Book Four

山东师范大学大学外语教育学院

Unit Four

Creativity

Preparation Reading-centered activities In-class reading After-class reading Further development Writing and Translation

Unit Four

Preparation

Task 1 What is creativity Task 2 Creativity and inventions Task 3 Optical Illusion and

imagination Task 4 Proverbs and sayings

Creativity

Creativity is the ability to learn from Nature and to use one’s imagination. Both of these are full of wonders that are most probably incomparable.

Task 1 What is creativity

Directions: Discuss in groups what is meant by “being creative’’. First, each member writes a definition for it. Then discuss your definitions in your group.

Sample

““Being creativeBeing creative”” means one can think means one can think of things that others cannot.of things that others cannot.

““Being creativeBeing creative”” means one can solve means one can solve problems in a simple and original way.problems in a simple and original way.

““Being creative” means one can think Being creative” means one can think and do things in an unusual way.and do things in an unusual way.

Sample

Being creative is not limited to scientists or artists. Actually, ordinary people also do creative work in their lives. It is carried on all the time by amateur inventors who find new and more convenient ways of doing everyday things. For example, the paper clip was invented by a man who kept losing his paperwork. Thanks to his own invention, he’s now very well organized.

Task 2 Creativity and inventions

Directions: Discuss with your partner the following list of inventions and describe how they represent creative ways of doing everyday things. In your discussion, you might first consider the things they replaced. A sample description is given below for your reference.

Ballpoint pen calculator light bulb refrigerator

Sample The ballpoint penThe ballpoint pen replaced pen and ink. It is more

convenient, easy to carry and often neater. The calculatorThe calculator replaced mental calculations, tables

and the abacus. The results are more accurate, the problems can be done more quickly, and complex operations with large sums can be done easily.

The light bulbThe light bulb replaced candles, lamps and torches. Electricity can be used at any time of the day or night. With electric lights, people no longer had to depend on sunlight.

The refrigeratorThe refrigerator replaced other ways of preserving food such as ice, salt and drying. It enables people to keep vegetables and other foods fresh for many days.

Task 3 Optical Illusion and Imagination

Directions: Look at the following drawing from every possible angle and try to relate it to the real things in your lives. A possible example of imagination is given below for your reference.

Sample

To me, it seems to be an exhibition hall in a museum. Though it’s not spacious, it’s full of masterpieces of the world’s greatest artists, for example, Pablo Picasso’s Guernica, Vincent van Gogh’s sunflower, and Claude Monet’s Water Lilies. A day’s stay there will bring an art lover great satisfaction and enjoyment.

Proverbs and sayings The essential part of CREATIVITY is not

being afraid to fail. CREATIVITY requires the courage to let

go of certainties. Happiness lies in the joy of achievement

and the thrill of CREATIVITY effort. Whatever CREATIVITY is, it is in part a

solution to a problem.

Reading-centered activities

Task1 In-class reading Task 2 After-class reading

Task 1 In-class reading

Pre-reading questions New words and phrases Text structure Language points Summary of the text

Pre-reading questionsPre-reading questions

1. Which should be emphasized in education, knowledge or creativity?

Sample Both are equally important, and no

system should only emphasize one. Knowledge involves facts and information which are essential, but creativity allows you to do original things with your knowledge. If I had to emphasize one, I would choose creativity since it is more important than facts and figures which are useless if not to be applied to solve problems.

2 How can schools and parents How can schools and parents encourage students’ creativity both at encourage students’ creativity both at

school and at home?school and at home?

sample Create more situations for students

to solve problems by themselves. Involve students in decision-making. Develop their thinking and language

skills as well as the sense of humor. Organize more activities that

require imagination to do it well.

New words and phrases

1 automatically adv

. without thinking about what you are doing 不经思索地 Translation a) She knew the lesson so well that she gave the

answer automatically. 她对这一课极为熟悉，可不经思索随口回答问题。 b) 因为我无法控制我自己，所以我不假思索地告诉了 她我们分开后发生的一切。 I automatically told him everything happened

after we parted because I can’t help myself. automate v. （使）自动化 automatic adj. 自动 的，不

经思索的 automation n. 自动化操作

2 creativity n.

(=creativeness) the ability to produce new and original ideas and things; imagination and inventiveness 创造力 , 创造

Translation a) He is an artist with seemingly unlimited creat

ivity. 他是一位仿佛有着无限创造力的艺术家。 b) That elementary school offered many oppo

rtunities to its pupils to display their creativity. 那所小学为学生提供了很多展示创造力的机会。。

create v. 创造，创作 creation n. 创造，创作物 creative adj. 创造性的 creator n. 创造者

构词法 -ity 是一个名词后缀，表示“状态，性质，程度”等 。如： complexity 复杂 ( 性 ), 复杂的事物 extremity 末端 , 极端 , 极度 familiarity 熟悉；通晓；亲密；精通 humanity 人性；人类；博爱；仁慈 popularity 普及 , 流行 , 声望 reality 真实 , 事实 , 本体 , 逼真 generality 一般性

3 dismiss v.

