During a summer filled with sunshine and bountiful harvests, the students of the International Department at Shanghai High School showcased their exceptional Chinese talents. The students enthusiastically participated in a wide range of educational and creative activities, infusing their holidays with a vibrant literary flair.

Grade 2

As the long summer comes to an end, the 1st to 3rd-grade children on the west bank of the Pu River return to the classroom with pride, bringing back personal projects they completed during the holidays and adorning the corridors with captivating displays. The second-grade children have created a 'Birthday Love Journal.' Within this journal are stories about birthdays—both the birthdays prepared for us by our families and the ones we plan for our loved ones. Amidst the slightly naive strokes of their pens, the word 'love' shines brightly. Through the process of receiving and giving, the second-grade children gradually learn how to express their love through tangible actions

Grade 3

Third-grade students have been exploring Shanghai in various ways, capturing what they see, hear, and think through the lens of a camera. The children immersed themselves in the city's old alleys, experiencing numerous traditional games such as hopscotch and jump-rope. They also gained an in-depth understanding of the city's history and development by visiting famous landmarks like the Oriental Pearl Tower and the Shanghai World Financial Center. In addition, these 'young journalists' tasted a variety of local Shanghai dishes, such as pan-fried dumplings and soup dumplings. Through this hands-on experience and exploration, they not only savored the delicacies but also learned about the history and culture behind Shanghai's cuisine. This video filming activity has not only allowed these third-grade students to gain a deeper understanding of Shanghai's culture and lifestyle but has also enhanced their social practice skills

Grade 4

During this summer vacation, fourth-grade students at SHSID enthusiastically participated in a variety of creative learning activities, adding a touch of literary color to their holidays.

The students eagerly immersed themselves in an ocean of books, guided by their diligence and curiosity. From adventure novels to scientific encyclopedias, they explored the world of words, enriching their minds with the wisdom found within the pages of books. Every page was an adventure, and every book was a gateway to the unknown. Simultaneously, they challenged themselves to enhance their communication skills by summarizing daily news reports in their own words, deepening their understanding of the world, and brilliantly honing their language skills.

Notably, handmade vocabulary notebooks gradually took shape in the students' hands. Creativity and effort intertwined on every page, with each stroke paying tribute to knowledge. These notebooks served not only as learning tools but also as imprints of their thoughts. In addition to all of this, they carefully selected a cherished book and used words to convey their feelings. This was not merely a way to give back to books but also a resonance from within, a form of intellectual and emotional exchange.

This summer, these vibrant young individuals wrote their own stories with the power of literature, illuminating the starry skies of their vacation with knowledge and creativity. Their journey of learning will continue into the new school year, sowing even more seeds of hope for their future growth.

Grade 5

Reading Report: Exploring the World of Literature

In the past year, Grade 5 students completed two comprehensive book reading activities, and they continued to apply what they had learned during the summer vacation. They each selected a favorite Chinese book, delved deep into its content, and completed a detailed reading report. In these reports, the students summarized the book's main content, introduced their favorite characters and plots, shared their profound feelings, and recorded memorable phrases and sentences as part of their daily literary accumulation.

The students' reading interests span a wide range, including Chinese and Western classical myths, folk tales, poems, fairy tales, novels, science fiction, literature, and history. Some students found themselves captivated by the fantastic geographical descriptions, mysterious legends, and strange gods and beasts within the 'Classic of Mountains and Seas,' immersing themselves in a world of boundless imagination. Others chose to explore 'Five Thousand Years of the Upper and Lower,' gaining a deeper understanding of Chinese history and being inspired by the wisdom and courage of historical figures. Some were touched by the wisdom of animals and the profound friendships between humans and creatures in 'The Wolf King Dream.'

These students' reading reports and reflections not only demonstrate their unique comprehension of literary works but also showcase their enhanced analytical and literary appreciation skills. This summer, they not only expanded their knowledge base but also nurtured a profound love for Chinese literature

Creative Writing: My Own Fairy Tale

Fairy tales have always been companions throughout students' journeys of growth. Reading fairy tales is akin to embarking on a wonderful adventure. In the past school year, students were introduced to a plethora of captivating fairy tales in their classes, which in turn ignited their desire to craft their own narratives. Consequently, during the summer vacation, students unleashed their imagination and creativity, penning an array of enchanting fairy tales.

These stories are nothing short of unique and enthralling. Some unfold in magical fairylands, while others take readers on exciting animal adventures; each tale brims with the students' ingenuity.

Many of these narratives also convey valuable life lessons, such as the importance of honesty and friendliness. In their storytelling, students adeptly employed literary techniques such as metaphors, personification, contrast, exaggeration, and foreshadowing, all of which they had learned in class. This mastery brought their stories to life, captivating readers' imaginations. Moreover, the accompanying poster art for these fairy tales featured gorgeous illustrations, earning the admiration and applause of both teachers and fellow students in the grade hallway.

In this scorching summer, the students utilized their creations to express their love and comprehension of the Chinese language. They ingeniously applied what they had learned in their summer homework, showcasing outstanding proficiency in the Chinese language. We eagerly anticipate that the students will maintain their enthusiasm for learning and their motivation in the upcoming semester. We look forward to witnessing their continued growth in comprehensive Chinese literacy and proficiency!

Written by Wu Yin, Zhu Yawed, Zhang Yuanjing, Lin Yu

Pictures by teachers

Edited by Cong Luo, Darragh Mahon