Reading & Writing: Ships of the Desert
English Grade 8 (Super Goal 2) · Unit 16: Have You Ever...? · Lesson 16-3 · Term 2
Also known as: Camels · Ships of the desert
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Lesson idea
Reading tips for riding a camel; Andrew's shark diving experience; Uncle Hameed the travel writer and linking words.
Key points
- Camels are called "ships of the desert"; they have been a favorite means of transport for millennia because they can withstand the hot, dry desert climate.
- Riding a camel is different from riding a horse: the rider sits about two meters above the ground on the hump, and a camel moves its two right legs together, then its two left legs.
- Tips: sunscreen, long sleeves and a hat; long pants and socks; go with an experienced cameleer (camels are emotional); get on when the camel is sitting; lean back when it stands up; hold the reins confidently (camels are intelligent and sense nervousness); bend knees at 90°.
- Shark diving: you go down inside a cage; people throw pieces of fish tied to a rope to attract the sharks.
- Linking words: addition (and, also, too), contrast (but, however), examples (for example, such as), time (before, after, first, then).
Vocabulary
Lesson questions (13)
- Why are camels called "ships of the desert"?
Answer: They have been a favorite means of transport because they can withstand the hot, dry climate. - How high above the ground does the rider sit?
Answer: about two meters - How does a camel walk differently from a horse?
Answer: It moves the two right legs together, then the two left legs. - Why should you wear long pants and socks?
Answer: to protect your legs from getting itchy - Why should you ride with an experienced cameleer?
Answer: Camels are emotional and respond better if a familiar person is nearby. - When should you get on the camel?
Answer: when it is in a sitting position - When the camel leans forward as it stands up, you should ____.
Answer: lean back in the opposite direction - Why should you hold the reins confidently?
Answer: Camels are intelligent and can sense if you are nervous. - At what angle should you bend your knees in the saddle?
Answer: 90° - During shark diving, where do people stay?
Answer: inside a cage - How do they attract the sharks?
Answer: by throwing big pieces of fish tied to a rope - What does Uncle Hameed always say?
Answer: "Safety comes first." - Which linking word shows contrast?
Answer: however
More lessons in Unit 16: Have You Ever...?
Questions about this lesson
Why are camels called ships of the desert?
Because they were a preferred way of crossing the desert, just as ships cross the sea.
What kind of expression is this?
It is a metaphor comparing the camel to a ship, because the camel crosses the desert as a ship crosses the sea. It is a means of transport that copes with a hot, dry climate.
How do we answer a Why question?
Begin with Because and take the reason from the text.
Do students need an account to play this lesson?
No. The teacher shares the lesson link; the student types a first name and plays on a phone or computer, and the score reaches the teacher.
Which games suit this lesson?
You can play it in The Hunter, Complete the sentence, Match Up, Matching pairs and the other games and activities on Hessa Play.