During mid-May, fourth and fifth graders at SHSID’s Puxi Campus each celebrated Author’s Week by immersing themselves in the literary worlds of Rick Riordan and Cornelia Funke. Through a diverse range of activities combining reading, writing, and creative projects, students developed their comprehension skills, writing proficiency, and collaborative abilities.

Grade 4 Author’s Week: A Celebration of Greek Myths and Rick Riordan

Author’s Week in Grade 4 was nothing short of legendary! In connection with our Greek mythology unit—where students read Hercules’ Quest and wrote their own original myths—our chosen author was none other than Rick Riordan, the brilliant mind behind the Percy Jackson series. His work brought an extra layer of excitement and immersion to the week’s activities.

On Tuesday, students rotated through a series of themed stations. One station introduced students to the life and works of Rick Riordan, while another transported them to Ancient Greece with hands-on activities about Greek theatre and the Olympics. At the reading station, students enjoyed performing plays, further building their reading fluency and expression.

Wednesday brought creative wordplay to life as students came to school dressed as idioms in a “Play on Words” celebration. Throughout the day, they visited other homerooms to participate in Idiom Bingo, exchanging laughs and collecting Greek-themed sticker prizes.

On Thursday, students delved into the mythical world of monsters. During reading time, each homeroom explored famous Greek monsters, focusing on their unique body parts and special abilities. As a creative extension, students then designed their own original Greek creatures—complete with names, traits, and fantastical features.

Despite the rainy weather on Friday, spirits remained high. Students participated in an exciting campus-wide scavenger hunt, solving riddles and encountering their fourth-grade teachers dressed as gods and goddesses—perfectly matching the students’ own costumes.

From myth-making to monster designing, from idioms to immortals, Author’s Week was a memorable adventure into the world of imagination and literature!

Grade 5 Author’s Week: The Magical World of Inkheart

During our Author’s Week, our 5th Graders had a chance to interact and enjoy the amazing Inkheart Novel as a group, with several activities throughout the 4-day week! We set our start with our lively lunch recess daily activities, students at Shanghai High School dove into the enchanting world of the Inkheart novel with a series of fun-filled activities that sparked creativity and imagination!

Lunch Recces Booklet Creation

During our lunch recess, students explored the magical world of Inkheart through four engaging activities. They created their characters, including Felix the Fearless, and transformed themselves into characters like Captain Curiosity. Crafting short stories about their adventures, they navigated challenges together. The students also designed vibrant book covers and engaged in role-plays, bringing the story to life. This enriching experience not only sparked creativity but also emphasized teamwork and the importance of community, all while celebrating the inspiring work of Cornelia Funke.

Exploring Funke’s Art and Community Impact

In a heartwarming session during their P & B lesson, students delved into the inspiring world of Cornelia Funke. Known for her captivating books and charitable initiatives, Funke created stories that resonated with readers of all ages. Students explored her stunning artwork and learned about her dedication to helping children worldwide, discovering how her stories empowered young readers.

Role-Playing Their Favorite Stories

To bring the magic of Inkheart to life, during their Personal Growth (PG) lesson, students engaged in interactive role-plays based on various story segments. They acted out pivotal scenes, showcasing their creativity and teamwork. The classroom buzzed with excitement as characters sprang to life, immersing everyone in Funke's enchanting world.

Planning for the Inkheart Live Action Movie

As a thrilling finale, students expressed a desire to create a live-action adaptation of Inkheart. Ideas flowed as they discussed casting, settings, and how to capture the essence of the novel on screen. “It would be amazing to see our favorite characters come to life!” one student exclaimed. Students then had a chance to watch the 2008 Inkheart movie.

These engaging activities not only enhanced creativity but also fostered teamwork and storytelling skills. By exploring Rick Riordan and Cornelia Funke’s work, students grew personally and learned the value of giving back. Shanghai High School 4th and 5th Grade Department continued to inspire its students to dream big and make a difference in the world, bringing the magic of the books to life, one story at a time!

Written by Annie Feleppa, Heather Felix, Cathy Cao, Teng Chen

Pictures by Minxuan Cao

Edited by Cong Luo

Reviewed by Luting Lu, Chenli Shen, Cong Luo