Children learn best when the significant adults in their lives—parents, teachers, and other family and community members—work together to encourage and support them. This basic fact should be a guiding principle as we think about how schools should be organized and how children should be taught. Schools alone cannot address all of a child’s developmental needs: the meaningful involvement of parents and support from the community are essential.
The need for a strong partnership between schools and families to educate children may seem like common sense. In simpler times, this relationship was natural and easy to maintain. Teachers and parents were often neighbors and found many occasions to discuss a child’s progress. Children heard the same messages from teachers and parents and understood that they were expected to uphold the same standards at home and at school.
As society has become more complex and demanding, though, these relationships have all too often fallen by the wayside. Neither educators nor parents have enough time to get to know one another and establish working relationships on behalf of children. In many communities, parents are discouraged from spending time in classrooms and educators are expected to consult with family members only when a child is in trouble. The result, in too many cases, is misunderstanding, mistrust, and a lack of respect, so that when a child falls behind, teachers blame the parents and parents blame the teachers.
At the same time，our society has created artificial distinctions （区别）of the roles that parents and teachers should play in a young person’s development. We tend to think that schools should stick to teaching academics and that home is the place where children’s moral and emotional development should take place.
Yet children don’t stop learning about values and relationships when they enter a classroom, nor do they cease learning academics— and attitudes about learning —when they are at home or elsewhere in their community.
These days, it can take extraordinary efforts to build strong relationships between families and educators. Schools have to reach out to families, making them feel welcome as full partners in the educational process. Families, in turn, have to make a commitment of time and energy to support their children both at home and at school.
1. What is important when it comes to children’s education?2. Why is it hard for parents and teachers to build a strong partnership nowadays?
3. Please decide which part is false in the following statement, then underline it and explain why.
Families and schools should join hands to support students’ development, and they should be aware that there is a clear division of their responsibilities in the education of children.
4. What are your suggestions on how to get parents involved in school affairs?
1. Where is school attendance required in the USA?
| A．In the whole country. | B．In most states. | C．In a couple of states. |
| A．Levels 1 and 2. | B．Levels 2 and 3. | C．Levels 3 and 4. |
| A．Undergraduate education. |
| B．Post-graduate education. |
| C．Pre-school education. |
| A．Education policy in the USA. |
| B．The four levels of education in the USA. |
| C．The purpose of education in the USA. |
3 . ChatGPT has been banned by schools in New York and Los Angeles, out of concern that students may use it to cheat on assignments. Despite these concerns, educators needn’t fear Al technology will transform education. Instead, it will help students take ownership of their studies and learn real-life skills. Today’s students need instruction that equips them with the skills of reasoning, analysis and argumentation rather than memorizing basic information. And Al may be a useful tool that promotes these skills.
Our experience with Al is perhaps best understood when compared with previous disturbances in education. When printed books, for example, began to occur in the mid-1400s, university professors were filled with panic. At that time, lectures depended on a specific model: Professors read from their hand-written texts, while students hurriedly copied whatever they heard. If students could simply buy the books, teachers likely thought that they wouldn’t need to come to class. Yet in practice, printing had the opposite effect: The number of universities exploded along with the total number of books. The new technology disturbed the mechanical aspect of education, but in doing so it allowed educators to refocus on higher-level skills.
Similarly, ChatGPT will replace the mechanical production of text, but it won’t decrease the need for higher-level skills. Possessing the skills to ask the right questions or state the right opinions will become crucial as the production of a logical essay becomes a simple task for a machine. Al will serve as a tool for information gathering and mechanical organization, but it won’t remove the fundamental need for critical thinking.Schools must remember that education’s value isn’t a head full of facts but a person with the skill to use these facts with the available tools to enhance their impact on the world. Al is one of these tools and, when used strategically, can improve students’ learning and performance in ways not yet seen. Therefore, it is essential for schools to provide an education that trains students in how to use the available tools for information. Unless they adapt quickly to the changing trends of education, they will be left behind by rapid innovation and change.
