With the gentle spring breeze and nature coming back to life, students in Grades 1 to 3 from SHSID Hongkou Campus recently embarked on a spring field trip themed "Finding Spring" at Miracle Garden and Rubber Duck Theme Park in Pujiang Country Park. Wandering through a sea of flowers and exploring with laughter, the students extended their classrooms into the vast outdoors, experiencing firsthand the vibrant vitality and beauty of spring.

To ensure a safe, orderly, and educational trip, all classes conducted detailed pre-trip education. Teachers not only explained safety rules but also distributed carefully designed, grade-specific "Spring Task Sheets." This guided the students to embark on this journey of spring discovery with clear goals and observant eyes.

Spring Discovery: Capturing the Codes of the Season Through the Senses

Stepping into Miracle Garden at Pujiang Country Park, the children felt as if they had tumbled into a springtime fairy tale. They were greeted by the "Miracle Flower Carpet," spanning nearly 10,000 square meters and paved with millions of blooming flowers. Tulips, horned violets, and daffodils wove vibrant colors into giant 3D structures, such as peacocks and castles, drawing gasps of amazement. The children walked under the arches of the "Flora Church," woven from vines and flowers, and lingered by the "Sky Fish" floral sculpture floating on the mirror lake, eagerly capturing every hue of spring with their eyes.

Grade 1 students used their lovely drawing strokes to depict "Spring in My Eyes." The dazzling flower carpets, fluttering butterflies, and the playful silhouettes of their peers were all the most beautiful springtime scenes in their hearts. The Grade 2 "Spring Sensory Task" offered a different challenge: in Miracle Garden, the children closed their eyes, listened to the rustling of the spring breeze brushing through the blossoms, took deep breaths to capture the mixed scent of flowers and fresh grass in the air, and earnestly recorded every subtle discovery of "I hear," "I smell," and "I see." Meanwhile, Grade 3 students transformed into little observers and thinkers. They were tasked with recording the sights that fascinated them the most and explaining why. Taking it a step further, they adopted the perspective of a "Park Manager" to create a meaningful rule to protect this springtime beauty, elevating their experience into a sense of responsibility. Spring was no longer just a word in a textbook; it had transformed into a visible, audible, olfactory, and tactile three-dimensional symphonic poem.

Spring Gathering: Sharing and Eco-friendly Practices During the Lawn Picnic

Taking a brief rest from their exploration, the classes gathered on designated soft lawns for a joyful picnic. The children eagerly brought out their carefully prepared healthy meals—a dazzling array of sandwiches, rice balls, and sliced fruit boxes. At this moment, "sharing" became the most touching theme. "Try a bite of the sushi my mom made," "I'll share a piece of my homemade cookie with you,"—friendships quietly blossomed through the exchange of food.

Most commendably, eco-friendly concepts were practiced throughout. The children conscientiously sorted fruit peels and wrappers into their own trash bags and carefully inspected the lawn after the meal to ensure not a single piece of litter was left behind. The Grade 3 "Little Managers" even took the initiative to assist teachers in checking the cleanliness of the area, using practical actions to protect the park's springtime beauty, making this spring feast not only delicious but also civilized and responsible.

Joy of Collaboration: Blooming Flowers of Friendship Through Games

At the Rubber Duck Park, joyful laughter and cheers merged into an ocean of joy. Like a group of happy little elves, the children threw themselves completely into the various play facilities under the "watchful eyes" of the giant inflatable rubber duck. They zoomed down the "Dash Duck" water slide with excited squeals, the splashing water reflecting their bright, radiant smiles; and they bounced with all their might on the "Bouncing Cloud," experiencing the unique rhythm of weightlessness and synchronized teamwork. In these moments, happiness became so simple and pure.

Playtime was not just a way to burn off energy; it was a vivid classroom for learning about cooperation and sharing. The children spontaneously lined up and waited for their turn, cheering on their friends coming down the slides. On equipment that required paired cooperation, they quickly teamed up and worked together in perfect harmony. Whenever a companion accidentally stumbled or faced a little difficulty, several small hands would instantly reach out to help, accompanied by caring check-ins and resounding cheers of "You can do it!" Here, friendships quickly blossomed amidst the shared running and laughter, and team spirit naturally grew through every act of mutual assistance. This fairy-tale wonderland not only captured the children's joyful, bounding figures but also witnessed the blooming of their collaboration—a flower of teamwork that felt even warmer than the radiant spring sunshine.

Growth in Thinking: Bringing Spring Back to the Classroom

After the activities concluded, the children earnestly completed the "Reflection" section of their task sheets. From "I learned to carefully observe the structure of flowers" to "I realized that teamwork makes games more fun," and from "My favorite part was picnicking on the flower carpet with my best friend" to "Next time, I want to be braver when trying the climbing activities"—their written words were filled with genuine takeaways and reflections on their personal growth. This comprehensive task sheet not only guided their exploratory direction but also helped the children organize their experiences, internalizing external playtime into valuable life lessons and character building.

This spring field trip was not only a delightful outdoor experience but also a vivid, comprehensive practical lesson. While searching for spring and experiencing its beauty, the children sharpened their observation skills, practiced teamwork, and strengthened their sense of responsibility. They joyfully read from the "wordless book" of nature, allowing their footprints of growth to bloom alongside the fragrant spring colors. This beautiful springtime memory will undoubtedly become a vibrant stroke in the canvas of their childhood.

(Written by Nina Kang

Pictures by Elaine Zhu, Homeroom Teachers

Reviewed by Ms. Zhu Dan, Shiyu Wu, Hannah Kloeber)