In an effort to encourage my students to produce creative and meaningful work, I have decided to post the best of the best of their compositions on this page. Look for a brief explanation of the topic just above these fine pieces of student-writing.

The Word is: Student 学生 [xuésheng]

University Slogans

This assignment was short and sweet. I asked students to create a new slogan for the University, and students came back with meaningful one-liners. We built off of a class discussion that loosely and broadly defined our school’s purpose and also acknowledged the current slogan (translated to the best of our ability): “Striving for Integrity. Striving for Knowledge.” Or in Chinese: 至诚至博.

We impart not how to study but how to live. - Amy

Science is the way. Truth is the goal. - Tina

Round in knowledge. Square in spirit. - Susanna

A Bridge to your bright Future. - Angel

Opening minds to think differently. - Winter

The world gives you an audience, and SUST offers the stage. - Serena

Learn Through Living! - Vera

New environment. New idea. New life. - Nicole

Where Knowledge and Technology meet. - Iverson

Learning enriches life. Education changes the future. - Katherine

The start of something new. - Allen

Big & Small

Changing the way you look at the world changes your understanding of it. In this assignment, I challenged students to write about one object/thing/idea from two different perspectives: from the macro and the micro (hence, Big & Small). This was a complex assignment to think about, and I even struggled to explain what I was hoping to see in their final compositions. The results were predominantly one part compare and contrast, one part personal narrative. Take a look at a few examples below.

“A Mushroom” by Eleven

Beside the swimming pool lies a grove of peach trees. Hundreds of mushrooms spring up after days of rain. The other morning one little mushroom attracted my attention as I passed by. She stood upright against a tree root, close to the edge of the woods. I could have missed her since she was so small. But in a split second, her glimmering cap reflected a drop of rising sun into my eyes, making me think she’s a diamond.

So, I decided to walk up to that little thing, longing to uncover my fascination. A domed cap on her stalk, gills on the underside of her cap. She was as indifferent as any other mediocre mushroom I had ever seen. It made me confused. As a drop of dawn dew was about to fall from her umbrella down to the soil, I suddenly realized it was the dew drop that lured my eyes and made that morning special and meaningful.

She could have been overlooked because she was so small when I viewed her from distance. But she wasn’t. Sometimes such small things, like her, will overshadow those 100-times bigger.

“Green Kids” by Sophie

On the way to Fuihui Library, you may see a big green blanket of woven clovers. Seen in the distance, a spectacular view of green ocean greets you. Swaying clovers are like the waves in the braze, which present you a beautiful picture varying from dark green to light. Rising and falling, they seem to wave to you.

Take a closer look and you are surprised that each clover has three heart-shaped leaves. Delicate as the stalk, it supports an unfolded umbrella of three hearts . As wind rises, each of them swings like a lovely staggering toddler. More surprisingly, on each leaf a white line also encloses a small heart. Many thin but clear veins comb every emerald leaf. Sometimes, after a rain, clovers sway as gently as comfortable cradles, with sparkling raindrop babies sleeping soundly.

The God of Nature is amazing. Those small children compose such a magnificent scene to us. Together the throng of green kids show that union is strength.

“The Journey of a Bubble” by Amy

I am so proud as a bubble because the manner of my birth is unique. When a group of children puff the straws from their mouths, I crawl across the straws and then come to this world. If you are close to me, you will notice I look like a transparent crystal ball  in which abundant water drops inhabit my body. All vibrant creatures reflect off my body, so they call me “Mr. Omnipotent camera.” I never go far because of my soft and delicate body. I hate this boring, restricted, and unchanging life.

I dream of traveling. As the breeze pushes me, I fly to the sky. I am excited for the change of color on my face. When I travel, I see lavish green forests, twisted blue streams and energetic brown animals. With the kiss of the sun, I become a colorful balloon. How endless the world is!

Later I feel exhausted. Recalling the blissful seconds in the sky, I never regret the journey. It is a new world from the ground to the sky. As I change my position, the world changes with it. I fall on the grass. The process is short, but it is meaningful! Pop! I close my eyes.

“An Interesting Episode of Mosquitoes” by Lisa (Class 2)

On a sultry summer night, the weather made me listless and lethargic, therefore, I had no choice but to sleep. What was worse, the suffocating heat seemed to welcome a bunch of mosquitoes to join me as I fell asleep. With that, an itch pulled me back from my dream, and a sharp-mouthed and bulged-belly mosquito was piercing my flesh. At the same time, others were buzzing and clamoring around my bed watching for a chance.

