With the refreshing autumn breeze, several journeys of Chinese literature are slowly unfolding under the October sky. In this season of harvest, groups of sixth, seventh, and eighth grade have each embarked on unique activities: reading a science fiction book and writing creative book notes; engaging in fictional dialogues with elders to explore parental history; and interviewing elders to make conversations with history. These experience exchanges enable students to write character “special reports”, connecting their stories with the tides of the times.

Wandering through time and space of the future and past, where reality and fantasy intersect, all activities are anchored in the present words and the growth of life.

Voyage of Science and Imagination: Adventures in Science Fiction

In October, G6 students embarked on a special science fiction reading journey, marking the beginning of this semester's theme of science fiction literature. They selected a book from a carefully curated list of science fiction themes provided by their teachers, immersed themselves in the ocean of books, and completed a special reading task.

The students' science fiction reading reports not only showcased their views and opinions on the works they read but also interpreted their understanding through creative writing and comic creation. In the classroom, students shared their experiences and insights from reading science fiction novels. Some classes held Gallery work, while others organized "Science Fiction Reading Sharing Sessions," with a variety of colorful presentation displays.

This science fiction reading activity not only enhanced the students' literacy abilities  and critical thinking skills but also sparked their curiosity about science and the unknown world.

Dialogue Across Time and Space: Stories Under the Sky

G7 students, after reading a series of articles in the "Adolescent Growth" unit, embarked on a special writing journey titled "Under the Same Sky." They engaged in deep conversations with their elders, listening to stories from the past , and then, through the wings of imagination, traveled through time to walk alongside their elders' childhoods. The project required students to create based on the historical context and character traits, understanding the combination of real life and artistic truth, drafting story outlines, and presenting them in the form of novels or narratives.

Students used novel elements such as conflict, suspense, and psychological dialectics to enhance the artistic quality of their works and enrich the characters. Through fierce imagination, interesting plots, and delicate emotions, their works not only recreated the emotions and atmosphere of that era but also showcased the unique spiritual journey of individuals in the historical tide. Additionally, students captured a wonderful moment from their novels through drawings or pictures as the project cover.

This project not only honed the students' writing and expression skills but also taught them how to understand and feel the past times from different perspectives. Through dialogue and creation with their elders, students enhanced their sense of identity with family and social history and cultivated their empathy and creativity.

Exploring the Spirit of the Era: Conversation over tills the light turns on

In the "Conversations with the past times" and "Footsteps of Our Forefathers" writing project, G8 native language students transform into little reporters, designing relevant questions or using old objects to journey back in time and record details. They may interview parents or grandparents who embody the spirit of the era and write feature articles about them. The students engage in in-depth conversations with their elders, listening to stories of their past and struggles, expressing reflections on the passage of time, and documenting the struggles and "entrepreneurial history" of their parents and grandparents. They write the legends of the people around them.

This project requires students to organize and condense their interview content, ultimately creating a small booklet of records from the past or a booklet of character profiles. This process includes designing questions, arranging interviews, recording the interviews, and writing the final text. Throughout the process, students experience the wisdom accumulated over time and the admirable spirit of "braving the winds and waves" demonstrated by their elders.

Students discovered commonalities between time periods  and showcased the spirit of the times in the experiences of the characters. They not only improved their interviewing and writing skills but also learned to respect and understand the struggles of their fathers and grandfathers, sparking reflections on personal responsibility and the mission of the times.

In the magical October journey of Chinese literature, the native Chinese class students of the sixth, seventh, and eighth grades experienced the power of literature and the value of history through three different activities—"Adventures in Science Fiction," "Under the Same Sky," and "Memories in Footprints." Although the activities varied in form, they all aimed to cultivate students' critical thinking, creativity, and empathy through reading, communication, and writing. Students built bridges between reality and fantasy, past and future, and through the nourishment of life experiences and words, gained deeper understanding and insight into themselves, their families, society, and even the world. They not only improved their language skills but also grew on a spiritual level.

Written by Zhang xin yi

Pictures by Zhang xin yi

Reviewed by Tianyuan Shen, Chen Fan, Chenli Shen, Cong Luo, Emma Hackett