Writing: Students will be taught to write topic sentences , supporting sentences, and an introductory or summary paragraph that contains an introduction , supporting details , and a conclusion. 学生将学习如何写主题句、支持句，以及文章中的段落（包含介绍主题、支援主题的细节及结论） 。
Topic Sentences: Main Idea (More exercises, activity). Summarizes the main point of a paragraph and tells the reader the main idea.
Exercise: Look at the picture and write a topic sentence.
Reading 1: How
running can boost the size of your brain: Scientists discover people who keep
fit have better memories and clearer thinking
Vocabulary
1.proof
2.trim: 苗條的；整潔的
3.fit
4.cognitive
5.evidence
6.links
7.debilitate: 使衰弱
8.aerobic: 有氧的
9.Alzheimers
10.Treadmill
11.Improvements
12.Hippocampus
13.actively
14.reproducing
15.psychology
If you thought running
was just great for the body, then think again.Scientists have found proof the sport not only keeps people trim but also boosts brain power.They also found that unfit
people tended to have smaller brains and lower cognitive skills.The
findings add to a growing body of evidence
which links exercise with helping
protect the brain against ageing and also helping it replace dying cells.This might lower the risk of diseases such
as Alzheimer's.
One research paper within
its latest issue sees scientists at Kentucky University putting 30 adults
aged 59-69 on a treadmill.Their heart and lungs were measured and an
MRI scanner was used to test the blood flow to their brains.Those who were less fit had smaller brains
compared to the fitter volunteers who had larger brains.Scientists in Germany followed 21 adults
aged between 60-77. As they went through a three-month fitness program they
saw improvements in their memory.
Researchers
are not yet sure why exercise helps to protect brain cells but some research
in mice has produced results.Mice,
examined at the National Institute on Aging, in Baltimore, found that cells
in the hippocampus, an area of the
brain used for memory, were actively
reproducing while their fatter peers were in decline. Linda Clare, a
professor of psychology
said, 'Moderate-intensity aerobic activity such as brisk walking, cycling or
running can produce changes in brain structure and function.'
What also helps our brains besides exercise? FOOD!
Reading 2: Which colour is best for your brain power? Students
concentrate better in rooms painted red and yellow rather than pastel shades
Vocabulary:
1. struggle
2. Prep [preparation]
3. concentration,
focus
4. surrounded
5. vivid
6. entrance test
7. performance
8. physiological
9. state
10. arousal
11. optimal
12. stimulating
13. ironically
14. associating
15. discomfort
16. cramming
Struggling with that last
minute test prep? Paint your walls
yellow and red.Brightly colored rooms can boost your concentration levels, scientists have
discovered.Students say they prefer to study in
environments with pale colors which they feel are most relaxing, but
researchers have found the opposite works better.Levels
of focus in students are higher
when they are surrounded by vivid colors, a study from Curtin
University, Australia found.Student were asked
to read and answer multiple-choice questions from a university entrance test in rooms with six
different color.The rooms were pale and vivid shades of
blue, red and yellow.Their reading
comprehension scores were higher in the vivid red and yellow rooms.Lead
author said: 'Bright colors can help students' learning performance by positively affecting psychological and physiological states.'If
the reading is difficult, the vivid colors may increase arousal to optimal
levels.'
The colors red and
yellow are more stimulating than
blue and green.For example, student heart rates increased
in red and yellow conditions, but decreased in blue.Arousal improves performance up to an optimal
level, with too much arousal
causing a drop off in performance.Ironically, two-thirds of
participants believed vivid red wasn't a suitable color for a study room, associating the color with discomfort, annoyance and danger.But
given their improved learning performance,
maybe a little discomfort, besides last minute cramming, is what they need. It seems
red and yellow may be the future of study areas..
Many of us go to pharmacies for headache tablets, cough syrups
or allergy treatments. However, over-the-counter (OTC) drugs may cause more
harm than good. A newly published journal says many of these medicines may have
serious side effects. These include brain damage, dementia and even shrinkage.
This happens in older adults who take OTC medicines for asthma, aches and
pains, insomnia and allergies, etc.
Researchers from Indiana University
looked at the link between OTC drugs and brain function in older people. The
scientists found that OTC drugs lower our metabolism, so the brain isn't as
healthy. The research gives us a better understanding of the brain. A
researcher said she would not tell her grandparents to take OTC drugs unless
they had to.
Read the
paragraphs. Write the number of the topic sentence next to the correct
paragraph. Write TS where the sentence goes in the paragraph.
Topic
sentences:
1.
I lived in a small town when I was a child.
2.
When I have my own children, I want to move to a small town.
3.
The town I live in is very small.
4.
There are two main advantages of living in a small town.
Paragraph A: Topic
sentence ____ First, you know everyone and everyone knows you. This helps you
to feel safe, and it is friendlier. Secondly, it is quiet and there are fewer
cars. This means there is less pollution than in a big town or city.
Paragraph B: Topic
sentence ____ It was a very nice place to live then. Now it is much bigger than
before. More people live there and some big businesses opened offices there. My
parents still live there but they say it was better in the past.
Paragraph C: Topic
sentence ____ I don’t want my children to live in a big city because a big city
is not as friendly or as safe as a village. I want to move to the village where
my grandparents live. The children can play in the street there and everyone
knows each other.
