【推荐1】It was a winter morning, just a couple of weeks before Christmas 2005. While most people were warming up their cars, Trevor, my husband, had to get up early to ride his bike four kilometers away from home to work. On arrival, he parked his bike outside the back door as he usually does. After putting in 10 hours of labor, he returned to find his bike gone.

The bike, a black Kona 18 speed, was our only transport. Trevor used it to get to work, putting in 60-hour weeks to support his young family. And the bike was also used to get groceries（食品杂货）, saving us from having to walk long distances from where we live.

I was so sad that someone would steal our bike that I wrote to the newspaper and told them our story. Shortly after that, several people in our area offered to help. One wonderful stranger even bought a bike, then called my husband to pick it up. Once again my husband had a way to get to and from his job. It really is an honor that a complete stranger would go out of their way for someone they have never met before.

People say that a smile can be passed from one person to another, but acts of kindness from strangers are even more so. This experience has had a spreading effect in our lives because it strengthened our faith in humanity（人性）as a whole. And it has influenced（影响）us to be more mindful of ways we, too, can share with others. No matter how big or how small, an act of kindness shows that someone cares. And the results can be everlasting.

【推荐3】One day, Ahmed’s mother decided to send him to learn to do business from his only uncle, who lived in another country. She sold some of her ornaments（首饰）to collect money for Ahmed’s journey. As Ahmed was very small, his mother worried that the money would get stolen. So she stitched（缝）a small pocket beneath the right sleeve of his shirt near his underarm and hid the money there. She hugged him with love and said, “Whatever the situation, tell the truth and be brave.”

Keeping in mind all the advice given by his mother, Ahmed set out for the journey. Admiring the beauty of the nature and the beautiful creatures in the sea, he enjoyed the blue sea beneath him.

Suddenly, there was a great hustle-bustle behind him. He turned back and noticed that a group of robbers had jumped in from a small boat nearby. The leader was ordering his companions to rob the passengers quickly. He suddenly saw Ahmed, took the bag from Ahmed and dropped down. “No money?” asked the leader. Suddenly, Ahmed cried out bravely, “________”

He directed his fingers beneath his right sleeve. Shocked, the leader checked and found the money. He was amused by Ahmed. He fell over his knees, and said, “Why did you tell me about the money? You could leave with your money.”

Seriously, Ahmed replied, “Sir, my mother has taught me to be honest, truthful and brave in every situation. I couldn't let my mother down by lying to you.”

Tears rolling down, the leader said, “Being a 9~10 years old boy, you are so truthful and honest. I feel ashamed of robbing you.”   

Saying this, he apologized to everyone in the ship, returned their belongings and left with his companions. The passengers praised Ahmed. Later Ahmed became a very well-known and respected businessman. His mother was very proud of him.

【推荐1】Valentina Tereshkova was the first woman to go into space. In 1963,she spent almost three days in space. That was her only trip into space.

Tereshkova was born on March 6, 1937, in Maslennikovo, a village northeast of Moscow. Her parents worked on a farm, and her father was killed during World War II. Tereshkova left school when she was 16 and worked at a factory. Tereshkova joined the factory's Young Communist League and soon advanced to the Communist Party. She became interested in parachute（降落伞）jumping after joining the Yaroslavl Air Sports Club.

After Yuri Gagarin became the first man in space in 1961, Tereshkova volunteered for the Soviet space program. Although she did not have any experience as a pilot, she was accepted into the program because of her 126 parachute jumps. At the time, astronauts had to jump from their spacecrafts seconds before they hit the ground on returning to Earth.

Along with four other women, Tereshkova received 18 months of training, which included tests to determine how she would react to long periods of time being alone, to extreme gravity conditions and to zero-gravity conditions. Of the five women, only Tereshkova went into space. Tereshkova stayed more than 70 hours in space and made 48 orbits（轨道）of Earth. Soviet and European TV viewers saw her smiling face and her books floating in front of her.

But they did not realize that the flight almost turned into a tragedy. An error in the spacecraft caused the ship to move away from the Earth, according to the RT news channel. Tereshkova noticed this and Soviet scientists quickly developed a new landing plan. Tereshkova landed safely but received an injury on her face in the end. She landed near today's Kazakhstan-Mongolia-China border. Villagers helped Tereshkova out of her spacesuit and asked her to join them for dinner. She accepted, and was later punished for breaking the rules and not having medical tests first.

However, Tereshkova was honored with the title Hero of the Soviet Union. She received the Order of Lenin and the Gold Star Medal. Tereshkova later became a test pilot and never flew in space again.

【推荐3】Scientists have made great discoveries. But how have they influenced our personal lives? Do kids in your classroom even know when Einstein lived? You may be wondering: but why is it important to teach kids about modern-day scientists?

First, stories of scientists can encourage kids. Chris Hadfield is a Canadian who went to space, and he’s a real, guitar-playing person. He makes singing videos on YouTube! His story can make kids think scientists are also common people. Hearing scientists’ stories makes kids think “I can do that too!”

But not only that, the stories of famous scientists can encourage kids to never give up. Bill Nye was always refused when trying to be an astronaut. But today, he’s made a lot of successes in his role as a popular science educator and engineer. Besides, it’s no secret that scientific discoveries require trying, and trying again.

Another way some scientists can encourage kids is through their diversity. Neil deGrasse Tyson, for example, is an African-American, which is not common in his field. Such stories can make kids think anyone can be a scientist.

It’s important to know that scientists don’t need to be “gifted” or “good” at school. Often we consider a scientist as being an extremely smart kid at school. That doesn’t have to be true. They just need to have a great interest in science. Telling students stories of scientists can encourage them to show interest in science. As long as they’re interested, they are likely to become a scientist in the future.

Modern scientists teach kids that knowledge builds upon the foundation others have laid. This is important — no one can do it alone. Scientists’ stories can encourage today’s young scientists to keep trying. They’ll be encouraged not to give up on the dream of making discoveries. Even if they haven’t made important discoveries, their research may help the following scientists.