If you would like to speak, we are glad to Listen!
The idea for ” The Box of Relief ” came from the unit concepts of Language and Literature, such as connection, perspective, creativity, and communication. In addition to exploring language and literary techniques, we also focus on social issues and the human heart in this subject. On one of our units in Chinese Language and Literature, we study and explore Allan Poe’s short story “The Black Cat”. The Black Cat is not only known for its ability to create a horrific atmosphere, but also for the exploration of the human heart that it reveals. Behind the protagonist’s series of unpleasant acts of violence lies a weak, cowardly soul. This story is a great inspiration to us, and I hope that every student will not only focus on the incident itself, but actively explore the deeper meaning behind it and explore inward to understand the world better!
Children in middle school begin to think independently, eager to fit in, to be accepted, and to express themselves. However, during this critical period of transition to adulthood, their exploration of themselves, others, and the world is still in the fumbling stage, with laughter, tears, and confusion, and their attempts are sometimes hindered by various obstacles.
To create a channel for children to discover themselves and to make them understand and accept themselves while learning about the outside world, we have set up a “relief box”. The name of the box is based on Keigo Higashino’s book “The Grocery Store”. The box will be a long-term project, where we hope that each child will be able to express his or her feelings through writing letters, and in the process of writing, the children will be able to organize their thoughts and identify the source of their anxiety, unrest, tension, fear, and sadness. The writer of the letter is a student, and so is the respondent. In the process of writing back, students can fully mobilize their empathy, try to understand others, and truly become a young person who cares about others and the world.
So far we have received letters from different grades and ages, including elementary school students as well. The responders are highly responsible for sending out the letters. The children who receive the letters back will surely find the care and enthusiasm of the responders, who are taking care of each seedling growing within hearts, expecting to accompany, support and give with their own strength. The identity of each participant will be greatly protected, which is the strictest rule for us to open the relief box, no exploring or looking for letter writers or repliers in any way, we want to create a safe and trusting environment. At the same time, we are looking forward to more caring students to participate in the project, to discuss the way to reply the letter, to discuss the way to solve the problem, and then to reply a letter full of love and care.
As this project is still in progress, we appeal for your support. If you are willing to write a letter, there will be someone willing to listen and be there supporting! Please note that every Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday are the time to drop off your letters, and Thursday and Friday are the time to reply to them! So, please write to us!
The following are the opinions of students and teachers about the relief box.
Students from MYP 1: The letterboxes are very well set up and the students are very serious in their responses and understand our feelings. I hope the school can set up more mailboxes, so that more people can drop off their letters.
Students from MYP 3: Everyone has their own worries, and sometimes it is not convenient to tell their parents or friends. A small relief box gives everyone the opportunity to open up and can give students the concern and warmth from strangers. Please come and participate, whether you write a letter or write back!
From Teacher: This is a great thing to do, and I hope it is an ongoing thing. I would encourage students to write and submit letters and tell their confusion. Also, I’d like to see more teachers involved, supervising, and providing a safe and comfortable environment for students!
Students from PYP: We love to send you messages, please draw a heart on the envelope if you like us!
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Author: Sophia Suo (MYP/DP Chinese Language Acquisition and Language & Literature Teacher, Literature Subject Leader)
