The term "helicopter parents" refers to "a style of parents who are over focused on their children".

    Helicopter parents are always making a big push to provide children with every opportunity to succeed, from baby steps at age 1, homework at age 8, college application at age 18, employment issues at age 25 to family problems at age 30, 40 or even older. They constantly shadow the child, always directing his behavior, allowing him zero alone time.

    Helicopter parenting can develop for a number of reasons. Worries about the economy, the job market, and the world in general can push parents toward taking more control over their child's life in an attempt to protect them. Adults who felt unloved or ignored as children can overcompensate their own children. When parents see other overinvolved parents, it can cause a similar response. They feel that if they don't involve themselves in their children's lives, they are bad parents.

    The main problem with helicopter parenting is that it can backfire. To give an example, the house where Mary lived with roommates was broken into and things were stolen. Mary called the landlord(房东) to install an alarm system, but before she could finish the negotiations(协商), her mother rushed in and demanded action. "I felt like my mother ruined my communication with our landlord. We could have gotten it done ourselves. She was well intended but only made me feel annoyed and defeated, "says Mary.

    Obviously, overparenting is motivated with the idea of doing good things but it does the exact opposite. In the long run parents are actually damaging their children's basic skills to deal with matters independently. It makes the children feel lacking in confidence, less competence in dealing with the stresses of life on their own. They're winning the battle, but actually losing the war.

What a Scientist Is Like

    If you were asked to imagine a scientist,what image(形象) would come to your mind? The common idea that most kids from kindergarten to college have of a scientist is a man wearing a white lab coat with messy hair, big glasses, and several glass cups of mysterious colorful liquid giving off clouds of smoke.As for adults,the majority view scientists as strange people who spend 100 hours a week slaving away in a lonely laboratory.However,the reality is quite different.

    Recently I've had a chance to take part in a scientific experience far from my laboratory and into Costa Rica.It supports a huge amount of wildlife due to its geographical placement between North and South America.It is home to more than 500,000 species(物种),which represent nearly 4% of the total species worldwide!

    First we worked alongside conservationists to preserve wildlife at a leatherback turtle(棱皮龟) rescue center.We helped the volunteers preserve turtle populations by removing rubbish from the shoreline to create a safe environment for turtle eggs to come out.After that we stayed at Mount Arenal where we studied seismic activity relating to earthquakes.During our stay at Arenal,we rode over the mountainous areas and took a long walk through the rainforest.After reaching the top,we went down and through waterfalls to the beautiful valley below!On the last day we got a handson introduction to rocket science where we learned about new rocket technology that will be used on the international space station.

    From my Costa Rica experience, I know that being a scientist doesn't mean working in a lab all day and night.A scientist is one who loves learning and getting a better understanding of the world from helping preserve wildlife,learning about earthquakes or inventing rockets.I think that schools should really stress that science is so much more than wearing a lab coat and mixing chemicals.Kids need to be aware of the excitement and adventures science can bring!

 you have made a foolish mistake.

    Fifteen years spent in the field of education has left me with many treasured moments. One of the most unforgettable 1 when I was teaching second 2, 10 years ago.

    In May I decided to plan something special for the children—a Mother's Day tea. We had put our heads together to 3 ideas of how to 4 our mothers. We practiced singing songs, memorized poems and wrote cards. We decided to hold our tea the Friday before Mother's Day. I was 5 to learn that every mother was planning to attend. I 6 invited my own mother. 

    Finally, the big day arrived. Each child7 up at our classroom door, expecting the arrival of his or her mom. 8 it got closer to starting time, I looked around and my eyes quickly found Jimmy. His mother hadn't shown up and he was looking 9.

    I took my mother by the hand and walked over to Jimmy. "Jimmy," I said, "I have a bit of problem here and I was10 if you could keep my mother 11 while I'm busy."

    My mom and Jimmy12 at a table. Jimmy served my mom her treats, gave her the gift I had made, just as we had 13 the day before. Whenever I looked over, my mother and Jimmy were in deep 14.

    Now 10 years later, I work with students of all ages, educating them about the environment. Last year, I took a senior class on a field trip, and there was Jimmy. I had the students complete an outline of the day's   15 and an evaluation(评价)of our trip. Then I collected the students' booklets(小册子)and checked them to see if 16 was completed. When I came 17 Jimmy's page, he had written "Remember our Mother's Day tea we had in second grade, Mrs Marra? I do! Thanks for all you did for me, and thank your mother, too. "

    I told him I really enjoyed what he had written. He looked rather embarrassed and walked 18. Suddenly he ran back and gave me a big hug. "Thanks again. No one even knew my mother didn't 19 it. "

    I ended my workday with a hug from a teenage boy who had20 stopped hugging teachers years ago. 

1）．开始学习高中英语时,觉得英语比初中英语难很多,几乎丧失信心。

2）．后来认识到英语的重要性。

3）．每天努力学习英语。

4）．向老师和同学请教更好的英语学习方法。

5）．现在英语取得了很大进步,对英语越来越感兴趣。

6）．信的开头结尾已经给出。

提示：初中junior high school 高中senior high school

词数：100～120。

Dear Mr.Li,

……

Yours,

Li Hua

Can you tell me when our dream to live on the moon ?