Giáo án A Closer Look 2

Ss activate prior knowledge about protecting the environment and get familiar with the key vocabulary of the unit (reduce, reuse, recycle, rubbish, reusable, pollution, plastic, environment).

T shows three pictures: an old bottle, a cloth bag and used paper. T asks: 'What can we do with these things to protect the environment?' Ss play a quick word chain: each S names one action using the words from the list, for example 'reuse a bottle' or 'recycle paper'. Then T writes two sentences on the board: 'If we reuse bags, we will make less rubbish.' and 'If we plant trees, the air will be cleaner.' T asks: 'Which part tells us the condition? Which part tells us the result?'

Ss list at least three actions with the verbs reduce, reuse and recycle, for example 'reduce plastic bags', 'reuse glass jars', 'recycle paper'. Ss identify that the if-clause gives the condition and the will-clause gives the possible result.

Ss understand when to use a, an and the, based on countability, the first sound of the following word, and whether the noun has been mentioned before.

T shows the example text on the slide:
'Our pencil holder is an old clean cardboard box. We cover it with reused paper and decorate it. It keeps our desk tidy. If we use what we already have, we will buy less. We ask an adult for help with cutting and keep sharp tools away from younger children.'
T asks the questions:

• Q1: Why is it 'an old clean cardboard box' and not 'a old'?
• Q2: Why do we say 'an adult' but 'a box'?
• Q3: Is 'box' a specific box or any box? Why do we not use 'the' here?
• Q4: If we mention the box again, which article do we use?
  Ss complete Worksheet 1 (Part A) with the articles.

Ss write the rules in their notebooks:

• A/an introduces a countable singular noun that is not specific, for example 'an old clean cardboard box', 'an adult'.
• An is used before a vowel sound (an old, an adult); a is used before a consonant sound (a box, a reusable bag).
• The is used for a specific or already mentioned thing, for example 'the box' when we mention it again.
  Expected answers: Q1: 'old' begins with a vowel sound /əʊ/, so 'an' is needed. Q2: 'adult' begins with a vowel sound; 'box' begins with a consonant sound. Q3: 'box' is any box, not a particular one, so no 'the'. Q4: 'the'.

Ss form and use the first conditional (If + present simple, will + bare infinitive) to talk about possible future results and to explain the meaning of the sentence.

T writes two sentences from the example text on the board:

• 'If we use what we already have, we will buy less.'
• 'If we reuse bags, we will make less rubbish.'
  T asks:
• Q1: Is the situation possible in the future or impossible?
• Q2: Which tense is used after 'if'? Which form is used after 'will'?
• Q3: Can we put 'will' directly after 'if'? Why not?
• Q4: Look at the time words, the subject and the purpose of the sentence. Which form should we choose in 'If Lan ___ a reusable bottle, she will use less plastic'?
  T introduces the Apply and check strategy: read the time words, subject, noun and purpose before choosing the form.

Ss write the form in their notebooks:

• Form: If + subject + present simple, subject + will + bare infinitive.
• Use: to talk about a possible condition and its likely result in the future.
• Ss note: 'will' is not used directly after 'if' in this pattern, and the verb after 'will' is in the base form, for example 'will reuse', 'will buy', 'will be cleaner'.
  Expected answers: Q1: possible in the future. Q2: present simple after 'if'; will + base verb after 'will'. Q3: No, because the if-clause uses the present simple. Q4: 'uses' (third person singular, present simple).

Ss choose the correct article in context, explain their choice and self-correct any mistake.

Ss do Worksheet 1 (Part B) in pairs, using exercises 1, 2, 3 and 7 from the textbook:

1. I have ___ old bottle. A. many B. an C. a
2. We need ___ reusable bag. A. a B. an C. many
3. I found a bottle. ___ bottle is clean. A. A B. An C. The
4. Which article fits '___ university'? A. the B. a C. an
   Partner A chooses an answer and explains the reason; Partner B checks and corrects if needed.

Answer key:

1. B (an) – 'old' begins with a vowel sound.
2. A (a) – 'reusable' begins with the consonant sound /r/.
3. C (The) – the bottle has already been mentioned.
4. B (a) – 'university' begins with the consonant sound /j/, not a vowel sound.
   Ss write the correct answer and one sentence explaining the reason in their notebooks.

Ss choose the correct form of the verb and the correct conditional sentence, based on the context, and explain why the wrong options do not fit.

Ss do Worksheet 2 in pairs, using exercises 4, 5, 6 and 8 from the textbook:
4. If we plant trees, the air ___ be cleaner. A. will to B. will C. is will
5. If Lan ___ a reusable bottle, she will use less plastic. A. uses B. will use C. using
6. Choose the correct conditional. A. If it will rain, we stay inside. B. If it rains, we will stays inside. C. If it rains, we will stay inside.
8. Choose a possible future result. A. If we turn off unused lights, we will save electricity. B. If we turn off lights, we will waste more light forever. C. If we saving lights, we saves electricity.
Pairs read the sentences aloud and explain why each wrong option does not fit the situation.

Answer key:
4. B (will) – the result clause uses will + base verb 'be'.
5. A (uses) – the if-clause uses the present simple; 'Lan' is third person singular.
6. C (If it rains, we will stay inside.) – present simple after 'if', will + base verb after 'will'.
8. A (If we turn off unused lights, we will save electricity.) – the condition and the result make a logical connection.
Wrong options: A of 6 uses will in the if-clause; B of 6 uses 'stays' after 'will'; B of 8 gives an illogical result; C of 8 uses wrong verb forms ('saving', 'saves'). Ss write the correct sentences and one reason for each wrong option.

Ss use articles and the first conditional to write sentences about actions to protect the environment at their school, and present them clearly.

Ss work in groups of four. Each group writes a 'Greener Classroom Pledge' on a poster with three or four first conditional sentences about actions at school, for example: 'If we turn off unused lights, we will save electricity.' Ss must use at least one a/an, one the and one example with a reusable item. After writing, each group reads its pledge aloud. Other groups check the articles and the verb forms and give one suggestion.

Each group produces a poster with at least three correct sentences, for example:

• If we bring a reusable bottle, we will reduce plastic waste.
• If we sort rubbish at school, we will recycle more paper.
• If we use the reusable bags for lunch, we will create less rubbish.
  All sentences use the form If + present simple, will + base verb and correct articles.