In desperation, I had to light a mosquito coil to get rid of them. Afterwards, gawking at smoke spiraling into the air, I was elated as these mosquitoes became submerged in smoke. Surprisingly, a marvelous spectacle of clouds & snow-white cranes presented themselves before my eyes –-the crane flew into the air and danced around on the perfect foil of clouds which float over with free pleasure.

I was intoxicated by the magnificent picture: the incense burning into ash, the clouds lifting invisibly with the wind and the smoke vanished without a trace. My sacred crane had gone as the mosquitoes fell down. I fell into deep slumber.

If you think you’re too small to have an impact ,try going to bed with a mosquito in the room.

“Dog?” by Amanda

As the saying goes, “There are no two identical snowflakes in the world.” The same goes for animals. “Oh, what a funny dog! ” People always say on catching first sight of my pet. He just lies there without moving, opening his sleepy eyes , glimpsing at what is happening and then they close again. Under the bright sunshine, his long tawny fur reflects the light. Either his lustrous fur or his plump body could give you the sense that he has a cozy life.

Is it really a dog? There seems to be something wrong. Walk closer in order to see him clearly. Closer and closer, suddenly he holds his head up and looks around vigilantly with two startling blue eyes like two shining diamonds. Many white circles scatter on his fur which make him more handsome. Oh, it’s a cat! For when you stomp your foot to frighten him, he will run away nimbly with “meow, meow”.

All in all, if you don’t walk to get a closer look, you’ll never know the truth. Most things in our life are like this; consequently, don’t be mistaken by superficial things.

One Sentence

It has to be one sentence and it has to begin with “I.” Those were my only guidelines for my writing classes’ first assignment this past fall. Containing ideas into one sentence was more challenging than students originally imagined, but they rose to the occasion. The following are samples of some really creative material.

Michelle                                                                                                                                                           I have to invite you to the sewer, dear Mr. Centipede, with terrible unwillingness, to revenge my contaminated bowl.

Denise                                                                                                                                                             I am inclined to collect so much happiness that it will submerge the sadness, for the sunflowers smile at the sun and flourish.

Tina                                                                                                                                                                I was ready to vent after woken by the cries of my roommate’s alarm clock, only to find her sound asleep and slobbery with the noisy clock right against her face.

Allen                                                                                                                                                               I dodge him disgustedly while he is striding forward proudly like a dog without glimpsing at me, and then my friend says, “Don’t be so narcissistic, because he doesn’t like you, either.”

Apple                                                                                                                                                              I put all my care, respect and trust in an exquisite bowl, stirring softly, adding endless sincerity and friendship, mixing in honesty and maturity. Then I toast them in a very prosperous and peaceful society. Finally, I enjoy this feast with patience, affection and a little imagination while it is still hot.

(She had so many good things going on in one sentence, we decided to break the rules and chop her writing into three sentences to make for better flow and clarity)

Rain                                                                                                                                                             I’m a dog killer because I ate a lot of hotdogs.

Lucy                                                                                                                                                                 I have a friend with a mountain in his mouth.

Photo Captions

A picture is worth a thousand words. I limited my students to just 35 as they wrote a caption about one of four National Geographic photographs. I challenged them to focus on only a couple of the 5 Ws (who, what, why, when, where). This was one of my final writing assignments last spring in Xinxiang, and students were starting to really impress me with their words.

Dream
The photograph of the two victims was taken by the surveillance camera before the traffic accident that night. The spinning bicycle had made their figures blurry. And the eerie yellow-green moonlight seemed to predict something unfortunate.

Tory
A mother’s love is great. It’s on a moonlit night that a mother, after a whole day’s work, drags her tired body to pick up her son who has finished his evening English class.

Jenny
It is about eleven o’clock at night. The man has just gotten off work and is eager to go home with his son, who has waited for him for a long time. The son prepared food full of love for his father’s birthday.

William
While all the other zebras just keep moving, only this zebra stops and considers why they are moving.

Ivy
Black and white, the fashionable colours, cover the whole beautiful picture. We can easily distinguish black and white among the zebras, but can we distinguish black and white in complex society?

