Become a Reading Volunteer and Change a Child's Story
Help a child learn to read so that they can succeed, in school and beyond.
An hour a week for you
You'll spend one hour a week reading stories with a child aged between 5 and 10 years old, on our secure online platform. The programme involves two 30-minute sessions a week with the same child, for six weeks. Our online volunteering can fit around your schedule and there's no need to travel. We ask all our volunteers to complete at least three programs a year——and we'd love you to do more——so we can continue to support as many children as possible.
A world of opportunity for them
You'll get to see your young readers' progress, knowing that you are opening up a world of opportunity for their future.
YOUR TIME. THEIR FUTURE.
As a Bookmark volunteer you'll:
Help children gain the reading skills they need to progress at school and in life.
Help boost a child's confidence by giving them one-to-one attention.
Show learning to read can be fun! It's amazing when you introduce a young reader to a book, comic or poem that they love.
Join our community. Volunteers can share tips and stories on our online forum and meet like-minded people at the online events.
Enrich your week. Taking time out of your day to read with a child can support your own wellbeing as you enjoy a new experience.
FORT WORTH, Texas—— If 14-year-old Ruhani Ahluwalia had her way, her days would be filled with time to let her curiosity run free. How can a doctor attack cancer with medicines that don't damage the patient? How can an artist touch a person with a hidden message in an oil painting?This is Ruhani's world —where the pursuit of learning leads to more learning for a self-described Renaissance teenager, who is multi-talented and has interests.
Since age 11, she has been working summers in a lab at the University of North Texas Health Science Center researching cancer cells. She is testing drugs that can kill cancer cells while limiting the side effects on health y cells. It's a special mission guided by the heart because she lost a great aunt to leukemia(白血病) when she was in the sixth grade.
"What really damaged her eventually was the treatment and the side effects of it, which kills both cancer and normal cells. "Ruhani explained. Due to this, Ruhani started her cancer research. "I wanted to find a better way to target cancer cells. "
During the summer between sixth and seventh grade, Ruhani began research in the study of cancer with the help of her mother, Parmeet Jodhka, a microbiology professor, who taught her daughter the necessary biology. Working from about 10 a. m. to 3 p. m. in the lab, she has finally presented her findings at multiple science fairs. Her list of accomplishments is five pages long and includes placing third in Brazil's science fair, MOSTRATEC, for her breast cancer research.
"I like learning. "She said. "There is a difference between learning and studying. Studying, you are too stuck in finishing it and in turning it in. Learning, you are doing more for yourself. "
Have you ever seen your cat or dog eating grass? They do so because it can help their digestion, and many wild species use natural substances to prevent and control diseases. This is called"zoopharmacognosy"or, more commonly, animal self-medication.
Scientists have discovered that tamarin monkeys use a specific tree resin (树脂) as medicine. In the Brazilian Atlantic Forest, scientists followed several groups of them to collect data. During one of these daily studies, tamarin monkeys were observed rubbing their bodies on the trunk of a tree. At first, researchers thought that they were marking their territory, a common behaviour in this species. Botanical experts later confirmed that the tree was a species of cabreúva, which is well known for its medical properties.
Researchers decided to place camera-traps in different sites at the foot of the tree to record future visits by tamarin monkeys. The records surprisingly showed that many animals living in the forest visited it. Totally, ten species were observed. For many of them, it was the first time that behaviors similar to self-medication had been observed. More surprisingly, one species spread resin on each other's fur in pairs. In general, the species seemed to specifically visit the tree to acquire the resin and seemingly benefit from it, either healing their wounds or fighting back parasites(寄生虫).
While further studies are needed to identify the properties of the resin and thus confirm that this is indeed self-medication, the use of it suggests that cabreúva represents a common and universal drugstore for the residents of the Brazilian Atlantic Forest. It is likely to be a valuable resource helping the species maintain their magnitude by improving their health.
This discovery could have an important protection influence, as the disappearance of some trees could potentially affect the survival of some animals.
Adding game-like elements to non-game activities is part of app design. Streaks(计数器)encourage users to log into products each day. Medals reward them for completing tasks. Leaderboards add the spice of competition. 1
Such features can help others stay motivated while achieving a goal they find difficult to stick to. When Duolingo, a language-learning app, went public in 2021, it was clear that game-like features play a crucial role in keeping its users engaged.
But as You've Been Played, a new book by a game designer Adrian Hon notes, firms should be very careful about how they gamify experiences. If getting gamification wrong, you can annoy both customers and employees.
For customers, the obvious dangers—— annoying people with constant notices about streaks, or discouraging them by showing how low down a leaderboard they sit —— are not the only ones. Somtimes, some activities surely need added"fun". For instance, apps designed to encourage people to save money can happily use gamified features like money jars to track progress. However, some activities really don't need added"fun". One reading app offers to unlock animations(动画) if users hit certain reading landmarks; if you present reading as time-consuming, you are telling readers they are suffering.
For employees, turning repetitive work into video games is a technique that Amazon has reportedly used to represent workers'progress. Yet these ideas may cause negative impact. Forced rankings motivate some people while stressing others out. GitHub, an open-source coding platform, withdrew its streak feature after concerns were raised that it was pushing programmers to work every weekend.
As Mr. Hon observes, games are much less enjoyable if you have no choice over whether to participate or not. Adding fun can work, but only if it is taken seriously.
Being organized is an important part of being a student Recommended approaches include prioritizing your to-do lists, organizing your school supplies and tracking closing dates. You can be well on your way to becoming an organized student.
