【推荐1】In China, writing brushes, ink sticks, paper and inkstones are called the Four Treasures of Study. Among the high-quality(高质量的) treasures, the writing brush produced in Huzhou, the ink stick produced in Huizhou, the Xuan paper made in Xuancheng and the inkstone made in Duanxi are the best-known.

Writing brushes can be used to draw pictures on painted pottery(陶器). They are mainly made of the hair of animals. Those made of wool are called yanghao and those made of the weasel’s(鼬的) tail hair are called langhao. Their artistic effects in writing and painting cannot be copied by any other pens.

The ink stick is the pigment(颜料) used in writing and painting. The ink stick produced in Huizhou is of high quality. A story goes like this: Two famous skilled men Xi Chao and his son produced a kind of high-quality ink stick. As a result, Emperor Li Yu in the Southern Tang Dynasty agreed to give them the family name “Li”. From then on, the fame of the Li Ink Stick was widespread. In the Song Dynasty, its producing area was changed into Huizhou, and it was then called the Hui Ink Stick.

Paper is among the four great inventions in ancient China. The famous Xuan paper appeared in the Sui and Tang Dynasties. In Xuanzhou, Anhui Province where Xuan paper is produced, it’s said that Cai Lun’s pupil Kong Dan took the job of producing paper but failed to make perfect white paper. Later he happened to see the ebony(黑檀木) in the rivers. It was wet with the water and turned white. Then he used the bark(树皮) to produce the world-famous Xuan paper.

The inkstone was already very popular in the Han Dynasty. The Ming and Qing Dynasties saw the appearance of the Four Famous Inkstones—Duan Inkstone, She Inkstone, Tao Inkstone and Chengni Inkstone. They can be used not only in writing and painting but also for admiration.

Every time you come back from school or play, your parents tell you to wash your hands with soap. The soap can clean your hands and keep you healthy. It’s a must for everyday life.

There is a legend（传说）about soap in Italy. Soap got its name from a mountain called Sapo. It was a place for animal sacrifice（祭祀）. Rain washed animal fat and ash（灰烬）to the Tiber River. Women always washed their clothes in the river. If they washed after heavy rain, their clothes were cleaner. That may be the first use of soap. In the 8th century, people in France and Italy began to use soaps. Soaps then became part of daily life.

How to wash your hands with soap:

【推荐2】It seems like technology is everywhere. Computers and smart phones are at the center of almost everything we do. They constantly (持续地) require our attention. We text our friends with them during the day, sleep with them by our beds and check our messages as soon as we wake up.

In the future we will use calm technology which was first developed by scientist Mark Weiser in the 1970s.In his opinion, calm technology works quietly but constantly. We know it is there, but we don’t pay much attention to it. According to Mark, the best technology should be invisible (隐形的) and let you live your life.

We already use many different types of calm technology in our everyday life. Do you have a smoke alarm in your house? That smoke alarm is always there, checking the air for smoke and quietly keeping you safe. It only reminds you it’s there when you’ve burnt your bread! Or there may be lights in your home or school. When somebody passes in front of their sensor (传感器), the lights turn on. You don’t think about this type of technology until you see the light go on.

In the future, our houses will use calm technology to open the door for us. Or even to choose the best music for our mood. The minute we walk through the door, our house will respond by turning on the lights and music, and perhaps even starting to prepare our dinner!

【推荐3】How will geography influence your life? For some children around the world, the environment they grow up in has a huge effect on their lives. This is the case in Madagascar, an island country in Africa, where a 3D-printed school is now being built.

Maggie Grout was just 15 years old when she set up a non-profit (非盈利的) organization-Thinking Huts. Now 22, she is raising money to build a series of 3D-printed school powered by solar energy. Maggie took the lead role and worked with university professors through the whole process of building the 3D-printed school. They chose Madagascar because it needs more schools. Many children in that country don't have the chance to receive education. Besides, it has a lot of sunshine, which can be made into energy to power things.

Maggie first drew a design for the school. She thought about what things the people needed and where they worked best.

Next, Maggie found an architect (建筑师) and 3D printing company for the job. To make it environmentally friendly, they use a special 3D printer to build the school. It meant up to 50 percent less concrete (混凝土) used and less CO₂. Plus, the school could be completed in just a week. They also used local materials to build the doors, windows and roof.

What’s more, Thinking Huts will get local workers to learn how to use a 3D printer so that they can build more schools on their own in the future. Maggie plans to print more new schools in other parts of Madagascar because one in five children don’t have primary school to attend there.

So far, Maggie’s charity has already raised $125,000. “It’s good news to me! Of course, we need more.” Maggie told Spring wise website. Doing charity work means a lot and she is glad to carry on with it.

Some people around you look so cool and happy, but you often feel lonely. Or the friends you have do not really understand you that make you feel lonely, too. So what can be done when you have this feeling?

Understand people’s differences

Not everyone has to do things the same way or behave the same way. Find people who have the same feeling. That is always a good basic for the friendship. You can take part in activities outside school like sports, art classes and dancing classes. There you can have more chances to find people who have the same interest as you.

Develop your friendship

Friendships do not just happen, and they need work. Phone your friends once in a while. Being there when they need you means that they will do the same for you.

Accept others’ invitations

Even if someone invites you to a neighborhood street party, you never know who else will be there. Laughing and playing together could start a new friendship.

Start a club

Make your circle of friends big by starting a club. Going camping together or regularly (有规律地) going to the movies doesn’t take much time.