METHODOLOGY 6B

PORTFOLIO

Teacher in charge: Cao Thị Xuân Liên
Students: Phan Thị Ngọc Thùy
Lê Thị Minh Nguyệt
Nguyễn Thị Hiệp
Thiều Thị Thanh Huy
Trần Hồ Quang Đại

Hue, 12/ 2017


Teacher in charge: Cao Thi Xuan Lien

UNIT 3: MUSIC

1


Teacher in charge: Cao Thi Xuan Lien

AUTHENTIC TEXT 1
* Original text:
Jazz is a music genre that originated in African-American communities of New
Orleans, United States, in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and developed
from roots in blues and ragtime. Since the 1920s Jazz Age, jazz has become
recognized as a major form of musical expression. It then emerged in the form of
independent traditional and popular musical styles, all linked by the common bonds
of

African-American

and European-American musical

parentage

with

a

performance orientation. Jazz is characterized by swing and blue notes, call and
response vocals, polyrhythms and improvisation. Jazz has roots in West African
cultural

and

musical

expression,

traditions including blues and ragtime, as

and

in African-American

well as

music


European military

band

music. Although the foundation of jazz is deeply rooted within the black experience
of the United States, different cultures have contributed their own experience and
styles to the art form as well. Intellectuals around the world have hailed jazz as "one
of America's original art forms".
As jazz spread around the world, it drew on different national, regional, and
local musical cultures, which gave rise to many distinctive styles. New Orleans
jazz began

in

the

early

1910s,

combining

French quadrilles, biguine,

earlier

ragtime

brass-band


marches,

and blues with

collective polyphonic improvisation. In the 1930s, heavily arranged danceoriented swing big

bands, Kansas

City

jazz,

a

hard-swinging,

bluesy,

improvisational style and Gypsy jazz (a style that emphasized musette waltzes)
were the prominent styles. Bebop emerged in the 1940s, shifting jazz from
danceable popular music toward a more challenging "musician's music" which was
played at faster tempos and used more chord-based improvisation. Cool

2


Teacher in charge: Cao Thi Xuan Lien

jazz developed in the end of the 1940s, introducing calmer, smoother sounds and

long, linear melodic lines.
The 1950s saw the emergence of free jazz, which explored playing without
regular meter, beat and formal structures, and in the mid-1950s, hard bop emerged,
which introduced influences from rhythm and blues, gospel, and blues, especially in
the saxophone and piano playing. Modal jazz developed in the late 1950s, using
the mode,

or

musical

scale,

as

the

basis

of

musical

structure

and

improvisation. Jazz-rock fusion appeared in the late 1960s and early 1970s,
combining jazz improvisation with rock music's rhythms, electric instruments, and
highly amplified stage sound. In the early 1980s, a commercial form of jazz fusion

called smooth jazz became successful, garnering significant radio airplay. Other
styles and genres abound in the 2000s, such as Latin and Afro-Cuban jazz.
* Rationale:
This authentic text is quite long. Besides, it has many new words and the
complex sentences. Therefore, we removed some unnecessary sentence to make it is
shorter and easy to understand. Besides, this task is suitable for the mixed-level
students, because this task was designed to make sure that both weak and strong
students can do it. Students can use their level of vocabulary to fill in the gaps
which is not difficult for students. And then teacher can classify students easily by
their result.
1. Type of mixed-level activity: Open-ending
2. Time allotted: 8 minutes
3. Aim:
- This task uses for mixed-level students to help students to practice further reading
skill by filling in the gaps.

3


Teacher in charge: Cao Thi Xuan Lien

- Students will be able to get to know about Jazz music.
- Students will have chance to learn more synonyms with words from the text.
4. Work arrangement: individual work and pair work
5. Teaching aids: Computer, projector, handouts, blackboard
Task: Read the text about Jazz music and fill in each gap with ONE suitable
word.
Jazz is a music genre that originated in African-American communities of New
Orleans, United States, in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Since the
1920s Jazz Age, jazz has become recognized as a (1) ____________ form of

musical

expression.

