studying astronomy and I would very much like to read your new theory about the solar system. I hope you will publish it for several reasons. I understand the problems with the present theory. The way the planets move is not what you would expect if the earth was the certre of the universe. It is also odd that the brightness of some stars seems to change. So I agree with you that we need a new theory.


I know your observations have been very carefully carried out over many years. Now you must have the courage to publish them. Science can never advance unless people have the courage of their beliefs. I know you worry about what will happen if you publish your new theory. No matter how people oppose it, time will show if your ideas are right or wrong. So I hope you will feel you can publish your new theory. Yours sincerely, Zhang Hua


Nicolaus Copernicus was a Polish astronomer (1473-1543). Born in Torun, he began his university studies in Krakow in 1491, where he studied canon law and Latin and Greek classics. However he also had an interest in mathematics and astronomy. After obtaining his degree of Doctor of Canon Law (教会法规博士学位)in Italy in 1503, Copernicus returned home to Warmia in Poland to serve as Canon (=priest) . In 1530, Copernicus completed his great work De Revolutionibus (《天体运行论》).Copernicus knew that these findings would lead him into trouble with the Roman Catholic Church (罗马天主教教徒), so he was


in no hurry to publish his theory. He only published it as he lay dying in 1543. Though Copernicus did not live to hear of its extraordinary impact, the book which first suggested that the Sun, not the Earth, is the centre of the universe is now recognized as one of the most influential scientific works of all time.


1. Surf the Internet and get more information about Copernicus. http://www.blupete.com/Literature/Biographies/Science/Copernicus.htm2. Revision