Easy Habits That Help You Live Longer

    Go for a jog

    Among all the things you can do to achieve longevity, one of the most critical is to exercise. Aerobic activity, like running, is important for getting your blood pumping and your heart working. A recent study showed that a one-hour run adds seven hours to your life, up to four hours per week. People who run have a 25 to 40 percent reduced risk of early death, and live about three years longer.

    Get more sun—but not too much

    The “Sunshine vitamin” -vitamin D, that is-has been shown to fight disease, improve bone health, and avoid depression. One study even found it to extend lifespan by 33 percent. But because vitamin D comes from the sun, and our modem lives don't let us spend much time outside, we might not be getting enough. Getting 15 to 30 minutes of sun exposure a day should be enough for vitamin D production.

    Eat more plant protein

    A recent study from Harvard found that people who ate a diet high in processed meats like ham, were at a higher risk of death—but those who got their protein from plants had a lower risk, especially of heart disease-related deaths. The study said that for every three percent increase in calories from plant protein there was a reduction in risk of death by 10 percent.

    Eat nuts

    Although you may think nuts are unhealthy because they are calorically high, the exact opposite is true—they can actually extend your life. A study from Harvard found that daily nut-eaters were 20 percent less likely to die during the study. Specifically, the rates of death from heart and breathing disease were reduced. Other research has shown walnuts have a huge role in heart health because of the amount of antioxidants (抗氧剂）they contain.

The Youngest Skier To The South Pole

    On Friday December 9th, a 16-year-old skier, Ameba Hempleman-Adams reached the South Pole with her father after skiing 97 miles and spending 17 nights on the ice. On the final day they skied 14 miles and afterwards Ameba said she felt “elated and tired" on reaching the South Pole.

    “The biggest challenges were the freezing cold and eating only dried food. The best bit has been experiencing what Dad does on expeditions(探险).It's the first time I've been on a difficult long journey with him and now I know what it's like. The trip brought me closer to Dad, but I also had to put up with his snoring(鼾声)which was terrible.', She added, “Would I do it again? I'm not sure. I'll have to think about that after a few nights' sleep! At times it's been really hard: I've got aching shoulders, and my back's been sore from pulling my sledge(雪橇), I've got blisters(水泡)on my feet from the boots and I've got a cold burn on my nose from my sunglasses. ______”.

    She said the most extraordinary part of the trip had been the breathtaking scenery and the sense of isolation in the Antarctic landscape.“ I've really missed my friends while I've been away and want to thank them for all their messages of support.”

    Friends and relatives who posted comments on Ameba's expedition website paid tribute(致敬)to her positive attitude which , they said ,would be an inspiration to others.

    Her father, David, said “Ameba has done amazing well. I'm proud of her. She showed real determination. She was tough and she pulled her sledge the whole way. It was a special experience to share those 97 miles with her.”

Inventor, physicist, surveyor, astronomer, biologist, artist... Robert Hooke was all these and more. Some say he was the greatest experimental scientist of the 17th century. In the course of his work, he cooperated with famous men of science like Isaac Newton, and the great architect, Christopher Wren.

Hooke's early education began at home, under the guidance of his father. He entered Westminster School at the age of 13, and from there went to Oxford, where he came in contact with some of the best scientists in England. Hooke impressed them with his skills at designing experiments and inventing instruments. In 1662, at the age of 28, he was named Curator of Experiments at the newly formed Royal Society of London — meaning that he was responsible for demonstrating new experiments at the society's weekly meeting. Hooke accepted the job, even though he knew that the society had no money to pay him!

Watching living things through a microscope was one of his favourite pastimes. He invented a compound microscope for this purpose. One day while observing a cork under a microscope, he saw honeycomb­like structures. There were cells — the smallest units of life. In fact, it was Hooke who invented the term "cell" as the box­like cells of the cork reminded him of the cells of a monastery．

Another achievement of Hooke's was his book Micrographia, which introduced the enormous potential of the microscope. It contains fascinating drawings of the thing he saw under the microscope. The book also includes, among other things, ideas on gravity, light and burning that may have helped scientists like Newton when they were developing their own theories on these phenomena.

