Steven Cleaver has some outdoor activity ideas for families. The activities will drive your family’s sadness away. Steven is the Executive Director（执行理事）of Horizons for Youth, an organization in Massachusetts that has worked on children’s enviromental education for more than 60 years.

We asked Steven to share some outdoor activities that families can do together. Here’s what he told us.

Going to a nature center---In State Audubon societies, there are usually smaller nature centres. Naturalists are ready to answer kids’ questions so parents don’t need to worry about teaching the subject matter themselves.

Hiking---Going on a hike is a great way to go outdoors and get some exercise. State parks can offer free paths to hike along and many fields to explore.

Gardening--- Gardening is a wonderful family activity. Not only can the whole family get involved, but everyone can benefit from the harvest. Since it’s winter, you might just start with a family plan for the garden. The garden can be a cooperative effort where parents can teach their children teamwork. Assign tasks to each family member. Who plans? Who waters?

Fruit picking---It’s a great seasonal outdoor activity. Children get to see how fruits grow and everyone gets to enjoy the fruits which they pick.

Cleaning up---Taking part in nature clean-ups or volunteering to do path maintenance(维护)teaches kids that they have the ability to do something positive for the environment and communities. When parents get involved, they can set a good example for their children to follow, which will help children realize their responsibility to protect the environment.

1. Will the outdoor activities drive your family’s sadness away?

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2. Who will answer kids’ questions in nature centres, naturalists or parents?

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3. Which places can offer free paths to hike along?

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4.What is a great seasonal outdoor activity?

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5.What can children learn from these outdoor activties ?

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Dear David,

How are you ? I’m fine. I’m in London, at the International School of English. I’m in Class 3 with eight students . They are from different countries---Spain, Japan, Argentina, Switzerland and Thailand. Our teacher’s name is Henry . He’s very nice. He’s a very good teacher.

I’m living with an English family. Mr and Mrs Brown have three children. Thomas is fourteen, Catharine is twelve, and Andrew is seven. They are all very friendly, but it isn’t easy to understand them !

London is very big and very interesting. The weather is cold but sunny and the parks are beautiful! Hyde Park , Green Park and ST.Jame’s Park are all in the city centre(中心）.

English food is OK, but the coffee is horrible!

Write to me soon .

                                                            Love,

                                                            Paula

1.The letter is from ___________ .

A. David   B. Paula   C. Paula’s classmate  D. Paula’s teacher

2.The writer’s class has ________.

A. many students         B. eight students

C. nine students         D. eight girls

3.The writer（作者） lives ____________.

A. at school             B. in a hotel 

C. with her classmates    D. at Mr Brown’s home

4.Hyde Park is __________.

A. in a school B. in London  C. next to London D. Small

5.The letter is NOT about ____________.

A. the writer’s classmates        B. the writer’s teacher

C. the writer’s dinner            D. London