Who is the greatest teacher in Chinese history? Many people would think of Confucius, whose birthday was September 28. Although he lived over 2,000 years ago, people still remember and respect him for his contribution to the education today.

 Confucius lived in the Kingdom of Lu, which lies in Shandong Province. He lived during the Spring and Autumn Period. He had a hard childhood. His father died when he was only 3. His mother brought him up. As a child, he had to work to help his mother, but young Confucius didn't give up studying. He visited many famous teachers and learned music, history, poetry and sports.

 Later, he became a teacher and started the first public school in Chinese history. At that time only children from noble families could go to school, but Confucius believed everyone should go to school if they wanted to learn. He had about 3,000 students in his lifetime.

Today, people still follow Confucius' lessons. He told us that we all have something worthy to be learned. "When I am with three people, one of them must be better than me in some areas. I choose their good qualities and follow them.”

 He also taught us that thinking is very important in study. “All study but no thinking makes people puzzled (困惑的). All thinking but no study makes people lazy.”

 Confucius is not only a great teacher, but also a famous thinker with wise thoughts about the world and society. His most important teachings are about kindness and good manners. “A person should be strict with himself, but be kind to others.” he said.

    Sydney Fredette has a lot of things to deal with. Not only is she a high school student, but she has also set up her own organization, Beary Merry Christmas. She volunteers（自愿）to serve poor kids and families in Orange Country in California, US.

To remember her best friend who died of cancer nearly 10 years ago, Fredette decided toy animal that is made by children themselves in the stores' workshops. Fredette then gave them as gifts to the homeless children in California during the holiday season.

    With donations at more than 100 bears a year, Fredette and volunteers host activities every year, where volunteers not only give out the bears, but also clothing, meals, and other things.

    Not wanting to limit（限制）the giving to just the holiday months, Fredette now hosts other activities for Valentine's Day, Mother's Day and Halloween, providing the chance for her volunteer team to make a difference through the year.

    "I love making relationships with the people I serve," Fredette said. "The thanks they have, hearing their stories and seeing how happy they are, it's so cool."

    Future plans for Fredette include building a public food bank and providing a self-development class for students in her school who will soon attend college.

    Heading to college herself in the fall, Fredette is looking to stay local and continue to help out in her hometown. In fact, she was regarded as a "Dreamer & Doer" not long ago for her work in improving her community, along with 32 other high school students.

    Mr Smith was in trouble those days. He drove a car for Mr Black, a rich businessman. He worked hard and the shopkeeper liked him. But he couldn't work when he drank too much. And once he almost fell into the river when he drove along the bridge. Mr Black become angry and was going to send him away. He had a big family and was afraid of it and promised(许诺) he would stop drinking at once. The man told him to wait to be dealt with(处置).

    One Monday morning Mr Smith came into the office with two badly burnt(烧伤的) ears.

    "What happened to your ears?" asked Mr Black.

    "Well," said the man." I went to watch a football match yesterday while my wife was ironing(熨) clothes. She had put the iron(熨斗) near the telephone before she went to cook supper. Our team lost the game and I felt sorry for it. As soon as I went into the sitting-room, the phone rang and I answered the iron!"

    "And what happened to the other ear ?"

    "When I put the iron down on the table, the telephone rang again!"

    Wu Dong is from Guangdong. Gorge is from America. They are in No.1 Middle School in Nanjing. Now they are in their teacher, Mr. Smith's room. There are many, many English books on the bookshelf(书架). Wu Dong and Gorge are asking some questions. There are some apples, bananas, cakes, bottles of milk and orange on the table.

    After questions, Mrs. Smith gives something to eat to Wu Dong and something to drink to Gorge. Wu Dong would like something to drink. Gorge would like something to eat. Mr. Smith doesn't know. They put them on the table again.

    Now it's seven thirty. It's time to go to the classroom. They must go.

    "Be proud of what you do," my father always told me, "whether you are a boss or a cleaner." When I was 15, I got a summer job in a hospital. I was told that my duties would include sweeping floors. I smiled and remembered Dad's words.

    Even though my job was the lowest, it made me feel excited. I saw it as a challenge because it was my first job. I learned to be on time and tried to do everything well. In return, I was treated with respect(尊敬) by doctors, nurses and patients. Each morning I imagined that the dirty dishes would make patients sicker if I were not there to wash them clean. After breakfast was done, I started sweeping the floors of all patient rooms and cleaning toilets. Though I was tired, I wanted the job to be done well. People would say, "That young boy really does a good job." That gave me pride.

    Working in the hospital taught me that being proud of one's job is important. It does not matter whether the job is sweeping floors or managing a large business. Through every job I have ever had, my father's words have always stayed with me. I have swept floors, and I have been a manager. I think Dad would be proud of me.

    It's snowy. A horse（ ）, a cock（ ）a duck（ ）, a dog（ ）are a squirrel（ ）are playing in the snow. "Let's play hide and-seek（捉迷藏）." someone says.

    "OK." the squirrel says with eyes closed. "You hide （藏） and I'll seek. One, two, three. . …twenty. "He opens his eyes.

    "It's a piece of cake. The horse's footprints（脚印） are like the crescent moon（ ）. Ha-ha, you're hiding behind the stone（ ）." He finds the horse.

    The cock's footprints are like the bamboo leaves（ ）. "Ha-ha, you're sitting in the box（ ）."

    The duck's footprints are like the maple leaves（ ）. "Ha ha, you're standing behind the tree. （ ）"

    The dog's footprints are like the clubs（ ）. He finds the dog under the table（ ）. "Ha-ha. I find all of you.”