Is there a place where Dreams Come True

Christmas at Disney World!
迪士尼樂園美夢成真之旅 - 在迪士尼樂園歡度聖誕.

Every child has a dream. Little girls daydream about marrying Prince Charming and living happily ever after. Boys dream about staying in "Neverland," where they never grow up and can play all day. Is there a place where dreams come true? Well, for at least one or two days? The answer is yes - Disney World in Orlando, Florida.

This is definitely our most unique trip to Disney World because we are going to celebrate Christmas here. Mickey, Buzz Lightyear, Snow White and others will join us in the celebration. All four theme parks are decorated with lights and Christmas trees and decorations. Holiday joy is in the air. In addition to the regular entertainment, special Christmas parades and performances celebrate the season. 

On our Animal Kingdom ride Kilimanjaro Safaris, we glimpse giragges and elephants in their natural environments. The live Festival of the Lion King show combines singing, dancing and acrobatics. The audience takes part in the program as if we were at the festival with the animals.

Movie lovers won't want to miss The Great Movie Ride at Disney's Hollywood Studios. We ae excited to watch some classic movie clips. Our all-time favorite - Star Wars. Star Tours, a motion-simulated space flight, gives us a chance to experience adventure in 3-D.

On Christmas Eve, Epcot holds a special celebration - the Candlelight Processional. A full orchestra with a mass chorus holding candles performs traditional Christmas music and songs. A famous person reads the Christmas story from the Bible.

At Magic Kingdom, the magnificent fireworks above Cinderella's castle light up the sky. And now, this dreamland is about to come to an end. Have your dreams come true yet? My children will grow up. We will get old. But the sweet memories our family is creating together here and now will stay in our hearts forever. My dream is to enjoy time with my family. And, today, my dream has come true. 

Merry Christmas!

Grammar Gym:
"Holiday joy is in the air".
"in the air" - what everyone is thinking about.
Some say love is in the air during Valentine season.
After the great earthquake, there were several huge tremors and fear was definitely in the air.


Vocabulary Tips:
daydream (v) -做白日梦。
*Ruby always daydreams about marrying a rich guy and never having to work again.
daydream (n) -白日梦
*Tammy's daydream about winning the lottery never seems to change.
celebrate -庆祝。
*Friends and family all came together to celebrate Grandma's 80th birthday.
celebration (n) -庆典，庆祝。
*We're invited to the celebration of the company's 30th anniversary.
parade -游行，游行的行列。
*The Rose Parade on New Year's Day is a big thing for people in California.
parade (v) -行进。
*A military parade marched down the street.军乐队行进到街上。
*The marching band paraded up First Avenue.行进到。。。
take part in something - you participate in something.
take part in -参加，参与。（动词片语）
*Taking part in the science camp helped Samuel get interested in chemistry.
*Many organizations took part in the famine relief campaign.
clip- a small part of media (movie, music, TV show...even newspaper) 电影的片断。
*The movie clip really grabbed the audience's attention.
*They showed a clip of Matt Damon being chased by special agents.
clip -剪报
*Susie loves to clip recipes out of the newspaper.
motion-simulated : "motion"- 动作,  'simulate' -仿效，模仿，模拟
*The animators spent months mastering this motion-simulated software.
*The motion-simulated game is very popular among teens.
come to an end -结束，终止。
*Unfortunately, the party has to come to an end.
*After weeks, the cold war between the couple finally came to an end.
Have your dreams come true yet? 'come true' -（梦想）实现，成真。
*We'd always dreamed about having a greenhouse, but we never thought it would come true.
all time - so far there is nothing can compare with it.
chorus (choir ) - a group of people singing together in harmony.
Bible - there are 66 books talk about God's love, care, and will. biblical (adj).
both - tow of us.
all - must three or more people.
...as if....: as you look like...
here and now - refer to right at that moment.


Language Tips:
rhetorical question.- 修辞疑问句，不需要回答问题。1
hypophora -作者或演讲者提出一个问题，然后很快的自己回答来提醒人的注意。鼓励写作或讲演时能善用这种方法，
Is there a place where dreams come true?



Notes taking of Studioclassroom

Give Thanks

The fourth Thursday in November welcomes the holiday season
說出你的感謝 - 十一月的第四個星期四迎接佳節到來.

Thanksgiving is just around the corner. This holiday not only involves football and turkey but also helps us remember to be thankful. Traditionally Americans go home for Thanksgiving. So people start preparing weeks before the holiday. Excited moms are eager to have their children come home.

