【编辑推荐】
《跟美国学生同步练阅读》是北美教师依据现行美国中小学教学大纲“共同核心标准”(Common Core State Standards) 编写而成，采用全英文方式编写，为出国留学早准备。《跟美国学生同步练阅读：Smart Reading》是继《美国语文》《英国语文》等经典教材之后，专门为国内准备留学的中小学生定制的全英文学习辅导读本。对其他英语学习者，亦可适用。
同时《跟美国学生同步练阅读》提供配套英文朗读音频、电子版答案免费下载，下载方式详见图书封底博客链接。
【内容简介】
经过近两年的筹划与实施，这套《跟美国学生同步练阅读》依据现行美国中小学教学大纲“共同核心标准”(Common Core State Standards) 而编写的英语阅读训练读本终于问世了！《跟美国学生同步练阅读：Smart Reading》这套书是继《美国语文》《英国语文》等经典教材之后，专门为国内准备留学的中小学生定制的全英文学习辅导读本。对其他英语学习者，亦可适用。
《跟美国学生同步练阅读：Smart Reading》按年级分册，全套书共8册，从教学标准与英语难度来讲，完全对应现行美国小学1~8 年级。这套新《跟美国学生同步练阅读》读本，将为中国学生评估自己的语言能力与知识水平提供一个较好的参照标准，为他们将来出国续读全面打好基础。
《跟美国学生同步练阅读》每一分册均为65 课，其中包括52 篇阅读文章和13 课复习训练。适合学生制定一周一课的学习计划。考虑到记忆的遗忘规律，每4 课之后，专门编写了一次复习训练课，让学生翻阅和回想所学内容，帮助他们更好地记忆英文词汇、掌握用法。愿“西方原版教材与经典读物”系列图书对准备出国留学，以及正在学习英语的读者有所帮助！我们期待着倾听每一位读者的声音！
About the Common Core
The Common Core is a set of high quality academic standards in mathematics and English language arts (ELA).
In 2009 the state school chiefs and governors that comprise CCSSO and the NGA Center coordinated a state-led effort to develop the Common Core State Standards. Designed through collaboration among teachers, school chiefs, administrators, and other experts, the standards provide a clear and consistent framework for educators.
The standards were created to ensure that all students graduate from high school with the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in college, career, and life, regardless of where they live. The standards define the knowledge and skills students should gain throughout their K-12 education in order to graduate high school prepared to succeed in entry-level careers, introductory academic college courses, and workforce training programs.
Forty-two states, the District of Columbia, four territories, have voluntarily adopted and are moving forward with the Common Core.
【目录】
Grade 1
Lesson 1 The New Bicycle.....................................................001
Lesson 2 The Greedy Dog.....................................................003
Lesson 3 Look at the Sky.......................................................005
Lesson 4 Our Chores..............................................................007
Lesson 5 Review (Lessons 1- 4).............................................009
Lesson 6 The Giant Turnip....................................................011
Lesson 7 My First Trip to the Dentist...................................013
Lesson 8 A Day with Grandpa.............................................015
Lesson 9 The Sun and the Wind...........................................017
Lesson 10 Review (Lessons 6-9)...........................................019
Lesson 11 Snow Day..............................................................021
Lesson 12 The King of the Jungle.........................................023
Lesson 13 Starry Night..........................................................025
Lesson 14 My Wobbly Tooth.................................................027
Lesson 15 Review (Lessons 11-14)........................................029
Lesson 16 Over the Ocean Blue............................................031
Lesson 17 A Visit to a Petting Farm.....................................033
Lesson 18 The Storybook Club.............................................035
Lesson 19 Perogies..................................................................037
Lesson 20 Review (Lessons 16 -19).......................................039
……
Grade 2
Lesson 1 The Tomatina..........................................................001
Lesson 2 Let’s Save Water.....................................................003
Lesson 3 Tooth Tales...............................................................005
Lesson 4 Kelly’s Broken Wrist..............................................007
Lesson 5 Review (Lessons 1- 4).............................................009
Lesson 6 My Special Hobby..................................................011
Lesson 7 Brother Moon and Sister Sun................................013
Lesson 8 Smores......................................................................015
Lesson 9 Why the Sea is Salty...............................................017
Lesson 10 Review (Lessons 6-9)...........................................019
Lesson 11 The Fox and the Stork..........................................021
Lesson 12 Johnny Appleseed................................................023
Lesson 13 Who Invented the Sandwich?............................025
Lesson 14 Playing Catch........................................................027
Lesson 15 Review (Lessons 11-14)........................................029
Lesson 16 Going to the Movies.............................................031
Lesson 17 Dave and Grant Love Kayaking........................033
Lesson 18 The Clean Park.....................................................035