1) remove somebody (especially an employee) from a position, fire

开除，解雇 Translation She was dismissed from her

job for not obeying the company’s safety regulations.

她因没有遵守公司的安全规章被解雇。

3 dismiss v.

2) decide that (something or someone) is not important and not worth considering 对不予理会或不屑一提

Translation The higher court dismissed his appeal

for a second trial. 高等法院驳回了他的上诉。

3 dismiss v.

3 ） send away 解散 Translation The crowd was dismissed because of t

he heavy rain. 人群因大雨而解散了。

4. Practically adv.

1) almost; nearly 几乎，简直 Translation a) 本赛季的 NBA 快要结束了。 The NBA of this season is practically over.. b) Practically all the movies starring Jackie

Chan (Cheng Long) are closely related to Chinese kungfu.

几乎所有成龙主演的电影都和中国功夫有 关。

4. Practically adv. 2) relating to experience, reality or action rather than ideas or imagination 实际上 Translation a) In many people’s mind, the city of Shanghai ha

s practically become the center of finance and culture of East Asia.

在许多人心目中 , 上海实际上已经成了东亚地区 的金融与文化中心。

b) Practically most Chinese festivals are more culturally attractive than the western ones.

实际上大多数的中国节日都要比西方的节日更具 有文化魅力。

5. Motivation n. Eagerness and willingness to do something

without needing to be told or forced to do it 动力，积极性

Translation a) Motivation was a key to their success. 积极性是他们成功的关键。 b) 杰克是个很聪明的孩子，但他缺乏积极

性。 Jack is an intelligent pupil, but he lacks

motivation. motivate v. 激发 motive n. 动机，目的

6. Multiplication n.

the process of adding a number to itself a particular number of times 乘法运算

Translation a) 二三得六就是乘法的一个简单的例子。 2×3=6 is an easy example of 2×3=6 is an easy example of multiplicatiomultiplicatio

nn.. b) 我的邻居的孩子三岁就能背乘法表。 My neighbor’s son could recite the m

ultiplication tables at the age of three

Multiply v.

1) to combine by multiplication 乘 三乘九等于二十七。 3 3 multiplied by 9 is 27. by 9 is 27. 以三乘五 to multiply five by three 2) to greatly increase in number or

amount (大量地 )增加 Translation 美国军费开支在过去五年中有大量的增加。

American military expenditure has American military expenditure has multiplied in the last five years. in the last five years.

7. involve…in

cause (somebody) to take part in 使某人参与，使某人加入

Translation a) Don’t involve me in solving your

problems. 不要让我参与解决你们的问题。 b) 他参与了一场激烈的辩论。 He was involved in a heated argument.

8. sacrifice… for… willingly stop doing something you like in order to ge

t something more important 为……牺牲…… Translation a) Many women sacrifice interesting careers for

their family. 许多妇女为了各自的家庭牺牲自己感兴趣的事

业。 b) 这个国家不会为了与强大的邻国结盟而牺牲自己

的独立。 This nation is not prepared to sacrifice its

independence for an alliance with a powerful neighbor.

Text Structure

It is introduced in thIt is introduced in the article how teache article how teachers ers and parents cand parents can encourage creatian encourage creativity in children.vity in children.

1. Introduction (Para. 1)

2. An important strategy for parents and teachers to follow (Para. 2-3)

A. The strategy: To encourage children to spend time thinking an developing new ideas.B. The significance for adopting the strategy: If we can do so, they will be better able to function in tomorrow’s society.

3. The definition of creativity (Para. 4-5)

A. Who successful students and adults are:

Those who can find a number of ways to

approach problems. B. What creative people can do: They can use what they have to produce original ideas that are good for

something.

Children can obtain and give back information, but can’t figure out ways to apply what they know in new situations.

4. A big problem in school (Para. 6)

5. A new approach to teaching (Para. 7)

The approach: Combining the basics with activities where the stu

dents must use their imagination How to do so: By asking questions and meanwhile praising their i

deas and new thoughts. How to facilitate the process: To create an atmosphere in which there is no risk in

being creative—a place where wild ideas are honored and valued, never scorned or dismissed.

To involve children in decision making.To involve children in decision making. To help children to understand the consequences To help children to understand the consequences of various decisions.of various decisions. To encourage them to talk out loud about things To encourage them to talk out loud about things they are doing.they are doing. To show a sense of humor.To show a sense of humor. To give children choices from their earliest ageTo give children choices from their earliest age..

