Jessica Westervelt,a Spanish teacher at Bethlehem High School in New York,created an activity called “House Hunters”,which was inspired by the popular television show “House Hunters International”,for her Spanish class about four years ago.
Similar to the show,students work in groups,pretending to be real house agents,and look for three houses in Spanish-speaking countries.She uses the activity to teach vocabulary related to the home,chores,travel and vacation.She created the exercise because she wanted to incorporate her students’ interests into the curriculum.At the time,a group of her students were big fans of the show.
The students look for a house for Westervelt to buy to live in,or rent for vacation.She tells them what she is looking for in a home and gives them a budget.Students work in groups of three,and each student is responsible for finding one house in a Spanish-speaking country that fits the requirements.
The groups usually make a brochure describing the houses they find.Each group presents their findings to the class,while the other students take notes.The entire activity is done in Spanish,so students get to practice their writing,listening and conversation skills.They also get some cultural education when researching homes in Spanish-speaking countries.Westervelt says that students planning to take the class look forward to her project.
Westervelt says,“I think any time that you can find a way to link into something that they are interested in outside of school,it makes it more realistic for them and it makes that activity much more enjoyable for them.”
1. How did Westervelt come up with the idea of the activity?| A．She got it from a TV program. | B．She was inspired by her students. |
| C．She learned it from a house agent. | D．She was taught that in high school. |
| A．change | B．absorb |
| C．force | D．persuade |
| A．Rent the houses for their vacation. | B．Live in the houses for a while. |
| C．Write an introduction to the houses. | D．Choose and buy one for their teacher. |
| A．Most school activities are not enjoyable. |
| B．Students should be realistic about study. |
| C．Out-of-school activities are very important. |
| D．Learning should be combined with interest. |
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【推荐1】Not long ago, a good friend of mine asked me to help him in a halfway house in Nashville. I agreed and made my way there one evening.
When I got there, I sat with my friend and talked about how he ended up there. As we talked, another man came up, lighting up his cigarette as he sat down. He had dark, leather skin, and looked like he had endured the sun, the rain, and the wind for long, long time. I couldn’t tell how old he was, but I was sure that he was younger than he looked.
Through a bit of conversation, I found out that he had been on the streets for many, many years.
Without my asking, he started describing life as a homeless man. How he got food; how he stayed warm; how he got money. And he told me something that caught my attention.
He said, “You want to know how I keep my stuff safe at night?”
“Sure, “ I replied.
“I put it up in the trees.”
“Why is it safe in the trees?” I asked.
“The homeless are always looking for treasure on the ground--- coins, something someone’s dropped, half-smoked cigarettes. I know if I put my stuff in the trees, they’ll never find it because they never look up. Never. “
Profound words from an unexpected place. And his message is for all of us.
We all have our particular search. We’re looking for treasure on this earth. But what we are REALLY looking for is right there above us. There’s really nothing we need on the ground.
In fact, it’s surrounding us.
1. What did the author go to Nashville for?| A．To help his friend. | B．To build a halfway house. |
| C．To visit a stranger. | D．To pick up a homeless man. |
| A．Enjoyed | B．shared |
| C．Suffered | D．expected |
| A．nobody could climb up the trees | B．there was a hole in the tree |
| C．The leaves of the trees were thick | D．the homeless never looked up |
| A．We should look up for treasure in future |
| B．What we’re looking for is just by our side |
| C．There’s really nothing we need on the ground |
| D．It is wrong to look for treasure on the ground |
Although under great pressure, we all get on well with each other in this large office. You are one of the people who keep the social temperature at such a comfortable setting. I don’t know anyone in the office who is better liked than you .
You can perhaps help with this. The collection of contributions towards gifts for employees’ personal-life events is becoming a little troubling. Certainly, the group sending of a gift is reasonable now and then. In the past month, however, there have been collections for two baby shower gifts, one wedding shower gift, two weeding gifts, one funeral remembrance, four birthday gifts, and three graduation gifts .
It’s not only the collected-from who are growing uncomfortable(and poor), but the collected-for feel uneasy receiving gifts from people who don’t know them outside the office, who wouldn’t even recognize their graduating children, their marrying daughters and sons, or their dead relatives.
This is basically a kind gesture (and one that people think well of you for), but the practice seems to have become too wide-ranging and feels improper in today’s office setting .
Thank you for understanding .
1. The underlined word “ contributions ” probably means _________ .| A．reports | B．suggestions |
| C．understanding | D．money |
| A．show more kindness |
| B．discontinue the present practice |
| C．quit being the organizer for gift giving |
| D．know more about co-workers’ families |
| A．apology | B．dissatisfaction |
| C．appreciation | D．sympathy |
【推荐3】I have been watching my daughters play sports since they were four, and have been shocked at how some parents in the crowd behave.
At soccer games, when my girls were very young, parents would be screaming at their children to get their heads into the game, to charge, to “get” an opposing player, or to “kill it.” I understand parents want to encourage their children and their team—but at some point it becomes too much.
My daughter Grace is a high school and AAU (Association of American Universities) basketball player and a very good one at that. During a recent game, a parent sitting near me was shouting loudly to her daughter, standing up, expressing displeasure about the way her team was playing and, during halftime, speaking loudly about her personal life. After having her in my ear for more than half of the game, I was so put off that I had to move.
Admittedly, I am the quiet parent at games. I clap for the schoolgirls when they make wonderful plays. For the most part, however, I remain silent. Shouting out makes them nervous.
I asked Grace to weigh in on this, and she tells me: “Some parents become extremely emotionally invested in sports games, which can become a problem for the players. The worst thing is when people point out that ‘crazy parent,’ and they don’t know that’s your parent.”
I am all for parent spectators cheering on their children and the rest of the team. But I hope you can cheer your children on in a positive way. Shouting things like, “Where’s your head?” “Go after her!” is not, in my view, the way to cheer on high school students or younger children.
If you have nothing positive to say, hold your tongue. If you find yourself struggling to keep it together, get some fresh air during halftime.
1. Unable to stand the mother nearby, the author .| A．told her to shut up | B．found another seat |
| C．asked Grace for help | D．refused to talk to her |
| A．helpless | B．impatient | C．scared | D．ashamed |
| A．keeping silent all the time | B．saying unpleasant words |
| C．cheering on the players | D．leaving during halftime |
| A．Parents. | B．Teenage players. | C．Soccer spectators. | D．Coaches. |
