Lesson Topics: meaning of life, astronomy
Skill Focus: Speaking, Vocabulary, Listening
Approximate Class Time: 2 hours
Lesson Plan Download: pale-blue-dot-sagan-advanced-022026.docx
Lesson Overview:
- Foreword: This lexical density (vocabulary load) in this lesson is closer to C2 than C1.
- Students first warm up with questions about astronomy, human conflict, and life goals.
- Next, as a preview of vocabulary from the upcoming, students match several words to their opposites.
- The video's input is Carl Sagan's famous speech, excerpted from his Pale Blue Dot book. The clip, 3:26 in length, encourages the viewer to reflect on their own life goals and pursuits, given the vast size of the universe and the comparatively tiny space that our pale blue dot occupies.
- The video is followed by comprehension and follow-up questions.
- Afterward, students review phrases from the video and match key vocabulary to definitions. Once complete, students use some of the new vocabulary to complete discussion questions.
- The lesson has two debate prompts on whether we are alone in the universe and whether it's worthwhile to expand the human footprint to other planets.
- The lesson's roleplay scenario is between two brothers: one is a capitalist and the other a hippy. Each tries to convince the other that their approach to life is superior.
- The next speaking activity asks students to prepare a short speech to present at the World Economic Forum in Davis on how they think humanity should change.
- After three famous quotations, students then review vocabulary and the lesson's collocations.
- As usual, the lesson ends with a few final discussion questions.
ADVANCED (C1/C2) Lesson on A Pale Blue Dot
Warm-up Questions
- Astronomy is the scientific study of stars, planets, and space. Does it interest you?
- If alien life were observing Earth, how would it describe humanity?
- What generally drives human conflict?
- What are your goals in life? Try to list three ideas.
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- Lesson plan written by Matthew Barton of EnglishCurrent.com (copyright). Site members may photocopy and edit the file for their classes. ChatGPT was used to generate vocabulary definitions and answer keys. For questions, contact the author. Permission is not given to rebrand the lesson, redistribute it on another platform, or sell it as part of commercial course curriculum. For questions, contact the author.
Comprehension Question Answer Key:
- …
- …
- To show both the shared humanity of all people and the contrast between human achievements and the tiny scale of Earth, highlighting the folly of pride and power
- It means no external force (e.g., aliens, divine intervention, other civilizations) will rescue humanity from its own destructive behavior
- It should lead to humility, greater kindness, reduced conflict, and responsibility to preserve Earth
- …
Vocabulary Answers: a-fraction, b-humbling, c-aggregate, d-cruelties, e-underscores, f-privileged, g-civilization, h-glory, i-scarcely, j-ideologies, k-delusion, l-obscurity
Collocation Answers: 1-d, 2-e, 3-a, 4-g, 5-b, 6-c, 7-f
[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carl_Sagan