解析Teaching Contents: Write a short letter asking Copernicus to publish his ideas so everyone can read them
(persuasive writing).
Teaching Objectives:
(1) Students can know more detailed information about Copernicus' theory, and get some knowledge about the era he lived in.
(2) Students can know how to develop their reasons to change somebody else's point of view.
(3) Students are able to write a persuasive article.
(4) Students can cultivate enthusiasm for science and confidence to convince others in their own words.
Teaching Key Point:
Students can learn to write a persuasive article.
Teaching Difficult Point:
Students can write a persuasive article with clear ideas and convincing supporting evidence.
Major Steps:
Step 1 Pre-writing (6 minutes)
(1) Ask students to read the passage quickly and then answer the following questions:
① Who is Copernicus?
② What's his theory mainly about?
③ Why is the theory revolutionary?
(2) Ask students to read the passage carefully and then talk about the reason why Copernicus couldn't tell anyone about his theory according to the passage. Write down students' answers on the blackboard.
(3) Discussion
T: If you were Copernicus, would you have hidden your theory for so many years? Give your reasons.
Write down students' reasons why Copernicus should publish his theory on the blackboard.
(Justification: This step can broaden students' writing ideas. It also makes preparations for writing a persuasive letter.)
(4) Structure
Ask students to think about their outline and share it. Introduce the format of persuasive article in the form of a letter and make a writing plan for students.

(Justification: The step can help students have a basic understanding of how to write a persuasive article. And the outlining can offer students a clear structure and make preparations for the drafting.)
Step 2 While-writing (8 minutes)
Ask students to write a draft persuading Copernicus to publish his theory according to the form. Ask students to pay more attention to the spelling, grammar, and the logic of sentences.
(Justification: With all the preparations from the pre-writing part, students will be able to write down the persuasive article fast.)
Step 3 Post-writing (6 minutes)
(1) Peer-editing
After the drafting, ask students to check their letters with their deskmates. They should check the ideas, the logical development, the grammar, spelling and punctuation.
(2) Lead students to make necessary improvements in both organization and content based on their editing.
Share two articles of students and give some evaluations.
(Justification: Peer-editing can provide an opportunity for students to share their articles and help them learn from each other. With the help of the teacher's evaluations, students can find their mistakes and know how to correct them.)