Thanksgiving is also a season for giving. Irene's school has a "Turkey Trot" race every year around Thanksgiving. You can give small amounts of money for charity to run in the race. 

In our neighborhood, the Boy Scouts go door to door asking for canned food for the needy. Churches and charities sponsor coat drives for families who need winter coats. Some teen groups volunteer at homeless shelters on weekends. They either prepare food or help serve it.

What does our family do? We usually go to our church potluck. The dishes are mostly Chinese, but the church prepares turkeys and pumpkin and apple pies. Afterward, we sing and share what we are thankful for in the past year.

The next day is a big sale day called Black Friday. The Christmas season officially begins then, and people want to buy Christmas gifts as early as possible. Also, Black Friday successfully tempts consumers to spend their money on discounted or hot sale items. Some stores open as early as midnight. You can hardly find a spot in the parking lot in front of a mall or a big retail store.

After Black Friday, people are given another chance to "Shop 'til You Drop" -Cyber Monday. Cyber Monday is designed for shoppers who prefer to shop online. Just click, and your order will arrive within a couple of days.

We are very thankful for our family and friends back home. They have supported and encouraged us over the past year. We are also thankful for the new friends we have met in the U.S. They have welcomed us, helped us and taken us in. With gratitude in our hearts, we wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving.

Grammar Gym:
"So people start preparing weeks before the holiday."
"weeks before" -several weeks before.
Zack finished his report weeks before the due date.
Sharon's suitcase was already packed days before her Christmas break.
Janice's friends came to see her hours before her surgery.
Minutes before her train arrived, Martha realized she had lost her ticket.

Vocabulary Tips:
around the corner - is not far, is near. talk about time or event. 就在转角处，延伸出来有“即将来临，或是近在眉梢的” 之意。
*Bryan's graduation ceremony is just around the corner. 。。就快到了。
around the corner - very close. talk about a place.
*The grocery store is around the corner.
eager(v) - very excited, can't wait.热切的，急切的。
*Charles is eager to play on the football team.
*Kate is eager to please her parents.
eagerness (n) -急切，热切
*His eagerness to win made him really nervous during the game. 急切地想求胜。。
shelter-a roof cover you to protect you, a place to live. 遮盖之处，避难所，避护所，住宿。basic need: food, water and shelter.
*The church provides shelter for abused women. 受虐妇女。
*We took shelter under a tree during the rain.躲在树下避雨。
shelter (v) -保护，遮盖。
*The village was sheltered by mountains. 被群山保护着。
potluck -everyone bring one or two dishes to share with others.百乐餐。吃饭由个人带菜来。
*Mandy took her famous beef stew to the potluck.
potluck -informal dinner 家常便饭。（随便一些的）。
*You're welcome to stay for dinner if you don't mind potluck.
'turkey tro" - a special kind of race to raise money for charity.
charity - volunteer to give money or help to the needed.
door to door - from one house to another house.
(something) drive -something organized by people to collect something.
coat drive - collect coat for the needed people. (food drive, toy drive etc.)
discount - 打折，减价。'dis' -‘离开’之意。 'count'-计算。
*The department store discounts all items 10 percent for VIPs.
*You can get an extra 5 percent discount if you are a member.
parking lot - where you park your car. 停车场。
lot - a place or space.一小块土地。
*There's an underground parking lot near here.
parking space -停车位。停车格。
*The guy rudely took my parking space.粗鲁地
parking structure - a building use for parking only. 立体或整栋的停车场。
*The parking structure can hold over 400 cars.
click - click it and come out a click sound. 按，碰触，点选。
*Click on the printer icon, and choose the format. 按影印机的图示，选出要印的形式。
*With just one click, you can transfer money to an overseas bank.
gratitude - thankful, grateful.感恩，感激。
*I would like to express my gratitude to everyone here.
*Hank prepared this bouquet of flowers to show his gratitude to his teacher.
What's hot - 'hot' - here mean that something is very popular that people wants. hot topic, hot sale item, hot thing....
shop 'til You Drop' - you are shopping for a long time, it makes you very tired that you can't do anymore.


