1. Integrating Skills
Nature’s Nursery:
Estuaries o

2. Skimming
Find the definition of an estuary
An estuary is the body of water where a river meets the ocean. Salt water from the ocean and fresh water from the river mix together in an estuary. This mixing of fresh and salt water creates a unique environment filled with life of all kinds－a zone between the land and sea.

3. √ Structure of the passage Main idea of the passage:1 1 4 1 2 2 3 4 2 3 3 4 √
Main idea of the passage:
Estuaries are the nursery for life in
the oceans and rivers.

4. Questions :
Scanning
1)Why are estuaries such good places for nature’s young one?
2)What does density mean in this passage?
3)How do estuaries affect the water that passes through them?
4) Why are estuaries more sensitive to pollution than other areas?
5) Why are estuaries important to human beings?

5. Q1: Because the habitat provides
all the benefits of the ocean(energy and
nutrients)without the dangers (waves and storms).
Q2: “Density “ means the number of species per
area in this passage.
Q3: Estuaries absorb nutrients and pollutants
from water coming from inland sources,thus
cleaning our water.

6. Q4: Since estuaries act as filters,many
pollutants end up in the estuaries.
Q5: Estuaries are important to human beings
because we like to study and relax in them and
because they contribute to the economy
through tourism and fishing.

7. Language points 1.provide sth. for sb. 提供某物给某人
provide sb. with sth 把某物提供给某人
We provide food for the hungry children.
= We provide the hungry children
with food.
我们应该为受害者(sufferers)提供钱和帮助。
We should provide money and help for the sufferers.
We should provide the sufferers with money and help.

8. You had better provide against typhoon.
It’s the youth’s duty to provide for the olds.
The rules in school provide that the students should respect the teachers.
2. a variety of sth 各种各样的
The shopping-centre sells a variety of goods.
Children do badly at school for a variety of reasons.
3. contribute to prep 有助于，促使 预防 赡养 规定

9. Why do so many species live in estuaries?
Fill the blanks
Estuaries are the areas _____ a river meets the ocean. It is a transition zone between ____ water and ____ water . Many species live in the estuaries because they ______ energy, nutrients, and shelter from the dangers of the open sea. The energy in the estuaries comes from the ____ , which is calmer and safer than the waves and winds of the open ocean. Since rivers meet the sea in estuaries, _______ come from both the land and the ocean. Estuaries also provide shelter: islands, mud, and sand form a _________ wall against many of the dangers of the open oceans. The safe and nutrient-rich environment attracts a _____ of species. Some live here all the time, others come to estuaries to feed and _________.
where
fresh
salt
provide
tide
nutrients
protective
variety
reproduce

10. Topic: ________________
An explanation paragraph (说明文)
Why do so many species live
in estuaries?
Topic: ________________
Step 1:
Step 2:
Step 3:
Describe what happens/ make a definition
Describe the causes and effects
The conclusion

11. Write your own paragraphs

12. Topic: ________________
An explanation paragraph (说明文)
Topic: ________________
What will happen if you put an ice cube into water?
Step 1:
Step 2:
Step 3:
Describe what happens
Describe the causes and effects
The conclusion

13. Sample writing: The reason an ice cube floats is the way the
density of the water changes with temperature.
Density is the relationship between mass and
volume. It is measured in kilogrammes per cubic
metre. A substance with lower density will stay
on top of, or float on, a substance with higher
density. The density of pure water is 1,000 kg/m3,
so if a substance has a higher density, for
example 2,000 kg/m3, it will sink. If the density
is lower , say 500 kg/m3, it will float on the water.
The density of water decreases when water freezes.
That means that an ice cube has lower density
than water. Thus /Therefore, an ice cube will float.

14. Tip 1 You should explain each step in the order it happens.
If you are describing a process,
You should explain each step in the order it happens.
Tell the readers about the causes and effects and use words like first, second, then, etc to show the order of the steps.
First…
Second…
Third/ Then…
Last…

15. Tip 2 What is it ? How many parts is it made up of?
If you are writing about something that has several parts, describe each part and explain its function and structure.
The following questions may help:
What is it ? How many parts is it made up of?
What‘s the structure of each part? How does it work?
What’s the function of the thing?