How to write a Letter to Parents

    As a teacher, one of the most difficult parts of your job is working with parents. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} Writing a letter to parents is one way to do this. If you do it properly, this is an excellent way to communicate when you cannot meet with parents face to face.

    Put positive communication in the letter, even if you are writing to discuss a problem. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} Even if it is difficult, you must find this positive spin（言辞）, because it will make the parents more open to what you have to discuss. The general rule is “start with the good, hit them with the bad, then end on a positive note”.

    Share the problem with the parents. Express your concern and desire to help. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} Show them through the letter that you want to work with them to find a solution to the problem.

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#} You can ask them to write back, sign a part of the letter or give you a call. If you do not hear from them, you should call them. Be caring, but make sure they got the communication. Remember, your goal is to work together to help their child succeed.

    Consider mailing the letter to the parent, rather than sending it home with the student. Some students will intentionally forget to give the letter to their parents, while others will accidentally or purposely lose the letter. {#blank#}5{#/blank#}

A. Ask for a response.

B. Respect parents and never quarrel with them.

C. Whenever you meet with problems, you should keep cool.

D. Sending it in the mail makes it more certain that it will be received.

E. Do not place it completely on their shoulders, as they may hate this action.

F. You can do this by pointing out a little progress the child has made recently.

G. With proper communication, however, you can build bridges between the school and home.

    I Think I Can: How to Push Yourself to Success

    “Because I can” is magic.It pushes us past our comfort zones.It gives us a reason to do the things that we think we can't.{#blank#}1{#/blank#}.

{#blank#}2{#/blank#}

    Whether it is to get to the store or work,climb the stairs instead of taking the elevator.Break the “I'm tired” or “It is too hard” or “It is too far” cycle.Increasing your activity level will provide enormous benefits,both physically and mentally.

Try Something New

    It is easy for us to make excuses for why we shouldn't try new things.{#blank#}3{#/blank#}.Maybe it seems too difficult.Or maybe,it is just inconvenient.Reminding yourself that You Can try something new will help you to move past these roadblocks and discover new things about yourself and possible new interests.

Speak Up

    Often,we dare not address（处理）things that bother us or make us unhappy.{#blank#}4{#/blank#}.Use that voice "because you can."Communicating to loved ones,co-workers,and even your boss as to how you feel,what your needs and expectations are and what you are thinking can help your develop deeper,more meaningful and rewarding relationships.Further,you will be truer to yourself,thus making you a happier individual.

Increase Your Willpower

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#}.However,developing a strong willpower,whether it is in response to our favorite chocolate cake or to over-shopping is something that we can all benefit from.Next time you are tempted to do something you think you might regret,try reminding yourself that you can say no.You have the power.

A. Be More Active

B. Maybe you think it is out of your comfort zone

C. You have a voice

D. Saying “No” to our favorites can be challenging

E. “Because I can” is an easy way to include more activities into your life

F. Here are a few ways to apply this positive thinking to your own life

G.A strong willpower can keep us motivated（有动机的）and reach our goals

    Compared to the history of China, the history of the United States is quite short.{#blank#}1{#/blank#} In 1776, 13 colonies（殖民地）located on the eastern coast of North America declared independence and fought a revolution against the British. In 1783 the colonists won the revolution and gained their independence.

    After the revolution, the United States bought a large section of country from Napoleon of France. This purchase doubled（加倍）the size of the United States. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} If he hadn't needed that money, the United States might have stayed a small country. Texas and most of what is now the southwestern part of the United States belonged to Mexico. The people of Texas fought a revolution against Mexico. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} Later, the United States and Mexico went to war. If Mexico had defeated the United States in that war, California and New Mexico would have been part of Mexico today.

    The British and the Americans both claimed the northwestern part of the country. They settled their differences with a compromise. South of the 49th parallel was the United States. North of the 49th parallel was Canada. In 1861 one half of the United States did go to war with the other half. {#blank#}4{#/blank#} President Lincoln wanted to free slaves. He was supported by the North but opposed by the South. The South wanted to separate from the rest of the country and become independent. {#blank#}5{#/blank#}

    Following the Civil War, the United States bought Alaska from Russia. Today it is the largest state in the country and a very important one, too.

A. This was the Civil War.

B. It was controlled by England then.

C. It began little more than 200 years ago.

D. After 4 years of war, the South was defeated.

E. Napoleon needed money for his European wars.

F. They became independent and joined the United States.

G. At that time many people didn't think Alaska was important.

Life Lessons

    Life is not easy when you are pursuing something worthwhile and ready to learn from the best experiences. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} Here are some life lessons which people will learn the hard way in majority of cases.

    It takes consistent time and effort to be successful in any area. However, People usually get discouraged when it takes more time than they thought it would. At this time, people refer only to people who have already achieved what you want to be, which most people fail to do. Look at any successful person and you'll notice one thing common in all of them. They took time to learn and mastered their skills like no one else. {#blank#}2{#/blank#}

    Be brave to take the road less travelled. In our whole life, we always want to follow the same path that everyone suggests, do the same things everyone does, take the same career path everyone takes, wear the same clothes everyone wears, and hang out with the same people we work with. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} But when you get bored of life, you will realize that you are not meant to do what everyone does and that your destiny is different from anyone else's out there in the world. But the price you pay to realize this is high because it takes a great amount of courage to follow your own path.

    You don't have to live your life in a way society wants you to. {#blank#}4{#/blank#} Parents sometimes force their children to select a career they don't want because other children have selected that career. Worst of all people follow them without even asking. There is no harm in old rituals(惯例) and beliefs but when you pursue them before your interest, sooner or later you'll realize that you should first do what you think is right.

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#} However, if you are smart enough to learn early and wish not to waste your precious time learning them the hard way, learn them now and apply it to your life as soon as possible.

A. You have to break the rules sometimes.

B. After all, life lessons are always learned the hard way.

C. There is no elevator to success; you have to take the stairs.

D. The reason why we follow others is that we are scared to fail.

E. It always takes tests and then fails us to learn anything worthwhile.

F. The general rule goes that the harder you try, the greater results you get.

G. Many old beliefs are being performed these days and are followed blindly.

    You may be able to answer all of the questions the interviewer throws at you, and show a wealth of knowledge about the company in question. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} During the job interview preparation stage, body language can easily be neglected (忽视).The way we present ourselves during an interview may betray our actual abilities. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} Take a look at the, most common body language mistakes to avoid during your next interview:

    A weak or overly strong handshake.

    A handshake often opens and closes an interview. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} A limp handshake may lead to assumptions of disinterest and weakness, whereas an overly strong one may come off as aggressive or pushy.

    A negative facial expression.

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#} Greeting an employer with c negative expression will not make you appear likable. Take a moment to compose yourself before going in to interview, open with a smile and remain natural and positive, without overdoing it.

    Avoiding eye contact.

    Casting your eyes down for the duration of an interview is something interviewers agree they hate. {#blank#}5{#/blank#}However, regular eye contact shows that you are engaged in the conversation and that your self-esteem is high.

A. Smile!

B. A stable handshake is important.

C. However, actions often speak louder than words.

D. So it is necessary to control our body language.

E. It wouldn't be a good idea to continually stare at the person opposite you.

F. Therefore, it is good to make a positive impression with a stable handshake.

G. Interviewer will get annoyed when you show up with a negative expression.