This week, students from grades 1 to 3 at Shanghai High School International Division experienced an unforgettable "Author's Week" together. The teachers prepared a diverse range of exciting activities for the students, leading them to explore the rich worlds depicted by various authors. Let's take a glimpse into the journey of Author's Week for the students in each grade.

Grade 1

We embarked on an enchanting adventure during our whimsical First Grade Author's Week! This week, we immersed ourselves in the delightful world of Mo Willems, a masterful storyteller who has captured the hearts of children around the globe with his endearing characters and captivating tales.

Our week kicked off with a touch of festivity as our little bookworms arrived at school dressed in their snuggliest and most adorable pajamas. It was a joyous sight to behold as our classroom transformed into a slumber party wonderland, complete with fluffy pillows and cozy reading nooks. Together, we cuddled up with Mo Willems' cherished books, delving into the imaginative worlds he had meticulously crafted.

On Tuesday, their creative spirits soared as they put their imaginations to work and created marvelous storyboards inspired by Mo Willems' enchanting tales. With a rainbow of colored markers and a sprinkle of fairy dust, our young authors sketched out their vibrant storylines, bringing their favorite characters and the magical journeys to life.

On Wednesday, we embarked upon a thrilling expedition into the depths of character exploration! Armed with magnifying glasses and a passion for understanding, our brilliant first graders delved into analyzing the internal and external character traits of Mo Willems' beloved characters. Through thoughtful discussion and engaging activities, we unveiled the secrets that make these characters so special, learning valuable lessons about empathy and understanding.

Thursday was a day of imagination and creation as our little authors designed their own unique characters. With glue sticks, popsicle sticks, and boundless creativity, they birthed characters that would find their place in enchanting stories yet to be written.

Our extraordinary week of wonders reached its grand finale with an enchanting Show and Tell extravaganza! With eager hearts and beaming smiles, our young authors stepped into the spotlight and presented their newly created characters to the class. From brave knights to whimsical fairies, our classroom transformed into a kaleidoscope of imagination and creativity. We were captivated by the tales spun by our budding authors, as they shared the dreams and aspirations that had blossomed throughout the remarkable week.

Grade 2

The primary section of SHSID turned into a hub of creativity and imagination as grade two students embarked on an enchanting adventure during Author's Week, honouring the beloved author Dav Pilkey. Throughout the week, students delved into the world of Pilkey's books, engaging in a variety of activities that sparked their creativity and love for reading.

Monday kicked off with a burst of artistic expression as students embraced Pilkey's unique style, creating autobiographical comics that reflected their own personalities.

On Tuesday students crafted flip-o-ramas inspired by Pilkey's books, teaching them about cause and effect in a fun, interactive way.

Wednesday saw minds at work as students searched for figurative language in Pilkey's stories, unraveling the layers of imagination woven into his tales.

Thursday brought hands-on fun as students crafted Captain Underpants bookmarks using ice lolly sticks and felt. The room buzzed with creativity as students designed their bookmarks, celebrating the mischievous superhero from Pilkey's books.

The grand finale on Friday, dubbed Captain Underpants Day, saw students and teachers alike showcasing their best Captain Underpants impersonations. Everyone transformed into the superhero, donning their best cape and bald cap and partaking in the “tra-la-la” competition. The event reached its peak as students voted for their favourite Captain Underpants impersonator, concluding the week with a celebration of imagination and camaraderie.

The grade two students are inspired and eager to continue their literary adventures. Dav Pilkey's magic not only entertained but also educated, fostering a lifelong love for reading and creativity among the students.

Grade 3

This week the 3rd grade students were able to celebrate the incredible work of one of the most famous authors in history, Roald Dahl! Roald Dahl invented more than 500 words through his creative storytelling, and through his work we are able to get a sense of how inventive and imaginative he really was. All of his books were inspired by the people or things living around him!

On Monday, students were introduced to Roald Dahl and some of his earliest publications. They each chose one of his stories to read for the week and brought in some of their own copies to create an amazing Roald Dahl library right here in their own classroom at SHSID!

The following day saw the boys and girls read to each other based on their selection of story from the previous day. They did so well at asking inquisitive questions about the characters, setting, and what was happening at each stage of the book. They displayed fantastic team work and curiosity during this task! By the middle of the week, students were all talking about Roald Dahl’s weird and wonderful characters and the books that they couldn’t put down.

Wednesday marked the day that they began their transformation into a mini Roald Dahls –– they became authors and illustrators themselves!

Students continued working on their projects for the next couple of days, and finally shared their dazzling work with each other on Friday morning.

As we bid farewell to this enchanting journey, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to all the parents and guardians who supported and encouraged our young authors along the way. Together, we nurtured a love for literature, ignited sparks of imagination, and fostered a community of storytellers. Let us cherish the memories we created during this extraordinary Author's Week, and remember that the power of storytelling knows no bounds!

Written by Thea Chen, Yuanjing Zhang, Yu Lin, Courtney, Emma, Anna

Pictures by G1-3 homeroom teachers

Edited by Cong Luo, Wu Shiyu (Intern), Bianca Noguera