1 . “My favorite thing about hiking is that I get to work out my legs,” said Skylar, a six-year-old camper. “And I get to see the view!” Skylar is one of twenty kids participating in the week-long Gross Out Camp, a summer program hosted at parks and outdoor spaces across Alabama. “This is kids’ natural habitat out here in the woods,” said Verna Gates, who started Gross Out Camp 14 years ago.
As schools begin again across Alabama, most students are returning to days spent in indoor classrooms, but some will continue to learn and play outside, even while at school. It’s part of a growing movement to teach kids in nature and help them connect with their environment.
In recent years, at least three nature preschools, or forest schools, have opened across Alabama. They operate almost entirely outside. “It seems like a very foreign concept, especially when we first described it to people,” said Sarah Crim, director of the Woodland Wonders Nature Preschool in Auburn. “But it’s great, and it works.”
In this forest school, students learn knowledge from every activity. The class might discover a turtle walking along the forest floor at the Kreher Preserve & Nature Center, where the school is located. That presents an opportunity for students to talk about the animal’s shape and color, and write about their discovery.
After starting Woodland Wonders in 2019, Crim said word spread quickly. The school has since added classes and programs for older kids, but they can’t keep up with demand. It’s a similar case at Little Mountain Forest School in Huntsvillem, where kids learn and play at Monte Sano State Park. Co-founder and co-director Beth Barry said that both kids and parents love the natural space.
Fellow co-founder and co-director Sarah Callaway said the most common question is about the weather. They spend a lot of time reviewing proper clothing, because students are outside rain or shine. “As a forest school parent, it can be a pain in the behind to have to deal with your muddy and wet kid,” Callaway said. “But the kids love it. Those are some of the best days.”
1. What is Gross Out Camp?| A．It’s a summer program for outdoor enthusiasts in Alabama. |
| B．It’s a summer program that teaches kids about the environment. |
| C．It’s a summer program for students returning to indoor classrooms. |
| D．It’s a summer program for kids to participate in outdoor activities. |
| A．Teaching kids about the weather and proper clothing. |
| B．Providing opportunities for outdoor play and learning. |
| C．Offering programs to older kids in the natural space. |
| D．Advocating a connection with the environment. |
| A．Tolerant | B．Doubtful | C．Supportive | D．Mild |
| A．Students. | B．Parents. | C．Callaway and her workmates. | D．Weather reporters. |
2 . Apply for the 2024-2025 School Year
We are excited you are considering Marist School for your child’s next year. Marist has two main entry points for students in 7th and 9th grades to which we typically accept 150 and 50 students respectively (分别地).
Marist School uses Ravenna, an application management system, for all aspects of the admission process. Through Ravenna, parents can access the Marist application, submit supporting materials, track application status (状况), and view admission decisions. Our application for the 2024 -2025 school year will be available late September with a January 22,2024 deadline.
Importantly, Marist continues to require the SSAT as part of the application process. On Saturday, January 6, 2024, Marist will serve as a community test site for the SSAT. This is the last national testing day before our application deadline when a first set of SSAT scores is due.
Important Dates
| September 2023-March 2024 | Marist School admissions events |
| Late September 2023 | Marist 2024 -2025 application available in Ravenna |
| October 2023-January 2024 | Required SSAT testing |
| December 3,2023 | Open House |
| January 22,2024 | Deadline to apply to Marist; preliminary ( 初 步 的 )application and fee, parent and student questionnaires, and a first set of SSAT scores are due |
| February 1,2024 | Deadline for Marist to receive any outstanding supplemental materials, and teacher evaluations are due |
| February 12,2024 | Deadline to submit separate tuition assistance application |
| March 30,2024 | AAAIS common notification date |
| April 11,2024 | Deadline to respond to offer of admission |
| A．A course schedule. | B．An application guide. |
| C．An academic article. | D．A commercial advertisement. |
| A．Take the first set of the SSAT test. | B．Register a total of 200 students. |
| C．Interact with teachers offline. | D．Deal with all parts of the applications. |
| A．December 3,2023. | B．January 22,2024. |
| C．February 1,2024. | D．March 30,2024. |
3 . Are you looking for some club suitable for you in the senior high school? Here are some introductions of popular clubs.
Speech Club
Do you enjoy talking? Do you think you can be a future lawyer? Try out for the school’s speech team. Not only will you meet people and make new friends, you’ll also get to practice public speaking, a valuable, important tool that you will use at every stage of your life. By researching, talking about, and debating hot-button political, social, cultural, and environment topics, you will also become more aware and up-to-date on current events.
