Oxford Picture Dictionary • Unit 10 • Science

BACK AND FORTH Teaching Notes

Grammar Point: PRESENT CONTINUOUS; WH- QUESTIONS: WHAT, WHY

Levels: Low Beginning to High Beginning

For: Pairs or Triads
Preparation: 10 minutes
Activity: 15 minutes
Duplicate: 1 worksheet for each student

Objective and practice the conversation. Encourage

Students will be able to use the target
grammar structure and vocabulary to role-
play a conversation.
Preparation
Preview the conversation from the
selected Back and Forth activity or use
the vocabulary from the Science page of
your dictionary to write a conversation
that practices the target grammar
structure.
Review the Vocabulary
Have students open their dictionaries to
Science and cover the word list. Have
students work in groups of two or three and
take turns asking each other to name items
on the page.
Teach the Grammar Point: Present
Continuous; WH- Questions:
What, Why
Present the sentences from the
conversation that best illustrate the target
grammar structure. Ask True/False
questions about the meanings of the
sentences to verify understanding of the
form and meaning of the structure.
students to substitute their own
information and/or use their imaginations
to change the location or situation.
4. Invite groups to role-play their
conversations for the class. Give the class
specific information to listen for (e.g., How
do they feel? Who do they meet?).
For Multilevel Classes
After you have presented the target
grammar structure and the conversation,
have lower-level students work in groups of
two or three to practice the conversations.
With higher-level students, brainstorm
situations in which people would use the
target sentences. Then observe the lower-
level groups role-playing their conversations
while the higher-level students write their
own conversations. Finally, have the higher-
level students role-play their conversations
for the class.

Introduce the Activity

Explain the goal: to practice a conversation
and then create a new one.

Model and Conduct the Activity

1. Put the model conversation on the board.
Introduce the situation and role-play the
conversation with volunteers.
2. Ask the class Yes/No questions to verify
that students understand what they are
saying.
3. Have students form groups of two or three
Present Continuous; WH- Questions: What, Why
© Oxford University Press 2009 • Limited permission granted to photocopy.
Oxford Picture Dictionary • Unit 10 • Science

Back and Forth Worksheet

A. Work with a classmate. Read the conversation. In this conversation, a reporter is
interviewing Dr. Zee in the lab.

B. Choose your character.

C. Practice the lines. Act out the play.

Reporter: We’re here observing the famous Dr. Zee in his chemistry lab.
What are you doing, Dr. Zee?

Dr. Zee: I’m doing an important experiment.

Reporter: What are you using, Dr. Zee?

Dr. Zee: I’m using a Bunsen burner, a beaker of water, and some coffee.

Reporter: Fascinating! Dr. Zee is putting the beaker on the Bunsen burner.
Why are you doing that?

Dr. Zee: Because I need hot water for my coffee!

D. Write your own role play.

E. Practice the lines. Act out the role play.

Reporter: We’re here observing the famous Dr. Zee in lab.

What are you doing, Dr. Zee?

Dr. Zee: I’m doing an important experiment.

Reporter: What are you using, Dr. Zee?

Dr. Zee: I’m using .

Reporter: Fascinating! Dr. Zee is .

Why are you doing that?

Dr. Zee: Because !

Present Continuous; WH- Questions: What, Why

© Oxford University Press 2009 • Limited permission granted to photocopy.