SILVER SPRING, MARYLAND — Student engagement (参与) is a goal in schools everywhere. A teacher in the Washington suburbs has found a way to engage and motivate students — by ringing rhythm and fun to mathematics. The approach works well especially for students who speak English as a second language.
Making math fun
The voice heard in the video belongs to mathematics teacher Jake Scott. Most of the performers are his students. “I use rap because it is something that appeals to the students, and also because music aids memory,” Scott explains.
Scott started using rap videos three years ago. So far he has produced nine, including
Scott started using rap videos three years ago. So far he has produced nine, including YouTube favorites Triangle Experts and Quadratic Formulatic, which have been viewed tens of thousands of times. “It is fun and the whole process is something that students appreciate,” Scott says.
Empowering students
Blair High School principal Renay Johnson is a big supporter. She even appears in Scott’s latest video, Undefined Expressions.
“Mr. Scott is very motivating and engaging for students,” Johnson notes. “He enjoys what he does. As you know he engages students and mathematics through music. But he is also our wrestling coach. He also sponsors National Honor Society. And he is also a director of after school sports academy. I am lucky to have him here as a teacher.”
Scott was recognized as an outstanding educator last year by the Montgomery County Council. He was also honored as 2011 teacher of the year by an African-American civil rights organization.
Jake Scott says he wants mathematics to be something that students look forward to learning. And he says the results will help them on a path to college and a career.
1.Why does Scott use rap to make math cool?
A. It is closely connected with math.
B. It is a kind of music with good beats.
C. It is a kind of music with good rhythm.
D. It is popular with the students and helps memory
2.Who is Scott’s teaching approach especially for?
A. Students who are poor in math.
B. Students who are fond of music and math
C. Students speaking English as a second language.
D. Students who major in science and technology.
3.What can we conclude from the passage?
A. Johnson doesn’t approve of Scott’s work.
B. Scott’s work is recognized by the public .
C. Watching videos is a daily routine in math classes.
D. Scott makes students sing and dance in math class.
4.What is the main idea of the passage?
A. A teacher uses music to make math fun and cool.
B. It introduces a new teaching method to readers.
C. Mr. Scott is a successful math teacher.
D. Student engagement is a goal in teaching.
I grew up without a father. Well, sort of. My parents divorced (离婚) in the 1960s when I was a small child, and I stayed with my mother in Los Angeles. My father remarried and moved to a small suburb of Atlanta. For one month out of the year in the summer, I would fly back and spend time with my dad, so I had a father at times.
Further, I had a series of stepfathers who ranged from wonderful guys to alcoholics to dangerous individuals. Having lived through such experiences, I find it amusing when people say that children really need a father in the home. Well, if he is a good father and a good man, then I agree completely. If he is not, then the child might actually be better off without him. We don’t just need fathers — we need good fathers.
I feel it fair to say I ended up a very successful adult, at least that’s what people tell me. So how did I do it? I think it started with me having a bit of a chip on my shoulder. Normally this is not a good thing, but in my case it was rocket fuel for achievement. Not having a father in my life gave me something to prove, and it motivated me in an “I’ll show you” way.
I also tried very hard, even as a little boy to be self-sufficient. And that means I did not rely upon my parents except to the extent necessary. This kind of independence I believe is highly missed in this age of highly managed children with “helicopter” parents hovering (盘旋) above them constantly.
I also think I never wanted not having a father in my life to be an excuse for myself. We make and allow excuses constantly these days, but I just never felt that feeling sorry for myself was going to get me anywhere, I think if children can adopt such mindsets early in their lives it can be helpful.
1.According to the first two paragraphs, the author thinks ________.
A. his father is a bad one B. nobody needs a father
C. children need a good father D. children really need a father
2.How did the author end up a very successful adult?
A. He was very intelligent B. He made excuse for himself
C. He was motivated by a father D. He was very independent and tried very hard
3.What does the underlined word “self-sufficient” mean in paragraph 4?
A. Able to support myself. B. Able to dress myself very quickly.
C. Able to play by myself. D. Able to work on my own.
4.How can we describe the author from the passage?
