English for Life Learner's Book Grade 6 Home Language. Lynne Southey
1. Read the following article about the Wright brothers’ dream aloud. Each member of the group can read one paragraph while the others listen and follow in their books.
The Wright brothers’ aeroplane
In the nineteenth century two brothers had an idea which eventually became their passionate dream. Their determination to achieve their dream changed world travel forever.
When Wilbur and Orville were young boys, their father came home one evening with a toy that would change their lives. In the boys’ words, ‘Late in the autumn of 1878, our father came into the house one evening with some object partly concealed in his hands, and before we could see what it was, he tossed it into the air. Instead of falling to the floor, as we expected, it flew across the room till it struck the ceiling, where it fluttered a while, and finally sank to the floor.’ This simple toy made of bamboo, cork and stretched rubber bands fascinated the Wright brothers and sparked their lifelong interest in human flight.
The Wright brothers always enjoyed learning new things. At first they recycled broken parts to build a printing press and opened their own printing office. They later decided to move their interest to bicycles. In 1893, they opened the Wright Cycle Company, where they sold and repaired bicycles.
However, Wilbur (the older of the two) had his heart set on flying. The brothers spent many hours researching, making and testing their machines. Although there were many unsuccessful attempts at human flight, they were determined to succeed. What had started out as a hobby soon became a passion, a dream.
On 17 December 1903 at 10:35 am, Wilbur and Orville Wright realised their dream. On a cold, windy morning at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, they flew ‘the world’s first power-driven, heavier-than-air machine in which man made free and controlled flight’.
Their life long dream had become a reality. So, the next time you hear or see an aeroplane, remember where it all started.
2. Now answer the following questions in discussion with your group:
(a) What was the Wright brothers’ lifelong dream? Scan the text and give the exact quote.
(b) What words in the text tell us that the writer thinks that the dream the brothers had was positive?
(c) Who sparked the Wright brothers’ lifelong dream? What did he give them? Explain their story in your own words.
(d) What did the Wright brothers do with the broken parts they recycled?
(e) When and where did the Wright brothers finally achieve their dream of human flight?
3. Write an explanation of the title of the article, in your own words. Think about the four meanings of the word dream that we have discussed before. Here in the title the word is used differently.
4. What, in your opinion, was the main ingredient for the Wright brothers’ success?
Talk and write about the future
It is important to have dreams about your future. Your dreams motivate you and urge you on. Without their dream, the Wright brothers would never have invented their aeroplane. Think about your own dreams for the future.
In this part of the module you are going to make a 3D-autobiography to show your teacher and classmates who you are. You will present yourself as you were in the past, as you are at present and what you will be in your future.
1. The first thing you must do is each make your own box. Your teacher will hand out a pattern which you will use to cut out the cardboard for your box. It is better to use cardboard rather than paper because it will make your box stable and easy to work on. Follow your teacher’s instructions. Do not fold your box before you have finished writing and drawing on it.
2. Look at the picture below to understand what you must do.
3. Write your autobiography (up to now) and predict your future. Imagine your whole life set before you on a 3D-box!
(a) On the one side write about your past. For example, where you were born, what your pet’s name was, where you used to live, what your favourite food was, etc.
(b) On the other side describe yourself as you are now. Who you are, how old you are, your favourite sport, colour, car, hobby, subject, how many brothers and sisters you have, where you live, etc.
(c) Finally, write about your future. On the other side of the box, write and explain what your dreams are for your future. The other sides of the box are for you to decorate in any way you like.
A presentation of your life
In this next activity, you are going to present your 3D-autobiography box to the class just like the boy in the picture is doing. Remember that this is like a speech and you have to prepare it and follow the rules for making a speech.
Below are important guidelines to remember when you’re making a speech.
Guidelines for making a speech
• The audience must want to hear what you have to say.
• Remember to always make it interesting or important.
• The audience must be able to hear and understand you.
• Always make eye contact with the audience. They should all think you are speaking to each of them.
1. Using your 3D-box as an aid, present your autobiography to the class. Also tell them what your dreams for the future are. Below is a checklist to guide you.
2. Keep a list of the names of your classmates and write a few words about each one’s dream. Draw the table below in your exercise book and list each one’s dreams in it.
3. Did any of the other dreams for the future make you change your own dream? In what way? Write out your new dream or write why you don’t want to change your dream.
Phrases with the word ‘dream’
In the next activity you are going to look at phrases that are often used in the English language. These are idioms that are often not the same as those used in other languages, and are therefore difficult to translate. These phrases all contain the word ‘dream’ or ‘dreams’. You are going to have to find the correct meaning of each phrase and then make sentences with them.
1. Match the phrases using ‘dream/s’ with their definition in the right hand column.
2. Make sentences using the phrases in the left hand column to show that you know what they mean.
3. Now that you know the meaning of these phrases, discuss the following questions in your group.
(a) Have you had a recurring dream? Describe it to your group.