Language Tips:
neighborhood -街坊邻舍。邻近地区。住家附近的社区。比township / district 规模要小些。
township / district - 小镇/行政区：通常是一个名称，由政府规划出来的行政区域。
neighborhood - 住家附近的社区，通常都伴随着形容词,如：
a friendly neighborhood.- 友善的住宅社区。
a leafy neighborhood - 有很多树，社区规划的整齐又有很多树。一般指中产阶级的住宅区。
a rough neighborhood - 治安不好的住宅社区。
neighborhood -approximately. 有“接近‘之意。要与数字一同使用。
in the neighborhood of $800. 在美金800元左右。
--------------------------------------------------------------
Black Friday - 由来是在1960年代，由费城的警察所命名。 因为那一天，一年一度的陆，海军足球大赛在当地举行，加上又是圣诞购物的热潮，交通大乱，地区次序混乱不堪，警察责任重大， 心情沉重，就说每年的这一天对他们来说是个黑色的星期五。后来商店要业绩，创造盈余，取其黑色没赤字之意而在感恩节的第二天即Friday,又是圣诞购物第一天，商店抢商机，在这一天争取更多的盈余来平衡财务赤字。对购物者而言，也是个黑色的星期五，因为大家都花了很多时间，等候，找停车的地方，又没把握一定能卖到要买的东西，因为打折东西数量有限，大家都用抢的，有人很鲁莽的推挤别人，常因人多又挤，次序混乱而常有人受伤。动作慢的就out of luck,而发脾气，。。
in the black -（会计）经营没有赤字，有盈余。




Note taking of Studioclassroom

"Country Roads, Take Me Home"

“Almost Heaven, West Virginia, Blue Ridge Mountains, Shenandoah River”
《鄉間小路帶我回家》  - 「宛如天堂，西維吉尼亞，藍嶺山脈，仙納度河」

Fall is probably the most beautiful season of the year. The cooler temperatures make it perfect for people to enjoy nature. For Asians, Moon Festival makes autumn a unique season. But here, not much attention is given to Moon Festival. Instead, Americans appreciate this season in a different way.

As the tree leaves change color, it is time for a fall leaf tour. One of North America's most popular spots is Shenandoah National park. John Denver described it in his song "Take Me Home Country Roads" Skyline Drive, which runs through the park attracts over 2 million visitors every year. They go to admire the fall leaves. Like most leaf peepers, we left early on a Saturday. A long line of cars was already waiting to enter the park. We drove at a leisurely pace and enjoyed the gold, orange and red leaves.

Overlooks provided places to take pictures. Around bends, valleys of different shapes of colors caught our eye. After leaving Skyline Drive, we visited a well-known cave, Luray Caverns, Found in 1878, this cave is one of the most spectacular caves in the world. We were amazed by the limestone shapes inside. The most famous one is the world's largest musical instrument, the Great "Stalacpipe" Organ. Fortunately, we were able to hear a piece of music.

Other famous formations include Dream Lake, Totem Poles and Saracen's Tent. Dream Lake is a mirror-like surface which reflects the stalactites above the lake. To Totem Poles are columns of various shapes and colors. Saracen's Tent is considered the best well-formed drapery in the world. Walking around this underground natural wonder is an unforgettable experience.

On the way back home, we rolled down the widows and enjoyed the autumn breeze. Suddenly, the winding road looked like the road we had often taken on Yang-Ming mountain in Taipei. As the song says, these country roads are taking me home - to the place I belong!

Grammar gym:
to run - how something long and skinny goes through an area.
A river runs through the middle of the jungle.
The power lines run along the east side of the building.

Vocabulary Tips:
unique - different from others, very special. 独一无二的，唯一的，独特的。
*The region has its own unique dialect and customs.
*The jazz singer's unique voice is very charming.
uniqueness (n) -独特的
*Each student's uniqueness should be recognized and respected.
instead -取代。代替。
*After winning the lottery, Jonah didn't quit his job, instead, he has kept working at the same company.
instead of -replace this for something else.
*Margret got laid off, but instead of feeling down, she went on a vacation.
admire - really enjoy or respectful.
*We stood in front of the waterfall admiring the view.
*The general's character and courage is greatly admired by his colleague.
shade - type of color, light or dark or some other different color.同一色彩的不同层度上的明暗，深浅。
*The designer used different shades of pink on the gown.
*There're over 100 shades of eye color on display.
shade -树阴。
*We stood in the shade of the tree.
amaze - 使惊叹，使惊奇，
*The little girl's singing talent amazed not only the audience but also the judges.
amazing (adj) -令人惊讶的，惊奇的。
*The movie's amazing special effects were created by an award-winning team.
formation -结构形态。
form -形成。
*Timmy loves to study the formations of the clouds. 云层的结构形态。
formation -事物的形成。
*The formation of a child's personality is strongly affected by his family and friends.
column - round post. 圆形柱子。
*The marble columns of the building were delicately carved.
column -（印刷）栏，行。
*Each page of the brochure has two columns.
column - 报纸，杂志的专栏。
*This fashion column is quite popular among female readers.
breeze -微风。
*You can feel a cool summer breeze blowing in the valley.
breeze -轻松的随意缓慢的。。。
*Alex breezed into our meeting as if he were the one who called the shots.轻松的随意的慢慢的走入。。。一副他是当家作主的（洋子）
peep - secretly take a look at something - 偷窥。
as..... - 古人云；有人说。