A. Friendly, clever and warm-hearted.
B. Clever, determined and independent.
C. Motivated, hard-working and independent.
D. Motivated, hard-working and warm-hearted.
David Brown and Anne are two patients in the Adult Day Care Program at Mercy Hospitals. David Brown is seventy-two years old. He’s friendly and likes to talk. He lives with his wife in the city. But David is becoming forgetful. His wife says, “He’ll heat up some soup, then forget to turn off the gas.” She is sixty-one and still works. She is worried about leaving her husband alone.
Anne is eighty and lives with her 60-year old daughter. Her daughter says that she needs a rest. “Mom follows me everywhere. She follows me when I read newspapers. I need a rest and she does, too.”
And so, several times a week, David and Anne’s families take them to the Adult Day Care Center. Many hospitals have this program, Patients come to the Center for a full or half day, from one to five days a week. All the patients live with their families and most are old people.
Mrs. Carol Johnson is the director of the Center. She says, “We help the patients learn many things here. Patients have the chance to get out of their houses. Husbands, wives or grown children can work or have a rest. Most important of all, families are able to stay together.”
1.What happens to Anne’s family?
A. Anne cleans all the rooms every day.
B. Her daughter is too old to look after her .
C. Her daughter doesn’t want Anne to live with her.
D. Her daughter is very tired because Anne always follows her.
2.What do we know about the patients of the Center?
A. Most patients are forgetful.
B. Not all the patients live with their families.
C. The patients learn many things in the Center.
D. The patients come to the Center six days a week.
3.What’s the best title for the passage?
A. A Valuable Place B. The Adult Day Care Center
C. How to Spend the Rest Years D. Happy Families at the Adult Day Care Center
The city of San Francisco is a wonderful tourist attraction that offers many different things to see and do. The best way for a traveler to get a good look at the city is to take one of the many different tours there.
Tour the City on Foot
When touring the city by walking, you aren’t going to walk much. What’s more, there are far more benefits. This kind of tour allows you to see as many buildings of the city as possible. A tour of the city on foot usually focuses on a more localized neighborhood level, which can be very interesting in a number of different ways.
Hit the Waters of San Francisco Bay
The waters of San Francisco Bay have played an important role in the city s development over the last century, Touring San Francisco from the water is a completely unique way for you to see this wonderful city.
Take a Bus Tour
If you want to see a wide variety of attractions from all over the city, one of the best things you could do is to book a tour through our company that offers services here. A bus tour of San Francisco is one of the most complete ways to experience the city
Tour San Francisco From the Air
While it is one of the most expensive ways to see San Francisco, touring the city from the air is one of the most unique and thrilling ways to see the city. Seeing the city from high above allows you to get a full view of the city as tour guides point out attractions from high above. If you do decide to tour San Francisco by air, you’ll be creating memories that you won’t forget forever.
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1.How should you tour San Francisco to appreciate its buildings?
A. By air B. By bus. C. On foot D. By boat
2.What can we learn about the Waters of San Francisco Bay?
A. They have high quality sea water.
B. They are explored on a localized level.
C. They were not in use until the last century.
D. They have helped the city to develop further.
3.Which tour cost most?
A. Tour San Francisco From the Air B. Hit the Waters of San Francisco Bay
C. Tour the City on Foot D. Take a Bus Tour
4.What is the author’s purpose in writing the text?
A. To introduce San Francisco.
B. To advertise for a travel agency.
C. To show what to do in San Francisco.
D. To persuade people to visit San Francisco.
听下面一段独白，回答以下小题。
1.What was the relationship between Pete and Ruth in the beginning?
A. Shop owner and customer.
B. Teacher and student.
C. Schoolmates.
2.When did Pete and Ruth start selling fresh foods?
A. In1989 B. In1990. C. In1995.
3.Why did Pete and Ruth borrow money from the bank?
A. To open a supermarket.
B. To build a food factory.
4.What’s the main idea of the passage?
A. What Pete and Ruth’s shop sold.
B. How Pete and Ruth’s shop developed.
C. Why Ruth opened the coffee shop.
听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1.Who is the woman talking with?
A. Her teacher B. Her uncle C. Her classmate
2.Where did the earthquake take place according to the woman?
A. In New Zealand B. In America C. In Canada
3.Why did the woman come back to Canada?
A. She got hurt in the earthquake.
B. She wanted to take a break.
C. She took an exchange program.
4.What does the man think of studying in Australia?
A. Wonderful B. Terrible C. Funny.
