May 31, 2017

    Jaden is a six-year-old boy. He experienced the unlucky things of life twice. First he lost his dad when he was four and his mom died unexpectedly in her sleep last month. Jaden's heart was broken. His parents' death hit him a lot.

    But things always go towards a good side. A few weeks later, Jaden told his aunt that he was tired of seeing everyone sad all the time. He'd like to see more smiles around him. He hoped that the number of the smiles could reach 100.

    Then he asked his aunt to buy him some little toys and take him to the center of the city. “I'm trying to make people smile,” said Jaden. At first, he was not sure if the people passing by would like to receive his toys. In fact, he was always successful and got close to his dream step by step, because no one could refuse such a little boy's giving and expecting.

    “I'm keeping a count of 100 smiles,” said Jaden. When asked if he could make it, he answered, “I think I can.”

Reported by Barbara

    It may take a long time for some people to learn to speak English. However, by following these tips（实用的提示） you should be speaking English in no time.

    Tip I: Forget about having a large vocabulary. Only learn the words you will need most. For example, if you are traveling in an English-speaking country, make a list of all the possible sentences and questions that you would need to know, such as "Do you know where the nearest bathroom is? "and" I am lost. Can you help me?" Think about what sentences you would want a traveler to know if they came to your country and couldn't speak your language.

    Tip 2: Once you have a list of vocabulary that you think will be most useful to you, make sure you understand the meaning of each word and know how to use each word in a sentence. Try making lists with new words and sample sentences(例句). Ten new words is enough on each list. Then stick(粘贴)the lists up all over your house where you can easily see them. Practice every day. Whenever you see a list, make sure you stop and read through it.

    Tip 3: Now pronounce these words and sentences properly. Try to learn pronunciation by listening to how English speakers pronounce words. Watch English TV shows, listen to English radio programs and try to talk with as many English speakers as you can, online or in person.

    I wish you the best of luck and I hope my tips are helpful!

    The digital(数字的)age has come into our life. In the USA, some teachers think digital search tools(工具)have had a good influence on the American teenagers, but others don't think so. More than 2,000 high school teachers took s survey on the Internet.

    75 percent of the teachers agreed the Internet and digital search tools have had a "mostly good" use for their students' research habits and skills. But 87 percent thought that these technologies" make the students not have enough attention." And 64 percent said the technologies "do little to help them in courses."

    Judy Buchanan is a director of the National Writing Project. Ms. Buchanan says digital search tools are helping students learn more, and lean faster. Teachers really like these tools because they are ways to make some of learning very exciting. Young people enjoy using these tools. And the goal is to help them do creative work, and not just that kind of copyist(模仿者，抄写员).

    But one problem is that many students don't have a good understanding of how to use the digital knowledge well. In other words, they trust too much of the information. Judy Buchanan says these students have not developed the skills they need to tell whether the information on the Internet is good or bad.

    Another problem is something that might not seem like a problem at all, being able to quickly find information from the Internet. Teachers say the ability of their students to work hard to find out answers is becoming weaker. They say students depend too much on search tools and do not make enough use of printed books.

    Besides, many teachers are also worried about the problem that the Internet makes it easy for students to copy work done by others, instead of using their own abilities.

The survey on whether digital tools {#blank#}1{#/blank#} American teenagers

    I am a girl. My name is Gina Green. I'm twelve years old. I'm in Class Two Grade Seven. My father is Mr Green. He is forty years old. He is an English teacher. My mother is Mrs Green. She is thirty-eight years old. She is a math teacher. My father and mother are in the same school, in No. One Middle School. My telephone number is 863—2975.

Mom: Hello!

Kelsey: Hi, Mom. This is Kelsey.

Mom: Kelsey? Where are you? Are you in the school?

Kelsey: Yes, Mom. I'm calling you for my school things.

Mom: Oh, what do you need?

Kelsey: I (A)forgot to take my Chinese book and pencil this morning. Can you bring them to my school?

Mom: OK. Where are they?

Kelsey: My Chinese book is on my bed. And my pencil … I don't know. Mom: (B)它在你的课桌上吗？

Kelsey: No. Maybe (可能) it is on the sofa.

Mom: OK. I can take them to you.

Kelsey: Thanks, Mom. Bye.

Mom: Bye.

    What's your favourite animal? Monkeys, zebras or……Now, let me tell you something about pandas. They come from China. Their heads and stomachs(腹部)are white, and their legs are black. Their black eyes are like a pair of black glass balls. Pandas like living in bamboo woods(树林), because the place is cool①并且它们通常吃竹子.

    Pandas are lovely, but they are in danger(危险). ②People cut down(砍倒)lots of bamboos to build houses. Please save the lovely pandas. Let's try our best to help them.