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A group called the National Center for Fathering launched a programme for American men almost 20 years ago. The programme is called Watch D.O.G.S. standing for Dads of Great Students. The programme tries to get men to spend more time serving as volunteers at schools across the United States. Most of the men are fathers. But they can also be grandfathers, uncles and stepfather.
Studies show that children generally do better in school when fathers engaged in their day-to-day activity. One study in 2013 found that a father’s engagement can help a child succeed in school. It can also increase the child’s chances of finishing high school, while reducing his or her risk of drug abuse. The U.S Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention reported the findings.
The Watch D.O.G.S. programme now operates in more than 5,000 schools. It requires that men serve as school volunteers at least one full day during the school years. Some help to direct cars and other vehicles entering school to drop off children. Others will have a meal with small groups of children. This seems to help boys and girls behave better while out of the classroom. During the rest of the day, the men can read to students, help teachers with activities or assist with small group projects.
Adam Mehmud volunteers at a school in northern Virginia, just outside of Washington D.C.Mehmud is a single single father with three sons. His own father died when he was very young. So Mehmud says he wants to be sure to be a good father.
He has been a Watch D.O.G.S.volunteer for three years. These days, technology can take over a child’s life. It is harder for parents to find time to connect with their children. But the school day is free from video games and smart phones. Adam Mehmud says he and other men see how interaction that may seem small can help children learn the way to do things.
“I see my sons do very thoughtful things, and hopefully part of the reason for that is because I try to do things for others, too,” Mehmud says.
1. What does the program want to do?
A. To raise funds for poor children. B. To help students with reading disorders.
C. To get men to help improve test scores.
D. To encourage men to spend time serving as volunteers at school.
2. What can fathers do when they are engaged in the day-to-day activities?
A. Have meals with children. B. Help children get rid of drug abuse.
C. Hold birthday parties for children. D. Assist teachers in going over exam papers.
3. What can we know from the passage?
A. Mehmud is a father of two sons.
B. The Watch D.O.G.S. program has run for three years.
C. Volunteers should serve at least one full day during the school year.
D. Children behave better when teachers are good-tempered.
4. What’s the probable meaning of the underlined word “interactions”?
A. the act or way of thinking. B. the way a person behaves.
C. a branch of knowledge. D. an effect on each other.
