Is it good to be in a middle school? Most American children think so. In America, middle schools often have sixth, seventh, and eighth grades. It is different in different places.

    For children, going to a middle school is a big change. Most middle schools in America have a special day for new middle school students. On that day, they are showed around the school by their new teachers. And they could know a lot about the history of the school. They also would make friends with the old schoolmates (校友).

    They will grow up and learn some different and difficult things in a middle school. A new middle school student will learn foreign languages, computer, music and art, health, and other skills, such as cooking.

    A middle school will have sports teams, clubs and have activities for children. They can choose what they like and join them. If they are good at singing, playing basketball or something else, or if they want to learn, they can join them. Most American children think it's good to be in a middle school.

 Cooking is supposed to be the most basic living skill for humans. However, there are many kids who are used to being fed and taken care of everywhere like" little emperors and little princesses". They can't tell the differences between food materials like leeks (韭菜) and shallots (大葱).

 In order to stress (加强) the importance of hard- working spirit education among students, the Communist Party of China Central Committee recently released (发布) the guidelines (方针). The guidelines call for students to respool labor work. Students should learn basic life skills and develop good working habits through such education.

 Students will be required to understand and master the basics of home cooking from preparing vegetables to finally being able to complete the whole process of home cooking independently. These will be lifelong skills for kids, helping them develop into well-rounded persons instead of those who are just able to take exams.

 As children's first teachers, parents should also encourage children to learn how to do chores at home. Students should master one or two life skills every year. These skills can include cooking, washing their own clothes and tidying their rooms.

 It's really important for students to take labor education both at school and at home.

Learning methods (方法) are really important for everyday learning or studying for tests. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}

Drawing mind maps helps a lot. Mind maps can help you remember what you have learned easily and quickly. How to draw a mind map? For example, find a topic (主题) you learn about firstly. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} This can be helpful and you can have a try.

Explaining (解释) to others is win-win. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} Sometimes you may find it easier to learn something when you explain it to others. This is because in order to explain something clearly to someone else, you first need to understand it well and then to use the right words to explain it.

{#blank#}4{#/blank#} This method means that experiencing things in real life is better than reading things in books. Doing things by yourselves makes your brain more active. So you will remember and learn more easily.

Taking tests is also helpful. Some people enjoy taking tests because they think that can give them a strong will to be successful. If you're the kind of person, you can try asking your teachers, parents or classmates to set an exam. {#blank#}5{#/blank#}

Enjoy using the ways above and you are sure to learn faster and do better in your study!

When I was a little girl, I was very shy. I used to be afraid of {#blank#}1{#/blank#} (speak) in public, so I always kept quiet. I never answered teachers' questions. I just listened to them {#blank#}2{#/blank#}(quiet). 

{#blank#}3{#/blank#}, one day, things changed a lot. I listened to my Chinese teacher Ms. Song very carefully {#blank#}4{#/blank#} usual. Suddenly, she asked the whole class {#blank#}5{#/blank#} question which was quite easy. Ms. Song looked around, and then her eyes were on me. She asked me {#blank#}6{#/blank#}(answer) it. I stood up slowly and was {#blank#}7{#/blank#}(able) to say a word. "Come on! Believe in {#blank#}8{#/blank#}(you). You are the best!" said Ms. Song. I looked at Ms. Song in the eyes, and I could feel her encouragements. I {#blank#}9{#/blank#}(take) courage(勇气) from it and answered the question correctly. Ms. Song gave me a big smile and so did my {#blank#}10{#/blank#}(classmate). From then on, I started to answer the teachers' questions in class. 

Since then, whenever I meet challenges, I always say to myself, "You're the best. "