question: In a growing number of English classes, teachers are leaving the classic novels on the shelf and letting students select the books they read. Supporters say that the new approach, called reader's workshop, helps develop a love for reading in students who are bored by classic literature. They argue that the best way to motivate students to read more is to offer them more choices.

_ , however. They worry that students who choose trendy, less challenging titles over the classics won't be exposed to the great writing and key themes of important works of literature.Student reporters Donald and Sarah express their ideas about this new approach.

Donald thinks that we should turn the page. Students should be allowed to select the books they read in English class. He says he and his classmates are allowed to pick their own books in class. That makes them more focused, and they look forward to class time. Tristin, a classmate of his at Clinton Middle School agrees. "I'm reading books that I want to read, which makes class more fun and interesting," he says. Offering students a choice may also improve test scores. Studies by Professor John Guthrie of the University of Maryland found that students in grades 4 through 6 who had some choices in the books they read showed improved reading comprehension skills during testing. Giving students the chance to decide what they read helps build a lifelong love for reading. Isn't that what we want for our students?

Sarah holds a different view. She thinks teachers know more about books than students do. When an English teacher assigns a book, he or she keeps in mind the reading level of most students in the class. Students who choose their own books might be cheating themselves by picking books that are not up to their reading level or that are too difficult. Furthermore, a whole class can discuss a book it reads together. That makes it easier for some kids to understand what they are reading. "The students wouldn't be able to hold a meaningful conversation if they were all reading different books," says Kristin, an English teacher at Fleetwood Area Middle School. "If they read the same book, their conversations would be more in-depth."
1. What is a good way to get students to want to read?
2. what is this approach called?
3. what kind of books are no longer being used?
4. what is the concern with students choosing trendy titles?
5. What does Donald think?
6. what does that mean?
7. are him and his classmates able to?
8. Is this expected to improve grades?
9. which skills were improved?
10. Does Sarah hold a different view?
11. what is it?
12. how might a student be cheating themselves?
13. what makes it easier for them to understand?
14. would that work if they are reading different books?
15. what are Donald and Sarah's titles?
16. Who is Tristin?
17. Who is John Guthrie?
****
answer: 1. best way to motivate students to read more is to offer them more choices.
2. reader's workshop
3. classic novels
4. won't be exposed to the great writing and key themes of important works of literature
5. thinks that we should turn the page
6. Students should be allowed to select the books they read in English class
7. yes
8. yes
9. improved reading comprehension skills during testing
10. yes
11. She thinks teachers know more about books than students do.
12. cheating themselves by picking books that are not up to their reading level or that are too difficult.
13. discuss a book it reads together
14. no
15. Student reporters
16. classmate of his at Clinton Middle School
17. Professor John Guthrie of the University of Maryland

On Saturday, millions of people around the world will celebrate Saint Patrick's Day, which honors Patron Saint(a main religious figure)of Ireland. Communities across the United States will host parades , parties, and other festivities to mark the occasion.

This year, cities like Boston, New York, and Chicago have organized big events celebrating Saint Patrick's Day. In New York City, hundreds of thousands of people will gather to watch the Saint Patrick's Day parade-the nation's largest. It is one of the most watched parades in the world. Last year, almost 2 million watched it , more than 150,000 took part in it and they filled the streets. The parade, first held in 1776, is also one of the oldest.

Chicago also throws a big celebration. Every year, the Chicago River, which crosses the city, shines green as event organizers pour about 40 pounds of fluorescence, a powerful dye , into the water.

Boston keeps its parade rolling for three hours or more. It is the nation's second-largest parade. The city will also show respect to one of its most famous former residents, President John F. Kennedy, by opening the exhibit "A Journey Home:John F. Kennedy and Ireland", at his official library.

Patron Saint lived in Britain in the early fifth century, when it was still part of the Roman Empire. He was caught and sold into slavery in Ireland when he was only 16. He finally escaped slavery and turned to a life of religious devotion. He trained to become a minister and set out to spread Christianity throughout Ireland. After 30 years as a religious leader, Patrick died on March 17, 1461. Saint Patrick's Day is always celebrated on March 17. In Ireland, it is an official holiday. What are the answers to this following set of questions: 1. What cities are planning special events?
2. What holiday are they celebrating?
3. Who does that holiday honor?
4. What are they having in NY?
5. How many people saw it last year?
6. How many were in it?
7. When was the first one held there?
8. How long does Boston's parade last?
9. Who will they honor?
10. What is the exhibit called?
11. Where is it?
12. What does Chicago put in the river?
13. Whre did the Patron Saint live?
14. When?
15. When did he die?
16. Was he a free man?
17. How old was he when he was a slave?
18. How long was he a religious leader?
19. Did he escape from slavery?
20. What day is St. Patrick's day celebrated?
Answer: 1. Boston, new York and Chicago
2. Saint Patrick's Day,
3. St Patrick, the Patron Saint of Ireland
4. . A big Parade
5. almost 2 million watched it
6. more than 150,000 took part
7. 1776,
8. for three hours or more.
9. John F. Kennedy,
10. "A Journey Home:John F. Kennedy and Ireland"
11. at his official library.
12. 40lb green dye
13. Britain
14. in the early fifth century,
15. March 17, 1461.
16. not always
17. 16
18. 30 years
19. yes
20. March 17

input: Make use of the article to answer the questions. Kacey was a princess living in a magical kingdom with her parents and two little brothers. One day a monster bashed down the door to the castle when Kacey wasn't home and grabbed her youngest brother. "Give me your jewels or I eat him!" the monster yelled. Kacey's mom and dad called for the guards, but the monster bashed them down. "Give me my jewels!" the monster said. "Or I'll eat your other son too!" Kacey got home to see the big back of the monster in the door. "What do I do?" Kacey thought. Then she remembered a move she had seen a fighter use at the fair she had gone to. She also remembered she could lift a thousand pounds. "I know!" She ran up behind the monster, grabbed him around the waist and lifted. She picked the monster up into the air, then slammed him down on his head. He didn't move, and Kacey smiled at her parents. Then she saw their sad faces. Oh no! She had squashed her little brother. 1. Who lived in a kingdom?
2. who was she?
3. Anyone else live there?
4. Anyone else?
5. What happened to them?
6. why?
7. or else what?
8. What did they do?
9. Did they help?
10. What happened to them?
11. Was KAcey there?
12. What happened when she got home?
13. Then what?
14. How much could she lift?
15. What happened after that?
16. on what?
17. How did her parents react?
18. how come?
19. Did the monster move?
20. Did he hit his head?
numbered_answers:
1. Kacey
2. princess
3. her parents
4. two brothers
5. monster bashed door
6. jewels
7. he eats youngest brother
8. called for the guards
9. no
10. monster bashed them
11. no
12. saw monster in door
13. lifted monster
14. a thousand pounds
15. slammed him down
16. little brother.
17. sad faces
18. squashed brother.
19. no
20. yes