Childhood Dreams at SUIS Qingpu – The Moon Reflects Tradition: A Journey through Mid-Autumn Culture

Flowing elegant Hanfu lanterns swayed gently in the breeze… This wasn’t the set of a scene from a historical drama, nor was it a glamorous fashion show. Instead, it was a Mid-Autumn Festival celebration brimming with ceremony at SUIS Qingpu. Join us as we explore how our adorable young students celebrated this traditional festival in their own unique ways.

Grade 1: Picture Books “Talk” About Mid-Autumn – Endless Fun

Look, the first graders are engrossed in a story, following the characters into the enchanting world of Mid-Autumn. What is the filling in the mooncakes from the story? Why do we eat mooncakes? How many steps are there in making them? All the answers were hidden within the story.

The highlight of the event was the “fun mooncakes” handcrafted by the little ones themselves. With a touch of creativity, their personalised mooncakes shone brightly as their delicious creations came out of the oven.

Grade 2: Idioms Turn into Paintings, Skilfully Crafted Mooncakes

Can idioms transform into paintings? Just watch! Our little Grade 2 ‘magicians’ used their brushes to turn idioms related to Mid-Autumn into delightful artworks.

Not stopping there, the little ‘magicians’ then turned into mini chefs, stepping into the “SUIS Little Kitchen” to experience the mooncake-making process. Whether working with intense concentration or sharing laughter and joy, the children’s skilful hands crafted adorable and exquisite mooncakes that left everyone amazed.

Grade 3: Riddles Illuminate Wisdom, Mooncakes Spread BlessingsThe Grade 3 activity area was lively and bustling, with lanterns hanging high and riddles fluttering in the breeze. Under each lantern hung a riddle carefully collected by the children, covering idioms, ancient poems, Chinese character puzzles, and more. The children showcased their intelligence through the engaging lantern riddle game, and they also created mind maps of their favourite mooncakes, sharing the sweetness and warmth with everyone around them.

Grade 4: Befriending Su Dongpo, Savoring Mid-Autumn Sentiments

The bright moon rises over the sea, the horizon is shared by all at this moment. The fourth graders, dressed in traditional costumes with an ancient charm, travelled through time to befriend Su Dongpo. Together with their teachers, they recited “Prelude to Water Melody”, imagining and reflecting on the Mid-Autumn moon. They felt the poet’s deep emotions and thoughts, contemplating the cycles of joy and sorrow and the phases of the moon. Moreover, they combined knowledge with hands-on practice by rolling up their sleeves to craft their own mooncakes. The round mooncakes symbolized their sweet sentiments.

Grade 5: Brush and Ink Paint Mid-Autumn, Stories Transcend Millennia

Our multi-talented fifth graders celebrated Mid-Autumn in various artistic ways. Some created hand-drawn newsletters to depict the festival’s long history and customs; others bridged the past and presented through calligraphy, bringing classic Mid-Autumn poems to life on paper. They narrated legendary tales like Chang’e flying to the moon and Wu Gang chopping the laurel tree with expressive performances. Additionally, some students created heartfelt cards, with every stroke revealing their best wishes for the festival. The campus was filled not only with festive joy, but also with a deep love and respect for our traditional culture.

The Mid-Autumn Festival at SUIS Qingpu ignited a unique kind of children’s romance. Here, children became the protagonists of their own stories, exploring the mysteries of Mid-Autumn through their innocent eyes. Through these experiences, they learned that Mid-Autumn is not just a festival, but also an emotional bond and a cultural heritage.