1. What is the educators’ major concern about Al technology?| A．The possible changes in education. |
| B．Students’ grades of the assignments. |
| C．Students’ fear of technological reform. |
| D．The lack of instructions and equipment. |
| A．To justify the concern of the professors. |
| B．To show the similar value of Al technology. |
| C．To clarify previous disturbances in education. |
| D．To highlight the influence of printing technology. |
| A．Doubtful. | B．Concerned. | C．Critical. | D．Supportive. |
| A．Replace the mechanical production of text. |
| B．Design their courses based on Al technology. |
| C．Catch up with the quick evolution of education. |
| D．Provide a course focusing on information gathering. |
4 . Some people only exercise self-discipline in the parts of their lives they think as necessities — such as turning up to work on time and getting the job done. But self-discipline is a skill that can be applied to every aspect of life. And the benefits can be great.
It will help you reach your full potential
When you have self-discipline, you are able to push yourself to achieve things you never thought possible. You set high standards for yourself and then work hard to meet them.
Self-discipline can help you get more done in less time. When you have self-discipline, you are less likely to waste time on things that are not important. This means you can use your time more effectively and get more done. This can lead to greater productivity at work, at home, and in your personal life.
It will help you be healthier
Self-discipline can also help you live a healthier life. When you have self-discipline, you are more likely to make healthy choices and stick to them. This means you will be less likely to overeat, smoke, or engage in other unhealthy behaviors.
It will help you be happier
Last but not least, self-discipline can help you be happier. When you have self-discipline, you are less likely to engage in self-destructive behaviors.
So, as you can see, self-discipline can improve your whole life. If you want to be more successful, productive, and happier, then start working on your self-discipline today.
| A．It will help you finish work on time. |
| B．It will help you be more productive. |
| C．Here’s how self-discipline can improve all aspects of your life. |
| D．This can lead to personal and professional success. |
| E．This is because you are less likely to give up when things get tough. |
| F．This means you will be more likely to focus on the positive and enjoy your life. |
| G．It can also mean you are more likely to exercise regularly. |
5 . Women and girls already struggle with gender inequality, but when extreme weather damages a community, the UN found that inequalities worsen.
To explore the complex links between gender and climate change, CNN worked with seven women photojournalists to document the challenges women and girls face. This visual project gives a snapshot of the numerous ways climate crisis is changing their lives, but also shows how they are fighting back.
The Center for Girls’ Education runs a series of programs in Nigeria to help girls stay in school. One in every five of the world’s children who are out of school is in Nigeria, according to UNICEF, and it is girls who are impacted the most. More than 10 million children between 5 and 14 years old are absent from classrooms across Nigeria, according to UNICEF. For girls, the statistics are even bleaker: in states in the northeast and northwest of the country, fewer than half attend school.
This education crisis is the result of a tangle of factors, but against the backdrop of these individual factors is the broader context of the climate crisis. Nigeria is growing hotter and dryer, and extreme weather such as flash floods and landslides are becoming fiercer and more frequent. Climate disasters can make schools inaccessible and classrooms unsafe. Communities struggling to cope with extreme weather sometimes turn to their children to help or to earn extra money to support the family. And girls, whose attendance at school is already discouraged in some communities, are often most affected.
There are efforts to support girls’ education and equip them with the resources to cope with a fast-changing climate. The Center for Girls’ Education in the northern Nigerian city of Zaria runs programs to help girls stay in school and offers training on how to cope with the impacts of extreme weather. “I feel when we give the girls education on climate change, how to ease it, it will go a long way in helping the girls in how to support themselves in times of difficulties, and even help them prepare for it,” said Habiba Mohammed, director of the Center for Girls’ Education.
