Tips for making family movie night a success

    We say this a lot, but we think it's worth repeating: It's important to get involved in your kids' media lives - and your kids will love it too.{#blank#}1{#/blank#} what's a good way to stay involved with your kids' media picks and create an opportunity to discuss them? Host a family movie night! Some tips for making it work:

    Schedule it.{#blank#}2{#/blank#}Turn off cell phones and avoid multitasking during the show.

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#} If you've pot little kids, pre-select a group to choose from. Avoid watching the same movie over and over again. If you've got teens, tell them you'll watch anything they choose as long as they return the favor when it's your turn. Obey a “no complaining” rule.

    Choose a location (场所). Hang a sheet in the backyard, prepare the necessary equipment, and sit on beach chairs to enjoy a classic like The Wizard of Oz.{#blank#}4{#/blank#}

    Talk about it. The next day, make time to chat about what you watched. Kids might be interested in learning more about Hollywood's history.{#blank#}5{#/blank#} Talking with kids about how movie characters handled fictional situations can be a way to form your family's values or get kids to open up about their lives.

A. Make it a theme night.

B. Take turns choosing the movie.

C. This can be simple or complicated.

D. Make it a regular date and time and don't break it.

E. Visit the library to follow up on interests excited by the movie.

F. But helping them become wise media consumers can be easier said than done.

G. Or spend the family movie night on the road during vacations or at the grandparents' house.

    Moving abroad cab be a challenging experience. You leave your family, friends and everything you know behind. You enter a new culture where the customs and sometimes the language are different.{#blank#}1{#/blank#} It's a time to discover new things, make new friends and begin a new adventure.

    So what are the best ways to involve yourself in the new culture while living abroad?

    Live with a native speaker

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#} First, you have a friend! Living alone can be a lonely experience, especially if you're far from home. I've also had the opportunity to meet my housemate's friends and socialize with them. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} In addition, you have someone to tell you about the cultural customs and interesting places in this area.

    Volunteer

    Volunteering is a great way to meet people of different ages in your local area. {#blank#}4{#/blank#} This is a insightful(具有洞察力的)experience and speaking with homeless people about their life stories is improving my French vocabulary and understanding. I am also able to form relationships with people that I may not have met otherwise.

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#}

    The food in France is amazing and discovering new food is a fun experience. I've tried things that I've never tried before. My knowledge of the different bread and cheese types has grown greatly.

A.Try the local food

B.But it's also exciting

C. I currently cook French food for myself

D.You can speak the local language every day

E.Improve my French vocabularyand understanding

F.There are many advantages to living with a native speaker

G.I currently volunteer with homeless people through my local church

Time is on your side

    How frequently do you say "I don't have time"? Quite often, I guess. Every time we say those words, they make us feel weak and out of control. You are in control of your hours and your life. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}

    I know it's not as easy as simply turning off the TV. But here are two steps that will help you take back control and get time on your side.

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#}

    Be honest: do you spend an hour or two visiting Weixin and QQ every day? Are you spending time with people that you don't really like just to please them? Are there meetings you attend that you can politely refuse?

    It's time to get real about the hours that add up to a lot of dissatisfying nothing. Think how you can cancel daily activities that are not useful. {#blank#}3{#/blank#}

    Change your language.

    Words matter. They have power. Saying "I don't have time" is an excuse for not wanting to do something. Here are some good, empowering alternatives (选择):

    "I choose not to start that project until next year."

    "{#blank#}4{#/blank#}"

    "I'd love to go out this weekend but have important work I need to do first."

    Get better at saying no. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} Use little pockets of time (friend running late, car stuck in traffic, meeting ending 10 minutes early) to do some productive thinking. All these things can add up over time more than you believe!

A. Identify your blocks.

B. But you are likely wasting a lot of it!

C. I really don't have enough time to do it.

D. Replace them with things that satisfy you.

E. Take no notice of all those unimportant messages on your phone.

F. I'd love to read that book — I'll get to it after my homework is complete!

G. When you don't have a plan for your life, someone else will plan it for you.

Benefits of Sports

    Doing sports is a physical, mental and social adventure. It's a great way for children to take a break from academics and release extra energy. It also helps them lead fuller and happier lives as regular sports have proven to improve overall well-being.

    The physical benefits of doing sports are probably the most obvious. Regardless of your fitness level when you start playing sports, you'll notice an increase in your overall fitness once you're involved.{#blank#}1{#/blank#}Basketball players focus on strength training; football players work on speed while track athletes train through longer runs. The training process helps promote physical fitness and performances in competitions.