Lesson 19 Going to the Library............................................037
Lesson 20 Review (Lessons 16 -19).......................................039
……
Grade 3
Lesson 1 The Goat—Our Best Friend..................................001
Lesson 2 The Narwhal—A Real-Life Unicorn....................003
Lesson 3 The Sugar Shack.....................................................005
Lesson 4 Shooting Stars.........................................................007
Lesson 5 Review (Lessons 1-4).............................................009
Lesson 6 My Brother Loves to Dance..................................011
Lesson 7 The Story of Honey................................................013
Lesson 8 Marsupials...............................................................015
Lesson 9 Peppers....................................................................017
Lesson 10 Review (Lessons 6-9)...........................................019
Lesson 11 What Are Things Made of?.................................021
Lesson 12 A Gaggle of Geese?..............................................023
Lesson 13 Durian—King of Fruits........................................025
Lesson 14 Forest Mammals...................................................027
Lesson 15 Review (Lessons 11-14).......................................029
Lesson 16 One Great Wall.....................................................031
Lesson 17 The Amazing Coconut.........................................033
Lesson 18 Angela and Samson.............................................035
Lesson 19 Sleep.......................................................................038
Lesson 20 Review (Lessons 16-19).......................................040
……
Grade 4
Lesson 1 The Fox and the Little Red Hen...........................001
Lesson 2 Emma’s Favourite Restaurant..............................004
Lesson 3 Grace Darling..........................................................007
Lesson 4 Damon and Pythias................................................010
Lesson 5 Review (Lessons 1- 4).............................................013
Lesson 6 The Merchant’s Caravan.......................................015
Lesson 7 The Life Cycle of Butterflies.................................019
Lesson 8 Conflict Resolution.................................................021
Lesson 9 About Soils..............................................................024
Lesson 10 Review (Lessons 6-9)...........................................027
Lesson 11 The Strangest Animal on Earth..........................029
Lesson 12 Madagascar...........................................................031
Lesson 13 English—A Worldwide Language.....................034
Lesson 14 Ogopogo—Canada’s Lake Monster..................037
Lesson 15 Review (Lessons 11-14)........................................039
Lesson 16 Cheese Rolling......................................................041
Lesson 17 The Longest Train Ride.......................................043
Lesson 18 A Mystery..............................................................046
Lesson 19 Our Wonderful Rainforests.................................048
Lesson 20 Review (Lessons 16-19).......................................051
……
Grade 5
Lesson 1 European Microstates............................................001
Lesson 2 The Superfoods.......................................................004
Lesson 3 The Inca...................................................................007
Lesson 4 The Skeleton Coast.................................................010
Lesson 5 Review (Lessons 1- 4).............................................013
Lesson 6 The Seven Wonders of the Modern World.........015
Lesson 7 Farewell, Kiribati....................................................018
Lesson 8 The Seven Natural Wonders of the World..........020
Lesson 9 Extreme Sports........................................................023
lesson 10 Review (Lessons 6-9)............................................025
Lesson 11 Burger Time...........................................................027
Lesson 12 Australia’s Giant Toads.......................................030
Lesson 13 Rock On!................................................................033
Lesson 14 Moon Mystery......................................................036
Lesson 15 Review (Lessons 11-14)........................................039
Lesson 16 Digging up History..............................................041
Lesson 17 The Search for Undersea Treasure.....................044
Lesson 18 An Unlikely Friendship.......................................047
Lesson 19 River Dolphins......................................................050
