【明報專訊】Bethany Lambeth (林伯芙), a mathematics teacher at Martin Middle School in North Carolina, the US (美國北卡羅萊納州), found her students couldn't stop moving in class. She decided to have bike pedals installed under their desks so that they could channel their energy. She believed they would help her students stop fidgeting. Since bike pedals were installed, students have been more focused in class, and their grades have improved!

She got the idea from an article about primary students using bicycle pedals under their desks in a reading class. "I really wanted to get these for my classroom, but I knew they were expensive," Lambeth said. She then applied for a grant a school could be given if it could incorporate creativity, collaboration, communication or critical thinking in classrooms.

"My justification was that through movement my students would be able to gain more focus, which would in turn help them to think more critically and be more creative with their work," Lambeth explained. Within a week some students said they could focus better. And parents have reported their children are more interested in class.

(sources: Ming Pao, BBC, CBS)

■ Photo Story

Ten bike pedals were installed in a classroom at Martin Middle School so that students could release their energy in class.

■ Quiz

Answer the following questions.

(Answers on next text)

1. Find a word in the first paragraph to fill in the blank.

The teacher glared at Eason, who had started ____________ in his chair.

2. Is the following sentence true or false?

The pedals having been installed in the classroom,

Lambeth's students became more focused in class. True/ False

3.A teacher applying for a grant like that mentioned above need not incorporate which of the following into the classroom?

a. concentration

b. communication

c. creativity

d. critical thinking

4. What did the students think about using pedals in class?

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■ English highway﹕ in turn

It is an idiom that has two meanings. It means "one after the other in a particular order" or "as a result of something in a series of events".

e.g.Eason tried to play tricks on the Smarties in turn.

■ Glossary

install (v) 安裝

fidget (v) 坐立不安

grant (n) 撥款

collaboration (n) 合作