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#}Playing sports contributes to mental health, helping to increase confidence and self-worth. A pat on the back, high-five from a teammate, or handshake after a match really boosts a child's confidence. Words of praise and encouragement from the coach, parents and other players raise the self-worth.{#blank#}3{#/blank#}So after a game, it's a better idea to ask "Did you enjoy the game?" rather than "Did you win?"

    Children who participate in sports might also benefit from the social aspect, feeling part of a group, building up accountability and leadership.{#blank#}4{#/blank#}Teamwork involves both being dependable as a teammate and learning to rely on your teammates to achieve a positive outcome. Teamwork breeds accountability and challenges you to be responsible for your actions. Being part of a team gives you an opportunity to be a leader.

    Discipline is another social advantage. Most organized sports require a strict training and practice schedule. As a student-athlete, you need to balance academics and athletics.{#blank#}5{#/blank#}

    There is no shortage of reasons to find a sport to get involved in. Are you ready to go? Pick one and get moving!

A. It's not just your body that benefits from sports.

B. Therefore, playing sports is going to make you more fit.

C. But remember, a child's self-worth should not be distinguished by victory or loss.

D. If you play group sports, you'll be part of a team that takes direction from a coach.

E. Nearly every sport requires physical activity and the skills needed to be competitive.

F. Among these, learning how to function as part of a team is the most important advantage.

G. Only with strict discipline can you be successful both in the classroom and in the sports field.

Does your mood change with the seasons?

    Some people find that when the temperature goes down, so do their spirits. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}They eat more and gain weight. They have trouble sleeping. They can't think clearly.

    Here are some ways you can beat the winter blues:

    Get out in the sun. Some experts say that winter blues happen because we get less sunlight in the winter than we do in other seasons. Some say that the decrease in sunlight can make us feel sad.{#blank#}2{#/blank#}

    Get some exercise. A walk or other exercise will make chemicals called endorphins (内啡肽) flow through your body. Endorphins are natural "feel good" chemicals.

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#}Avoid having too much sugar. If you are eager for sugary foods (like cookies or candy), it may be a sign that you need more protein, like meat, chicken, or fish.

    Avoid holiday stress. Cut back if you have too many things to do. Make sure you have some quiet time to yourself.{#blank#}4{#/blank#}Get some rest. Studies show that most teens need about nine hours of sleep each night. The average teen, though, gets only about six or seven hours of sleep per night.

    Get help. Be cautious if you feel sad all the time and the feeling won't go away.{#blank#}5{#/blank#}

Talk to an adult who you trust or get help from a doctor.

A. Eat more healthy foods.

B. Choose different foods in season.

C. Don't be so busy that you get tired.

D. Those people sometimes feel sad for no reason.

E. You may have a bigger problem than the winter blues.

F. Getting extra sunlight each day can help brighten your mood.

G. A regular pattern of sleep is the most important thing to keep.

    The job interview is an important part of your job search because it's an opportunity for the employer to figure out if you're right for the job. The following tips may help you prepare for your job interview.

    ●Dress for success. Professional business clothes are always appropriate, regardless of the type of job you are applying for.

    ●Be there on time. Try to arrive 5 to 10 minutes early to be safe. Find out ahead of time where you're going and how long it will take you to get there. Drive or travel the route a day or two ahead, at the same time of day as you will on the day of the interview. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} Have a backup(备用)plan.

    ●Let your personality shine. If you're excited about the job, don't be afraid to show it. Employers want passionate employees, so be yourself.

    ●Be confident. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} But just don't let your nerves overpower your interview. Eye contact and a calm, clear speaking voice are excellent ways to show your confidence.

    ●Watch your body language. During your interview, relax and sit naturally, but don't slouch(没精打采地坐)in your chair or lean on the interviewer's desk.

    ●Be polite. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} Remember, this is your first introduction to the organization, so be polite to everyone you meet and turn off your cell phone.

    ●Listen and ask for clarification(阐明), if you need it. Remember to listen carefully to the interview questions so that you can actually answer the questions, and never interrupt. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}

    ●Let them know what you have to offer. When answering the questions, let the employer see what you have to offer to his organization. Talk about your past experiences and achievements honestly, and tie those experiences to how they can help you contribute to his organization.

    ●{#blank#}5{#/blank#} Although you want to be open and honest in your interview, avoid talking about your personal or financial problems.

A. Think before you speak.

B. Confirm how often the buses run.

C. This begins with a smile and a firm handshake.

D. If you believe in yourself, you will surely succeed.

E. Feeling nervous in an interview is perfectly normal.

F. Make sure you have enough to answer the questions.

G. If you don't understand something, just ask for explanation.