Lesson 20 Review (Lessons 16-19).......................................053
……
Grade 6
Lesson 1 The Big Five of the Safari......................................001
Lesson 2 Seven or Eight Summits?......................................004
Lesson 3 Global Climate Change.........................................007
Lesson 4 Writing–The Greatest Invention...........................010
Lesson 5 Review (Lessons 1- 4).............................................013
Lesson 6 Bonsai.......................................................................015
Lesson 7 Night Flyers............................................................018
Lesson 8 An Exotic Dilemma................................................021
Lesson 9 Moving Mountains................................................024
Lesson 10 Review (Lessons 6-9)...........................................027
Lesson 11 Going Batty...........................................................029
Lesson 12 Living Lights.........................................................032
Lesson 13 Getting Up to Speed............................................035
Lesson 14 So, You Want to Be a Writer?..............................038
Lesson 15 Review (Lessons 11-14)........................................042
Lesson 16 A Dry, Hot Land...................................................044
Lesson 17 Looking Into the Eye............................................047
Lesson 18 The Seven Wonders of the Ancient World........050
Lesson 19 All About Salt.......................................................053
Lesson 20 Review (Lessons 16 -19).......................................056
……
Grade 7
Lesson 1 The Amazing Brain...............................................001
Lesson 2 Lyophilization........................................................004
Lesson 3 The Truth About Vikings......................................007
Lesson 4 The Impact of the Roman Arch...........................010
Lesson 5 Who was Crazy Horse?........................................012
Lesson 6 The Six Wives of Henry VIII................................015
Lesson 7 The Secret Annex...................................................018
Lesson 8 A Taste for Adventure ..........................................021
Lesson 9 Joseph Campbell....................................................024
Lesson 10 The Space Race....................................................027
Lesson 11 A Secret in Their Ears.........................................030
Lesson 12 What is a Planet..................................................032
Lesson 13 The Decline of the Moose..................................035
Lesson 14 To Buy or to Lease?.............................................037
Lesson 15 Why I Hate Facebook.........................................039
Lesson 16 Is Eating Grass Bad for My Dog?.....................042
Lesson 17 Why not be a Teacher?.......................................044
Lesson 18 What’s for Dinner...............................................047
Lesson 19 The Howler Monkey..........................................049
Lesson 20 American Sign Language..................................052
……
Grade 8
Lesson 1 Eternal Youth.........................................................001
Lesson 2 Animals Have Feelings, Too!...............................004
Lesson 3 Time to Go Outside!..............................................007
Lesson 4 Early Drug Testing................................................009
Lesson 5 Cursive Writing.....................................................012
Lesson 6 Education vs Experience......................................015
Lesson 7 The Link Between Sleep and Health..................018
Lesson 8 The Evils of Smoking............................................020
Lesson 9 Shifting Our Focus................................................022
Lesson 10 The Truth About Divorce ..................................025
Lesson 11 An Unlikely Accident.........................................027
Lesson 12 Is it a Fairy?..........................................................029
Lesson 13 Portsmouth Parade Fire.....................................031
Lesson 14 A Different Way of Travelling...........................034
Lesson 15 The Polio Problem..............................................036
Lesson 16 Truth Behind Nature Documentaries..............039
Lesson 17 An African Staple................................................042
Lesson 18 Disaster in New Orleans....................................045
Lesson 19 The Secret Tomb..................................................048
Lesson 20 Possibilities for the Red Planet.........................051
……
【前言】
经过近两年的出版策划与编写工作，这套以美国标准教学大纲(Common Core Standards)为蓝本、由加拿大英语教师编写的《Smart Reading》如愿问世了！这是多年前我们出版麦加菲《美国语文读本》时的一个心愿——为国内准备留学的孩子们提供更多优质的现代西方学
