英语博客：Science at home.

 　　As a parent(1), I think a lot about my children's education(2). Is it good or bad? Is it varied¹, hands-on(3), relevant? The only way to really(4) find out, is to look at their text books, go to their schools, and talk to their teachers. And then, we have to remember that each person is unique; each has different preferences, ways of learning, and abilities. Some people are comfortable with academics, and others are not(5). Some students are good at taking exams, and others prefer to demonstrate their knowledge in other ways. Recently, my son Robert has been at home with a bad cough. He has been bugging² me to buy him an electrical circuit. So, we shopped around until we found the perfect 'kit³'(6). It has batteries, a light, a motor that spins, sound devices, and connecting wires. There is also a booklet(7) that gives instructions and warnings, pictures, and general advice. So Robert has spent hours connecting, fiddling⁴(8), and creating, and every minute that goes by he learns something. Play and imagination are great teachers. And learning doesn't necessarily happen on paper, or on a computer screen. When I asked Robert what was so good about his kit, he said, "It's the energy hook-ups(9), and seeing what you can do with them."

　　1. 'As a parent' this kind of phrase is used with different nouns/titles.

　　a. As a teacher, I try to understand how my students learn best.

　　b. As a policeman, he tries to be observant.

　　2. 'I think a lot about my children's education'. This is a good format⁵ for other sentences.

　　a. We think a lot about our father's health.

　　b. They think a lot about their safety because they live in Hurricane Valley.

　　c. He thinks a lot about buying land in the future.

　　3. 'Hands-on' refers to activities that involve touch and manipulation.

　　a. The new children's museum in Spokane is hands-on; the kids can really touch, feel, and play with the displays.

　　b. Babies and toddlers learn most of their lessons in a hands-on way.

　　4. 'The only way to really +verb..., is to ...' another great format for a sentence.

　　a. The only way to really make money, is to work hard for a long time.

　　b. The only way to really make a point, is to speak intelligently.

　　c. The only way to really understand a culture, is to live in that country.

　　5. 'Some people are comfortable with academics, and others are not.' In this sentence, the adjective doesnot have to be repeated at the end.

　　a. Some people love chocolate, and others don't.

　　b. Some laws are fair, and others aren't.

　　c. Some people work eight hours a day, and others don't.

　　6. A 'kit' is usually a set of objects that all fit together or work together for a common purpose. Like Robert's kit, all the parts in the box can be used to build different electrical circuits.

　　a. I bought a kit to build a bird house for the garden. It had wood, nails, glue, and paint.

　　b. My husband always has a tire repair kit with him when he goes biking.

　　7. A 'booklet' is a small, soft book, similar to a pamphlet but bigger. We usually receive booklets with new appliances for instruction.

　　a. The booklet that came with my new vacuum cleaner is not clear.

　　b. You need to read the instructions that came in the booklet so you know how to put the drawers together.

　　8. 'Fiddling' comes from the verb 'to fiddle⁶' which means 'to manipulate with your hands', 'to mess about', and 'to experiment physically⁷ with something'. Kids are good 'fiddlers'.

　　a. Someone has been fiddling with my alarm clock, and now it doesn't work.

　　b. I wish you wouldn't fiddle with my make-up; it's all untidy now.

　　9. A 'hook-up' is often used generally for a connection of some kind, especially electrical or metallic⁸.

　　a. Where is the hook-up to the power supply?

　　b. We need the correct hook-up to connect the boat to the truck.

　　Join me on FACEBOOK at Anna Fromacupofenglish. Questions and comments? Would you like Skype lessons? Contact me at [email protected].

1 varied   

adj.多样的，多变化的

参考例句：

• The forms of art are many and varied.艺术的形式是多种多样的。
• The hotel has a varied programme of nightly entertainment.宾馆有各种晚间娱乐活动。

2 bugging   

[法] 窃听

参考例句：

• Okay, then let's get the show on the road and I'll stop bugging you. 好，那么让我们开始动起来，我将不再惹你生气。 来自辞典例句
• Go fly a kite and stop bugging me. 走开，别烦我。 来自英汉 - 翻译样例 - 口语

3 kit   

n.用具包，成套工具；随身携带物

参考例句：

• The kit consisted of about twenty cosmetic items.整套工具包括大约20种化妆用品。
• The captain wants to inspect your kit.船长想检查你的行装。

4 fiddling   

微小的

参考例句：

• He was fiddling with his keys while he talked to me. 和我谈话时他不停地摆弄钥匙。
• All you're going to see is a lot of fiddling around. 你今天要看到的只是大量的胡摆乱弄。 来自英汉文学 - 廊桥遗梦

5 format   

n.设计，版式；[计算机]格式，DOS命令:格式化(磁盘)，用于空盘或使用过的磁盘建立新空盘来存储数据；v.使格式化，设计，安排

参考例句：

• Please format this floppy disc.请将这张软盘格式化。
• The format of the figure is very tasteful.该图表的格式很雅致。

6 fiddle   

n.小提琴；vi.拉提琴；不停拨弄，乱动

参考例句：

• She plays the fiddle well.她小提琴拉得好。
• Don't fiddle with the typewriter.不要摆弄那架打字机了。

7 physically   

adj.物质上，体格上，身体上，按自然规律

参考例句：

• He was out of sorts physically,as well as disordered mentally.他浑身不舒服，心绪也很乱。
• Every time I think about it I feel physically sick.一想起那件事我就感到极恶心。

8 metallic   

adj.金属的；金属制的；含金属的；产金属的；像金属的

参考例句：

• A sharp metallic note coming from the outside frightened me.外面传来尖锐铿锵的声音吓了我一跳。
• He picked up a metallic ring last night.昨夜他捡了一个金属戒指。