A standard school day for the average American youth takes place indoors. But for some young students who attend forest school, most of their preschool or kindergarten education occurs outdoors in forests, parks, or other wild sites. At these schools, educators allow their students’ curiosity to guide the curriculum (全部课程) and rely on nature to instill environmental values.
Forest schools vary in the amount of time children spend outdoors, what they study, and how they’re assessed, but all forest schools put nature first. They have the same standards for child development as traditional schools do, but their methods are rooted in exploring and conserving the natural world.
Khavin Debbs, Executive Director at Tiny Trees Preschool in Seattle. Washington, says one of the benefits of a forest school is how it can adapt to students’ unique needs. High-energy students can run and climb. Shy students can sit alone to observe an earthworm with a magnifying glass. At Tiny Trees, in addition to learning with art materials, books, and toys, students engage in a wide range of play-based learning, including going on hikes, observing wildlife, and identifying plants and animal tracks. They might cook over a camp stove, or harvest berries to make jam. The students’ hands-on activities help them grasp scientific concepts that might otherwise seem abstract. “They’ve seen a tree’s leaves turn different colors in fall, and then seen that same tree bloom again in spring. All those things really do help them understand.” said Debbs.
The notion of children spending time outdoors to learn and play is nothing new. The modern-day forest school concept originated in Denmark in the 1950s, and then spread through Europe and abroad. In the United States, forest schools are currently on the rise. A national survey done in 2017 found 250 forest schools operating in 43 states—100 more than the year before, with 80 percent of them maintaining waiting lists.
But even though they’re increasing in popularity, forest schools aren’t yet reflective of the cultural, linguistic, or cognitive diversity of American youth. Thus, schools that want to be more inclusive must be purposeful in increasing their influence and making their programs more accessible.
1. What does the underlined word “instill” in paragraph 1 mean?| A．Represent. | B．Design. | C．Maintain. | D．Develop. |
| A．The free optional curriculum. | B．The nature-centred philosophy. |
| C．The novel standard for students. | D．The evaluation of teachers’ values. |
| A．To highlight advantages of forest schools. |
| B．To show what teachers had for students. |
| C．To compare the differences in students’ grades. |
| D．To draw a conclusion from the teachers’ skills. |
| A．A limitation period of forest schools. |
| B．A solution to increasing popularity. |
| C．A wish to participate in a forest school. |
| D．A suggestion for the further development of forest schools. |
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【推荐1】Understanding Financial Aid for College: A Guide
Many families are shocked by a college’s sticker price. While the cost of tuition can be overwhelming, financial aid can make higher education more affordable. Here are a few answers to common financial aid questions.
What Are the Different Types of Financial Aid?
There are two types of aid: need-based and merit-based.
Need-based aid is determined by a family’s demonstrated ability to pay for college. Merit aid, on the other hand, can be awarded by an institution, college or private organization to a student for a specific talent or an athletic or academic ability. These awards aren’t based on financial need.
How Do I Apply for Financial Aid?
You need to file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, known as the FAFSA. This application is used by many state agencies and schools to determine college aid. This is usually based on their household income as reported on federal income taxes.
Some schools mostly private colleges — use a form called the CSS Profile to determine how to give out their own funds. This form is more detailed than the FAFSA and can be more time-consuming to complete.
For instance, the CSS Profile takes into account assets (资产) that are excluded on the FAFSA, as well as information about medical or additional educational expenses.
The initial submission fee for the CSS Profile is $25; each additional report is $16.
When Will I Receive a Financial Aid Award Letter?
Financial aid award letters typically go out to college-bound students in early spring usually shortly after they receive a college acceptance offer.
1. Who are most likely to receive merit-based financial aid?| A．Students who excel in sports. | B．Students struggling academically. |
| C．Students with great financial need. | D．Students active in community service. |
| A．It is a less complicated form. | B．It charges less for application. |
| C．It is more widely used among colleges. | D．It digs deeper into the family’s finances. |
| A．Right after they register for college. | B．During their first semester in college. |
| C．Between admission and the start of college. | D．Before receiving a college acceptance letter. |
【推荐2】After noticing that her eighth grade students had problems focusing during math class, a North Carolina teacher decided to channel(引导)their energy in a different way-cycling.
It doesn’t sound like the most common thing to do during math class, but Bethany Lambeth, a teacher from Wake County, says that ever since she fixed the cycling machines under her students’ desks, the quality of their work has improved greatly. They are paying more attention to what the teachers say, and most importantly, they are no longer fidgeting all the time.
“Before, they were drumming on their desks or touching other students. They don’t do that any more now. Their feet are getting the movement out,” she said. “There has been a huge increase in the quality of our students’ work and a drop in the amount of missing work. I think the world is changing a lot and kids need to be able to do something different.”
Lambeth fixed the cycling machines at the end of last year, which cost around $150 each. The cost was covered by money from kind people. Not all desks have pedals(踏板)under them, so not all the children have to use one. The school is hoping to get more pedals because of the role cycling machines could play.
