Character and moral education have always been the core of soulful education. Good character and morals are the foundation for students’ having holistic development. With this in mind, Grade 1 at Shanghai High School International Division, Puxi Campus, actively planned and carried out a series of gratitude and compassion-themed activities. These initiatives aimed to help students learn respect, care, responsibility, and mutual support through hands-on experiences.

Gratitude and Compassion Education Series, Part 1: Heart to Heart, Sharing Love through Books

On November 27, the Grade 1 students at Puxi Campus welcomed a special guest: Dr. Zhizhong Li, Secretary-General of the Shiyu Children Foundation, a 4A-rated public welfare organization dedicated to supporting children with cancer and their families. During his visit, Dr. Li introduced the "Kids Help Kids" project, which is a collaborative initiative between the Grade 1 students and the foundation. The foundation encourages children to donate picture books to pediatric cancer patients undergoing treatment. This activity is sought to bring comfort and hope to young patients while promoting love and social responsibility within the donors.

Dr. Li explained the foundation’s efforts and motivations while also sharing  moving stories of how they provide support to children with cancer and their families.  The presentation highlighted and brought perspective of  the loneliness and challenges these children face during treatment. Dr. Li aligned closely with the core values of respect, care, help, sharing, and diversity emphasized in Grade 1 moral education, leaving a deep impression on all attendees.

Under the guidance of their teachers, students donated carefully chosen Chinese picture books, writing heartfelt messages of encouragement and love on the inside covers.

These books were  packaged with care and delivered to the Hematology and Oncology Department of Chongqing Children’s Hospital, bringing knowledge and hope to young patients with the help of local charitable partners.

Gratitude and Compassion Education Series, Part 2: Egg Protection Project – A Journey of Love

It's time for the Eggcellent Parent Program! For one week, Grade 1 students transformed into dedicated "rookie parents," lovingly caring for their “egg babies.” Starting December 4, each child embraced the sacred mission of protecting a fragile egg.

To create a safe and cozy home for their egg babies, students brainstormed and showcased their creativity. Some built warm cradles out of soft cotton to shield their eggs from all disturbances, while others layered tissues to fashion snug little havens. The most ingenious "egg parents" even designed miniature luxury villas, complete with tiny beds, living rooms, and play areas to ensure their egg babies felt safe and cherished at all times.

Throughout the week, these "egg parents" were not just engineers of little homes but also the closest companions to their egg babies. They brought their eggs to class, shared knowledge, and even encouraged them while completing assignments. During leisure time, they read stories and shared laughter with their egg babies. At night, they gently recounted bedtime tales, wrapping their eggs in a cocoon of warmth and sweetness.

Gratitude and Compassion Education Series, Part 3: Kindness Bucket, Overflowing with Friendship

Inspired by the story The Kindness Bucket, Grade 1 teachers organized a "Bucket of Kindness" activity. The event began with teachers explaining the meaning behind the metaphorical bucket, encouraging students to observe their peers' behavior and recognize the positive qualities and admirable actions of others. With sincerity, the children wrote down their compliments on sticky notes, ensuring that every classmate’s "bucket" was filled with love from their peers.

On December 11, during their personal growth class, students placed their notes into prepared baskets, sharing warm and kind words with their classmates. The classroom was filled with joy and warmth as the children gave and received heartfelt compliments.

Gratitude and Compassion Education Series, Part 4: Spreading Love through Words

On December 18, teachers held an anti-bullying activity centered on the core values of care and respect. To begin, each child cut out a heart from colorful paper, symbolizing the kindness and love in their own hearts. Then, students gathered to listen to the story Chrysanthemum, which tells the tale of a mouse whose unusually long name made her a target for teasing. The ridicule left Chrysanthemum feeling sad and reluctant to attend school.

During the story, every time Chrysanthemum was teased, students were asked to crumple their paper hearts. This simple act vividly demonstrated the pain and struggles Chrysanthemum endured.

As the story progressed, Chrysanthemum’s classmates, guided by their teacher, realized the hurt their words had caused and promised to use kind words in the future. However, when the children attempted to smooth out their crumpled hearts, they found the creases could never fully disappear.

At that moment, students came to understand the profound impact of thoughtless words and how they can leave lasting scars. They realized the immense power of words to either hurt or heal and pledged to communicate with empathy, avoiding harmful language while considering others’ feelings.

Through active participation in meaningful activities such as the "Kids Help Kids" book donation, the " Eggcellent Parent Program," and the "Kindness Bucket," Grade 1 students not only extended compassion and warmth to those in need but also developed a deeper understanding of empathy, responsibility, and care. These activities taught students to appreciate and affirm others and to recognize the positive impact of their actions on society. They experienced the transformative power of kindness and love, which enriched their personal growth and fostered a harmonious and loving school environment.

Looking ahead, we remain committed to cultivating responsible global citizens and laying a solid foundation for the future growth of every child.

Written by Yu Lin, Yijuan Yang, Steph Carr

Pictures by Siying Li, G1 Homeroom Teachers, G1 Parents

Reviewed  by Zhang Yi, Chenli Shen, Cong Luo, Emma Hackett