Anthony
This photo is taken from the zebra habitat in Africa. A mother zebra desperately turns back and stares into the disastrous scene with endless gloom where her child is being hunted by the poachers for its precious hide.

Sally
This large group of zebras lead peaceful lives together on the fertile land. Soon, a new member of the zebra family will be born. The female zebra is happy to wait for her unborn baby.

Alisa
Look at the sailboat, the further it sails, the more lonely it will be. But it still drifts on in the pinks and yellows of the sunrise, just because there is a blue dream in its heart.

Denise
The sun is falling down, but it still turns the entire ocean red. The sailboat, which earlier fought with strong waves, is now enjoying the peace and preparing for another incredible challenge.

Pigeon
After the storm it became calm again. The sun melted the dark clouds and dyed the scene red — sky, ocean and sailboat. Through a day’s efforts, sailors got rid of the storm successfully.

Chelsea (she had two awesome captions)
Hiding under XX Red Umbrellas protects you from heavy rain and strong sun. Hiding under XX Red Umbrellas makes you much brighter and more attractive no matter where you are!

These children labourers have been badly abused. The same rags. The same thin bodies. The same wide open eyes. The same bright red umbrellas cannot hide the sorrow in their hearts.

Sally                                                                                                                                                        These spectators try to set a Guinness World Record with the most red umbrellas used. This participant is not very interested and hopes to leave soon.

Donna
Thousands of eyes full of misery and hearts full of hope beneath the vivid red umbrellas; but with prayers to God, any disasters or diseases will disappear with the rain.

Jim
“To be or not to  be, that is the question!” Facing the black clouds in the sky, everyone has a brave heart. Man can conquer nature as long as they stand together!

Betty Class
The little girl’s eyes and the red umbrellas should remind us of our willingness to extend a helping hand to the countless Sichuan earthquake victims. They are longing for shelter with umbrellas in-hand.

Wall-E Movie Reviews

I knew it would be well-received if I assigned students to watch a movie, and I chose the movie Wall-E because it’s simple and timely. After explaining Ebert and Roeper and their jobs as movie critics, students wrote movie reviews that conveyed their thoughts and feelings about the movie. Here are the top three:

Walle by Lindsey

This humanistic movie uses a simple story to teach us something profound. The vivid images make the film a great cartoon as well as an outstanding piece of art. Under the background of dilapidated remains and boundless waste in a city, the figure of WALL-E gives people a wordless desolation. Then the unique lifestyle of WALL-E not only provides humor, it also shows his loneliness. Compared with beautiful Eve, WALL-E is more like a cute clown, but their love can be regarded as a legend, which is imbued with a romantic aura but full of difficulties.

Besides, I was very impressed with humans’ life on the spaceship. Robots do everything for them, and the only thing they do is enjoy themselves. So they become fatter and fatter and almost lose the ability to walk. Fortunately, the discovery of the tender seedling recovers their hope and confidence in the Earth. They go back home finally with the help of WALL-E, Eve and other robots. Then the happy ending comes.

After seeing the film, I have a question in my mind: are robots human-like? When robots show emotion, I don’t know how to tell the difference between men and robots. Robots are created to serve humans, but sometimes robots can be friends instead of servants to humans. WALL-E also tells us happiness comes from following your dreams with the spirit of persistence and selflessness. A coin has two sides, it is the same case with technology. Humans spare no effort to develop technology in order to modernize the world and gain convenience and wealth, but the negative effect of it also cannot be ignored. Pollution and waste are threats to the Earth. No one wants to see such a dilapidated city in real life. Development of technology and protection of the environment should exist together, for Earth is the only planet we human beings can live.

True Love by Dream

Wall-E is a present to those who believe there is true love in the world—without many words, love grows in this movie.

Wall-E describes a romantic story set in the future. Walle and Eve, two robots, are the main characters who are concerned about the Earth. The beginning scene shows a robot, Walle, who was left on the deserted Earth, collecting the rubbish.

Have you ever imagined the future world? What will it be like? The movie shows us the future Earth in animated form. I’ve never seen a more ragged place. However, under the circumstances, the feelings Walle and Eve have for each other warms our hearts. It’s like flowers blooming on the rotten earth will be sweeter and those growing from the mud will be cleaner. It is external ugliness that reflects its beauty. Walle fell in love with Eve at first sight, and, from then on, he never left her alone. In order to protect lovely Eve, Walle went to her spaceship, where he did many funny but accidentally annoying things. Even though he was considered as a pollutant and got in trouble many times, he never gave up his love.