The kids clearly love the new “toys”. Sofia Fedele, one of Lambeth’s students, said cycling helped her focus on her work during class. “I usually tap my feet and stuff to keep me focused. I think pedaling is much better. It keeps me exercising and focused,” she said.
Quinn Spear, another student in Lambeth’s class, also mentioned the good effect on health of cycling during class. He told reporters that he had pedaled 5.5 miles and burned 133 calories, all before 10 a.m..
1. What does the underlined word “fidgeting” in paragraph 2 mean?| A．Showing interest in class. |
| B．Doing something useful. |
| C．Keep moving the body. |
| D．Taking notes carefully. |
| A．The school. |
| B．The students. |
| C．Some nice people. |
| D．Some companies. |
| A．To show the kids love the machines. |
| B．To tell us that he has changed a lot. |
| C．To prove that he is a nice student. |
| D．To advise readers to follow his example. |
| A．The school helps students concentrate on class. |
| B．A new way of exercising is becoming popular. |
| C．How students in a North Carolina school have class. |
| D．How a machine changes student’s performance in class. |
【推荐3】After noticing that her eighth grade students had problems focusing during math class, a North Carolina teacher decided to channel (引导) their energy in a different way—cycling.
It doesn’t sound like the most common thing to do during math class, but Bethany Lambeth, a teacher from Wake County, says that ever since she fixed cycling machines under her students’ desks, the quality of their work has improved greatly. They are paying more attention to what the teachers say, and, most importantly, they are no longer fidgeting all the time.
“Before, they were drumming on their desks or touching other students. They don’t do that any more now. Their feet are getting the movement out,” she said. “There has been a huge increase in the quality of our students’ work and a decrease in the amount of missing work. I think the world is changing a lot and kids need to be able to do something different.”
Lambeth fixed the cycling machines at the end of last year, which cost around $150 each. The cost was covered by money from kind people. Not all desks have pedals (踏板) under them, so not all the children have to use one. The school is hoping to get more pedals because of the role cycling machines could play.
The kids clearly love the new “toys”. Sofia Fedele, one of Lambeth’s students, said cycling helped her focus on her work during class. “I usually tap my feet and stuff to keep me focused, I think pedaling is much better, it keeps me exercising and focused,” she said.
Quinn Spear, another student in Lambeth’s class, also mentioned the good effect on health of cycling during class. He told reporters that he had pedaled 5.5 miles and burned 133 calories, all before 10 a.m.
1. What does the underlined word “fidgeting” in paragraph 2 mean?| A．Keeping moving the body. | B．Competing with each other. |
| C．Doubling themselves. | D．Laughing at others. |
| A．The school. | B．The students. | C．Some companies. | D．Some nice people. |
| A．The kids’ improvement in math. | B．The kids’ love for the machines. |
| C．The easy operation of pedaling. | D．The importance of exercising. |
| A．The school helps students concentrate on class. |
| B．A new way of exercising is becoming popular. |
| C．How a machine changes students’ performance in class. |
| D．How students in a North Carolina school have class. |
【推荐1】For years, the U. S. has experienced a shortage of registered nurses. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that while the number of nurses will increase by 19 percent by 2022, demand will grow faster than supply, and that there will be over one million unfilled nursing jobs by then.
So what's the solution? Robots.
Japan is ahead of the curve when it comes to this trend. Toyohashi University of Technology has developed Terapio, a robotic medical cart that can make hospital rounds, deliver medications and other items, and retrieve records. It follows a specific individual, such as a doctor or nurse, who can use it to record and access patient data. This type of robot will likely be one of the first to be implemented in hospitals because it has fairly minimal patient contact.
Robots capable of social engagement help with loneliness as well as cognitive functioning, but the robot itself doesn't have to engage directly—it can serve as an intermediary for human communication. Telepresence robots such as MantaroBot, Vgo, and Giraff can be controlled through a computer, smartphone, or tablet, allowing family members or doctors to remotely monitor patients or Skype them, often via a screen where the robot's ' face' would be. If you can't get to the nursing home to visit grandma, you can use a telepresence robot to hang out with her. A 2016 study found that users had a "consistently positive attitude" about the Giraff robot's ability to enhance communication and decrease feelings of loneliness.
A robot's appearance affects its ability to successfully interact with humans, which is why the RIKEN-TRI Collaboration Center for Human-Interactive Robot Research decided to develop a robotic nurse that looks like a huge teddy bear. RIBA (Robot for Interactive Body Assistance), also known as ‘Robear', can help patients into and out of wheelchairs and beds with its strong arms.
It's important to note that robotic nurses don't decide courses of treatment or make diagnoses (though robot doctors and surgeons may not be far off). Instead, they perform routine and laborious tasks, freeing nurses up to attend to patients with immediate needs. This is one industry where it seems the integration of robots will lead to collaboration, not replacement.