6. Things parents can do at home to encourage creativity (Para. 8-10)

Language Points

1. It is a strategy that more and more companies are employing and one that experts around the country say we ought to be following with our children, both at home and at school. (Line 11)

It is a strategy that… 强调句型 , 强调句子的宾语 strategy 。……句中 的 one 指 strategy 。

Examples a) It is such a good opportunity that we

should not / must not miss. 这样好的机会我们一定不能错过。 b) It is in the air that people breathe. It is in

the soil that the food grows. 人们在空气中呼吸，食物在土地上生长。

2. Creativity is not something one is just born with, nor is it necessarily a characteristic of high intelligence.

( Line17) nor is it… 为倒装句。 当表示否定意义的词或短语如 neither, nor等位于句首时，句子要倒装。

example a) In no case will he give up the experiment. 无论如何他都不会放弃那个试验。 b) I am totally ignorant of the whole thing,

nor is he. 我对整个事件一无所知，他也一样。

be born withbe born with 意为“生来就有……”意为“生来就有……”

Examplea) The ability to speak is born with. 说话的能力是天生的。b) She was born with a silver spoon in her mouth.. 她生来富贵。

3. 3. For example, For example, instead of simplyinstead of simply asking WHEN Columbus asking WHEN Columbus discovered discovered the New World, teachers might ask students to think about the New World, teachers might ask students to think about what what would have happened if his trip had taken himwould have happened if his trip had taken him to New York first to New York first instead of to the Caribbean area. (line 34)instead of to the Caribbean area. (line 34)

构成与过去事实相反的虚拟语气句的形式： 主句用would have done sth. 从句用

had done sth. 如果主句是现在，从句是过去，则用混合虚拟语气，其形式为：

从句： if + 过去完成时， 主句：主+ would/ should/ could

/might + 动词原形

Example

a)a) If she had been warned earlier, she wouldn't have broken the rules.

如果她早点受到警告，她就不会违反规定了。b) If the letter had been sent out, it would have rui rui

ned our friendship.ned our friendship. 如果信当时送出去了，那一定就毁了我们的友谊。

instead ofinstead of 代替，而不是

Examplea)a) Instead of out watching the stars, let us visit one at whose beauty the stars grow pale. 我们与其整夜看星星，还不如去拜访一下星星也为 之感到逊色的美人。b) The delegates decided to go on with the meeting instead of breaking off for lunch. 代表们决定继续他们的会议，而不是中断去吃午餐。

Summary of the text

Summary Dick Drew worked for the Minnesota

Manufacturing and Mining Company, better known as 3M. At work he developed a sticky-side substance strong enough to hold things together. But his boss discouraged him from continuing his work. Finally, using his spare time, Dick Drew perfected the tape, which now is used everywhere by many people. Now 3M encourages people to spend 15 percent of their work time just thinking and developing new ideas.

Task 2 After-class Reading

Summary of passage I Summary of passage II

Summary of Passage I It is a strategy that experts say we ought to be following with our children, both are at home and at school. If we teach them to think creatively, they will be better able to function in tomorrow’s society.

Author criticized that educators do lay more emphasis on correct answers than on creativity. Now, however, some schools have realized the importance of stimulating student’s imagination.

Summary of Passage II

Teachers and parents can encourage their students or their children to think in creative ways, and to teach them to use the resources they have to produce original ideas that are good for something.

Further Development

Case Study Everyday Creativity Letters to Jennifer

1. Case Study Directions: You live in a pleasant neighborh

ood, outside a town. Soon a prison has been built just opposite the bungalows ( 平房 )where you live. It is surrounded by high concrete walls. No view of the countryside any more! You and your neighbors get together for this. Now discuss with your neighbors (group members) to solve the problem in a creative way. Write down your solution and report it to the class, which will decide on the best solution.

Sample You can find the following ways to solve the problem with

your neighbor: 1. Plant beautiful flowers, and the other plants surr

ounding. 2. Put your windows in the other side of the bungalows

( 平房 ) to see different scenery. 3. Put mirrors to the right and left of the wall to refle

ct the scenery. 4. Use a concave （凹透镜）， a convex （凸透 镜），

a periscope （潜望镜） and steps （梯级， 台阶） . 5. Buy some excellent books to transfer your attention. 6. You can have one painter draw a beautiful picture

on the prison walls.

2. Everyday Creativity2. Everyday Creativity Directions: Often we are unable to find

out other possible uses of familiar things. In small groups, take an item, such as a ballpoint pen, a piece of chalk, a pair of glasses or an eraser. Look at it closely for a minute or two and list the things you could do with it (aside from its normal use, of course). Share your findings with the other group members.

