If your children are learning to read, it's wonderful! Whatever they're reading, they're probably super-excited readers! But the fact is, reading is skill.{#blank#}1{#/blank#} 

    ◆Create a comfortable reading space.

    Choose a special place with right furnishings(装饰), blankets and pillows for your children and put a bookcase for your children's books.{#blank#}2{#/blank#}If your children feel like they have got their own special place for reading, they will probably spend time in their little space with all their new favorite books.

    ◆{#blank#}3{#/blank#}

    If you want your children to learn to love reading, set aside a few minutes every day to read together, no matter how busy you are.{#blank#}4{#/blank#} Plan to go to bed a few minutes earlier each night so your children have the time to choose a book to read. Besides, reading aloud to your children can make them more willing to read on their own.

    ◆Make the library and bookstore a special treat.

    Whether your kids are big readers or not, they are only children. They may be excited about new clothes and toys, but not books! Try to use that excitement to help your children love to read. Making a special treat of spending some time at the library or bookstore can be the perfect way to get your children excited about reading.{#blank#}5{#/blank#}

Ma Yun is in his words

    There are always many young people who want to learn something from me. In fact, I'm not as lucky as most of you. I tried 3 times for colleges but all failed. For the fourth time, I tried for the teachers' college and they accepted me. I applied(申请) for jobs for 30 times. You can guess the results. It was so difficult at that time. I was down but I didn't give up and fought on. So you can see a new Ma Yun now.

    You are lucky enough. You are at the best time of this century. The best wealth you have is that you are young.

    Among all the challenges, I think the biggest one is education. Something we teach our kids is too old. So we have to research what is the best way and what are the best things to teach our kids.

    The future you face is not a competition for knowledge but a competition for creativity and imagination.

    When people have problems, the chance will come. If you can solve them, then the chance will belong to you.

    Each child loves to celebrate their holiday. ①It is a special day for them because they can get almost(几乎) everything they want on that day. Children usually celebrate their birthdays with a party. The party may not be on the exact(准确的) date of birthday if it comes on a school day. It may be on the closest(最近的) weekend.

    Some children have birthday parties at home. Parents make the house beautiful with balloons and coloured paper. And home—made food is a wonderful treat for the children. The children play different games and have lots of fun at the party.

    Others may have their parties at their favourite restaurants. They eat pizza and ice cream. The waiters serve(端上) the food and also sing and play games with them.

    ②Every       party has a birthday       with candles on top. There is one candle for each year of a birthday boy's or girl's age. When the candles are lighted, everyone sings the special birthday song: HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!

    "A wise old owl sat on an oak. The more he saw, the less he spoke, the more he heard. Why aren't we like that old bird?" –Edward H.Richards.

    We all need to learn to listen well. Listening is a skill we should be practicing every day. And I mean active listening, not just listening when it is convenient to us.

    Listening shows others that they are important. It's a sign of respect (尊重). If someone listens to you carefully when you are talking, it shows that they are really interested in what you are saying.

    How do you practice listening? Here are some basic rules:

    {#blank#}1{#/blank#} Are you in the middle of writing something? Put down the pen and fold your hands. Are you reading something? Close it so that it will be impossible for you to look down and start reading again. Then put it down.

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#} The computer will take your attention from your job at hand—listening.

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#} Facing the person you are talking with will help you focus completely on listening. It will also make the person feel that you find what he is saying important.

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#} Standing closer to the speaker will show interest. Crossing your arms in front of your chest shows disagreement. Looking around the room shows you have no interest. Looking the speaker in the eyes tells him that he is important.

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#} Do not start sharing your ideas after hearing the first few words. Do not just think about your reply in your mind. Pay attention to the speaker. Really listen to what he is telling you.

    When you are in a group with good classmates, it can be very good for you. You should always be prepared when going to school, but there are days when you forget a pencil or a notebook. You can then borrow one from your classmate. If you're having trouble understanding a certain question, classmates can be quite helpful. Having a difficult math problem explained to you by a fellow student will be much easier than asking your teacher, because your teacher can't be always with you. Some teachers will not tell you homework if you've missed a class. Having a classmate who will let you review his note can help you a lot in a situation like this. If you happen to have a classmate who lives nearby, you might be able to carpool (拼车) to and from school. Not only will this save some money, but also it will help protect the environment as well. Students who enjoy their surroundings and get along well with their fellow classmates are usually much happier than those who are not.