1. What does the author say about Japan?| A．It delivers the best medications for the elderly. |
| B．It takes the lead in providing robotic care. |
| C．It provides retraining for registered nurses. |
| D．It sets the trend in future robotics technology. |
| A．It has been put to use in many Japanese hospitals. |
| B．It provides specific individualized care to patients. |
| C．It does not have much direct contact with patients. |
| D．It has not revolutionized medical service in Japan. |
| A．Directly interact with patients to prevent them from feeling lonely. |
| B．Cater to the needs of patients for recovering their cognitive capacity. |
| C．Closely monitor the patients' movements and conditions around the clock. |
| D．Facilitate communication between patients and doctors or family members. |
| A．Doctors and surgeons will soon be laid off. |
| B．The robotics industry will soon take off. |
| C．Robots will not make nurses redundant. |
| D．Collaboration will not replace competition. |
【推荐2】In a study published in Nature Communications, researchers from the University of Zurich told 50 people they’d be receiving about $100. Half of the people were asked to spend that money on themselves, and half were asked to spend it on someone they knew. Before giving out any money, the researchers brought everyone into the lab and asked them to think about a friend they’d like to give a gift to and how much they would spend. They then performed functional MRI scans (扫描) to get to know activity in three parts of the brain related to social behavior, generosity, happiness and decision-making.
Their choices－and their brain activity－seemed to depend on how they had promised to spend the money earlier. Those who had promised to spend money on other people tended to make more generous decisions throughout the experiment (实验). They also had more interaction between the parts of the brain related to altruism (无私) and happiness, and they reported higher levels of happiness after the experiment was over.
Another piece of good news was that planning to give away just a little bit of money had the same effects on happiness as giving away a lot. “At least in our study, the amount spent did not matter,” says lead author Philippe Tobler. “Even little things have a beneficial effect－like bringing coffee to one’s workmates.”
It’s not yet clear how long these warm feelings last after being generous. But studies have shown that older people who are generous tend to have better health, says Tobler, and other research has suggested that spending money on others can be effective at lowering blood pressure. “Moreover there is a positive connection between helping others and life expectancy (预期寿命),” he adds.
Next time you think that the best way to make yourself feel better is to buy yourself a treat, consider that the opposite is likely true. “It is worth giving it a try, even if you think it would not work,” Tobler says. “Repeated practice is probably needed so that giving becomes second nature.”
1. What did the researchers find out about those promising to spend money on other people?| A．They were much happier. | B．They had less brain activity. |
| C．They were slower at making decisions. | D．They experienced higher levels of stress. |
| A．It isn’t hard to behave generously. |
| B．Being generous will pay off in the end. |
| C．The amount of generosity did not matter. |
| D．Small acts of generosity can be seen everywhere. |
| A．Ways to show generosity. |
| B．Health benefits of being generous. |
| C．Reasons for performing acts of generosity. |
| D．Influences generous people have on others. |
| A．Practice giving and make it a habit. |
| B．Don’t expect anything in return when giving. |
| C．Don’t believe happiness depends on a good treat. |
| D．Perform something good even if it may have a bad result. |
| A．Sports. | B．Science. | C．Education. | D．Travel. |
【推荐3】When I watched the film “The Farewell” recently, I found it not only reminded me of my own family’s great lie, but it also reopened old wounds.
Its main characters tell lies that flow from their mouths smoothly. Billi, a Chinese-American artist in New York, and her grandmother in China, tell lies to each other on the phone. Billi, in cold wind, tells her grandma that she’s wearing a hat. She’s not. Her grandma says she’s visiting her sister, while she’s actually ill in hospital. They’re lying to avoid worrying each other, but in fact the grandma has lung cancer. The family know it but won’t tell her for fear that anxiety over the diagnosis (诊断) could kill her before the cancer.
When I was a teenager girl, my parents, both immigrants, got divorced. We never had a discussion about how things would change. We didn’t tell anyone. Instead, we pretended as if nothing had happened. My father did not run away; he slept in a separate room. In the presence of relatives, we acted as a close family. I was puzzled why we insisted on creating the illusion(假象) that everything was O.K..
I asked a professor of multicultural psychology. “Asians tend to have indirect communication,” he said, “In indirect communication, what’s not said is more important than what is said. Eastern philosophy emphasizes balance and harmony, and indirect communication minimizes conflict. So some Asian cultures value the ability to understand indirect messages.”
In the film, the family members show their love for grandma by keeping secret about her condition. Similarly, perhaps my parents intended to save face and preserve harmony. As an Asian-American, maybe all I’ll ever have is a secondhand understanding, and that’s the best I can do.
1. Why does Billi’s grandma tell lies to her according to Paragraph 2?| A．Because she’s afraid of the diagnosis. |
| B．Because she knows she has lung cancer. |
| C．Because she doesn’t want Billi to worry. |
| D．Because she has been used to telling lies. |
| A．They left their home. | B．They kept secret in public. |
| C．They had a discussion. | D．They asked relatives for help. |
| A．Confused. | B．Skeptical. |
| C．Unconcerned. | D．Annoyed. |
| A．Severe conflicts. | B．Ability of showing love. |
| C．Balance and harmony. | D．Direct communication. |