Language Tips:
leaf peeper -观赏叶子。
peep -偷窥
gaze - 凝视，
stare -眼盯着看。
leaf / peep -因为leaf 和 peep，leaf peep， leaf peeper 唸起来较顺口，所以用peep，而不用leaf gaze,stare or look. - bird watching.
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命其名（取名）：
Skyline Drive -city of buildings are tall, reach to the sky, we call it skyline, here it refers to the road on high land, drive on it feel like very close to the sky, so call it Skyline Drive.
Dream Lake - 当然，Dream Lake想必是因为湖有着像梦幻般的美景。
Totem Poles -圆柱上有图腾，而命名为‘图腾柱’。



Notes taking of StudioClassroom

Back to School

Summer vacation is coming to an end
開學  - 暑假接近尾聲.

Despite warm days and laughter from the poolside, summer vacation is ending. And everyone knows it. The review packet for summer - still not opened - suddenly appears. Sale signs at the mails, supermarkets and bookstores remind students and parents. Notebooks, folders pencils and something special called binders are piled up in stores. In American schools, students must keep their book bags in their lockers.

So, most carry binders between classrooms. A 3-hole binder holds handouts, homework and a pencil pouch. Students also must complete the student-service learning (SSL) requirement in summer. Most schools in Maryland require students to complete at least 75 hours of community volunteer work. They must do this before graduating from high school.

Students devote their time to libraries, school clubs, summer camps and community organizations. My daughter Irene has been working at a library to earn her SSL hours. She helps check out books, make posters and clean up the environment. This experience is helping her not only contribute to society but also enhance her communication skills.

Many students attend summer school for two sessions, each for three weeks. It usually runs five days a week for four hours a day, plus homework and exams. Most high schools provide intensive courses in summer. Students can take a course and move to the next level when the school year officially starts.

The perfect place to say goodbye to summer vacation is the annual county fair. All kinds of carnival rides attract entire families. Traditional American food is served everywhere - hot dogs, pretzels, cotton candy, barbeque...Be sure to go when you're hungry!

The fair is also a place for displays of farm produce. many farmers also attend the farm-animal competitions. Kids love the horse shows and goat-milking contest. Fun contests like watermelon-seed spitting and tricycle races interest the younger children. Women and girls go to exhibitions of quilts and flowers.

Soon the fairground will be quiet. Instead, kids will gather at the school-bus stop. Summer vacation is over.

Grammar Gym:
Students devote their time to libraries, school clubs, summer camps and community organizations.
'to devote (one's) time to......' - to use most of one's own time to do something.
Dennis really cares a lot about animals and devotes his time at the animal shelter.
Paula dreams of becoming a skater and devotes her time to training at the ice rink.

Vocabulary Tips:
packet -包装盒，包装袋。
*Vivian ate a whole packed of cookies during lunch break.
*Every student will receive a training packet when they register.
binder (n) - a thing that keep all the school or teacher hand-outs and home work etc.活页夹
bind - 捆，绑，束，装订
3-hole binder (3-ring binder) -
*the accessones are attached to the fabric with a special binder.
volunteer (n) - 自愿者。
*All the food was distributed by the volunteers.
volunteer (v) - self willingness to do or to involve something. 自愿。
*Josh volunteered to take out the trash.
volunteer (adj) - 自愿的，
*William is a volunteer firefighter.
enhance - 促进，增进。'en' - 使如何如何。
*A warm and happy environment can enhance children's learning. 增进小孩的学习。
*The company's reputation was enhanced by this charity campaign.
SSL - Student Service Leaning. also called " community service."
contribute to something or for the cause - given to something or for a reason.
contribute - give to.
contribution (n) - the act that you provide or give to. - making a good contribution in society or in the class.
leadership - help out the community and learn how to lead people to work.
mall - many stores sale different things in a big building.
folder -  a file that keep paper or things.
locker - a close out thing that a person has assigned a key to open it and keep things in it.
intensive -密集，密集课程，密集班
*The players underwent intensive training before the football season began.
intense - 紧绷的，密集的。
*The poem shows the author's intense feelings toward his first love.
officially (adv) - 正式地，官方地。
*The couple officially announced their wedding date.
official (adj) - 正式的，官方的
*The press is still waiting for the police's official statement regarding this case.
competition (n) - 比赛。比赛，竞争。contest.
*The fierce competition among the contestants on the games show attracted a large sudience.
compete (v) - 比赛
*Boys love to compete with each other while playing.
quilt (n) -拼花做的百纳布。A blanket that made by many small size of patches of cloth sew together.
*Pamela's grandma made a quilt for her wedding gift.
*The design on the quits is a beautiful butterfly.
county fair - fun activities held in county.
state fair - is larger than county, fun events are going on.
carnival - a lot of exciting activities, all in one area.
tricycle - tricycle has three wheels. 'tri' - three.
contest - competition.
fairground - a place where the fair is held. 
 