It

then

independent traditional and popular
____________

bonds

emerged

musical styles,

of African-American

in
all

the
linked

form
by

of


the

(2)

and European-American musical

parentage with a performance orientation. Jazz has roots in West African cultural
and

musical

expression,

and

traditions including blues and ragtime, as

in African-American
well as

music

European military

band

music. Although the (3) ____________ of jazz is deeply rooted within the black
experience of the United States, different cultures have contributed their own
experience and styles to the art form as well.
As jazz spread around the world, it drew on different national, regional, and

local musical cultures, which gave rise to many distinctive styles. New Orleans
jazz (4) ____________ in the early 1910s, combining earlier brass-band marches,
French quadrilles, biguine,

ragtime

and blues with

collective

polyphonic improvisation. Bebop emerged in the 1940s, shifting jazz from
danceable (5) ____________ music toward a more challenging "musician's music"

4


Teacher in charge: Cao Thi Xuan Lien

which was played at faster tempos. Cool jazz developed in the end of the 1940s,
introducing calmer, smoother sounds and long, linear melodic lines.
The 1950s saw the emergence of free jazz. Modal jazz developed in the late
1950s, using the mode, or musical scale, as the basis of musical structure and
improvisation. Jazz-rock fusion appeared in the late 1960s and early 1970s, (6)
____________ jazz improvisation with rock music's rhythms, electric instruments,
and highly amplified stage sound. In the early 1980s, a commercial form of jazz
fusion called smooth jazz became successful. Other styles and genres abound in the
2000s, such as Latin and Afro-Cuban jazz.
6. Steps/ procedure:
- T gives students handouts and shows the task.
- T asks students read and fill in the gaps.

- T gives students 6 minutes to do the task in individual. Then compare with their
partners.
- T gets answers from students.
- T gives feedback and correct.
* Acceptable answers:
1. major/ main

4. began/ started

2. common/ same

5. popular/ general/ universal

3. response/ answer/ reply

6. combining/ connecting

5


Teacher in charge: Cao Thi Xuan Lien

AUTHENTIC TEXT 2
* Original text:
Ed Sheeran has picked up his MBE from Prince Charles at Buckingham Palace and said he would be up for performing at the forthcoming royal wedding.
The pop star was awarded his gong for services to music and charity.
He was the most-streamed artist of 2017 and has supported various good causes.
He said he hadn't been asked to perform at Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's
wedding. But asked by reporters whether he would do so if invited, he replied with
a grin: "Yeah, why not". The singer said the Prince of Wales was impressed by the

fact that he is playing a gig in New York on Friday, one day after the investiture
ceremony."He was asking me if I was still selling lots of records and I told him I've
got a concert in New York tomorrow, and he was quite surprised I was flying after
this," Sheeran said.
He also said he was thinking of his grandfather Bill.
"My grandfather was a massive royalist," he said. "He had all the
commemorative plates and stuff, and he died on this day four years ago, so it's
actually quite a nice full circle thing, I guess he'd be pretty proud."
Asked about the secret of his success, Sheeran played down his achievements,
saying: "I think it's persistence.
"I don't have a vast amount of talent compared to other people, I think talent is
like 30% of it and persistence, drive and self belief are the other ones, which I guess
are all the same thing."
* Rationale:
Based on the aim at improving the reading comprehension for tenth graders
through the extensive listening and readings, we have designed this task using the
authentic material from news from BBC with the appropriate level of vocabulary as
well as structure. Besides, this task was designed with different level of difficulty to
make sure that both weak and strong students can do it and the teacher can classify
students easily.
TASK 1: Listen a text about Ed Sheeran and fill in the gaps below. Fill at least 8
gaps.
Ed Sheeran has (1) ___________ his MBE from Prince Charles at Buckingham
Palace - and said he would be up for performing at the forthcoming royal wedding.
The pop star was awarded his gong for (2) ____________ to music and charity.

