The Case for and Against Homework

Homework is typically defined as" any tasks given to students by school teachers that are meant to be carried out during afterschool hours". Homework has been a hot topic of debate in education. Throughout the first decade of the 20th century, educators commonly believed that homework helped create disciplined（遵守纪律的）minds. 【小题1】Since then, arguments for and against homework have continued to grow.

A number of studies have been carried out on homework. Two analyses by Cooper and his colleagues are the most comprehensive（全面的）.They concluded that the relationship between homework and students' achievements was found to be positive. 【小题2】

【小题3】The authors of How Homework Is Hurting Our Children and What We Can Do About It criticized both the quantity and quality of homework. They provided evidence that too much homework harms students’ health and family time. They insisted that teachers reduce the amount of homework and avoid homework over breaks and holidays.

One of the most controversial（有争议的）problems in the homework debate is the amount of time students should spend on homework. Researchers have offered various suggestions.【小题4】 Another question regarding homework is the degree to which schools should involve parents. Some studies have reported minimal positive effects or even negative effects of parental involvement.【小题5】

Finally, homework should cause students and their parents or other family members to take part in conversations and thus help the students' learning.

   For some people, the warmest memories from childhood come from being read a great story. 【小题1】 It develops children’s language skills and increases their ability to succeed in school and, later, work.

Experts say parents should read books that are not too long and on the right age level so that children will not lose interest. They say parents should also point to and talk about pictures in books for infants (幼儿). 【小题2】

Elizabeth Lyttleton has three daughters. They are at age ten, eight and two. 【小题3】 She says, "I watch my two-year-old, who is now getting a big language explosion. So much of it comes from the books that she reads. With my eight-year-old, it’s now the broadening horizons (眼界). The oldest now truly reads for pleasure and can get lost in young adult books. "

【小题4】 The company Scholastic is a major publisher of children’s books. Every two years, Scholastic publishes a report on American reading attitudes and habits. The 2015 report says only 31 percent of children in the U. S. read a book for fun almost every day. Four years ago that number was more than double.

Scholastic also suggests some ways to develop a love of reading in a child. 【小题5】 Another way to develop a reading habit in children is to read to them. The Scholastic report also suggests permitting children to choose their own books. Of all the 6 - to 17-year-olds in the Scholastic study, more than 90% said their favorite books are the ones they choose for themselves.

Four Ways to Make Your Shoes Feel Better

According to the American Podiatric Medical Association, the vast majority of people experience foot pain at some point in their lives. The reason for most foot pain is that shoes fit poorly or force the feet into unnatural shapes. 【小题1】 Aside from carefully selecting the right shoes, there are some easy measures you can take to keep your feet from being painful.

1. Stretching Your Shoes

If your feet are rubbing against your shoes this could indicate that you need more width, length or both. However, sometimes going to the next larger size is not a choice, as the next size may be too large. 【小题2】.

2. Using Shoe Inserts (插入物)

Both doctors and those in the shoe repair industry often recommend inserts to increase shoe comfort. 【小题3】.

3. 【小题4】

The way you lace (由带子系紧) your shoes can make a world of difference in their comfort. Lacing them too tightly or incorrectly can make your feet hurt. Cramped toes, rubbing on the top of the foot, and pressure on the big toe can likely be relieved if you lace your shoes different.

4. Wearing Socks

【小题5】.They are usually made of cotton or nylon. Not only do they add an extra layer of cushion to your shoes but they also keep your feet from sweating. This prevents moisture (水汽) from forming in the shoe. Moisture in your shoes can cause blisters and calluses on your feet.