Giáo án Skills 1

Ss activate prior knowledge of film types and learn the key vocabulary of the lesson: comedy, documentary, frightening, moving, plot, review.

T shows six pictures or film posters on the screen and asks Ss to match each picture with a word: comedy, documentary, frightening, moving, plot, review. Then T asks: “Which type of film do you enjoy most? Why?” Ss answer in one or two sentences.

Ss match the words to the pictures:

• comedy (phim hài): a funny film
• documentary (phim tài liệu): a film that shows real facts
• frightening (gây sợ hãi): a film that makes you feel scared
• moving (gây xúc động): a film that makes you feel sad or emotional
• plot (cốt truyện): the story of a film
• review (bài nhận xét): a written opinion about a film
  Ss give one example of a film type they like and one short reason.

Ss identify the main idea and the supporting details of Bao’s film review by skimming and scanning the text.

Ss read the text “Bao writes a film review at the school media club on Friday afternoons…” once without stopping at new words. Then Ss complete Worksheet 1 in pairs:

• Skim: What is the activity and what is its purpose?
• Scan: Who writes the review? Where? When?
• Find the exact sentence that supports each answer.

Answers to Worksheet 1:

• Activity: Bao writes a film review.
• Purpose: he wants classmates to choose suitable films.
• Who: Bao.
• Where: at the school media club.
• When: on Friday afternoons.
• Supporting sentence: “His review of an imaginary animation describes the main problem but not the ending.”
• Main idea: Bao’s review gives reasons about an animation, not only stars.

Ss understand and use although to show contrast between two ideas.

T writes the example on the board: “___ the film was slow, the ending was moving.” T asks Ss to complete it with although and explains: Although + clause (subject + verb) introduces a contrasting idea. Then Ss find the sentence in the text: “Although he likes the music, he thinks the middle is slow.”

Example: Although the film was slow, the ending was moving. Although introduces a contrasting subordinate clause.
From the text: Although he likes the music, he thinks the middle is slow.
Key point: Although + clause, main clause. We do not use but after although in the same sentence (for example, not “Although he likes the music, but he thinks…”).

Ss explain a contrast or limitation in the text in their own words and support an opinion with a detail.

T asks Ss to re-read the sentences: “His review describes the main problem but not the ending.” and “He gives reasons instead of only awarding stars.” Then T asks: “Why does Bao give reasons? Would you make the same choice? Give a detail to support your opinion, not only ‘It is good’.”

Ss explain in their own words:

• Bao does not reveal the ending, so classmates can enjoy the film without spoilers.
• He gives reasons, such as the music he likes and the slow middle, so readers understand his opinion.
  Sample opinion: “I would make the same choice because reasons help classmates decide. For example, I would say the music is good but the plot is slow.”

Ss answer multiple-choice and true/false questions about the text and find the evidence for each answer.

Ss complete Worksheet 2 in pairs. Questions:

1. According to the text, who is the main person? A. Bao; B. Vy; C. Alex; D. Mai
2. According to the text, what is the main activity? A. helps at a lantern evening; B. takes a swimming test; C. repairs a school bus; D. writes a film review
3. According to the text, where does the activity take place? A. at the school media club; B. in the classroom; C. at the school library; D. at the community hall
4. According to the text, when does it take place? A. on Friday afternoons; B. on Monday morning; C. on Tuesday afternoon; D. on Friday evening
5. According to the text, why does the person do this? A. he wants classmates to choose suitable films; B. to prepare for a school competition; C. to earn money for a class trip; D. to spend time with a visiting cousin
6. Judge these statements (True/False): a) The main person is Bao. b) The activity happens in the community garden. c) The stated reason is that he wants classmates to choose suitable films.

Answers:

1. A (The opening sentence names Bao.)
2. D (The text states that Bao writes a film review.)
3. A (The location is at the school media club.)
4. A (The time expression is on Friday afternoons.)
5. A (The reason clause says “he wants classmates to choose suitable films”.)
6. a) True; b) False (the text says the school media club, not the community garden); c) True.

Ss write a short film review with reasons and a limitation, and respond politely to an opinion.

Ss work individually to write 35–50 words about a film they have watched. The review must include: the main activity or type of film, one reason, and one contrast with although. Then Ss ask a partner: “What do you think about this film?” Partners respond with interest or decline politely, giving a reason and an alternative. Homework: Ss write a summary of Bao’s activity (35–50 words) that includes the purpose and one important detail.

A sample review: “I watched a comedy called Fun Farm. Although the plot is simple, the jokes are very funny. I recommend it to classmates who like light films.”
A polite response: “I see your point, but I found the plot a bit slow. Maybe you could watch a short comedy instead.”
Summary (homework) sample: Bao writes a film review at the school media club on Friday afternoons because he wants classmates to choose suitable films. His review of an imaginary animation describes the main problem but not the ending. Although he likes the music, he thinks the middle is slow.