Core values education and independent learning skills are crucial for students' holistic development. These values encourage students to become more confident in academics supporting them in when facing challenges. At SHSID (Hongkou Campus), a structured goal-setting program has been designed to guide students in establishing appropriate character development and academic goals at the beginning of each term.

Core Values as the Foundation

Core values are the cornerstone of student growth. For first-grade students, who are at the beginning of their academic journey, this period is critical for their  social and emotional growth. At Hongkou Campus, the “HERO” Core Values are integrated into the Personal Growth courses. “HERO” stands for four essential qualities: Honesty, Etiquette, Respect, and Organization, which are regarded as the students' "superpowers."  

This semester, the Personal Growth courses involve a variety of engaging and educational activities to help students deeply understand different values and encourage them to adopt them individually. Teachers use an array of interactive methods, such as educational videos, fables, and role-playing, to help create real-life scenarios. During these activities  students can experience the power of these core values firsthand, making them more vivid and relatable. During this class students not only develop understanding of these values but are also encouraged to practice them in daily life, gradually embedding these principles into their behavior. We look forward to seeing each first grader grow and exhibit their four “superpowers,” becoming true “little heroes.”  

This semester, second graders will begin on a broader path of growth guided by the “HEROES” core values. “HEROES” encompass Helpfulness, Effort, Responsibility, Optimism, Empathy, and Self-Management, aiming to nurture students' sense of social responsibility and independence. The second graders' journey into “HEROES” will center around innovative and challenging tasks—involving creating a personal superhero comic book. Through this activity, students will document their understanding of each quality, putting core value education into practice. As they create their comics, students will explore each value in depth. They will focus on  learning compassion for others, perseverance , responsibility, optimism, empathy, and self-management. This playful, creative learning approach ignites students’ imagination and enthusiasm by integrating the “HEROES” core values into their daily lives.

 Through innovative, yet creativity based activity, students gain a profound understanding of these virtues and apply them in real life, growing into responsible, capable, and caring “superheroes.”

Independent Learning Takes Root

In addition to reinforcing core values, Hongkou Campus has prioritized cultivating independent learning skills this semester, tailoring development goals for both first and second graders.  

For first graders, the focus is on laying the groundwork for independent learning by introducing the “IL Adventure” (Independent Learning Adventure) milestone map, providing a clear pathway toward self-directed learning. “IL Adventure” features four key milestones: time management, task execution, study skills, and cognitive development. These milestones break down the independent learning process into specific, achievable goals. Throughout this journey, students learn how to independently prepare their study materials according to the class schedule. They learn how to plan their homework, time management , and maintain good habits. The goal for the students is being able to organize personal belongings and keeping a tidy learning environment. Moreover, life skills like tying shoelaces, though seemingly minor, play a vital role in fostering independence and responsibility. These small, meticulous goals serve as building blocks that, through daily effort, can construct students’ independent learning capacity. We believe that through this systematic approach, first graders will steadily grow into independent learners and can lay a solid foundation for their future academic journey.  

For second graders, the pursuit of independent learning advances to a new level. Under the theme of “SPACE ADVENTURE,” a series of space-related tasks has been designed, each for representing a key independent learning skill, such as; Taking Ownership of Learning, Time Management, Focus, Problem-Solving, Self-Reflection, and Thinking Skills. With the guidance and support of their teachers, students will continuously explore and practice these skills, gradually learning how to plan their learning paths independently, manage their time effectively, stay focused, and solve academic challenges. By the end of this space adventure, second graders will have developed independent learning skills, becoming explorers ready for future academic journeys and beyond.

Goal Setting for Academic and Personal Growth

With core values introduced and independent learning paths established, students embark on their journey of self-directed goal setting. At SHSID (Hongkou Campus), this process emphasizes guiding students to set challenging yet feasible goals tailored to their unique strengths and characteristics.  

For first graders, the goal-setting process is designed to be intuitive and easy to follow. After a month of initial learning exploration, students are now able to grasp the essentials of goal setting. Some aspire to develop daily reading habits, others focus on enhancing their ability to organize toys independently, and some aim to excel in artistic expression. The school's specially designed Portfolio for Personal Growth, with a series of age-appropriate guiding questions, not only fits the students’ current abilities but also points them toward their individualized growth paths.  

In second grade, the goal-setting process becomes more tailored to the students level.  Students are encouraged to set two types of goals for the semester: one academic and one personal. Academic goals focus on specific skill improvements, such as increasing math computation speed or expanding reading breadth and depth, while personal goals cover social skills, interests, life skills, and much more for personal growth. . During the process, students are guided to deeply reflect on the significance of their goals and break them down into actionable steps. Establishing a self-assessment mechanism is essential, helping students maintain awareness as they pursue their goals, adjust strategies as needed, and ensure steady, effective growth. This process strengthens their ability to set concrete, achievable goals while also promoting continuous self-reflection and growth, fueling their development throughout second grade.  

Collaboration between the school and families plays a vital role in students' goal-setting and execution. Homeroom teachers, have a strong understanding of their students, allowing them the luxury of providing personalized, one-on-one guidance, helping students create growth goals that are both challenging and aligned with their unique qualities. Meanwhile, families act as a support system in the goal-setting journey. Students engage in meaningful conversations with their parents, carefully listening to and incorporating valuable suggestions from home, which helps refine and ground their goals in reality. Cooperation between home and school creates a comprehensive support system for students. We are confident that with this collaborative effort, students will receive the guidance, assistance, and encouragement they need to successfully achieve the goals they have set for themselves.

This semester, Hongkou Campus is committed to enhancing students' overall development, with a well-rounded curriculum focused on core value education, independent learning skills, and personalized goal setting. This system will guide each student to gradually become a responsible global citizen with strong independent learning abilities. We believe that as students continue to immerse themselves in these courses, they will soar confidently in their future academic pursuits.

Written by Nina Kang

Pictures by Elaine Zhu and Parents from Hongkou Campus

Edited by Cong Luo, Emma Hackett