6


Teacher in charge: Cao Thi Xuan Lien


He was the most-streamed artist of 2017 and has supported various good causes.
He said he (3) ____________ been asked to perform at Prince Harry and
Meghan Markle's wedding. But asked by reporters whether he would do so if
invited, he (4) ____________ with a grin: "Yeah, why not". The singer said the
Prince of Wales was (5) _____________ by the fact that he is playing a gig in New
York on Friday, one day after the investiture ceremony."He was asking me if I was
still selling lots of (6) _____________ and I told him I've got a concert in New York
tomorrow, and he was quite surprised I was flying after this," Sheeran said.
He also said he was thinking of his grandfather Bill.
"My grandfather was a massive royalist," he said. "He had all the
commemorative (7) ____________ and stuff, and he died on this day four years
ago, so it's actually quite a nice full circle thing, I guess he'd be pretty (8)
______________."
Asked about the secret of his success, Sheeran (9) _____________ his
achievements, saying: "I think it's persistence.
"I don't have a vast amount of talent (10) _______________ to other people, I
think talent is like 30% of it and persistence, drive and self belief are the other ones,
which I guess are all the same thing."
1. Type of mixed-level activity: Compulsory + Optional
2. Aims:
- This task uses for mixed-level students to help students to practice further
listening skill.
- Students will be able to get to know about Ed Sheeran.
- It creates a chance for students to choose the suitable sentences for their students’
ability.
3. Time allotted: 8 minutes
4. Work arrangement: individual work and pair work
5. Teaching aids: computer, handouts, projector, blackboard, cassette.


7


Teacher in charge: Cao Thi Xuan Lien

6. Steps/ procedure:
- T gives students handouts and shows the task.
- T asks students to listen a text about Ed Sheeran and fill in the gaps.
- T gives students 6 minutes to listen and do the task in individual. Then compare
with their partners.
- T gets answers from students.
- T gives feedback and correct.
* Suggested answers:
1. picked up

6. records

2. services

7. plates

3. hadn't

8. proud

4. replied

9. played down

5. impressed


10. compared

TASK 2:
1. Type of mixed-level activity: Compulsory + Optional
2. Aims:
- This task uses for mixed-level students to help students to practice further reading
skill.
- Students will be able to get to know about Ed Sheeran.
- It creates a chance for students to choose the suitable sentences for their students’
ability.
3. Time allotted: 6 minutes
4. Work arrangement: individual work and pair work

8


Teacher in charge: Cao Thi Xuan Lien

5. Teaching aids: computer, handouts, projector, blackboard.
Ed Sheeran has picked up his MBE from Prince Charles at Buckingham Palace and said he would be up for performing at the forthcoming royal wedding.
The pop star was awarded his gong for services to music and charity.
He was the most-streamed artist of 2017 and has supported various good causes.
He said he hadn't been asked to perform at Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's
wedding. But asked by reporters whether he would do so if invited, he replied with
a grin: "Yeah, why not". The singer said the Prince of Wales was impressed by the
fact that he is playing a gig in New York on Friday, one day after the investiture
ceremony."He was asking me if I was still selling lots of records and I told him I've
got a concert in New York tomorrow, and he was quite surprised I was flying after
this," Sheeran said.

He also said he was thinking of his grandfather Bill.
"My grandfather was a massive royalist," he said. "He had all the
commemorative plates and stuff, and he died on this day four years ago, so it's
actually quite a nice full circle thing, I guess he'd be pretty proud."
Asked about the secret of his success, Sheeran played down his achievements,
saying: "I think it's persistence.
"I don't have a vast amount of talent compared to other people, I think talent is
like 30% of it and persistence, drive and self belief are the other ones, which I guess
are all the same thing."
Read the text about Ed Sheeran and decide whether the following statements are
true (T) or false (F). Do at least 6 statements.
1. Ed Sheeran has received the MBE from Prince Charles at Buckingham Palace.
2. He was the only streamed artist of 2017 and has supported various good causes.
3. He said he had been informed to perform at Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s
wedding before.
4. The Prince of Wales was impressed by the fact that he is playing a gig in New
York on Friday.
5. Sheeran grandfather was not much patriotic with the royal family.
6. Sheeran’s grandfather has died on the same day when he received the prize.
7. Persistence is the key leading to the success of Sheeran.
8. Sheeran thinks he has more talent than other people.
6. Steps/ procedure:
- T gives students handouts and shows the task.

