How to Retain More of Every Book You Read

    In recent years, I have focused on building good reading habits and learned how to read more. For most people, the final goal of reading a nonfiction book is to actually improve their life by learning a new skill, understanding an important problem, or looking at the world in a new way{#blank#}1{#/blank#} With that in mind, I'd like to share three reading comprehension skills that I use to make my reading more productive.

    Make all of your notes searchable. Having searchable book notes is important for returning to ideas easily{#blank#}2{#/blank#} An idea is only useful if you can find it when you need it. There is no need to leave the task of reading comprehension merely up to your memory.

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#} When you go to the library, all of the books will be divided into different categories. In the real world, of course, knowledge is not separated into neatly defined boxes{#blank#}4{#/blank#}For that reason, I try to consider how the book Fm reading is connected with all of the ideas that are already inside my head. Whenever possible, I try to combine the lessons Fm learning with previous ideas.

    Summarize the book in one paragraph{#blank#}5{#/blank#}It forces me to review my notes and consider what is really important about the book. In many cases, I find that I can usually get just as much useful information from reading my one-paragraph summary and reviewing my notes as I would if I read the entire book again.

A. Combine thoughts as you read.

B. All knowledge is interconnected.

C. Describe the book to your friends.

D. Read widely if you want to practice the skills.

E. It increases the chances that you will apply what you read in real life.

F. Once I finish a book, I challenge myself to conclude the text in just three sentences.

G. It's important to read books, but it is just as important to remember what you read and use it.

    Celebrate!

    Piñatas(彩罐)

    In Mexico, children often get piñatas on their birthday. Their parents put chocolates and other sweets inside the piñata and hang it on a tree. Then the children hit the piñata with a stick. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}

Noodles

    In China, people often celebrate birthdays by eating with family or friends, and the last dish of the meal is always noodles. The noodles are long and thin. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} You can't cut them. In Chinese culture, long noodles mean you will have a long life.

Business birthdays

    A business birthday shows that a company is successful. Many businesses in the USA celebrate important birthdays, like 10, 50 or 150 years. {#blank#}3{#/blank#}sometimes they make TV advertisements. It is a good chance to advertise the business.

Name days

    As well as a birthday, many people in Southern Europe also celebrate their name day. {#blank#}4{#/blank#} people have big parties and open their houses to anybody who wants to come. People bring small gifts, often flowers or a box of sweets.

Islamic New Year

    In Muslim countries across the world, people celebrate Eid(开斋节). Eid means festival or celebration. During Eid, people visit family and friends, as well as people who are sick or in hospital. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} Children receive toys, too. Children often wear special traditional clothes during the Eid celebrations.

A. You have to eat them in one piece.

B. They go out for a meal to celebrate.

C. Companies hold parties and send cards.

D. They give presents, such as sweets and food.

E. It breaks and the sweets fall out on to the ground.

F. This is one of the two important festivals in this country.

G. In Greece, name days are more important than birthdays.

    Stress occurs when you feel that demands placed on you — such as work, school or relationships — are beyond your ability. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} However, untreated long-term stress can result in serious health conditions including anxiety, insomnia, muscle pain, high blood pressure and a weakened immune system. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} Everyone is different, and so are the ways they choose to manage their stress. Some people prefer pursuing hobbies such as gardening, playing music and creating art, while others find relief in more solitary (独自的) activities: meditation, yoga and walking. {#blank#}3{#/blank#}

    Do some exercise. The research keeps growing — exercise benefits your mind just as well as your body. We keep hearing about the long-term benefits of a regular exercise routine. But even a 20-minute walk, run, swim or dance session in the midst of a stressful time can give an immediate effect that can last for several hours.

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#} It may seem difficult to get away from a big work project, a crying baby or a growing credit card bill. But when you give yourself permission to step away from it, you let yourself have time to do something else, which can help you have a new perspective or practice techniques to feel less overwhelmed. It's important not to avoid your stress (those bills have to be paid sometime), but even just 20 minutes to take care of yourself is helpful.

    Smile and laugh. Our brains are interconnected with our emotions and facial expressions. When people are stressed, they often hold a lot of the stress in their face. So laughs or smiles can help relieve some of that tension and improve the situation.

    Try meditation. Meditation and mindful prayer help the mind and body to relax and focus. Mindfulness can help people see new perspectives, develop self-compassion and forgiveness. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} Much like exercise, research has shown that even meditating briefly can bring immediate benefits.

A. Take a break from the stressor.

B. Get some social support from whatever sources you can access.

C. Too much stress can affect body systems and cause mental problems.

D. Here are four healthy techniques that may help reduce stress in the short- and long-term.

E. But by finding positive, healthy ways, many of these negative health consequences can be reduced.

F. When practicing mindfulness, people can release emotions contributing to the body physical stress.

G. Some stress can be beneficial at times, producing a boost that helps people get through tough situations.

Why you shouldn't punish your kids for lying

    Getting your children to stop lying is challenging. There are many influences (TV, movies, video games and some great books) in which lies are common. Children see parents lie to others, if only to be polite. Most parents add to that with tales about the lives and activities of Santa Claus or the Tooth Fairy, or to lessen fears. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}

    The most common reactions to children who lie are explaining why it is wrong and punishment. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} Here are three better tools supported by research to use instead.