Hooke made a valuable contribution to astronomy too. A crater on the moon is named after him in honour of his services to this branch of science.

Social media is a great resource for you to find and share inspiration for your classroom on a daily basis. You will be able to find neat activities, fun games and creative crafts (手艺) to include in your teaching plans. Give them a try and they will be able to take your teaching style to the next level.

Teach Like You Mean It

Teach Like You Mean It posts tons of ideas for you to make your classroom feel more like home. It posts exciting ways that can make your classroom a fun place for your students to stay. It will show you quick DIYs with short videos and pictures.

Technically Its Kinder

Technically Its Kinder has so many great ideas for you to use in your kindergarten (幼儿园) classrooms. It posts tons of activities and games on a regular basis. It also provides ways to include technology in your lesson plans, which will help your students feel more comfortable with technology. 

Madly Learning

Madly Learning was created by Patti, who is a teacher and blogger. She shares very helpful videos where she shows you different DIYs that will help you come up with new things to add to your classroom. She also shares stories and pictures from her personal experiences as a teacher and mom as well.

Teachers Pay Teachers

Teachers Pay Teachers is a website where teachers can sell teaching products to other teachers. And they also have an Instagram account. You will be able to get inspiration for your classroom from other teachers. They share quotes, crafts, classroom ideas and so much more.

Summer Programs for High School Students

Bentley University Summer Athletic Camps

Bentley University's Summer Athletic Camps have earned the reputation as one of New England's best teaching camps for athletics. The college offers summer athletic camps to high school students in the sports of basketball, volleyball, and more. Bentley's camps offer students an opportunity to learn competition skills from quality players and top coaches.

Boston University Summer Journalism Institute

Boston University's Summer Journalism Institute will conduct three two-week sessions available in June or July to teach teenagers, between the ages of 15 and 18, the basic skills of jouralism, communication, and writing. What's taught is based on real-life experience. Each lesson is tied to its practical application, by giving students reporting assignments on campus and in the city.

California State Summer School for Mathematics and Science (COSMOS)

COSMOS is a four-week summer residential program. It gives high school students who have shown skills within STEM subjects (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) opportunities to explore beyond their usual high school curriculum (课程). Full and partial scholarships are available. 

Harvard's Pre-College Program & Secondary School Program (SSP)

If you're wondering what college is like, Harvard offers college programs just to high school students who are curious. Harvard's high school programs allow you to take real courses along with college students and actually earn college credits. You'll be able to learn about subjects that are not taught within your high school curriculum, study with Harvard faculty (教员), and have the use of Harvard labs and other advanced libraries and equipment.

Longjing tea, also known as Dragon Well tea, is a renowned Chinese green tea. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}(grow) near the city of Hangzhou, for more than a thousand years, Longjing tea {#blank#}2{#/blank#} (gain) a great reputation for its delicate flavor.

But {#blank#}3{#/blank#} makes it even more famous is Emperor Qianlong. It's said that during his visit to the tea plantations(种能园) in Hangzhou, Emperor Qianlong took {#blank#}4{#/blank#} interest in the harvesting activities and even joined in. While {#blank#}5{#/blank#} (pick) the tea, he received the news of his mother's illness, so he carelessly put the leaves in his pocket and left Hangzhou {#blank#}6{#/blank#} Beijing. He visited his mother {#blank#}7{#/blank#} (immediate) upon his arrival. His mother then smelt the pleasant smell of the tea leaves from his pocket and wanted to have a taste. After drinking a cup of tea, she found herself completely {#blank#}8{#/blank#}( energy), and she even praised it as a cure for all illnesses .

With{#blank#}9{#/blank#} (it) unique flavor, rich history, and impressive health benefits, it is no wonder {#blank#}10{#/blank#}Longjing tea has remained a popular choice among tea enthusiasts.