Besides, his actions also rescue the human beings. All these crazy things contributed to actions such as a man and a woman holding hands and falling in love. Love, full of power, can change our world. My friends, if you believe in true love, please enjoy the great moment brought by “Wall-E”.

WALL-E Movie Review by Linda

WALL-E, an animated robot love story with an environmental message, is a charming film and a delightful piece of storytelling.

The story takes place in the film in 2700, and due to excessive destruction of the human environment, the Earth has become a big ball of refuse. Human beings have resettled in a spacecraft, and delivered a large number of robots named Wall-E (short for Waste Allocation Load Lifter Earth-Class) to clear the refuse. But the robots are not suitable for earth’s environment, and gradually break down and in the end only one survived. After hundreds of years, he’s still doing what he’s been built to do, molding scrap metal into bricks and piling them into neat towers.

Over time, he has began to become self-aware, and he has even developed a storage system so he can replace his parts. His only companion is a cockroach. From an old movie, he learns how to hold hands and understands what love and passion mean. He feels lonely. One day, he meets a beautiful female robot Eve who comes to Earth in charge searching for signs of life, he falls in love with Eve, the story begins…

At the start, this movie is nearly a “silent movie”, while the soundtrack is full of clanking noises, although it is enticing, it is merely the prelude to Walle, who communicates and emotes solely through the mechanics of his droopy binocular eyes, body language, and a symphony of beeps and whistles. Through the whole film, there is little dialogue. Walle, this cute, squat robot gives us a lot of fun and movement. He is so shy that he does not have enough courage to hold Eve’s hand. He shows many interesting things he found from refuse, even his little green plant. That’s the very thing she’s been looking for! So Eve puts the plant into herself and sends a message to the spacecraft, and then stays in a state of sleep. That makes Walle very sad. Everyday, he stays with Eve, calls her name, watches the sunset with her.

All these things touched me deeply. And there are also some amusing events during the movie that make you smile with tears in your eyes. Walle caught my heart with his pure heart and his courage.

Walle himself is an antique mascot lost in the universe, it’s up to him to save a space bound colony of humans. He makes us think deeply about our environment, our human existence, our future. This movie shows-off the best of Pixar films: It whisks you to a new world, then makes that world every inch our own.

Letters to America

I challenged students to write a short letter giving Americans more information about their school, Xinxiang College. I gave them an optional prompt that reads, “I would like to tell you about Xinxiang College.” Some students chose to write about one specific place, event or moment in their college experience, while others covered a variety of topics in their letters. Here are a few exceptional letters:

Jojo: Class 1

Dear America,

I’d like to lead you to a quiet and beautiful corner of Xinxiang College. I regard it as my secret garden and always go there to see the most beautiful sunset in my world.

It’s in the northwest of our campus, near the playground. Most of the year it is covered with light green grass. In the grass there are pomegranates, honeysuckles, and other trees with beautiful red leaves and white flowers.

Late in the afternoon during the early summer, you can sit or lie on the soft grass just listening and watching white and light yellow butterflies fly low across the grass and then suddenly up to the pomegranate trees, landing on one of their fiery flowers; Two or three small birds take a care-free “walk” in the sky with their clever wings, singing. I remember that someone said birds are the chickens kept by God. I love it!

Shhh…You can’t help reminding the kid reading aloud under the tree to be quiet, because the most beautiful sunset has appeared. The sun walks down slowly to a faraway white roof, and her light becomes softer and softer. When it hangs between the roof and the swaying trees, your breath will be taken away. At this time the sky above you and the grass below you calm down and seem so tender. The color of the sky is now just like that of a red rose. The leaves of the grass are dyed with gold. Then you may suddenly come up with a strange idea: nature is always mysterious and powerful. And you notice that the sunset is looking at you with her merciful eyes,telling you stories of another world. At that time, however angry, sad, worried, excited, or dejected you are, you’ll gradually be quiet and calm as you sit and feel the sunset, until it disappears below the thick trees. Finally you whisper to yourself,”no matter what life looks like,it is after all wonderful.”