    PRAISE: You could ask your child to say something that happened at school that is true. When your child obeys, praise him enthusiastically. Be specific: {#blank#}3{#/blank#} and give your child a hug or a high five. Aim for one or two interactions (互动) like this a day. If you happen to "catch" your child in a lie, say something like, "That is not true and could get you in trouble outside of the home."

    MODEL: Explicitly tell the truth. This could be about something that happened when you were a child or something that happened during the day. It need not be dramatic. Another option is to play a game at dinner. Each person tells one thing that was true that day. Again, give a little praise to the child who normally lies if she plays along.

    DECREASE PUNISHMENT AND MORALIZING: They are unlikely to change behavior or develop the conduct you want.{#blank#}4{#/blank#} Rather, use very mild punishment (light scolding, short loss of privilege, a brief time-out). More severe punishments (shouting, taking away something for a week, hitting) are not more effective in actually changing the frequency of lying.

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#} Usually they can be dropped by then. It is unlikely that lying will be completely removed, but with the right encouragement, k can be dramatically lessened.

A. It is not what that is, but about practice.

B. As ways of changing behavior, these are ineffective.

C. That does not mean ignoring, lying or letting it go.

D. "That was great! You told me what happened just like I asked. Wow!"

E. Try these procedures for two to three weeks and see where you are.

F. "You did a good job, but what you said was not what I'd like to know!"

G. Parents do this out of love, but for some children, lying can become a problem.

    Have you ever set a goal for yourself and got excited to get working on it? The first few weeks are great! You're moving forward. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} Before you know it, your goals have taken a back seat. Sound familiar? We are not alone. Many face the same struggle. Here are the four ways to complete these goals.

Make yourself a priority（优先权）.

    You most likely put others before yourself. It is a wonderful thing to want to help others, but if you are putting others before your own priorities and goals, you will be quickly in a great pressure. This is a habit we have to get rid of. If we don't care about ourselves first, we can't be our best to help others. Take yourself seriously. {#blank#}2{#/blank#}

Make clear goals with action steps.

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#}. Create action steps, and no matter how small you think they are, use them. It becomes a way for you to measure your progress. Don't discount the small steps. When life gets in the way it's so much easier to move on or pick right back up when you have these small action steps to guide you.

Create your own hope.

    This is your self-talk. Make it positive and daily. You do not need permission to take action towards your goals and don't wait for someone to give you this permission. If you need to, seek positive influencers and listen to their stories. Learn to say “No.” {#blank#}4{#/blank#}. This is your journey, not theirs.

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    Have a mindset to be grateful for the things, people, and opportunities in your life. If we don't appreciate what we have now, how would we be able to appreciate anything once we completed our goals? Each of us has our own life experiences and life struggles, which shape us into who we are. They are lessons that can either make you or break you. The choice is up to you and determines if you will be successful in achieving you goals.

A. The more details you can have with your goal, the better.

B. Make this a positive healthy habit.

C. Then life starts throwing tons of difficulties at you.

D. Learn to be thankful.

E. Focus on the process.

F. You don't have to do everything for everyone.

G. This is actually difficult for those of us that care for others.

Overcome Culture Shock in the Classroom

    Culture shock occurs in a classroom when students are exposed to a new situation.{#blank#}1{#/blank#}. However, it can also happen to students moving from a small town to a large city, to home－schooled students starting formal school education or to students progressing from one level of education to another. There are several strategies that teachers can use to help students overcome culture shock.

    Make group rules

    Brainstorm(集体讨论) group rules with the class as a whole to create a safe space and good learning environment.{#blank#}2{#/blank#}. Rules could include respecting differences, listening when someone is speaking and not teasing, for example.

    Provide a partner

    Find a partner for the new student in the adjustment period.{#blank#}3{#/blank#}. A good partner is someone who is friendly, outgoing and patient. The partner should show the new student around the school, spend time with him or her after class and eat lunch with him or her.

    Know the source of a problem

    Identify problems early and work with the student and his or her family to deal with them. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}. It can also be caused by overseas or home school environment. Students and parents need to be aware of all the rules and customs that apply.

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#}

    Create lessons that include information about different countries and traditions. These could include story reading, geography, cultural studies and history. Encourage the student to share some information about himself or herself.

A. Create special lessons

B. Respect other cultures

C. They have lost their own language and culture

D. Explain the rules and require everyone to follow them

E. A partner can help him or her quickly adapt to the new environment

F. Classroom culture shock is often caused by the very different environment of a classroom

G. Typically, this happens when a new immigrant(移民) arrives in a classroom for the first time