Giáo án A Closer Look 2

Ss recall the idea of a relative clause and notice how extra information is added to a noun that has already been identified.

Ss look at two sentences on the board and decide which one adds extra information about a noun:

• Sentence A: The wetland which shelters birds needs clean water.
• Sentence B: This wetland, which shelters birds, needs clean water.
  T asks: 'Which sentence has commas? What is the difference in meaning?'

Ss answer: Sentence B has commas. The clause 'which shelters birds' adds extra information about 'this wetland', which is already identified. Sentence A identifies which wetland we mean. Ss note the key idea: commas show extra information.

Ss understand the meaning, form and punctuation of non-defining relative clauses and learn why 'that' is not used.

T presents the rule on the board and the slide (Language focus):

• A non-defining relative clause adds extra information about an already identified noun.
• It is set off by commas: This wetland, which stores floodwater, needs protection.
• Use who, which or whose, not that.
• Do not omit the relative pronoun.
• The sentence still identifies its subject if the clause is removed.
  T presents four new words with meanings: habitat (môi trường sống), flora (hệ thực vật), fauna (hệ động vật), biodiversity (đa dạng sinh học). Example: A wetland is a habitat for many birds.
  Question for Ss: 'Can we remove the clause and still know the subject? Why can't we use that here?'

Ss write in their notebooks:

• Rule: non-defining clause = extra information + commas + who/which/whose, not that.
• Vocabulary: habitat, flora, fauna, biodiversity with the example sentences.
• Answer to the question: 'This wetland' is clear without the clause, so the clause is non-defining; 'that' cannot be used after a comma.

Ss learn to start from the intended meaning, identify the subject and verb pattern, and choose the correct relative pronoun.

T shows two worked examples and asks Ss to follow the steps: start with the intended meaning, identify the subject and verb, then choose the pronoun.
Worked example 1: This wetland, ___ shelters birds, needs clean water.
Question: 'What is the subject of the clause? Is it a thing or a person?'
Worked example 2: Ms Ha, ___ works at the centre, gave a talk. (who/which)
Question: 'Does the clause refer to a person or a thing? Which pronoun fits?'
Task: Ss apply the rule to a new sentence: 'The Red River, ___ flows through several regions, is important.'

Ss complete the examples in their notebooks:

• Example 1: which, because the subject is 'wetland' (a thing) and the clause is non-defining.
• Example 2: who, because 'Ms Ha' is a named person.
• New sentence: The Red River, which flows through several regions, is important.
  Ss state the reason in one sentence: 'Use which for things and who for named people.'

Ss choose the correct relative pronoun and the correct punctuation in non-defining clauses.

Ss complete Worksheet No. 1 (exercises 1 to 5) individually for three minutes, then check with a partner for two minutes.
Exercise 1: This wetland, ___ shelters birds, needs clean water. A. which B. that C. where it D. whom
Exercise 2: Ms Ha, ___ works at the centre, gave a talk. (who/which)
Exercise 3: Choose the correct non-defining clause.
Exercise 4: Build the sentence: This wetland / which stores water / is important / to the town.
Exercise 5: Check the statements: a) The pronoun can always be omitted. b) That is not used as a non-defining relative pronoun.

Answer key:

1. A (which)
2. who
3. B: The Earth, which is our home, needs care.
4. This wetland, which stores water, is important to the town.
5. a) False (S). The pronoun cannot be omitted in a non-defining clause. b) True (Đ). That is not used; the pronoun is required and 'that' is excluded.

Ss combine simple sentences into one sentence with a non-defining clause and explain the use of commas.

Ss complete Worksheet No. 2 (exercises 6 to 8) in pairs.
Exercise 6: Combine with a non-defining clause: Ms Ha is a ranger. She guided our club.
Exercise 7: Explain the commas in: 'The Red River, which flows through several regions, is important.'
Exercise 8: Summarise in one sentence: A wetland shelters birds. It stores water. It needs protection.

Answer key:
6. Ms Ha, who is a ranger, guided our club. (Or: Ms Ha, who guided our club, is a ranger.)
7. The Red River is already identified, so the clause adds information rather than choosing one river from a set. The commas mark the added information.
8. The wetland, which shelters birds and stores water, needs protection.
Accept equivalent correct answers that keep the original meaning.

Ss apply non-defining relative clauses to write meaningful sentences about a real place or environmental issue.

Ss work individually to write five sentences about a local park, river, lake or wetland in their area. Each sentence must include one non-defining clause with who, which or whose and use commas correctly. Ss use at least two of the words habitat, flora, fauna and biodiversity.
Example frame: This park, which ___, is home to many ___.
If time is short, Ss write three sentences and finish the rest at home.

Each S writes five sentences, for example:

• This lake, which provides water for our village, needs protection.
• Our national park, whose flora is rich, attracts many visitors.
• My friend, who studies biodiversity, works at the local park.
  Ss check that each sentence has commas, the correct pronoun and a clear meaning. Sentences must be true or clearly based on information the S has.