Yours truly,
Jojo

Lindsey: Class 2

Dear America,

I would like to tell you about Xinxiang College. I will talk about student life. I am very glad to tell you a lot more about our daily lives. One day you can come visit our college.

Monday to Friday, from 8 a.m. to 6:20 p.m., we have classes with two and a half hours for lunch.

Classroom teaching here is quite traditional. There are few interactions between students and teachers. The teachers always stand at the front of class on the platform. They keep talking and talking, regardless of the fact that many students are daydreaming. If the students think it is boring, they will read magazines or have a good long sleep. Some even skip class. Most students are inactive in class and reluctant to raise questions or have a discussion with their classmates. They don’t show any strong will to make progress. Besides, most of them don’t study hard after class. They are very keen on surfing the Internet and going shopping during their spare time. It seems to me that campus love is also one of their compulsory courses. Many students are busy finding a boyfriend or a girlfriend. As a result, most of them will find themselves learning little after graduation. It is a natural trend. China has too many such colleges and college students. That’s one of the reasons why there are so many students who can’t find jobs long after graduation. It is time for us to make a change.

Sincerely,
Lindsey

Felicia: Class 2

Dear America,

I’d like to tell you about Xinxiang college. It’s a four-year university, which is located in an eastern suburb of Xinxiang, Henan. There are two campuses in Xinxiang College, the East Campus and the West Campus, and between the two campuses, there lies a wide road. Sometimes when seem from a distance it looks like just one campus, but it’s actually two campuses, and there are many differences.

First of all, Liberal Arts are held on the West Campus, while the East Campus values science. As a result of this fact, 80% students in the West Campus are girls, and 80% students in the East Campus are boys. Secondly, the students in the West Campus are more active than in the East, as there are more girls. So
there are always more parties, plays, activities, and bigger festivities on the West Campus. The East Campus is relatively cheerless. Last but not the least, students have classes, play sports and eat in their respective campus, there is not much interaction between the two groups of students.

Taking all these facts into account, I think there should be more interaction between the West the East Campus. Like all campus academic activities, debates and lectures may be good ways to improve exchange between the West and the East Campus.

Sincerely,
Felicia

Wendy: Class 3

Dear America,

I would like to tell you about my roommates at Xinxiang College.

Before college, I never had the experience of living in a school dormitory, so I was full of excitement mixed with a little anxiety. But soon, I adapted to the new life and have since enjoyed it very much.

There are six girls in my dormitory, all come from different places in the Henan province. We are in the same English major class. Despite our different characteristics, we get along well with each other. Mary, a frank and open girl, has a hot temper, but you can always get the truth from her. Eunnice is very fond of food and has a magic stomach which seems bottomless. The youngest girl, Lily, is the most realistic person among us. Molly is my friend and very cautious about everything, so I can always rest assured when I team up with her. Lucy is a gentle girl and is in love with a nice boy.

Living together for a long time, we share a lot in common, so special characteristics have formed in our dormitory. We are not very interested in the activities held by the college and our class; we are open to friends but a little shy before strangers; we like sitting in a row one by one in the classroom; we are not very brave and don’t know how to show our strengths. Besides, seeing movies, playing cards and computer games are our hobbies. We live together like a family. I feel very fortunate to meet such lovely girls in my college years.

Best Wishes,
Wendy

Candy: Class 3

Dear America,

I would like to tell you about Xinxiang college.

I’d like to introduce the Culture Square to you. It is located in the center of our campus. I still remember the splendid scene, the first time when all the freshmen got together at the Culture Square. We wore uniforms, and the leader talked to us standing from the stage of the Square. Since that time, I thought the Culture Square was a really special place. What’s more, I stayed at the Square eight hours everyday for two weeks during the military training at the beginning of my freshman year.

Most great performances are held at the square as well. Every time it will attract many students to watch the show. Sometimes bands or small organizations put on a show, sometimes our school hosts an event. Every time there is a show, the Culture Square will be decorated exquisitely. Because the performances are so entertaining, it is usually difficult for people to find a good spot to enjoy the show if they come late. I really love the shows there.

Also, most meetings and ceremonies are held there. For example, all the teachers and students gathered to collect money for the people who suffered in the Sichuan earthquake. At another meeting, our leader announced new tasks and thoughts. Our Culture Square has  specific and symbolic meaning. I love our Culture Square. Now I hope you understand more about its significance.

Sincerely,
Candy