How do you spend your time at school? Do you know how students in other countries study every day? Here are the studying ways in some western schools.

American Students

    American students spend seven hours in their schools every day. And the day is divided（划分） into classes of about 40 to 50 minutes. Students study English, history, math, science, art and foreign languages. They go to listen to different lessons taught by different teachers in different classrooms. After class they learn job skills. Sometimes they study by working in an office, a hospital or other places one day a week.

German Students

    German students love practicing. Lots of schools have lessons for only half a day. They spend most time practicing. Teachers give students enough freedom. Students may try all kinds of ideas they have. They begin to plan what they will do in the future and work hard at a young age.

French Students

    French students like independence（独立） and freedom. Their school life is very relaxing and interesting. When they have tests, they may have snacks. For example, they can put a few desks together, and put some peanuts （花生）or candies on them.

Learn to Refuse

    Believe it or not, I've always been a people pleaser. I often put others before myself because I want to make my friends happy.{#blank#}1{#/blank#}

    “Can you help me with my English?” Grace asked me on the first day after she became my desk mate. “Of course,” I replied without hesitation（犹豫）. Grace has been working really hard on her studies and needed my help — although I didn't have much time left for her.

    One day after school, while I was doing a huge amount of homework, Grace's phone call came.{#blank#}2{#/blank#} but I still felt bad about saying no. When Grace ended the call, the clock said it was 00:15 am. But I still had homework left and I wanted to sleep. This was bad for a Junior 3 student who is going to take an important exam this June.

    Finally I burst into tears. I felt so tired and realized that the stress had an effect on my health. I tried to get myself out. Studying is more important than other things,{#blank#}3{#/blank#} . It's now important for me to say no, no, no. “Can you do me a favor?” Grace asked last Monday. “Sorry I just have to review my biology notes,” I answered. “All right, it's up to you,” she said. I felt completely relaxed when I heard her reply.{#blank#}4{#/blank#}

    To be honest, I have felt much happier since learning to refuse. I have more time to spend on my study at present. I still try my best to help others,{#blank#}5{#/blank#}.

A. She complained a lot and it made me feel bored

B. If anyone asks me for help, I always say, “yes!”

C. Anyway, it's not so hard to say no at all

D. but sometimes I say no because I know everyone has a limit

E. so Grace has to come the second

    My name is Sam. I am a junior high school student. My school is close to my home, so I always go to school on foot. Classes start at 8 a.m., and I am seldom late. I like Geography best. I enjoy learning about different places in the world.

    In the morning, we usually study Chinese, Maths and English. We have our morning break at 9:50 a.m..  When the bell rings, I run to the playground with my best friends Tom and Jack. We often play games. Break ends at 10:10 a.m..

Lunch is from 11:50 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.. Afternoon classes end at 3:30 p.m. Then Tom, Jack and I take part in the school bank practice. We make great music together.

    I always have a good time at school.

   Taking a nap(小睡) every single day may be the least favorite thing for a child in kindergarten. However, being able to relax and get some rest in the middle of the day is great for many adults. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#}People who take naps are seen as lazy. You can even be kicked off your job if you fall asleep at work. This kind of thinking dates back to the founders of the US, Puritans(清教徒). {#blank#}3{#/blank#}

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#}Some people even bring their pillows(枕头) to work for nap time. People have a much more relaxing attitude towards taking naps than in the US.

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#}But on the other hand, having a short rest can help you work better. A good rest can improve your mood as well. So why not take a nap during lunch break and make the rest of the day more enjoyable?

    Libraries give kids a quiet and safe place to read and learn. For over 100 years, libraries have played an important role in Americans' education. But how are these book—filled buildings changing with the times? You may be surprised to find out.

    Benjamin Franklin famously founded(创建)America's first lending library in 1731. But the public library system got its biggest development in the American history in the late 1800's. Businessman Andrew Carnegie donated millions of dollars to help build free public libraries across the country. Between 1886 and 1919, Carnegie's donations helped build 1,679 new libraries.

    Carnegie believed that libraries could offer the chances to Americans, young and old. He knew that the more libraries there were, the more people would have opportunities to read and use books, speeches and news.

    If you can easily find a public library in your community(社区), you'll get more chances. After all, the United States has 9,225 public libraries. Today, libraries keep growing. Seven tenths of the libraries have free Internet. It provides much more information and opportunities to ask for jobs online.

    Libraries are also teaching kids about the fun of reading. The new program Read! Build! Play! adds reading into playtime. As kids listen to a book that is being read aloud, they use Legos(乐高积木)to build images(图像)from the story happily. Today's libraries are always looking for creative programs to bring people into the library.

    Benjamin Franklin once said, "The doors of wisdom(智慧)are never shut." As long as the doors of public libraries are open, what he said is most certainly correct!