Language Tips:
U.S High School is different from most other countries high school:
* U.S. high school students need go from class to class, every teacher has an assigned classroom to teach the class.
* Home classroom - that student need to be there in assigned time to get school or class information.
Student does not have their own assigned desk, no regular classroom or regular desk. Each student has a locker to keep all school books, bags, and personal belongings. 类似台湾的级任老师（班导）和早会是聚集之处。
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exhibit/exhibition - 展览。
exhibition (n) -展示会，展览会。
exhibitions of quilts and flowers.
exhibit (v) - 展示，展览。
exhibit (n) -展览品。
There are different exhibits on display at the exhibition.


Taking notes of StudioClassroom.

 

What Time Is It? Summertime!

Grab your sunglasses, and let’s go!
夏日時光！ - 拿著太陽眼鏡，我們出發吧！

You probably have heard this song from High School Musical 2 - "What Time is it? Summertime!" What do Americans usually do in summer? The last thing they like to do is to stay indoors to study or work.

School gets out in mid-June, so parents make plans to travel or send their kids to summer camps. Road trips or beach vacations are top choices for families. Camps vary from technology to adventure. The local swim and fitness centers make popular spots to cool off.

The Music Center, shopping malls and Town Center host free outdoor concerts every week. And sports lovers canoe or kayak along the river or bike and hike on the trails all summer. So what is my family doing this summer?

On weekends, we're going to different state and regional parks. Rock Creek Regional Park's Lake Needwood is our favorite place to hike. The nature center there helps us understand this area's history. My children love the Legacy of the People exhibit. Outside they visit the aviaries to see their "feathered friends" - a wing-injured American bald eagle and a half-blind owl.

Georgetown in Washington, D.C., is a great place to hang out on weekends also. The 17th and 18th century architecture and cobblestone streets lined with modern shops make shopping fun. If you are tired of shopping, walk over to the Georgetown Waterfront Park. Wander along the Potomac River, and watch the seagulls flying around. Like many American families, we're going to the beach.

Ocean City is famous for its beautiful beach, fishing and water sports. Thousands of vacationers go there to surf, boogie board and swim. Kids build sandcastles and jump in the waves while adults swim or sunbathe. Free movies, bonfires and concerts on the beach occur almost every night.

Ocean City also has one of America's famous boardwalks. Gigantic kites fly high, and street performers and shops provide entertainment. The arcades are filled with kids of all ages. And food? Seafood lovers will enjoy the spicy steamed crab and famous Maryland crab cakes. Have a sweet tooth like me? Try the caramel popcorn, funnel cakes and hot, hand-dipped donuts.

It's the beginning of the summer, so let's go out and have some fun!.

Grammar Gym:
"the last thing" -An activity that someone doesn't enjoy doing.　（最不喜欢做的事，最后才会去做的事）
If Kerry has free time, the last thing she would do is clean her house.
Going shopping this weekend is the last thing Steven would do.

