Schools across the world are trying to come up with solutions to keep students active. Some are replacing traditional classroom chairs with exercise balls or standing desks. At Ward Elementary School in Winston, North Carolina students have adopted a new program that requires riding fixed bikes while reading.
‘Read and Ride’ is the creation of school counselor Scott Ertl, who came up with the idea while he was exercising and reading at the gym. Believing it would be a fun way to convince students to become more active, he placed one in the corner of his classroom and encouraged them to use it during independent reading classes.
It was so popular that Ertl decided to add more bikes and offer the Read and Ride program to the entire school. Today Ward Elementary has a dedicated exercise room filled with bikes that can be used by students while completing their daily reading assignments.
Besides making reading more fun, the program also helps students exercise at a comfortable pace without the pressure that comes with regular sports-related activities. It is also a perfect way to release energy during days when the weather is not helpful to outdoor activities.
Most importantly, however, are the program’s academic benefits. A year after Read and Ride was introduced at Ward Elementary School, students actively involved in the program demonstrated an astonishing 83% reading proficiency. Those that had not taken advantage of the exercise bikes tested at a much lower, 41%.
Though the substantial improvement in academic achievement cannot all be attributed to programs like Read and Ride, experts believe they are a significant contributor. That’s because studies have shown that physical activity stimulates(刺激) brain cells and helps prepare it for learning. As word of the difference made by this easy to execute exercise program spreads, don’t be surprised to find schools across the country adopt “Read and Ride” for their students.
24. What is the new program at Ward Elementary School?
A. Kids ride bikes as they read.
B. Kids excise balls and read at the gym.
C. Kids sit at desks for long while reading.
D. Kids do outdoor activities during lessons.
25. How do the students at Ward Elementary School benefit from the program?
A. They exercise with high pressure.
B. They feel reading fun and learn better.
C. They improve their sense of competition.
D. They are instructed to read at the same pace.
26. What can we learn from the last paragraph?
A. The program will be more and more popular.
B. Schools doubt whether the program is available.
C. Physical activities prevent kids from learning more.
D. The school achievement depends wholly on the program.
27. What would be the best title of the passage?
A. Standing desks help school kids focus on their studies.
B. Traditional teaching should be banned in the near future.
C. ‘Read And Ride’ aims to make students healthier and smarter.
D. Kids need release energy during independent reading classes.
ABAC