As we all know there are all kinds of clubs in US middle schools, such as music club, sports club, chess club, swimming club. But do you know homework club? It is a popular club in many US middle schools. More and more students spend(花费) their afternoons at homework clubs. The US middle school students need a quiet place to study. But games, computers and TVs are all around kids at home. So the homework club is just for them to do their homework. The club is quiet and it's good for students to study. Some teachers are there, too. They can answer students' questions and help with their homework.

    After the students finish their homework, they can go home. Then they can play games or watch TV happily.

What are in their schoolbags？

    Jack is my best friend. He is in a new school. He likes it very much. It's not far from his home. And it usually takes him 10 minutes to get to school by bike. School begins at 8: 00 every morning. But these days Jack is often late for school. This morning, he is late again. The teacher is very angry.

    "How do you usually come to school?" asks the teacher. "By bike." Jack answers. "What time do you usually get up?" "At 6: 30." "Well, it's not late. What time do you usually leave home?" "I leave home at 7: 55." "Why not leave home earlier?" "My mother is ill (生病的). She stays in bed all day. I must look after her and give her medicine at the right time， so I'm often late for school," says Jack with tears (泪水) in his eyes. "I see, Jack, you are a good boy!" says the teacher.

Tony is a new member (成员) of the Reading Club. He makes some new friends in the club.

Mary and Lisa are sisters. They like the same colour— blue. They like the same sports— swimming and basketball. They go to the same middle school. But they aren't in the same class. They like music and art. Art is their favourite subject. 

But Mary and Lisa have a big difference (不同之处) . Mary has many friends. They like to play with her. But Lisa doesn't have any friends. Their mum sees the difference. She says to Lisa, "My dear, your smile (微笑) is very beautiful. Why not smile often?" Lisa says OK and she tries smiling often. Children come to Lisa. They like her smile. They want to make friends with her. Now Lisa has many friends. She is very happy.

Jack's friend Sally isn't fine these days.

One day she asks Jack for help. And she tells(告诉)Jack about her food. For breakfast. She always eats some bread. For lunch, she always has some chicken. She likes eating ice-cream and a hamburger in the evening. 

"They're not healthy for you, Sally," Jack says. "I know, but I like them," Sally says. "What about vegetables? Do you like eating carrots?" Jack asks. "No, I don't," Sally says.

"Sally, don't eat ice-cream. You must eat some vegetables and fruit. They are healthy food," Jack says. "I think you're right," Sally says.

In the next days, Sally always eats vegetables and fruit. And she is well now.