For me, living in Canda for 25 years, China is a new world that I have longed to explore. This spring, I chose Yangzhou to be my first stop on a 16-month trip around China. It was like love at first sight. At 15, I bought a book of collection of poems about Tang Dynasty. Through it, I heard of Yangzhou for the first time. I was deeply attracted by a poem written by Li Bai-“Sailing to Yangzhou in March”.

Yangzhou,sitting 2,500 years at the crossing of the Yangtze River and the 2,400-year-old Grand Canal(大运河),is one of the first 24 historic and cultural cities in China. In the old town,there are many streets and houses. It's best to visit the city in spring. Spring oaints the city in brigth colors.

 Yangzhou has always been famous for its gardens. Among them ,the Slender West Lake, one of the biggest attractions in the city,was my first stop. The park with its fantastic landscape and lots of history has enough to keep a tourist busy for the whole day. What a shame I simply could afford half a day!

 My next stop was He Garden,one of the best prottected gardens in Yangzhou. It was once owned by the family of He Zhidao in Qing Dynasty. He Zhidao successfully brought Chinese and Western architectural(建筑的) features together.

Yangzhou is also the starting point of the Grand Canal tour. Taking a boat along the part of the canal in Yangzhou, I was amazed at the liveliness of this ancient waterway and the city's history and culture.

 Luckily, my two-day trip to Yangzhou was filled with pleasure and wonder. It made me hungry for more China.

   In 1834, the clock tower in London was burned down. People planned to build a new clock which would be the biggest and best in the world. So the clock had to be big and keep very good time. The big clock was made in two years. Five more years later the tower was finished. Then people put the big clock in the tower, and made it ring out for the first time on July 11, 1859.

   In order to give the big clock a good name, people held a meeting. Someone wanted to call it the Queen of Bells, and someone thought Victoria was good. At last, a man named Benjamin Hall stood up. He was a big man. Before he started to speak, someone shouted, “Why not call it Big Ben?” Everybody laughed and agreed with him.

   From then on, Big Ben became its name. And it also became a famous building of London. People all over the world write to Big Ben. They even send birthday presents—bottles of oil-to help keep Big Ben running. Big Ben is not only a clock but also a dear friend of people.

    It may be really hard to tell others that you're feeling sad or worried. If you keep these feelings in your heart and don't talk about them with others, you will even fall ill at last.

    If you talk with someone, who cares a lot about you, like your dad or mom, you may feel better. You're not alone with your problems or worries. But if a kid doesn't want to talk with his or her Dad or Mom, what should he or she do? It's better to find another trusty(可信的)adult ,like a teacher at school. Maybe this person can help you talk with your Dad or Mom about your problems.

    Once you know who you can talk to, you should choose when and where to talk. If you think it's difficult for you to say what you think, write it down on a piece of paper. If the person can't understand what you mean right away, try to say it in a different way or give an example.

    Some kids may feel shy about sharing their feelings. But it is important to share their feelings when they need help.

    Ever since Greg was a little boy, he had watched his grandfather carve(雕刻) small wooden figures(木偶). In a short time, his grandfather could change a piece of wood into a wonderful work of art. Greg often wished that he could create wonderful little wooden figures as his grandfather did.

    One day, Greg's grandfather called the boy into his room. “Today is the day that you begin to learn the lost art of carving.” Greg couldn't believe his ears. He sat beside his grandfather. The smell of the wood filled his nose, and he loved that. Grandfather told him the names of the different tools he used to create the figures.

    After the introduction to the tools was over, Greg picked up a piece of wood and started to carve. He worked for hours that day, trying to learn his grandfather's skill. Although his small wooden figure was far from perfect, both Greg and his grandfather were quite proud of the work Greg had done. “I will put it on my desk,” Greg's grandfather told him. Greg's eyes shone with joy. He knew that it would take him many years to become as skillful as his grandfather, but Greg was going to enjoy every minute of it!

    Fun or kind? Old or young? Let's see what these students say about their favourite teachers?

Zhao Dan

    My favorite teachers are learned(博学)teachers because they can make their lessons easy and interesting. And in class, after learning what is in the book, we hope to learn more.

Wang Jianing

    My geography teacher Mr. Todd is kind to students. His class is interesting. All of the students want to learn and do their homework.

Wang Peng

    We boys and girls often have questions. We really want to talk about these questions with teachers and make friends with them. I don't like old teachers because they can't understand(理解)us!

Lu Hongfei

    Ms. Li is my English teacher. She always wears purple clothes. It is her favorite color. She often teaches us to sing English songs.