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Journey to the Miles High — Record of SHSID Middle and Primary School Professional Development Day（I）

October 17, 2023

On the celebratory occasion of Shanghai High School International Division (SHSID)’s 30th anniversary, this semester’s first Professional Development Day (PD Day) for middle and primary school teachers rode on the wind of the golden autumn season.

Following the first Independent Learner (IL) Development Framework workshop last semester, this symposium focused on the other two dimensions of the IL framework — Independent Learning Power Building and Classroom Environment, Climate and Related Competencies Building.

First, Mr. Shen Tianyuan, vice principal of SHSID middle and primary school sections, introduced the theme of "Independent Learning Power Building" by illustrating some of the "pain points" that teachers encounter in their teaching practice. Afterwards, Ms. Wang Yun deconstructed the concept of the Independent Learning Power Building and introduced its three components that make up the positive cycle of learning.

Ms. Meng Shiyue started from the classroom practice and showed how to help students develop a sense of purpose effectively under the IL framework through a simple teaching clip. Ms. Wang Yuanxin talked about how to shape students' attitudes towards learning by improving learning strategies and mastering study methods. Mr. Guo Lei emphasized the need for teachers to encourage students to engage in interdisciplinary and high-quality reflection to enhance learning outcomes.

The discussion on "Classroom Environment, Climate and Related Competencies Building" was moderated by Ms. Liu Fang, vice principal of SHSID middle and primary school section. Ms. Zhang Ting threw in a poetic interpretation of the three aspects that this theme encompasses.

Introduced by an authentic 7th grade math classroom scenario, Ms. Xu Wei provided a specific analysis of collaborative learning. Ms. Wu Yin proposed specific approaches such as verbal support and process evaluation to promote the development of students' growth mindset. With the help of digital tools, Ms. Huang Yujia guided teachers to understand digital information acquisition, digital tool selection, and digital generation and expression ability construction in live drills.

After the wonderful introduction to the theoretical framework, Ms. Ge Xumei presented a real case of specific application of the IL framework in the classroom teaching session, using a math lesson with the topic of Area as an example. Ms. Chen Fan used the case of teaching science fiction writing as an entry point to illustrate that the IL framework is not isolated but should be integrated into every step of daily teaching and timely reflection.

Finally, Mr. Liu Lian, principal of SHSID middle and primary school sections, gave wonderful closing remarks. He gave full recognition to all of the teachers who contributed to the event, and suggested that a first-class international school should focus on the students and the teaching itself first and foremost. In addition, he emphasized that all teachers should put the students at the center of teaching and learning, helping them to become "Independent Learners”. The SHSID middle and primary school section will continue to make changes and attempts to take the quality of schooling to the next level.

Fresh ideas come in a steady stream, like flowers and willows competing for new colors in the wind. After attending this feast of knowledge about IL, the teachers all achieved a lot. Each subject department then went to different classrooms and engaged in wonderful exchanges about the construction of Independent Learning Power as well as the application of the Classroom Environment, Climate and Related Competencies Building in specific subjects.

As an old Chinese saying goes, “the roc can spread its wings and fly ten thousand miles high”. For SHSID, thirty years is not only a testimony of splendor, but also a new starting point. Shanghai High School International Division will continue to move forward to a higher goal!

（Written by Linyu Qiu Pictures by Ginger Xu, Melanie Cao Edited by Qiong Liu, Serene Yang, Bianca Noguera）