9


Teacher in charge: Cao Thi Xuan Lien

- T asks students to read a text about Ed Sheeran and decide which statements are

true or false.
- T gives students 6 minutes to read and do the task in individual. Then compare
with their partners.
- T gets answers from students.
- T gives feedback and correct.
* Suggested answers:
1T

2F

3F

4T

5F

6T

7T

8F

TASK 3: Role play:
Imagine that you are Ed Sheeran and has picked up the MBE from Prince
Charles at Buckingham Palace. Work with your partner, express your feelings after
that event and outline your plan in musical career in the future.
1. Type of mixed-level activity: open-ending
2. Aims:
- This task uses for mixed-level students to help students to practice further
speaking skill.

- Students will be able to imagine and express their own ideas.
- It creates a chance for students to speak by their own ideas and language.
3. Time allotted: 5 minutes
4. Work arrangement: pair work
5. Teaching aids: computer, hand-outs, projector, blackboard.
6. Steps/ Procedure:
- T asks students imagine that they are Ed Sheeran, express your feelings after that
event and outline your plan in musical career in the future.

10


Teacher in charge: Cao Thi Xuan Lien

- T gives students 4 minutes speak in pairs.
- T calls on some students to present in front of the class.
- T gives feedback and correct.

11


Teacher in charge: Cao Thi Xuan Lien

AUTHENTIC TEXT 3
* Original text:
The Beatles were an English rock band formed in Liverpool in 1960. With
members John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr, they
became widely regarded as the foremost and most influential act of the rock era.
[1]
Rooted in skiffle, beat and 1950s rock and roll, the Beatles later experimented

with
several musical
styles,
ranging
from pop ballads and Indian
music to psychedelia and hard rock, often incorporating classical elements and
unconventional recording techniques in innovative ways. In 1963 their enormous
popularity first emerged as "Beatlemania", and as the group's music grew in
sophistication in subsequent years, led by primary songwriters Lennon and
McCartney, they came to be perceived as an embodiment of the ideals shared by
the counterculture of the 1960s.
The Beatles built their reputation playing clubs in Liverpool and Hamburg over
a three-year period from 1960, with Stuart Sutcliffe initially serving as bass player.
The core of Lennon, McCartney and Harrison went through a succession of
drummers, including Pete Best, before asking Starr to join them in 1962.
Manager Brian Epstein moulded them into a professional act, and producer George
Martin guided and developed their recordings, greatly expanding their popularity in
the United Kingdom after their first hit, "Love Me Do", in late 1962. They acquired
the nickname "the Fab Four" as Beatlemania grew in Britain the next year, and by
early 1964 became international stars, leading the "British Invasion" of the United
States pop market. From 1965 onwards, the Beatles produced increasingly
innovative
recordings,
including
the
albums Rubber
Soul(1965), Revolver (1966), Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (1967), The
Beatles (commonly known as the White Album, 1968) and Abbey Road (1969).
After their break-up in 1970, they each enjoyed successful musical careers of
varying lengths. McCartney and Starr, the surviving members, remain musically

active. Lennon was shot and killed in December 1980, and Harrison died of lung
cancer in November 2001.
The Beatles are the best-selling band in history, with estimated sales of over 800
million physical and digital albums worldwide. They have had more number-one
albums on the British charts and sold more singles in the UK than any other act.
They are also the best-selling music artists in the United States, with 178 million
certified units. In 2008, the group topped Billboard magazine's list of the all-time
most successful artists; as of 2017, they hold the record for most number-one hits
on the Hot 100 chart with twenty. They have received seven Grammy Awards,
an Academy Award for Best Original Song Score and fifteen Ivor Novello Awards.
12


Teacher in charge: Cao Thi Xuan Lien

The group was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1988, and all four
main members were inducted individually from 1994 to 2015. They were also
collectively included in Time magazine's compilation of the twentieth century's 100
most influential people.
* Rationale:
This authentic text is quite long. Besides, it has many new words and the
complex sentences. Therefore, we removed some unnecessary sentence to make it is
shorter and easy to understand. Besides, this task is suitable for the mixed-level
students, because this task was designed to make sure that both weak and strong
students can do it. Students can choose the questions which are suitable for their
ability. And then teacher can classify students easily by their result.
1. Type of mixed-level activity: Compulsory + Optional
2. Time allotted: 10 minutes
3. Aim:
- This task uses for mixed-level students to help students to practice further reading

skill.
- Students can understand and have more knowledge about the Beatles.
4. Work arrangement: pair work
5. Teaching aids: Computer, projector, handouts, blackboard.

