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Grade 9: Study Strategy Lectures Held

September 13, 2024

From September 9th to September 12th, a total of four lectures were held in the ZX building. As the continuation of the previous Gateway Courses, these lectures focused on constructive study strategies in high school and introduced the ninth graders to Literature Research, Plagiarism and Integrity, Conceptual Understanding, Scientific Research, and Time Management.


On September 9th, G9 students attended the first study strategy lecture held in the ZXB B1 theater. In the lecture, Mr. Justin Way from the English Department provided advice on integrity, plagiarism, and citations regarding literature research.


The main point of the lecture was: when citing a source, whether it be in MLA (Modern Language Association) format, APA (American Psychological Association) format, or Chicago style, how can accidental plagiarism be avoided? As freshmen, it is important to recognize that research is fundamental in high school; therefore, it is crucial to correctly incorporate information into essays and assignments.



On September 10th, Mr. Wu Jianjing from the Teacher Advisor Office hosted the second study strategy course, Conceptual Understanding. To begin, Mr. Wu pointed out that high school not only entails a wider scope of learning but also requires students to have consistency with more complex and dense concepts.


Mr. Wu asked, “What is a concept?” He proceeded to show a famous painting by Andy Warhol, asking students to identify the concepts they recognize within it. Most described elements of the picture; however, as Mr. Wu explained, even if some descriptions are tangible, they do not represent the painting holistically. A concept isn’t an invented object or thing; instead, it is an idea devised from the brain and can be explained and understood.


To summarize the importance of understanding concepts and applying them to content-based thinking, Mr. Wu explained that concepts foster a connection of knowledge. Big concepts apply to various disciplines. They take on different forms when branching out into different subjects, as development could mean chemical or physical change in chemistry, developing a piece of composition in music, and the process of writing in literature.



On September 11th, G9 students participated in the third Study Strategy lecture about scientific research. This lecture was given by Mr. Liao Hui from the STEM Advisor office and attracted many students interested in innovative activities.


Mr. Liao started by introducing the benefits of participating in innovative activities. He believes that innovative activities can cultivate student's creative thinking and practical abilities. Furthermore, students can gain valuable experience in such activities, expanding their knowledge and fostering their growth.


Then, Mr. Liao introduced various innovative competitions available in high school. He briefly explained the competition processes. The competitions mentioned in the lecture include the Shanghai Adolescents Science and Technology Innovation Contest, ISEF, S.-T. Yau High School Science Award, and others. Providing suggestions, Mr. Liao emphasized that the purpose of innovative activities is to value the process rather than the results. He encourages students to explore resources independently and actively participate in innovative activities.



On September 12th, in the fourth study strategy lecture titled " You are Your Habits," Ms. He Yiwei from the Teacher Advisor Office provided valuable insights into effective habit formation and time management.


Ms. He began by exploring how aspirations shape habits, emphasizing that small, consistent actions can lead to substantial personal growth. She illustrated her points with the example of Victor Hugo, who famously managed his distractions by laying out his writing materials and isolating himself from social engagements to focus on his work. Ms. He recommended practical techniques such as placing reminders in visible spots to reinforce new habits.


Additionally, she introduced a 30-day challenge using sticky notes to help students manage their time and stay organized. Her lecture gave students actionable steps to enhance their study routines and achieve their academic goals.



During these four lectures, teachers provided students with many effective suggestions from various aspects, and students expressed that they gained a lot from them.


(Written by 9(8) Elaine Chen, 9(8) Joy Xue, 9(11) Chaewon Lee, 9(9) Emma Li     Pictures by 9(11) Chloe Chen, 9(11) Maggie Tang, 9(10) Xinwei Huang, 9(1) Bingyi Wei, 9(6) William Chen    Supervised by Lijia Yu, Yi Fang     Reviewed by Qian Zuo)