1. What does the underlined phrase “gives a snapshot of” mean in Paragraph 2?| A．Contrasts. | B．Strengthens. | C．Prevents. | D．Reveals. |
| A．By listing figures. | B．By making comparison. |
| C．By giving examples. | D．By drawing conclusions. |
| A．Tense family relationship. | B．Unbearable school pressure. |
| C．Worsening weather conditions. | D．Inaccessible community resources. |
| A．Costly. | B．Creative. |
| C．Short-lived. | D．Far-reaching. |
6 . In 2017, Irish President Michael D. Higgins and his wife Sabina started the Young Irish Philosopher Awards, the purpose of which is to invite students from throughout that country to reflect on interesting questions and participate in philosophical thinking and discussion. In 2023, over 500 young thinkers came together at University College Dublin for the sixth annual gathering. The grand prize winner was Seán Radeliffe from Cork, for his essay ‘Has Plato’s tale of the cave been warning us of social media for 2,500years?’And speaking of Plato, in 2022, an award-winning documentary film entitled Young Plato received international recognition. It focuses on how Kevin McArevey, the headmaster of a primary school in Belfast’s Ardoyne housing estates, uses critical thinking techniques to empower young children to look beyond the boundaries of their violence(For more, see YoungPlato. com). As one can see, philosophy is alive and well in both the Republic of Ireland and the UK constituent country of Northern Ireland.
Ireland has traditionally been known as the Land of Saints and Scholars. In this edition of Philosophy Now, we’ll cast a cold eye on the state of philosophy past, present and future in the Emerald Isle, with a focus on Thomas Duddy’s idea, in his book A History of Irish Thought, that such an exploration must be both practical and creative.
This issue is dedicated to my late friend Seán Moran, a Philosophy Now writer and a modern Irish philosopher whom I met in Waterford many years ago, and whose humor, charm, and friendliness enriched my life. Like Tom Duddy, Seán died much too young. He demonstrated to me the true meaning of William Butler Yeats’s closing words from his poem ‘The Municipal Gallery Revisited’:
“Think where man’s glory most begins and ends
And say my glory was I had such friends.”
Prof. Timothy J. Madigan
St John Fisher University
1. What can readers probably get on YoungPlato. com?| A．How critical thinking helps students reflect on their violence. |
| B．How Plato’s stories influence social media every now and then. |
| C．How Higgins and his wife started the Young Irish Philosopher Awards. |
| D．How young thinkers try philosophical thinking and discussion annually. |
| A．Ireland’s Philosophical Evolution. | B．Thomas Duddy’s ideas on history. |
| C．The growing reputation of Ireland. | D．The ideal way of exploring philosophy. |
| A．To compare Seán’s achievement with Tom Duddy’s. |
| B．To express the author’s sorrow for Seán’s early death. |
| C．To appreciate the friendship between the author and Seán. |
| D．To demonstrate the author’s understanding of philosophy. |
| A．Creative. | B．Reflective. | C．Skeptical. | D．Confused. |
1. Question 7: (录音)
Answer:
2. Question 8: (录音)
Answer:
3. Question 9: (录音)
Answer:
4. Question 10: (录音)
Answer:
8 . The Miyun Reservoir (水库) near Beijing plays an important role in providing water to the capital. But not many people know this major project was actually designed by a group of university students as their graduation project. In 1959, under Jiang Nanxiang, the then headmaster of Tsinghua University, who encouraged his students to combine theory with practice, students from the Department of Hydraulic Engineering set about the project.
This is one of the stories told in the new season of Century Masters, which focuses on 11 noted educators, among them Peking University head Cai Yuanpei, promoter of mass education Tao Xingzhi and physical education advocate Jiang Nanxiang, which aired on China Education Television in March, 2024.
Produced by the China Federation of Literary and Art Circles, Century Masters is dedicated to people renowned for their mastery in different areas. Earlier seasons focused on famous artists, architects and writers. According to Chen Hong, the general director for the series, the new season seeks to preserve and protect the educational practices, ideas and progress of the subjects, and nurture young people in the process. “We want to crystallize the wisdom and sweat of countless educators, a precious heritage for future generations, and open a window to showcase the country’s progress. Many of them also made great achievements in other areas. This series, however, focuses on their contributions to education”, says Chen.
Unlike artists who produce physical creations, the contributions of educators are often theoretical, and so are difficult to show visually. To deal with this, the series brought the educators to life by illustrating their ideas through snapshots (快照) of their work and life. The two episodes (一集) about Ma Yuehan, a pioneer in advocating for physical education at Tsinghua University, explore his habit of regular exercise maintained since childhood, his participation in national and international competitions at university, and the way in which he benefited from being in good health.