Band Club
Are you in a band in junior high? If so, you probably remember always hanging around with your musical buddies (同伴). If you haven’t joined one of these three high school clubs yet, you should! The beauty of these three classes is that they’re not merely fine arts electives (选修课), they’re also clubs! Most high school bands give shows, and even go on trips to Disneyland. Not sure? Did I mention that studies show that students with music education tend to receive higher grades? You read it right.
Red Cross Club
If you are interested in the medical field or planning to take a combined M.D. program, perhaps you should consider joining your school’s American Red Cross Club. As part of the high school club working with the local Red Cross chapter, you can become a lifeguard, learn how to perform CPR, or become a trained instructor who teaches others.
Language Clubs
Are you a native Spanish, French, or German speaker? Or maybe you just really like the foreign language class! Either way, you should consider joining your school’s language clubs and learn a new language during your pastime. Spanish, French and German clubs put on several charity and cultural events throughout the academic (学术) year. You could be helping others in need, and making new friends all at the same time!
1. What would be the best choice if you dream of becoming a lawyer?| A．Speech Club. | B．Band Club. | C．Red Cross Club. | D．Language Clubs. |
| A．It improves students’ grades. | B．It makes students’ speaking ability better. |
| C．It enables students to be aware of new events. | D．It helps students to learn how to use medical facilities. |
| A．They both can make new friends. |
| B．They allow you to support people in need. |
| C．They make you a man of many gifts and languages. |
| D．They can help you to be a person with first aid knowledge. |
4 . A Color Run at School
What Is a Color Run?
The event is usually a five-kilometer untimed run. Participants are doused(浇涂上)from head to toe in a different colored powder at each kilometer mark. This activity inspired by the Hindu festival of Holi is perfect for promoting community and happiness.
A color run is a fun event perfect for schools. It is a way to promote health and activity among children. Schools can choose whether they want to host a color run by themselves or have one organized by an event organizer.
Why Should I Take Part in a Color Run?
Taking part in a color run will help you improve your overall physical health. It’s a great way to burn calories and get out. You will also be able to meet new people.
How to Set Up a School Color Run?
To set up a school Color Run, you will first need to decide what time you want it to start. Then, you will need to contact the principal at your school. They will then tell you if there is enough space available at the named location. You will need to inform the class teachers and include information in the student handbook. Next, you should contact the parents/guardians of the students at the school through a mailed letter or email. With everything listed above completed, you will have your event organized and ready to go!
1. What do we know about a Color Run?| A．It sees runners covered from head to toe. | B．It used to be a part of Holi. |
| C．It’s designed for schools only | D．It sets no time limit. |
| A．Better physical health. | B．Prize money from the race. |
| C．Friendship with the principal. | D．T-shirts with a rainbow pattern. |
| A．To advertise. | B．To inform. | C．To entertain. | D．To criticize. |
5 . Come and learn how to build all sorts of kites, from the simplest diamond-shaped kites to the most complex box kites. Stay as long as you like and build as many kites as you want. Once you have finished a kite, get advice on flying techniques from kite expert Lorena Hallsberg.
The Piedmont Middle School Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) has organized refreshment (杀点) tent. All profits will benefit future PTO activities. Take a break from kite flying and drink some lemonade! While you are doing so, why not join the PTO? Membership is free; you just donate your time. Show your support for Piedmont Middle School by joining the PTO this Saturday!
When: Saturday，April 11, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Where: Piedmont Middle School
Why: For fun!
Cost: Free, thanks to a generous gift from Bizarco Kite Company! Come to the kite celebration, enjoy yourself and learn more.
1. What can you do at the celebration?| A．Build a kite. | B．Buy a kite. | C．Borrow a kite. |
| A．Money. | B．Time. | C．Patience. |
| A．Bizarco Kite Company. | B．Piedmont Middle School. | C．Lorena Hallsberg. |
6 . 
Welcome back to school! Have you signed up for an after-school activity yet? Here are some of the activities you can try.
SPORTS TEAMS
Do you like sports? How about joining the football team? It has tryouts at 3:00 pm next Tuesday. Many of our best players have moved up to college. So now the team needs new players. For more information, meet our sports advisors, Ms. Matte or Mr. Stergis.
GOOD AT ART?