Sample 1

With a ballpoint pen, we could use it as a water gun; to hide messages in; as a lighter to light cigarettes; as a weapon to hurt the attacker’s

face.

Sample 2

With a piece of chalk, we could use it to absorb water or ink to clean you paper; to make your dirty shoes white

temporarily; to use the waste chalk to enjoy yourself

with your classroom; to gather the waste chalk to use them in

later time; to wake up a sleepy student for the

teacher.

Sample 3

With a pair of glasses, we could use it to pretend to be educated while wearing

them; to use them as a mirror to see whether

your face is dirty or not; to hide your wounded eyes or sad

expression in your face; to protect your eyes by using them

under the bright sun.

Sample 4

With a blackboard eraser ， we could use it to shine our shoes; to powder our faces; as a weapon to dust the attacker’s eyes

with chalk powder; to paint squares on a dark wall; to polish furniture.

3.3. Letters to JenniferLetters to Jennifer

Directions: Write a letter to Jennifer about a problem you have at school, at home, or at work. Then exchange letters with your partner. After that, each pretends to be Jennifer and writes an answer to provide a creative solution to the problem. Finally, exchange your solutions.

Sample 1

Dear Jennifer, I don’t know what to do. One

of my friends often wants me to do homework for her. I want to help her because she is my friend, but I am spending too much time on her work.

—— Shy girl

Sample 2

Dear Shy girl, The next time she asks you, mak

e a whole lot of mistakes and then she won’t ask you any more.

——Jennifer

Writing and Translation

Writing Translation Practice

Writing Directions: For this part, you are allowed 30 minute

s to write a letter to the university president about improving students’ scientific and technological abilities for innovation. You should write at least 120 words according to the outline given below:

1 ．你认为本校没有能够很好提高学生的科技创新能力；

2 ．你对如何提高学生的科技创新能力的几点建议。

Sample Dear Mr. President, I am Wang Gang, a junior at our university. I write this letter t

o address the issue of cultivating students’ scientific and technological innovation capabilities.

As the transformation of scientific and technological advances into new products, processes, systems, and services, innovation has created astonishing benefits to society, including improved healthcare, transportation, and computer-communications capacities. However, this important issue has not been on the agenda at our university. Our innovation abilities are not fully cultivated in our courses. There are few extracurricular activities ( 课外活动 ) that aim at improving students’ innovation abilities. To put it simply, we are not prepared to work in a society that needs scientifically and technologically knowledgeable workforce with creativity and originality.

Therefore, I strongly suggest that school authorities take some actions to cultivate students’ scientific and technological innovation capabilities. First, school authorities should establish a students’ scientific and technological innovation center and develop some programs that facilitate （促进） innovation activities. Secondly, as teachers play an essential role in generating new knowledge and creating a scientifically and technologically literate workforce, they should introduce some new knowledge and new research approaches in their in-class instruction and create an environment for innovation-oriented （以创新为导向的） learning. Thirdly, some lecture topics should focus on fostering the transformation of knowledge into the products, processes, systems and services that fuel economic development, create wealth and generate improvements in the standard of living.

I believe as long as school authorities, teachers and students do our best, we will improve tremendously in scientific and technological innovation abilities.

Sincerely,

Wang Gang

Translation Practice

Directions: Translate the following quotations concerning creativity into Chinese.

Translation Practice1. There are no problems----only opportunities to be

creative. (DoryeRoettger) 一个具有独创性的人没有难题，只有发挥独创性的机

会。（多里·勒特格）2. I am always doing what I can not do, in order that I

may learn how to do it. (Pablo Picasso) 我一直在做力所不能及的事情，那时为了学会如何去

做。（巴勃罗·毕加索）

Translation Practice3. To exist is to change, to change is to mature, to ma

ture is to go on creating oneself endlessly. (Henri Bergson) 存在是为了改变，改变是为了成长，成长是为了不断

创造自我。（亨利·伯格森）4. To live a creative life, we must lose our fear of bein

g wrong.( Joseph Chilton Pierce) 想要创造性地生活，我们必须不再害怕犯错。 （约瑟夫 ·奇尔顿·皮尔斯 ）

Translation Practice5 ） Creativity is inventing, experimenting, growing, taking risks,

breaking rules, making mistakes, and having fun. (Mary Lou Cook)

创造性就是发明、试验、成长、冒险、犯规、犯错和游戏。 （玛丽·卢·库克）6 ） I am always thinking about creating. My future starts when I

wake up every morning. Every day I find something creative to do with my life. (Miles Davis)

我总想着创新。我的未来始于每天清晨睡梦初醒之时。 每天我都在自己的生活中找到富有创造性的事情来做。（迈尔斯·戴维斯）