校教学资源，让他们了解与之同龄的英语国家学生在读些什么、学些什么……出国前多做些
同步训练，这样既提升了孩子们的英语语言能力，又加强了对西方课程标准的了解与学习。
当他们未来置身差异不小的“洋课堂”时，便会显得更加从容和适应。
在风景优美、充满英式风情的温哥华岛上， 我们的出版愿望一步步得以实现！为中国的未来留学生出版这一系列图书，对我们也是一个挑战。
一是如何寻找合适的英语为母语的作者。经过多次广告发布、面谈筛选之后，我们逐渐形成了一个固定的教师作者群体，他们任教于加拿大公立学校或英语教学机构，大多具有ESL 教学经验，有些人还在亚洲国家中小学工作过多年，对亚洲学生的学习特点有所了解。这样编写出来的书才能更符合中国学生的需求。
二是采用什么样的写作标准。西方中小学没有统编教材，但教辅图书也不少。通过对这些图书的收集整理和分析，我们找到了一个较为通用的教学标准——美国现代学校教育使用的“共同核心标准”(Common Core State Standards)。这一标准非常类似于中国的统一教学大纲。因此， 我们新出版的“Common Core”系列，将以这一目前美国学校流行的标准为指导，与现行美国学校的教学标准一致，同时参考了其他英语国家的教学标准与要求，供未来赴所有英语国家留学的孩子们使用。
三是编写内容的现代感。为了提高学生的学习兴趣，我们要求作者紧密结合西方现代生活与新技术广泛应用时代，让读者接触到时兴的英语素材、在真实世界里学习英语和课程。因此，“Common Core”系列图书，在内容上尽量满足学生对新知的认识与理解。
四是难度标准的把握。由于这一系列是为未来出国留学孩子所准备，所以我们采用全英文编写方式，让学生适应全英文环境下进行阅读与学习。难度保持与英语国家各年级的标准一致，这样让读者真实了解西方学生的水平。中国学生在使用时，可以根据自己的实际水平，选择合适难度的分册，循序渐进地加以提高。
对于“共同核心标准”这一概念，中国家长和孩子可能有些陌生。它是美国、加拿大等国家的幼儿园和中小学所使用的统一教学标准。在美国和加拿大，学校教育系统是由各个州（省）政府所监管。这意味着，阿肯色州与俄勒冈州的孩子们在学校所学的内容会不太相同。当他完成K12 教育，继续接受更高阶段的教育或步入职业生涯时，如果所受教育采用不一样的标准，便由此产生一些问题。尤其当某个家庭从一个州搬迁至另一个州时，孩子的续读或许会出现一些麻烦。“共同核心标准”正是着力于解决这类问题。它是由美国一些著名教育家与政界、商界很有影响力的人物极力倡导而制定，以尽量弥合各州之间的教育差异。目前为此，美国42 个州、哥伦比亚地区、4 个领地都在使用这一教学标准。比尔·盖茨先生也极力赞助这一标准的推广。
共同核心标准，涵盖了幼儿园至12 年级，旨在培养学生的批判性思考能力，并传授各年级的学科知识。让他们学会设立问题、自我思考，将所学内容进行关联和牵引。共同核心标准，首先注重的是教学生如何思考，然后是学习内容。注重记忆基础之上的知识与技能训
练和相互关联。这一标准具有以下特点：
1. 建立在大量研究与事实基础之上而制定；
2. 标准清晰、易于理解并保持教学的延续性；
3. 结合未来的大学教育与职业发展；
4. 丰富的内容与知识应用，高度训练学生的思考能力；
5. 融汇了各州教学标准的优势；
6. 参考了其他国家的教育优点，让学生未来更好地适应全球化经济与社会。
目前，共同核心标准包括两类课程：一是英语语言艺术（English Language Arts，简称“ELA”），另一门是数学。ELA 又包括阅读、写作、听说等各个领域。这些语言能力，也是学习其他科目的关键，如科学、历史与信息技术等。所以它不是一门简单的英语科目。数
学大纲，不是重点强调记忆，而是让学生在训练技能的同时，能获取解决数学问题的答案。
要求学生运用数学知识和技能，解决真实世界中的问题。因此数学对学生来讲，会变得更加
有趣而充满真实感。
围绕“共同核心标准”，Holybird Publishing 利用北美的教师资源，策划出版了三个系列：《Smart Reading》、《Smart Math》、《Smart Science》。让中国学生学起来更有目标和参照标准。在完全按照美国“共同核心标准”编写的同时，我们也参考了其他英语国家的教学标准与难度，因此对所有未来在西方留学的孩子都可适用，帮助他们提升英语水平、建立自我学习策略，训练思考能力。夯实了这些基础，未来学习便会游刃有余！
Holybird Publishing
For the Well-trained Mind
In Victoria, BC, Canada
【免费在线读】
Eternal Youth
From Ponce De Leon, who searched for “the fountain of youth” in the 16th century, to the modern theory of cryogenics, people have always been fascinated by the idea of eternal life. Many myths have also grown around the idea of longevity. Some believe it is a matter of diet and exercise alone. Others seek treatments that are supposed to slow or reverse aging. Science says the human body has the capacity to live for about 90 years, but one in every five thousand people lives to be one hundred.
There are several places in the world where centenarians are not uncommon. The Nuoro Province, off the coast of Italy has ten times the number of 100 year olds than are found in the rest of the world. And the island of Okinawa in Japan is known to have the longest disability-free lifespan in the world.
What is so different about these places and people? Researchers have come to some conclusions. First of all, these people don’t exercise — at least they don’t jog or go to the gym. Movement, however, is built into their lifestyles. They walk where they need to go, and many of them work in their garden. Another commonality is that these populations do not live life in a hurry, and they appreciate and make time for leisure. They also have a strong sense of purpose. They have a reason to get up in the morning, and they feel that their lives are meaningful. None of them are vegetarians, but they all eat a plant-based diet and practice strategies for not overeating. These people connect to others, put family first, and belong to faith based communities. They also surround themselves with equally healthy, positive, and spiritual people.
I. Word List
reverse: to make something travel in the opposite direction
longevity: living a long life
centenarians: those who are 100 or more years old
II. Answer the following questions.
1. What are some myths about longevity?
___________________________________________________________.
2. What are some places in the world that have a lot of centenarians?
___________________________________________________________.
3. What do many centenarians have in common?
___________________________________________________________.
4. What is a surprising fact about many centenarians?
___________________________________________________________.
5. Would you like to live to be a centenarian? Why or why not?
___________________________________________________________.
III. What’s the word? Using the clues, write the correct words from the reading.
1. a real meaning - p _ _ _ _ _ _
2. to believe in something - f _ _ _ _
3. those who don’t eat meat - v _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
4. places where people live - c _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
5. stories that are not true - m _ _ _ _
【书摘与插画】