Vocabulary Tips:
musical -音乐剧，歌舞剧。 music -音乐。
*Britney watched the famous musical "Phantom of the Opera" when she was visiting New York.
*The singer's musical talent was discovered when she was very young.
road trip -drive a car to travel, usually take longer than just one day or two. 驾车公路旅行。
*Sean and his buddy took a road trip from L.A. to Miami last summer.
*Mel Gibson starred in the famous road trip movie Mad Max. 主演。。。
legacy -something pass on. 留给后人的东西，由上代人传下来的。
*These are this professor's legacy to the school.
legacy -后遗症。
*We're changing the legacy of apartheid that was created by the old government. 种族隔离政策留下的后遗症。。
injure (v, adj.)损坏。使 受伤
*The driver was seriously injured in the car crash.身受重伤。
*Overwork can injure one's health easily.
injury (n) -受伤，伤害。
*The quarterback has to rest for three months because of his knee injury.
what usually do in summer = what usually do in the summer. (without the or with the both are all right)
cool off -  cool down. 凉下来。
concert -lively music performance.
canoe/ kayak - two different kinds of boat, both are very small, but kayak is much faster than canoe.
all - take about 'time' here. all day long, all the time, all year long, all summer.
aviaries - it's a place that keep birds in, not go out. similar with the cage but much much bigger.
line -排队。
line with something -布满某种事物。
*The old man's face is lined with dots and wrinkles.老人脸上布满了斑点和皱纹。
line with modern shops - 新潮的商店林立，一间接着一间。
line -铺上内里。　
line something with something.
*The tailor lined the trousers with silk.　裁缝给裤子铺上（缝上）了丝质里布。
wander - walk with no purpose.　闲逛。漫步。（不及物动词＋介系词＋受词）
wander around -walk around with no specific direction.
*We wandered around the beautiful city during the night.
*Mary wandered into the antique store and found many great buys.　闲逛进了家古董店。。。
gigantic -huge, very big amount or size.　音节在第二。巨大，庞大的。
*We almost got lost in this gigantic amusement park.　游乐园。
*The couple has to work hard to pay for their son's gigantic medical bill.
arcade - a place for you pay money to play games.　游乐中心，通常会有各式各样的好玩的玩具游戏。（重音在cade)
amusement arcade =arcade.游乐园里好些的games.
video arcade -电动游乐园（中心）
*Ricky and his friends go to the video arcade every Saturday.
arcade -商场。（指有很多的销售活动的商场）
*The shopping arcade is packed with people on weekends.　挤满了人。
walk over to - walk to.做过去到不远处的地方。
some place is famous for something - some place is boasting in something.
boogie board - a kind of surfing but you are not standing on the board. You are lying on the board, and relax to catch the waves.
boardwalk - a walk path that full of excitement store and activities.
campfire / bonfire = build a small fire when you camp/ build a big, large fire for all people around it have fun activities.
spicy - hot. taste hot.

Language Tips:
hyphen -They facilitate understanding by neatly dividing words.
letter collision - they help prevent ambiguity.
hyphen -“－”　以前很常用，但现今很多字都省去了”－“。
to-morrow = tomorrow. drop the hyphen this days.
e-mail = email, skip the hyphen.
但有些字是不能省略hyphen -“－”，不然意思就混肴不清了。如：
re-enter : 省略了hyphen,　变成‘ reenter’ -意思不同了。
an old-furniture dealer.　－一个卖旧家具的商人。
old-furniture :旧家具
an old furniture dealer.－old-furniture省略了hyphen -“－”　就变成‘一个年纪很老的家具商。
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
hang out - 闲逛，打发时间，消磨时间。通常是与要好朋友一起。
hang out with - usually is not alone by yourself, is with friend.
hang out -未必是指“约会”。而是很悠闲的，放松的，轻松的约朋友一起。
date -男女约会，常常是心情紧张的。



Note taking of StudioClassroom

New Kid on the Block

Life in an American junior high school
街角的新面孔 - 美國國中生活點滴.

As the new kid on the block, my daughter Irene needs to deal with and overcome several difficulties. Fortunately, there are detailed instructions for parents and students who move to our area. From enrollment to the academic program, we followed the step by step.

My daughter graduated from grade school in Taipei, so she is entering the seventh grade. Each semester, the school holds an orientation for transfer students like her and new sixth graders.  We thought that would be the perfect time for us to learn more about the school. However parents aren't allowed! The school expects middle-schoolers to be independent and have self-discipline. So my brave daughter went with two new friends from church.

The activities included getting to know your campus, finding your classrooms and learning how to read the bulletin board. In the classroom, the students played Bingo in small groups to learn more about each other.

The second week of the semester, the school had a "back to school" night. Parents meet the teachers and learn about their child's schedule, requirements and grading. The biggest difference between elementary and middle school is that the students change classrooms for each subject. Do you think that's complicated? Wrong! From Monday to Friday, the schedule also changes. Math can be the first class on Monday and then the second one on Tuesday. I'm still confused but the kids have no problem after the first week.

