As summer comes near. many children are really happy to forget about school for a few months. The summer vacation is the best time for students. They can go outdoors and have fun. They can go to big cities to go sightseeing. or go to the countryside to enjoy the beauty of nature. However, studies have found that children forget between one and three months' worth of school learning during the summer months. Spelling and math abilities are seriously influenced because of the long vacation, while reading is not really influenced by the time off. The most probable reason for this is that most children usually read at least outside of the classroom, whether newspapers, magazines, books, or video game guides. However, their math and spelling skills only get exercised in the school setting.

The first summer vacation appeared because the farm children have time off to help work in the fields in the high growing season, but this reason is no longer valid since fewer kids actually work on farms today. Some cities in the United States, such as Los Angeles. Have moved to a year-round school calendar, which will bring less influence in their studies. Most cities still use the normal nine and a half-month calendars. To improve skills and to have a good level of preparation, experts suggested trips to museums, summer camps, and visits to libraries to keep kids active and interested the whole summer.

There are other educational systems that provide vacations while still keeping students' skills in a high level. For example. in Japan students attend class for seven weeks continuously, followed by two weeks of vacation. This continues go through all the year. In Italy, students attend class six days per week, but finish at 1:30 p.m. each day, so that school does not manage their life the way that it does in America.

Educational experts fear that the three-month summer vacation stops the continuity of learning. Just as students get used to new ways in reading, writing, or critical thinking skills, then the summer vacation comes, they shut down for a long period. When they go back to school after the vacation, they take up to two months to return to their previous level of understanding.And so the debate continues: whether to continue the present vacations or to seek changes.

There is a very special day in October, and no, it’s not Halloween. It is Make a Difference Day, and it takes place on the fourth Saturday in October. (This year, the day is on October, 23rd.)

【小题1】 Some people help their neighbors. Some people help others. And some help animals and the Earth. The actions(行为) can be big or small. They do good things because they want to make a difference.

【小题2】 USA Weekend, the second largest newspaper in the USA at that time, suggested that since 1992 was a leap year(闰年), people should take the extra(额外的) day and use it to do something good for others.

Make a Difference Day is about changing the world. 【小题3】 They want to make the world good for everybody and everything.

The ways to celebrate Make a Difference Day can only be limited(限制) by your imagination. You can make a difference, too. You can help clean up the streets in your area.   【小题4】 Or you can just spend time with some people to make them feel happy.

【小题5】 We just have to do it. Of course, we can do it on Make a Difference Day. Or, we can do it every day!

Boys and girls, this summer vacation is the time for you to take your mind off homework and prepare yourself for future life. The following is some advice on how to make your vacation meaningful and colorful.

Take exercise. You have worked hard most of the time so far. 【小题1】 You can benefit from different kinds of exercise such as swimming, jogging (慢跑) and mountain climbing.

【小题2】 One day, you will live alone. As a result, you can’t depend on your family any longer. In order to deal with your personal matters in your own life, you should learn cooking, washing and other life skills.

Go for a journey. Travel to places of interest. 【小题3】 And beautiful scenery can also make you relaxed. Imagine that you are lying on the warm beach in bright sunshine, with light sea wind gently blowing. Isn’t it enjoyable and comfortable?

【小题4】 Home is the place in which you can rest, receive love and care from family members. Don’t always sit in front of a computer alone. Instead, the whole family should spend some time watching a movie on the sofa together. It’s also great fun for family members to gather around the table, talking a-bout sports, clothes or other common topics.

If you follow the above advice, you will achieve health, independence, peace of mind and feelings between family members. The summer vacation is coming. Take action (行动起来)! 【小题5】 Wish you a wonderful time!