This year, your schoolmates in the school art club plan to paint a mural (壁画) on the wall by the office. So they need new members to help create it. Are you interested in drawing, painting or taking photographs? This club is for you. The first meeting of the school year is at 3:15 pm next Wednesday in room 221. Please see Ms. Greenway for more information.
NEW THIS YEAR
There are some new activities you can have a go at. Try the new after-school science club. It has plans to enter the national senior robotics competition this year. So if you want to try building a robot, this club is for you. See Mr. Larson in room 105 for more details. The club meets at 3:30 pm every Thursday.
Do you like acting? Are you good at singing? The school play this year is a musical — The Sound of Music. Come and try out for it at 3:10 pm next Monday in room 125.
For a list of all the after-school activities this year, click here, or pick up a membership form from the advisor’s office — room 107.
1. When are the tryouts for the football team?| A．At 3:10 pm next Monday. | B．At 3:00 pm next Tuesday. |
| C．At 3:15 pm next Wednesday. | D．At 3:30 pm every Thursday. |
| A．To paint a mural. | B．To put on a musical. |
| C．To offer photography courses. | D．To enter a national competition. |
| A．In room 221. | B．In room 125. | C．In room 107. | D．In room 105. |
7 . Classroom Activities for Students
Think, Pair and Share
Time—30 minutes
Description—You can create questions based on a particular topic taught in the class. You can pair up your students for this activity. Give them enough time to think and come up with solutions. They will be able to discuss on those particular topics.
Benefits—With this task, students can get into conversation with partners and develop their confidence and communication skills.
Group Discussion
Time—30 minutes
Description—Divide the class into two to three groups with equal participants (参与者) focused on a single topic. Each group has to share their ideas and thoughts on the same topic.
Benefits—In class discussions, there are interaction (互动) and teamwork among the students. Here students are learning from each other.
Quiz
Time—20 minutes
Description—You can divide the class into two groups, and ask questions related to the subject to each group. Each question is made up of four choices from which they have to choose the right answer. The group with the correct answer will get the points.
Benefits—This activity helps the students get knowledge and teamwork and improves memory.
Pictionary
Time—5 minutes
Description—Students are always excited to take part in this activity. You can divide the class into two groups and ask one of the students to pick up a word and draw a picture describing it. The opposite group is supposed to guess the word, and if they correctly guess the word, they will get to draw next.
Benefits—This helps students in improving concentration, focus and communication skills.
1. What can the students do in group discussion?| A．Write down some words. |
| B．Create some questions on historical topic. |
| C．Compete with others in choosing topics. |
| D．Exchange thoughts and ideas among groups. |
| A．Think, pair and share. | B．Group discussion. |
| C．Quiz. | D．Pictionary. |
| A．A textbook. | B．An education magazine. |
| C．An advertisement. | D．A research report. |
8 . Mark asked, “Do you think they’ll let me play?” Mark’s father knew that few boys would want someone like Mark, mentally and physically disabled, on their team, but the father still approached to ask the boys if Mark could play. They exchanged glances with each other and said, “We’ll try to put him in to bat.”
Mark struggled over to the team’s bench and his father had a small tear in his eye and warmth in heart. The boys saw the father’s joy at his son being accepted.
In the bottom of the final inning, Mark was scheduled to be at bat. Everyone knew that a hit was almost impossible. The first pitch (投) came and Mark missed. The pitcher again took a few steps forward to throw the ball softly towards Mark. As the pitch came in, Mark swung at the ball and hit a slow ground ball right back to the pitcher.
The pitcher could have easily thrown the ball to the first baseman, but he just threw the ball right over the head of the first baseman, beyond the reach of all teammates. The audience and the players from both teams started screaming, “Mark, run to first!” Never in his life had Mark ever run that far but made it to first base, wide-eyed and shocked.
By the time Mark rounded towards second base, the smallest guy on their team, who had a chance to be the hero for his team for the first time, understood the pitcher’s intentions and he too intentionally threw the ball high and far over the third baseman’s head.
All were screaming. “Mark, run to third.” As Mark rounded third, all were on their feet, crying, “Mark, run home!” Mark ran to home, stepped on the home base and was cheered as the hero who won the game for his team. Tears rolled down the father’s cheeks.
That day, the boys from both teams helped bring true love and humanity into this world.
