Тексты для домашнего чтения на уроке английского языка из истории города Высоковска, Московской области
занимательные факты по английскому языку (7, 8 класс)

Unknown history

There are many large and famous cities in Russia, but much more small and unknown towns. And each town keeps its own old history. Let’s have a look at one of them.

Spotlight on Russia talks to Sophiya – а 12-year-old resident of a small town called Vysokovsk.

Hello, my name’s Sophiya. I live in a small but beautiful and cozy town Vysokovsk. And I’d like to tell you about the history of my town.

 Vysokovsk’s a town in the Klin district on the north of Moscow region and there are around 10, 000 people live there. The town’s located on the Vyaz river.

The history of my town began in 1864 with the formation and development of “Spinning and weaving factory”. The factory was founded by Gregory Lavrentievich Kashaev – a merchant of the second Guild. In 1979 a British subject1 - Roman Romanovich McGill (Robert McGill)   was invited as an investor.

In 1882 for high quality of products “Spinning and weaving2 factory” was awarded a bronze medal at the Russian exhibition in Moscow and a gold medal at the Russian exhibition in 1896 in Nizhny Novgorod.

Unfortunately, nowadays factory doesn’t work and all the buildings are abandoned.

The name “Vysokovsk” was given to the town because of its location on a high place, but people call it “Little Paris”.

The definition of "little" is clear: the population and territory of the town are small. But why Paris?

The most popular version is that such a bright name was given to the town by analogy with the name of the capital of the most revolutionary state in Europe – France. Paris is the city of three revolutions. In the early twentieth century, several strikes3 also occurred in Vysokovsk. The weavers’ revolutionary activity contributed4 to the establishment of Soviet power in the town.

Nowadays, Vysokovsk’s a peaceful and quiet town. We’ve got everything close at hand and there are a lot of historical places to visit. I love my “Little Paris” just because it’s my home town. I know that there are a lot of places in the world, which are more beautiful, more comfortable for living and more attractive in terms of opportunities. But, as the proverb says “East or West, home is best”. So, my native town will always be the best place on the planet for me.

We are trying to find out more information about Russian towns and villages. Be part of our research. Write to us an interesting story about your home town. The best articles  get to appear on our website.

Activities:

• What do you know special about your town? Do you like to live there or would you like to move to another place? Discuss in class.
• Find some photos of famous places in your town, bring them to class and describe.

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The best teacher

"A person is not famous for what others do for him, or for what he does for himself, but only for what he does for others" - these words can serve as a leitmotif1 to the whole life path of all teachers.

There is a good old word "ascetic". It is a combination of two very important concepts: "movement" and "feat". These concepts most accurately and fully express the deep essence of teacher's work,because teachers are the heroes of all times, they lead us through the years of childhood, adolescence2 and the youth by the right way.

Spotlight on Russia is going to tell you about a remarkable, wonderful teacher Ivan Ivanovich Rybin.

He became an ideal for his students. His lessons were whole world of knowledge and completely new discoveries. It is clear, because he was  the man with great intelligence with extraordinary nobility and creative potential.

In everyone’s memory, there are people who made us what we are today. Such a great leader was Ivan Ivanovich Rybin for all Vysokovsk residents.

All his childhood Ivan Ivanovich Rybin spent at the stadium in Vysokovsk. When The Great Patriotic War began, Ivan Ivanovich was  19 years old. He met the Great Victory in Germany as a senior Lieutenant. In 1947, he returned to his native town Vysokovsk.

During the war, he was awarded with the Order of the Red Star, the order of the Patriotic War, 8 medals for military services.

After the war, the fate of I. Rybin connected with work at the school, where he was a PE teacher. He won a lot of prizes in gymnastics competitions.

He became the leader of the district tourist movement since 1948.  Vysokovsk team won many diplomas of various levelsin tourist meetings. Among the residents of the city, Ivan Ivanovich's authority was indisputable.

   The work of the teacher did not go unnoticed. Ivan Ivanovich was awarded an important medal and the badge of Excellence in Public Education.

As well as residents of the city, it was suggested to name the sports and recreation complex after Ivan Ivanovich Rybin.

As long as people can remember, there was a teacher among them. The fate of every living person on the Earth has been at least a little in his hands. Everything that is bright in our life is from a teacher’s heart.

Spotlight collects information about remarkable people. Be part of our research. Send us stories about the best people in your city or neighborhood. The most interesting stories will be published in our magazine

Activities

- Do you know what famous people lived in your city? What are they famous for? Discuss in class.

- What kind of character should a teacher have? Tell your classmates about your favourite teacher.

feat - a remarkable, skilful action; achievement

essence - the most distinctive element of a thing

nobility - the state or quality of being morally or spiritually good

military services - armed forces