1. What do we know about the Miyun Reservoir from the passage?| A．It was finished in the year 1959. |
| B．Its historical importance has not been fully recognized. |
| C．It was designed by the headmaster of Tsinghua University. |
| D．It is a product of Tsinghua University’s advanced teaching philosophy. |
| A．To introduce Chinese experts of all fields. |
| B．To dig into the all-around achievements of great educators. |
| C．To record the educational practices and ideas of noted educators. |
| D．To call upon young people to contribute to Chinese education. |
| A．To highlight his educational contribution. |
| B．To serve as an example of the practice above. |
| C．To prove the importance of physical education. |
| D．To showcase his achievement in physical competitions. |
| A．Heroes of Education in Century Masters |
| B．Protectors of Heritage in Century Masters |
| C．Physical and Academic Education in Tsinghua University |
| D．Theoretical and Practical Education in Tsinghua University |
9 . When my three-year-old cousin didn’t get his way and hit his mother in anger, there were immediate consequences (后果): his father calmly and firmly made it clear that this behaviour was unacceptable, and he had to apologise. Then, he lost the honor of playing with his Christmas toys for the rest of the day.
The most important goal of discipline (管教) is teaching children and teenagers self-management and responsible decision-making. It is not about control but instead using positive discipline. When children know what will happen, they can make choices. Parents benefit, too, from having a plan of how they will respond to specific behaviour rather than reacting in anger.
Taking responsibility and repairing harm by making changes is a powerful consequence that teaches young people about the impacts of their behaviour on others. If an older child has hurt a friend’s feelings, coaching them in talking it through and apologising.
| A．Sometimes, a discussion is needed. |
| B．This was a painful experience for the little boy! |
| C．It can be useless to focus on fixing the problem. |
| D．Therefore, it is very important that parents stay calm. |
| E．Typically, consequences can be thought of in three categories. |
| F．Those who were harmed feel heard, and relationships are repaired. |
| G．Overall, positive discipline aims to help children become responsible, independent, and kind. |
10 . Across the country, October is National Financial Planning Month, a time when you might want to look back on your retirement statement or rethink investments (投资) for the new year. The month also serves as a good reminder to teach the ones you love a thing or two about money basics. Whether it’s explaining the value of a dollar or delayed enjoyment for a beloved toy, you can explain to children where money comes from, how best to keep it, and the ways that you can use well-earned cash to shape the world we live in.
Financial literacy, simply put, is the know-how to prepare, track expenses, save, plan for retirement, and manage debt. Money-saving expert Andrea Woroch says it’s never too early to start talking about finances, and it can be as simple as taking them shopping or doing everyday tasks around the house. “Your children learn from your habits and the way you spend or save and even talk about money will shape how your children manage money in the future, even if you don’t realize it,” says Woroch.
Most people think that the easiest way to teach their kids about money is to let them watch what they do — from the convenience store to online shopping. But the right way is to practice being a role model of what you hope they (and you) would do when faced with money problems or opportunities.
Woroch says including kids in setting up a budget (预算) for an upcoming event can be a great learning experience. When you have to make a budget cut, think before you complain. Watch how you talk about sacrificing (牺牲) short-term pleasure for long-term gain.
If your family is doing well despite economic downturn, you can teach your kids to appreciate what they have and encourage them to help others in need. Ramirez, a senior advisor at Tend, suggests that parents “increase children’s awareness about how money can benefit others, not just themselves, by encouraging them to raise money for a cause.” This is also a great way to develop their social awareness.
1. Why should kids have financial literacy?| A．To avoid debts. | B．To obtain happiness. |
| C．To become experts. | D．To form a smart view towards money. |
| A．Setting a good example. | B．Opening an online store. |
| C．Asking them to shop alone. | D．Making them solve money issues. |
| A．Parents praise children’s efforts. | B．Parents donate money for charity. |
| C．Children save money for a cause. | D．Children make money by themselves. |