Students attend seven classes each day. Every student has different classes from the others depending on their electives. Some study Spanish, some learn French. Classes end at 2:40, and the school bus takes the students home. So far, Irene has missed the school bus twice and gone to the wrong class once. But I think she likes her new school. This new kid on the block is finding her way despite the language barrier. We can only stand beside her, support her and look forward to a great school year!

Grammar Gym:
This new kid on the block is finding her way despite the language barrier.
"to find one's way" - to find a direction from one place to another.
"to find one's way" - to figuring things out.
Jason would not have found his way in the corporate world if he hadn't followed his father's advice.
With good common sense and a positive working attitude. Janet is finding her way in her new job.

Vocabulary Tips:
enrollment -注册，入学。 "en" -是如何如何。 "roll" -名册，名单。
*Enrollment for this semester is already closed.
enroll (v) -使入学，使注册。
*Mandy tried to enroll her daughter in a private school.
academic -学业的，（重音在第三节）
*Alice's academic performance at school is outstanding.
academic -学业成绩优异的。
*Hank is bright, but not very academic.
academy (n) -学院。
*a police academy.
self-discipline :自律，自我约束。 'self'-自己 'discipline'-纪律
*To become a great athlete requires determination and self-discipline.需要决心与自律
self-disciplined -自律的
*He lives a self-disciplined lifestyle.过着自律的生活方式。
bulletin board -公布栏，公告栏。 'bulletin'-公布，公告。 'board'-板。
*Our poster was taken off the bulletin board.
*The time and the location of the meeting will be posted on the bulletin board.
block - street block, refer to the area, the street block where they live.
fortunately - good news.
step by step - one thing at a time, slowly follow the instruction.
the grade school - the elementary school.
orientation - introduction, tell you more about what you need to know.
transfer student - who start at one school and go to another school.
the first year junior high student / the 6th grader -In U.S.A. the junior high start on 6th grade, the elementary is from first grade to fifth grade. The 6th grade is the first year in junior high.
self-discipline / self-control :
self-discipline - do whatever you should do without parents tell you.
self-control - not to do what you shouldn't do without people remind you not to do.
complicated (adj) -not simple, not easy. 复杂的。 complicate (v)-使复杂。
*The application procedure is too complicated for me.
complicated -混乱的，麻烦的。
*The situation in the Middle East is complicated.
confused - not understand very well.感到困惑，或是不清楚的。 confuse -使迷惑。
*The new computer system made me so confused.
confused about -那件事令人感到困惑要在confused后面加"about"。
*I am confused about how to get to the train station.
elective (n) - 选修课， 选出来的。 elect (v)-选出。select.
*I chose marketing as one of my electives.
*Wilma holds an appointed position while Donna holds an elective office.
despite - disregard, regardless of the situation, still....虽然，尽管。。。。仍然。。。怎样。。
*Susan finished her doctoral degree despite her illness.
*Despite the objections of their parents, Ricky and Chloe still got married.
requirement - something you have to have or do.
so far - up to this time, up to this point.


Language Tips:
break the ice - 破冰， 把冰打破。把僵局打开， 特别指在彼此不认识的情况下，某人开口讲话，打破尴尬，消除沉默的气氛，他就是break the ice。
ice -冰，也指人与人之间的矜持。
icebreaker -破冰游戏。彼此不认识的活动中，主持人总是先来个icebreaker -破冰游戏。
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elective - 选修课，不是必修课。
global understanding -对世界的认识。也可帮助自己的世界和各国文化的增进， 也能帮助你进入号的大学，或获得更好的工作。更能欣赏外国的电影，音乐，书籍。更值得的是你可以结交很多世界各国不同的朋友。



Taking notes of study "StudioClassroom"

Home Away From Home

New experiences are waiting for everyone
遠離家園的家園 - 新的體驗正等待大家去經歷.

We are finally settled down in a suburb near Washington, D.C. . This is where we will be staying for three years. When my husband was asked to transfer to his company's office here, we knew our lives would change.

 My two teenage daughters had to leave their friends and comfort zone in Taipei. They will need to adjust to a new educational system. Will they be able to "survive" at a new school? Can they function well in a foreign language? Will they feel frustrated and homesick a lot? Only time will tell. But we decided to accept the offer, so we are bravely embracing this challenge. 

We have decided we can overcome any difficulties. We also decided to make the most of it. We plan to travel, explore and learn about "real" American culture and life. Large numbers of tourists come here to see the White House, the Pentagon, Capitol Hill and the Smithsonian. We plan to go, too!

