Crafting the essay 'My First Day at School' was quite an endeavor.

1. My First Day at School, concise version 1

Question 1

Question 2.

- Reflections on the journey to school with my mother:

- Reflections upon the first class of the day:

Question 3

- The headmaster: a leader, a gentle teacher, patient, caring about the emotions and moods of the students.
- The parents: anxious, worried, meticulously preparing clothes, books, and school supplies for their children to attend this significant opening ceremony

=> It can be seen that both the teacher and the parents are extremely concerned and worried, especially for the students on their first day at school, to ensure they are mentally prepared to embrace a new learning environment with many exciting things awaiting.

Question 4

- The similes used in the short story:
+ I couldn't forget how the feelings of that morning blossomed within me like fresh flowers smiling amidst the clear sky
+ That thought passed through my mind lightly like a cloud drifting across the mountain peak
+ They were like fledgling birds standing by the nest, gazing at the vast sky, eager to fly… hesitating in the unfamiliar scene.

=> The similes appear at different points in the work, linked to the mood and thoughts of the character 'I'. Through the use of these similes, the thoughts and emotions of the character 'I' are vividly, clearly, and specifically portrayed, contributing to the poetic and sentimental essence of the work.

Question 5

- Artistry
+ The structure of the work is arranged chronologically, revealed through the character 'I's reminiscences
+ The art of blending autobiography with description and expression
+ The art of simile creates a highly effective expression
+ Language and imagery are simple, clear, and pure

Part I: Reading and Understanding Text

Question 1:

The recollections of the first day back at school flood the protagonist's mind from the present moment.
The author vividly recounts memories of the initial school gathering, reflecting on the past from the perspective of the present.

Question 2:

- Pathways, scenes along the way
- The character 'I' feels dignified and solemn in the long black cloth coat
- Carefully, cradling several notebooks
- Surprised to see the schoolyard today bustling with people, everyone dressed neatly, faces bright and cheerful.
- The school is both charming and solemnly dignified. The character 'I' feels small and apprehensive.
- Startled and awkward when called by name.
- Growing more fearful as the gentle hands of mother are soon to be left.
- Hearing the cries of friends, feeling stepping into a different, unfamiliar world.
- Both bewildered and confident stepping into the first class.

Question 3:
- The principal: an image of a well-mannered, courteous, and compassionate teacher
- The young teacher welcoming, smiling to greet new students
- The mothers, parents: affectionately holding their child's hand, coaxing their child, meticulously preparing for their child's first day at school, all attending this important ceremony with reverence.

Question 4:

-'The feelings that morning sprouted within me like fresh blooming flowers amidst the expansive sky' ⟹ Highlighting the unforgettable impression of the pure, joyful emotions of the boy on his first day of school.
- 'That thought passed through my mind lightly like a cloud drifting across a mountain peak' => Comparing an intangible phenomenon 'passing thought' with a tangible natural phenomenon 'cloud drifting across a mountain peak', expressing the gentle, pure, and aspirational nature of a young soul.
- 'Before me, My Ly school appeared both charming and solemn like the communal house of Hoa Ap village' => Describing the solemn, reverential, and strange emotions of the small student towards the school while affirming the important position of the school in human life.
- 'They are like young birds standing on the edge of the nest looking at the wide sky wanting to fly, hesitating and afraid' => Expressing the anxious, hesitant mood of the children when about to leave their mother's embrace to step into a new world.

Question 5:

* The artistic uniqueness of the short story 'My School Days' lies in its use of personification and delightful comparisons, with a light, evocative narrative.
- The poetic essence of the story emanates from the attitudes, gestures, faces, and words of each character, very delicately evocative. The poetic essence emanates from the loving and tender-hearted mother.
- The story is structured as a series of reminiscences, the plot developing in chronological order and with the sincere thoughts of the character 'I'.
- In the story, there is a harmonious combination of narrative and descriptive techniques.