● Have a morning routine. A great way to stay organized is to have the same routine every morning. It is harder to forget things at home or come to school unprepared if you follow the same routine each day. In addition to showering and getting dressed, your morning routine should include a healthy breakfast and a quick check of your backpack
● Begin projects at once. Try to begin working on homework and other projects as soon as you know what the assignment will be It will make it harder to organize other part s of your student life. Organizing time for homework every night will help you complete your schoolwork more effectively.
● Separate materials based on subject by using different colors For math, for example, you might want to have a blue book cover, blue folder and blue notebook. For history, you might choose pink. That way, you'll look in your locker or backpack and easily be able to get what you need for each class.
● Be aware of the deadline of the project. Consider buying a whiteboard or bulletin board to keep track of when you need to turn in your projects. This visual aid can help you remember deadlines. If you're having problems finishing your work on time, a fun way to get the project done more easily and quickly is to work with friends. Make sure your teachers and parents allow it.
A. Color code your materials by subject.
B. Make sure everything you need is totally in it.
C. Turn to teachers and friends for help immediately.
D. It's especially important for junior and senior students.
E. Being organized means remembering when your work is due.
F. Getting organized is necessary for improving your family relationship.
G. Waiting until the last minute to finish it will make you feel less organized.
Stella was 5 when she had a surgery that left her with casts(石膏) on both legs and a bar between them It was impossible to wear 1 pants during the recovery
Like any mother, Puzzo promised to do anything to give Stella 2 to dress She decided to try it herself Soon came the first generation version: a pair of pants was 3 and then sewed in Velcro(尼龙搭扣) It was a simple fix, but a big 4 for Stella
At the post operative appointment, 'Stella wore them Her doctors were 5 and advised Puzzo to 6 more "Many parents ask us all the time what to dress their children in, and now you 7 solved that problem, "one doctor added
When she 8 what the surgeon said with her friend Joanne DiCamillo, it 9 them that this was something missing from the market. It was there that the brand Befree was born.
Later, they worked on the second generation, eventually making a 10 from Velcro to zippers (拉链) They were granted design patents for their pants and 11 their website in 2022, which became an instant hit.
DiCamillo noted that 12 buyers are not limited to just children and adults with disabilities, but including other people 13 from surgeries Their dream is that in five years, their 14 clothes will be sold alongside traditional clothes
It is said that 15 is the mother of invention, and this invention came from two mothers with a need:clothing for those with disabilities.
Wandering in the forest with sweet melodies of wild birds, tourists might feel they are in a fairy tale world (actual), they are picking wild mushrooms in Yunnan Province Tired of visiting (crowd) scenic spots during holidays, many people instead choose mushroom picking (refresh) themselves.
Xu Yaowei is in ch arge of a mushroom picking project on the app"Youyunnan". "There are two types of tour routes The first (design) for tourists from outside the province Their expectation is a mu shroom hunting experience, (focus) on easily finding mushrooms "Xu said, "The second route is for local and high-end customers, which includes a mushroom hunting experience, picking wild tea, visiting a local wild mushroom market as well "
By the end of August, the project conducted nearly 40 one-day wild mushroom collection tours, serving nearly 800 tourists, more than 95 percent of are from outside the province Most of them are college (graduate) and parents with children
A tourist who paid a special one day visit Yunnan from Sichuan Province said, "My child loves mushrooms and we want to give him a chance to experience the wonders of nature and provide educational experience. "
注意：
1. 写作词数应为80左右；
2. 请按如下格式在答题卡的相应位置作答。
My Favorite Spring Festival Eve Dish
It was a sunny day this April, and I was flying with my boy off to Carnavo n in my light aircraft to see a solar eclipse(日食). Looking out of the window, I was deeply absorbed in the picturesque scenery below. My son Jacob, 15, who was enthusiastic about flying, was in high spirits.
After 25 years in the mining industry, I'd quit my job to pursue a career in flying. Getting my commercial pilot license in September 2022, I believed this was my calling.
Jacob was a passionate flyer, who always enjoyed the flights with me. "What does this button do?""How does it work?""What is the function?"There were so many questions he'd ask curiously. I wonder if he'll be a pilot some day.
Watching the eclipse through our solar goggles(护目镜), we both were in amazement. After a bite of lunch, I did all my checks and refuelled the plane before flying us back.
Flying back into the air, I headed towards Jandakot Airport, which was right near our house.
More than half way , I spotted some smoke in the air. Realizing we were flying over Lancelin where there'd been some nearby bushfires, I didn't think there was anything to panic about. Travelling south, we took in the lovely coastline. "This is beautiful!"Jacob exclaimed.
At around 5 p. m. , just about five minutes to our destination, the engine suddenly decreased rapidly. Glancing over at my boy, I thought, "this is bad. "As I tried to bring the engine back to life, it worked only for a millisecond(毫秒), and then died again. "Okay mate, we've had an engine failure, "I said calmly to Jacob. The plane was dropping and we went from 1800 feet to 1500 in just 20 seconds.
Looking forward, I could see Jandakot Airport about 15 kilometres ahead. "We aren't going to make it, "I told myself. We only had another 60 seconds before making the decision. Looking down at Leighton Beach north of Fremantle below, I saw crowds of people on the beach.
注意：1. 续写词数应为 150个左右；2. 请按如下格式在答题卡的相应位置作答。
But thankfully there were not many in the water behind the waves
On the beach, I hugged my boy, thrilled.