Living here definitely will give us the opportunity to enjoy the beauty of all four seasons. There are colorful flowers in spring and sunshine in summer. In autumn are red, orange and yellow leaves, and snow falls in winter. In mid-April, we went to the National Cherry Blossom Festival. This festival commemorates the gift of 3,020 cherry trees from Tokyo to Washington, D.C., in 1912. More than one million people attend every year.

We went on a Friday and joined the flocks of people already there. They walked around the Tidal Basin. They sat on the grass and took photos of the beautiful pink and white blossoms. We were able to capture the Washington Monument in the background with the cherry trees in bloom. Of course, we bought some magnets,mugs and T-shirts as keepsakes. We are very fortunate to have plenty of time to appreciate this place.

It's our "home away from home" for the next three years.

Grammar Gym:
"We are finally settled down in a suburb near Washington, D.C."
"to settle down" - to begin living in a place in a stable and orderly way. from a old place move to a new place to live there.
After working in Asia for several years, the American businessman decided to settle down in Hong Kong.
Mr. and Mrs. Lin wish their children could settle down near them, but all three sons live overseas.

Vocabulary Tips:
comfort zone -a place made you feel easy going and relax. 令人感到舒适而放松的范围。
comfort -舒适。
zone -区域，范围。
*Studying abroad means stepping out of one's comfort zone.
*Staying in your comfort zone only limits your growth.
frustrate -try to do something new and not success, make you feel mad, stress, anger and lost patience.使沮丧，使挫折。感到很挫折。
*All these difficult math questions frustrate me.
frustrated (adj.) - 感到挫折，泄气。
*The coach feels frustrated because he can't see any effort from the team.教练。。努力。。
embrace -hog, hold with both arms. 拥抱。
*As soon as Bob arrived at the gate, his son came forward to embrace him.
embrace -willing to face or accept.欣然接受。
*Greg embraced a golden opportunity to work at the top law firm in the state.
to make the most of it (something) - do the best you can, take all opportunities to enjoy, to learn, to get know of something. 充分利用某事物。
most -最大的限度。
*During the banquet, Edward made the most of an opportunity to make connections.充分利用机会。。建立人脉。
*We made the most of the facilities at the hotel while we were staying there.充分利用他们的设施。。。
suburb - a part of the city, but is not in the center of the city, a bit far from the center of the city.
survive - to live, not fail to live. not die.
overcome - do whatever you can to pass over the difficulty or challenge.
" word " quotation mark - the word in the quotation mark usually is mean a difference meaning of it actually mean.

definitely (adv)-for sure, nothing will change, it will happen. 肯定地，当然，那当然。
*This restaurant is definitely the best in town.
"Are you staying to watch the game?" "Definitely."
definite (adj)-明确的，肯定的。
*a definite conclusion.-
commemorate - something to remember in history.纪念，庆祝。
"memor" -纪念。
*the festival was held to commemorate the birth of this artist.
commemoration (n) -纪念，纪念仪式。
*Thousands participated in the commemoration of the battle.
flock - group by group of people or sheep, bird...（人）一群一群的， 羊或鸟一群群的。
*You can find flocks of sheep in this beautiful green pasture.
keepsake -something you have to help you to remember of something you did.纪念品。
*I bought a miniature Eiffel Tower as a keepsake.
*Molly gave me a picture of her as a keepsake before she left.
snow falls (v) vs. snowfall (n)-snow is falling in winter vs. amount of snow you have.
capture (something) - catch a sight of something, refer to take camera to take photo of something.

Language tips:
adolescence -the period of transition of between youth and maturity. 青春期。
adolescent (n) -people who are in the period from the childhood to the adulthood.青春期的青少年人。
teenager - age at 13 to 19。青少年。
two teenage daughters.-二个在青少年岁的女儿。
preteen - age at 9 to 12. tween. 少年。比青少年年纪小。a child between middle child age before teenagers.
tween = preteen. a new word that compose of "teen" and "between" two word.
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house/home - a cold place / a warn and comfortable 住宅，房子是冰凉的/ 家是温馨的，令人感到舒畅，自由，安息，放松，灵，魂，体的到安适的地方。房子住宅可以很多，但可称为家的不多。
Make yourself at home.-把这儿当作自己的家，feel free to enjoy everything.可以放松性情自由享受这儿的一切。
go home for Christmas.-回家过圣诞佳节。
home away from home.远离家园的家园。



Take notes of study "Studio Classroom".