The Beatles were an English rock band formed in Liverpool in 1960. With
members John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrisonand Ringo Starr, they
became widely regarded as the foremost and most influential act of the rock era. In
1963 their enormous popularity first emerged as "Beatlemania", and as the group's
music grew in sophistication in subsequent years, led by primary
songwriters Lennon and McCartney, they came to be perceived as an embodiment
of the ideals shared by the counterculture of the 1960s.
The Beatles built their reputation playing clubs in Liverpool and Hamburg over
a three-year period from 1960, with Stuart Sutcliffe initially serving as bass player.

13


Teacher in charge: Cao Thi Xuan Lien

The core of Lennon, McCartney and Harrison went through a succession of
drummers, including Pete Best, before asking Starr to join them in 1962.
Manager Brian Epstein moulded them into a professional act, and producer George
Martin guided and developed their recordings, greatly expanding their popularity in
the United Kingdom after their first hit, "Love Me Do", in late 1962. They acquired
the nickname "the Fab Four" as Beatlemania grew in Britain the next year, and by
early 1964 became international stars, leading the "British Invasion" of the United
States pop market. From 1965 onwards, the Beatles produced increasingly
innovative
recordings,

including
the
albums Rubber
Soul (1965), Revolver (1966), Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band(1967), The
Beatles (commonly known as the White Album, 1968) and Abbey Road (1969).
After their break-up in 1970, they each enjoyed successful musical careers of
varying lengths. McCartney and Starr, the surviving members, remain musically
active. Lennon was shot and killed in December 1980, and Harrison died of lung
cancer in November 2001.
The Beatles are the best-selling band in history. They are also the best-selling
music artists in the United States, with 178 million certified units. In 2008, the
group topped Billboard magazine's list of the all-time most successful artists; as of
2017, they hold the record for most number-one hits on the Hot 100 chart with
twenty. They have received seven Grammy Awards, an Academy Award for Best
Original Song Score and fifteen Ivor Novello Awards. The group was inducted into
the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1988, and all four main members were inducted
individually from 1994 to 2015. They were also collectively included
in Time magazine's compilation of the twentieth century's 100 most influential
people.
Task: Read the text about the Beatles and answer the following questions. Do at
least 5 questions.
1. Where were The Beatles an English rock band formed?
2. When did their enormous popularity first emerge as "Beatlemania”?
3. Where did the Beatles build their reputation playing clubs in?
4. What did the Beatles have the most famous albums in the world?
5. How were the life of members of the Beatles after breaking up?
6. Which awards did they receive?
6. Steps/ procedure:
- T gives students handouts and shows the task.
- T gets students read the text about the Beatles and answer the questions.


14


Teacher in charge: Cao Thi Xuan Lien

- T asks students work in pair.
- T gives students 8 minutes to do the task.
- T calls on some pairs to ask and answer in front of the class (T can use the game
“Lucky number” to get answers from students. This makes the lesson interesting).
- T checks their answer.
- T gives feedback and correct.
* Suggested answers:
1. The Beatles were an English rock band formed in Liverpool.
2. In 1963 their enormous popularity first emerged as "Beatlemania".
3. The Beatles built their reputation playing clubs in Liverpool and Hamburg.
4. The Beatles have the most famous albums:
Rubber Soul (1965), Revolver (1966), Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club
Band(1967), The Beatles (commonly known as the White Album, 1968) and Abbey
Road (1969).
5. After their break-up in 1970, McCartney and Starr, the surviving members,
remain musically active. Lennon was shot and killed in December 1980, and
Harrison died of lung cancer in November 2001.
6. They have received seven Grammy Awards, an Academy Award for Best
Original Song Score and fifteen Ivor Novello Awards.