1. Why did Mark’s father, not expecting much, still asked if Mark could join the team?| A．Because he noticed some of the boys on the field were friendly. |
| B．Because he knew some of the boys on the field knew Mark well. |
| C．Because he understood Mark did need a feeling of being accepted. |
| D．Because he guessed Mark’s disability would affect the boys’ decision. |
| A．The pitcher wanted to help Mark win the game. |
| B．The pitcher pretended to throw the ball high and far. |
| C．The pitcher looked forward to winning the game for his team. |
| D．The pitcher had intended to throw the ball to the first baseman. |
| A．Some of the opposing players ran to help him. |
| B．The pitcher did not throw the ball to the first baseman. |
| C．The opposing players failed to stop his running to home. |
| D．The audience and the players from both teams cheered for him. |
| A．True human nature could be realized in the way we treat each other. |
| B．Everyone can develop his team spirit in sports and please his parents. |
| C．The results of the game should not be the only concern of the players. |
| D．Everyone has his own strength even if mentally or physically disabled. |
9 . Summer Programs
ISSOS
The ISSOS summer school program offers high school students the opportunity to combine learning, creative enrichment and action-packed adventure in the historic campus of Yale University. Our three-week program welcomes students from over 60 nationalities, and limits the number of students from one nationality to 10% in order to guarantee a truly international experience.
Students choose from a variety of academic and elective subjects and benefit from full activities, cultural trip and workshop program. In addition, students are supervised(指导)by summer school advisors who make sure the summer school is fun and that all students make friends from around the world.
Summer Institute for the Gifted
The Summer Institute for the Gifted(SIC) is a program of the AlFS Foundation, a not-for-profit organization. At Yale, SIG offers a 3-week summer academic program for gifted and academically talented students aged 13- 17. At SIC students take 4 classes from the subject areas of STEAM, arts, and recreation.
A+Summer Program
Education Unlimited is a privately held California Corporation with the mission of giving every high school student the best possible chance of gaining acceptance into the college of their choice.
Their unique summer offerings include the A + Summer Program hosted at Yale, which is a one-of-a-kind opportunity to be involved in an environment that encourages advanced thinking, creative problem solving, and a lifelong love of learning.
Capitol Debate
The 2023 Summer Debate Camp will be held at Yale University from June 28 to July 9. Students will build public speaking, research, writing, and critical thinking skills, leading to better academic performance. The two-week program will provide students with the proper mindset, skillset, toolset and critical communication skills needed for success in many fields of speech.
1. What can people do in ISSOS summer school program?| A．Learn to speak a foreign language. |
| B．Make friends with native students. |
| C．Engage in cultural and academic activities. |
| D．Take elective courses given by supervisors. |
| A．ISSOS summer school program. |
| B．A+Summer Program. |
| C．Summer Institute for the Gifted. |
| D．Capitol Debate. |
| A．They target at undergraduates. |
| B．They last for the whole summer. |
| C．They focus on academic lectures. |
| D．They are hosted at Yale University. |
10 . King’s College Summer School
King’s College Summer School is an annual training program for high school students at all levels who want to improve their English. Courses are given by the teachers of King’s College and other colleges in New York. Trips to museums and culture centers are also organized. This year’s summer school will be from July 25 to August 15. More information is as follows:
| Application date ⚫ Students in New York should send their applications before July 18, 2023. ⚫ Students of other cities should send their applications before July 16, 2023. ⚫ Foreign students should send their applications before July 10, 2023. | Courses ⚫ English Language Spoken English: 22 hours Reading and Writing: 10 hours ⚫ American History: 16 hours ⚫ American Culture: 16 hours |
| Steps ⚫ A letter of self-introduction ⚫ A letter of recommendation The letters should be written in English with all the necessary information. | Cost ⚫ Daily lessons: $200 ⚫ Sports and activities: $100 ⚫ Travels: $200 ⚫ Hotel service: $400 You may choose to live with your friends or relatives in the same city. |
| Please write to: Thompson, Sanders 1026 King’s Street New York, NY 10016, USA E-mail: KC-Summer-School@yahoo.com | |
| A．Only top students can take part in the program. |
| B．Only the teachers of King’s College give courses. |
| C．King’s College Summer School is run every other year. |
| D．Visits to museums and culture centers are part of the program. |
| A．$200 | B．$400 | C．$500 | D．$900 |
| A．The program will last two months. |
| B．You can write to Thompson only in English. |
| C．You can get in touch with the school by e-mail or by telephone. |
| D．As a Chinese student, you can send your application on July 14, 2023. |
