Smashing atoms

The main goals of this ESL lesson plan are to:

• – expand vocabulary related to scientific discoveries through picture description exercises and reading about particle accelerators and advanced scientific concepts;
• – introduce and practice hedging structures through example analysis and sentence rewriting exercises while maintaining similar meanings;
• – improve comprehension and critical thinking skills by watching a video about particle accelerators, reading a related text, and engaging in discussions about scientific quotes and distinguishing authentic from inauthentic Einstein quotations.

In this Advanced ESL lesson plan, the goal is to broaden students’ vocabulary on the theme of scientific discoveries. The lesson also introduces and practices the use of hedging structures.

Warm-up
The lesson starts with an exercise where students come up with one word to describe the pictures.

Video
Students will watch a video named “How does an atom-smashing particle accelerator work?” Post-viewing, they will answer questions to check for comprehension.

Grammar
Focus here is introducing hedging structures. Examples are given to aid understanding.

Exercises
In this part of the lesson, students will rewrite sentences using hedging structures while keeping a similar meaning.

Reading
Students will read a short text about particle accelerators, followed by a Q&A session.

Discussion
To wrap up, students decide which quotes are from Albert Einstein and which are not.