2a. Check ( ) the after-school activities you and your classmates usually do._ do homework_ have after-school lessons_ watch movies_ use the Internet _ hang out with friends _ play sports or exercise Are many American and Chinese kids relaxed or under great pressure?Under great pressure.Read the first sentence of each paragraph and answer：2b. Read the article and answer the questions.1. What is the common problem for Chinese and American families ?2. Who gives their opinions about the problem?Guessing the MeaningWhen reading something for the first time, do not worry about words (specially the words in bold ) you do not know. Use the context to help you guess the meaning.2c Look at the words in bold in the article.Can you guess their meanings? Try to match them with the meanings below.1. Keeps on happening _2. Physical exercise and practice of skills_3. Worries about things at home, school or work_4. Usual or common_continuetrainingstresstypical5. Try to be the best or the first to finish something _6. Getting better or bigger _7. Looking for differences and similarities between things _competedevelopmentcomparingMaybe You Should Learn to Relax!These days, Chinese children are sometimes busier on weekends than weekdays because they have to take so many after-school classes. Many of them are learning exam skills so that they can get into a good high school and later a good university. Others are practicing sports so that they can compete and win. However, this doesnt only happen in China.compete-competitioncompete with sb.与某人比赛，竞争与某人比赛，竞争The Taylors are a typical American family. Life for Cathy Taylors three children is very busy. “On most days after school,” Cathy says, “I take one of my two boys to basketball practice and my daughter to football training. Then I have to take my other son to piano lessons. Maybe I could cut out a few of their activities, but I believe these activities are important for my childrens future. I really want them to be successful.” However, the tired children dont get home until after 7:00 p.m. They have a quick dinner, and then its time for homework. take sb. to do / take sb. to swIts time for sth. = Its time for class. = = Its time to do homework.success n.succeed v.be successful be successful in 在某方面成功在某方面成功Failure is the mother of success .He succeeded in saving that boys life.Its time to do sth.Its time to have a class. Its time for homework.not until 直到直到才才昨天晚上直到十二点我才睡觉。昨天晚上直到十二点我才睡觉。I _ go to bed _ twelve oclock.didntuntilLinda Miller, a mother of three, knows all about such stress. “In some families,competition starts very young and continues until the kids get older,” she says. “Mothers send their small kids to all kinds of classes. And they are always comparing them with other children. Its crazy. I dont think thats fair. Why dont they just let their kids be kids? People shouldnt push their kids so hard. continue until 持续到持续到continue doing sth.= go on doing sth.continue for 持续了多久持续了多久compare A with B把把A和和B进行比较进行比较Doctors say too much pressure is not good for a childs development. Dr. Alice Green says all these activities can cause a lot of stress for children. “Kids should have time to relax and think for themselves, too. Although its normal to want successful children, its even more important to have happy children.”2d Read the article again and answer the questions.1. Does Cathy Taylor think its important for kids to join after-school activities?2. Does Linda Miller agree with Cathy? Whats her opinion?3. Does Dr. Green agree with Cathy or Linda? What does she say?. Translate(翻译翻译)1.人们不该对自己的孩子逼得太紧。人们不该对自己的孩子逼得太紧。People shouldnt push their kids so hard.2. 他们当中很多人在学习考试技巧以便于将他们当中很多人在学习考试技巧以便于将来能进一所好中学然后一所好大学？来能进一所好中学然后一所好大学？Many of them are learning exam skills so that they can get into a good high school and later a good university. The tired children dont get home until after 7:00 p.m.3. 疲劳的孩子直到七点之后才回到家。疲劳的孩子直到七点之后才回到家。Doctors say too much pressure is not good for a childs development.5.医生们说太大的压力对孩子的发展不利。6.尽管想要成功的孩子是正常的，但是拥有快乐的孩子甚至更为重要。Although its normal to want successful children, its even more important to have happy children3a. A magazine interviewed some parents about after-school classes for children. Read the opinions below and make notes on your own opinions.In my opinion, I agree Why should children take after-school classes?Your opinions1. “ after-school classes can help kids get into a good university.”2. “I want my child to be a successful person.”3. “Its good for children to start learning from a young age.”Agree:Disagree:Pair work3b. Write a letter to the magazine to express your opinions on after-school classes for children. Use the following expressions to help you.Try to write two paragraphsFirst, say if you agree or disagree. Dear ,I dont really agree with . because .Although some parents are right about .I think children should .Try to write two paragraphsThen, explain why.In my opinion, it is important for children/parents to .I believe it is better if children/parents . so that.Perhaps children/parents should/could If children, they will.Homework 1.Read the passage fluently. Remember the key sentences in the text.2.Discuss with your partner if its important for Ss to join after-school activities. 3.Finish the letter.Homework