4 . In 2011, artist Grimanesa Amorós stepped off a boat made of totora reeds (芦苇) onto an island—also made of totora reeds — in the northwest portion of Lake Titicaca. It’s home to one of the world’s most innovative achievement of human engineering: the Uros Islands.

The man-made floating islands, which are home to the native Uros people, are created by putting layers upon layers of totora roots and reeds. This water-resistant plant grows in the lake and is the lifeblood of the Uros community. It is used to make boats, houses, roofs, mattresses (床垫) and more. The plant is also eaten and serves as medicine, and its flowers are used to make tea.

However, the Uros weren’t always dependent on the totora. More than 500 years ago, the growing Inca Empire began to invade the Uros’ mainland villages. To beat this threat, the Uros began to build the islands, which could be launched deep into Lake Titicaca, away from danger. Hundreds of years later, there are now about 120 of these constructed islands, with around 1,300 people living on them.

To build the islands, the Uros first gather large blocks of totora roots. Multiple blocks are pulled together, and the roots and reeds mix naturally to form a layer about 1 to 2m thick. The totora reed is laid on top of this floating base. The Uros use a long tool to reach deep down into the water and cut the plant above the base. Then, the reeds are dried in the sun for one to four weeks and bundled (捆绑) together using a rope. Once dried, totora reeds are placed in alternating directions on top of the root blocks and become the ground that the Uros walk and build their homes on.

Today, urban influences are evident on the islands: Solar panels power bedroom lights and small TVs; a radio station operates on the main island. It’s evident that these modern changes and tourism have changed the Uros’ life on the lake. One thing remains certain, though. As long as there is totora growing at Lake Titicaca, the islands’ rooted foundation will stay the same.

5 . Ancient Chinese wore clothing that was lighter and thinner than modern imaginations can reach. Let us explore some examples of summer clothing from ancient China.

A sha gown unearthed from Han Tomb No.1 at Mawangdui in 1972, is the earliest, most well-preserved and thinnest dress in the world. The plain gown, “thin as a cicada wing” and “light as smoke”, weighs 49 grams. It is only 25g with the sleeve openings and collar removed and can be folded into a matchbox. This piece represents the highest level of early Han in silk reeling and fabric manufacture.

Well-suited for the humid southern regions of China, luo has larger holes in the fabric compared with sha, making it more lightweight and breathable. From the Han Dynasty to the Tang and Song Dynasties, luo was mainly used for the clothing of the nobility, and only officials of fifth rank or higher were permitted to wear garments made of the material.

Silk fabric s such as sha and luo were highly valued and considered luxurious for common people. However, resourceful individuals discovered a method to use plant fibers though with some weight for clothing production, significantly reducing the cost of summer garments. Ge represents the earliest use of natural fiber as fabric in China.

Among the fabrics used for summer clothing in ancient times, ge cloth was known for its quality and affordability. However, fabric made from the herbaceous plant “ma” offered an even better combination of quality and cost-effectiveness. Since the Han Dynasty, ma has been cultivated on a large scale, making the cloth inexpensive. It is breathable and easy to dye, making it a commonly used fabric for summer clothing.

7 . The recent wildfires in California had negative effects on many communities, including the students and staff of Paradise High School in Paradise, Calif. Many students and staff members lost their homes in the fire, which either destroyed or significantly damaged eight of the nine school buildings in the district.

However, it wasn’t all bad news for the students and staff members, who were also the benefactors of an extremely generous businessman who saw an opportunity to help. That man was Bob Wilson, a 90-year-old real estate developer who decided that he was going to personally help each and every member of the school district.

Wilson, who also owns restaurants and does business out of San Diego, arrived at Paradise High School last week with two briefcases filled with $1,000 checks. Each of the check had a specific name on it: the name of a high school student or staff member at the school. Nobody was left out. Wilson’s gesture would be extended to 980 students along with 105 employees. Janitors (看门工), teachers, bus drivers, and office workers were all included.

Wilson even thought about the best way to go about giving out the gifts so that each person could get the maximum possible benefit from his generosity. Originally, he was working with local non-profit organizations so that he could purchase gift cards, but he thought better of it since he realized that cash would be more helpful to many. He decided to give out checks so that the recipients could spend the money as they see fit.

“I made the decision within two or three minutes of reading the news, that I would like to give these kids something,” Wilson explained to NBC News. “So they could have some good times and I could put a smile on their faces and maybe lift their spirits.”

9 . Learning to read provides foundation for future learning in all areas of study. And experts say students need to have a working knowledge of 10,000 words. Now, a new vocabulary program claims to greatly speed up a child’s understanding of language.     1     , which uses pictures and short word exercises to improve a student’s performance on tests.

Sofia Fenichell created the system.     2     “We call it the 10,000-word journey. We believe that children can master these words from the age of seven to 17. And they don’t have to cram (临时 死记硬背).     3    . We’ re accelerating their ability to communicate, as well as improving their reading and writing”   she said.

Each word in the Mrs. Wordsmith system of teaching has a child-friendly definition.     4    .

For example, the word shriveled is defined as “ wrinkled, like hippo skin that’s been in the bath too long. ” Underneath the definition is a drawing of a very wet hippopotamus. There are also exercises to help strengthen the student’s understanding.

Fenichell spoke at a recent education technology show in London.     5    . “The teachers are reporting back that the kids love it. They want to do more, they’ re putting it in their writing, and they’re learning more words. It’s so easy to teach them the vocabulary. Little children are using words like： ‘ the brazen(厚颜无耻的)attitude of the British in World War Two’ , and teachers are writing to us and saying they can’t believe how much their writing has improved. ”

Mrs. Wordsmith is now set to expand into schools in other countries, including the United States.