Read the end of the story about Anne, and check your guesses. Answer the questions.

" Stand quite still, be quite calm, and gradually the children will become conscious that you are waiting. Never, never attempt to shout them down. "

So Anne stood her ground waiting for the chattering to subside. But the noise grew in volume as conversations became more animated. One or two children ran across the room to see their distant friends. Two little boys attacked each other. A child with birthday cards was displaying their beauties to an admiring crowd round her desk. Arnold had removed his blue pullover and was attempting to pull his shirt over his head, in order to show his friends a scar on his shoulderblade.

Amidst growing chaos Anne remained silent. She looked at the clock which jerked from one minute to the next and decided to let it leap once more before she abandoned hope.

One crumb of comfort, if comfort it could be called, remained with her. This was an outburst of natural high spirits. Her presence, she noted, meant nothing at all to them.

A chair fell over, someone yelped with pain, there was a burst of laughter, and Anne saw the clock jump to another minute. Anne advanced into action.

"To your desks!" she roared, "And quickly!"

With a pleasurable shock she saw her words obeyed. Within a minute order had returned. Refreshed by the break the children turned attentive eyes upon her.

Anne's self-esteem crept back.

1. What advice given her at college did Anne remember? Did she follow the advice? What was the result? Why did the children behave like that? 2. How did Anne restore the order? Do you think it was the only way out? 3. Comment on the words: "Anne's self-esteem crept back".

4. The first days at school are rather troublesome not only for teachers but for the children and their parents. Read a story and fill in prepositions where necessary:

Can you remember your first day... school? It was probably rather confusing. I am sure you ran... your mother thinking she was deserting you. When the child goes... school... his first day, he has to watch... his mother leaving. The teacher must convince him that... the end... the day his mother and his home will still be there. It is difficult to make the newcomer join... a game or a walk. A new life, completely different... what he is used... begins.

The mothers are as upset as their children. They hang...... their eyes fixed... their children and dislike leaving them... their fate.

The best way to deal... the situation is to get the child used... the idea... school, to help him... every way. Much depends... the parents.... the beginning... the term the mother should take her child to see the teacher and to look... the school. The first day should be something to look......and not to be feared.

5. Translate the following putting it in your own words. Comment on what you have read:

... Детей нет — есть люди, но с иным масштабом понятий, с иным запасом опыта, иными влечениями, иной игрой чувств. Помни, что мы их не знаем...

Все современное воспитание направлено на то, чтобы ребенок был удобен, последовательно, шаг за шагом, стремится усыпить, подавить, истребить все, что является волей и свободой ребенка, стойкостью его духа, силой его требований.

Вежлив, послушен, хорош, удобен, а и мысли нет о том, что будет внутренне безволен н жизненно немощен....

Обратили ли вы внимание, как часто, когда раздается в передней звонок, вы слышите просьбу:

— Я отворю?

Во-первых, замок у входных дверей трудный, во-вторых, чувство, что там, за дверью, стоит взрослый, который сам не может справиться и ждет, когда ты, маленький, поможешь...

Вот какие небольшие победы празднует ребенок, уже грезящий о дальних путешествиях, в мечтах он — Робинзон на безлюдном острове, а в действительности рад-радехонек, когда позволят выглянуть в окошко. (Януш Корчак. Как любить детей.)

[1] reader a university teacher of a rank immediately below a professor,

lecturer: a person lower in rank than a reader who gives lectures, especially at a college or university.