15


Teacher in charge: Cao Thi Xuan Lien


UNIT 5:
INVENTIONS

16


Teacher in charge: Cao Thi Xuan Lien

AUTHENTIC TEXT 1
* Original text:
Einstein Invents Automatic Electric Eye Camera

Professor Albert Einstein, famed for his theories on relativity and the universe, is
a practical inventor as well. The U.S. Patent Office has granted the noted physicist
and Dr. Gustav Bucky, consulting radiologist at New York University, who is coinventor, a patent covering a Light Intensity Self-Adjusting Camera. Professor
Einstein also holds British and American patents on improvements in gas-burning
refrigerators and Dr. Bucky is inventor of a diaphragm used in X-ray photography.
The camera device uses a photo-electric cell which automatically increases or
decrease light entering a camera by moving a tiny light filter graduated from zero to
complete transparency.
* Rationale

17


Teacher in charge: Cao Thi Xuan Lien

- The original text has difficult structures and high level vocabulary. Therefore,
weaker students have difficulty in doing this task.

- This task was designed with the same answer the questions for all students in the
class, but provided them different reading text.
+ Version A: This text is provided for weaker students in class. The content of
the text is simpler and easier to understand with lower-level of vocabulary as well
as structures and grammar points.
+ Version B: This text is given for stronger students in class. The content of the
text is more difficult and complicated with wide range of structures, vocabulary and
grammar points.
1. Type of mixed-level activity: Tiered-text
2. Aims:
- To help students practice further reading comprehension through the extensive
text.
- To help students have more knowledge about inventions.
3. Time allotted: 8 minutes
4. Work arrangement: individual work
5. Teaching aids: computer, projector, handouts, blackboard
Version A: (for weaker students)
Professor Albert Einstein is a famous inventor in the world. The U.S. Patent
Office has granted the noted physicist and Dr. Gustav Bucky who is co-inventor a
Light Intensity Self-Adjusting Camera. Professor Einstein also holds British and
American patents on improvements in gas-burning refrigerators and Dr. Bucky is
inventor of a diaphragm used in X-ray photography. The camera device uses a

18


Teacher in charge: Cao Thi Xuan Lien

photo-electric cell which automatically increases or decrease light entering a
camera by moving a tiny light filter.

Version B: (for stronger students)
Professor Albert Einstein, famed for his theories on relativity and the universe, is
a practical inventor as well. The U.S. Patent Office has granted the noted physicist
and Dr. Gustav Bucky, consulting radiologist at New York University, who is coinventor, a patent covering a Light Intensity Self-Adjusting Camera. Professor
Einstein also holds British and American patents on improvements in gas-burning
refrigerators and Dr. Bucky is inventor of a diaphragm used in X-ray photography.
The camera device uses a photo-electric cell which automatically increases or
decrease light entering a camera by moving a tiny light filter graduated from zero to
complete transparency.
Task: Read the short text about Einstein Invents Automatic Electric Eye Camera
and decide whether the following statements are true (T) or false (F).
1. Albert Einstein is a well-known inventor in the world.
2. Only Albert Einstein invents a Light Intensity Self-Adjusting Camera
3. X-ray photography is invented by Professor Albert Einstein.
4. Dr. Bucky is inventor of a diaphragm used in X-ray photography.
5. The camera device uses a photo-electric cell which automatically increases
or decrease light entering a camera by moving a tiny light filter.
6. Steps/ procedure:

19


Teacher in charge: Cao Thi Xuan Lien

- T gives students handouts and shows the task.
- T gets students read the text about Einstein Invents Automatic Electric Eye
Camera.
- T asks students work in individual. Then compare with their partners.
- T gives students 6 minutes to do the task
- T calls on some students to give answers.

- T checks their answer.
- T gives feedback.
* Suggested answers:
1T

2F

3F

4T

20

5T


Teacher in charge: Cao Thi Xuan Lien

AUTHENTIC TEXT 2
* Original text:
Alexander Graham Bell (March 3, 1847 – August 2, 1922) was a Scottish-born
scientist, inventor, engineer, and innovator who was credited with patenting the first
practical telephone and founding the American Telephone and Telegraph Company
(AT&T) in 1885.
Bell’s father, grandfather, and brother had all been associated with work on
elocution and speech and both his mother and wife were deaf, profoundly
influencing Bell's life's work. His research on hearing and speech further led him to
experiment with hearing devices which eventually culminated in Bell being
awarded the first U.S. patent for the telephone in 1876. Bell considered his
invention an intrusion on his real work as a scientist and refused to have a telephone

