Getting kids to school is a daily routine with its own words: carpool, drop-off, pick-up, permission slip. Learners often translate from their own language and say "I will bring my son to the school" or "I take him back at three." Americans say "drop him off" and "pick him up," and they usually say "at school," not "at the school," when they mean the place kids study. This episode follows an invented family through a school morning. In this episode: • School morning words • Drop-off and pick-up • The scene, part one • The scene, part two • Phrases parents say every morning • Practice • Self-check questions with answers Key phrases from this episode: pack a lunch — put food in a lunch box or bag. "I packed your lunch." a backpack — a bag you carry on your back. homework — school work to do at home. "Did you finish your homework?" a field trip — a class trip to a museum, farm or park. sign — write your name on a paper. carpool — share rides with other families. "We carpool with the Lees." whose turn is it to drive? — who drives today? drop off — take someone somewhere and leave them. "I'll drop you off at eight." drop-off — the time or place for leaving kids. "Drop-off is at 7:50." pick up — go and get someone. "Dad will pick you up at three." pick-up — the time or place for getting kids. "Pick-up is at the side door." the pick-up line — the line of cars waiting to collect kids. Hurry up, we're gonna be late — please go faster. Do you have everything? — check that nothing is missing. Don't forget your jacket — a reminder. Shoes on! — put your shoes on (short order). Season 2 · Real American English: the complete spoken course for learners worldwide — accent, everyday grammar, prepositions, articles, phrasal verbs, idioms, slang and real conversations at home. Listen, repeat out loud, then take the 52-question quiz. Audio voiced with AI from an original script by Dr. Rashmi R Nair.