in his study.
Many other inventions marked Bell's later life, including groundbreaking work
in optical telecommunications, hydrofoils, and aeronautics. Although Bell was not
one of the 33 founders of the National Geographic Society, he had a strong
influence on the magazine while serving as the second president from January 7,
1898, until 1903.
* Rationale:
This is authentic magazine about Alexander Graham Bell. In this text, the
vocabulary load is challenging such as: culminated, hydrofoils, and aeronautics.
Besides, it has the sentence construction more complex.
Therefore, we use “Tiered-text activity” for all students in the class, it presented by
two version reading texts.
+ Version A: This text is provided for weaker students in class. The content of
text is simpler and easier to understand with lower level of vocabulary as well as the
structures.
+ Version B: This text is given for stronger students in class. The content of text
is more difficult than version A. In version B, the vocabulary load is challenging
and the sentences construction is more complex.

21


Teacher in charge: Cao Thi Xuan Lien

1. Type of mixed-level activity: Bias text
2. Aims:
- This task uses for mixed-level students to help students to practice further reading
skill.
- Students will be able to get to know about the inventor Alexander Graham Bell
and his inventions.

- It gives a chance for stronger students can learn more new words and complex
sentence structures.
- It gives students a chance to work in collaboration with partners (student-student
collaboration to pool their knowledge). Students also do peer-correction/ studentstudent feedback
3. Time allotted: 10 minutes
4. Work arrangement: pair work
5. Teaching aids: computer, handouts, projector, blackboard

Version A: (for weaker students)
Alexander Graham Bell (March 3, 1847) was born in Scotland. He is a scientist,
inventor, engineer and innovator. He was credited with patenting the first practical
telephone and founding the American Telephone and Telegraph Company (AT&T)
in 1885.
His research on hearing and speech further led him to experiment with hearing
devices which eventually climaxed in Bell being awarded the first U.S. patent for
the telephone in 1876. Bell considered his invention an intrusion on his real work as
a scientist and refused to have a telephone in his study.
He had many inventions marked his life later. Although Bell was not one of the
33 founders of the National Geographic Society, he had a strong influence on the
magazine.

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Teacher in charge: Cao Thi Xuan Lien

Version B: (for stronger students)
Alexander Graham Bell (March 3, 1847 – August 2, 1922) was a scientist,
inventor, engineer, and innovator who was credited with patenting the first practical
telephone and founding the American Telephone and Telegraph Company (AT&T)

in 1885.
Bell’s father, grandfather, and brother had all been associated with work on
public speaking and speech and both his mother and wife were deaf, deeply
influencing Bell's life's work. His research on hearing and speech further led him to
experiment with hearing devices. Bell considered his invention an intrusion on his
real work as a scientist and refused to have a telephone in his study.
Many other inventions marked Bell's later life, including groundbreaking work
in optical telecommunications, hydrofoils, and aeronautics. Although Bell was not
one of the 33 founders of the National Geographic Society, he had a strong
influence on the magazine while serving as the second president from January 7,
1898, until 1903.
Read a short text about Alexander Graham Bell and answer the following
questions:
1. When was he died?
2. Where was he born?
3. What was his life’s work influenced by?
4. Which other inventions marked Bell’s life later?
5. When was he awarded the first U.S. paten for the telephone?
6. When did he have a strong influence on the magazine?
6. Steps/ Procedure:
- T gives students handouts and shows the task.
- T asks students read a text about Alexander Graham Bell and answer the questions
in pairs.

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Teacher in charge: Cao Thi Xuan Lien

- T gives students 8 minutes to read and do the task.

- T calls on some pairs to ask and answer in front of the class (T can use the game
“Lucky number” to get answers from students. This makes the lesson interesting).
- T gives feedback and correct.
* Suggested answers:
1. He was died on August 2, 1922.
2. He was born in Scotland.
3. Bell's father, grandfather, and brother had all been associated with work on
public speaking and speech and both his mother and wife were deaf, deeply
influencing Bell's life's work.
4. Many other inventions marked Bell's later life, including groundbreaking
work in optical telecommunications, hydrofoils, and aeronautics.
5. Bell was awarded the first U.S. patent for the telephone in 1876.
6. He had a strong influence on the magazine while serving as the second
president from January 7, 1898, until 1903.

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