* The allure of the work is created by:
- The plot situations.
- The innocent thoughts of the character 'I'.
- The imagery of nature, the school, and other characters through the narration of the character 'I'.

Part II: Practice

Question 1:

A simple yet captivating writing style, Thanh Tinh effortlessly draws readers into the freshest and most serene space. As I reminisce, memories flood back, 'unable to forget those feelings blossoming within me like cheerful flowers amidst the expansive sky.'

Amidst reminiscence, 'I' sway with the scenery of autumn, 'a morning filled with autumn dew and chilly wind. My mother tenderly holds my hand, leading me down the long and narrow village path. This path I've traversed countless times feels strangely unfamiliar today. Everything around me changes, for my heart undergoes a significant change: 'Today, I go to school.' Perhaps few can forget the first moment, nestled behind mother's back, heading to school, and 'I' am no exception. Emotions surge naturally and profoundly, sowing unforgettable nostalgia into the reader's heart. There's a significant change in both thought and action, 'I no longer wade through rivers to fly kites like Quí, nor do I frolic in the fields like Sơn anymore.' This demonstrates 'my' genuine growth and maturity due to 'Today, I go to school.' By delicately portraying the character's psyche, captivatingly, the author reenacts the dialogue between 'me' and mother on the first day of school. The thoughts, simultaneously naive and endearing, make it impossible for the reader to forget.

The emotions of the character 'I' upon setting foot in the My Ly village school are vividly, realistically, and emotionally recounted by the author. And yet, there's another change, a comparison between the time before attending school. This difference, this comparison, makes 'me' more mature. The school in the eyes of the boy, 'My Ly School is both charming and dignified like the Hòa Ấp communal house. Its courtyard is vast, its stature taller than those silent, deserted summer noons. Fear creeps into my heart.' What could 'I' fear? Perhaps fearing whether the years spent studying diligently at home were enough, whether any rules were violated, and so much more. It's an authenticity tinged with mischief.

The character 'I' keenly observed 'around the clumsy boys like me, they only moved forward with sheer force. Saying they never stopped is even more accurate. Because their two legs just kept swaying endlessly. One leg up, then forcefully stretched like kicking a ball in imagination...' It seems the first-day sentiments of these schoolboys are all the same, bewildered and fearful. However, the image of the 'gentle and touching principal' reassured the character 'I' and other students.

The sight of the schoolyard and the sound of the school bell on the first day marked a new turning point in their lives. Especially the 'gentle hand pushing me forward' of the mother made the character 'I' braver and more confident. Those tears, those sobs, perhaps are moments anchored forever in the heart of the character 'I', or rather the author's heart most genuinely and deeply. Suddenly, childhood memories flooded back, 'I gazed longingly at the birds. An old memory of bird trapping amidst the rice fields flying along the Viem riverbank resurfaced vividly in my mind. But the sound of the teacher's chalk striking the blackboard brought me back to reality.' A pure and cherished train of thought of the boy about to embark on a new phase in life because of the composition: I go to school.

Thanh Tinh, like a captain steering the boat of emotions, brings readers back to the memories of the first day of school. Smooth, gentle, and profound prose made it impossible for readers to forget those years.

(Student's essay)

Question 2:

Suddenly, autumn has arrived. No longer the nostalgic chirping of summer afternoons. No more '...Ninety days of rural frolics – Oh! An entire spring within summer's heat' either. It seems like the school opening day this year came earlier than usual. Suddenly, the naive emotions and memories of my first day of school come rushing back, as if reminding me of a bygone era...

I still remember that day – a windy and rainy morning. I had to accompany my mother to school for the opening ceremony of the new school year. That day, I woke up early. Perhaps because I felt grown up, and for a more important reason, it was the first day of school in my life. I wore the new uniform my father bought for me and prepared my school bag myself. Then my mother put the bag on my back, dressed me in my favorite blue raincoat, put on her raincoat, and held my hand through the rain. The rain fell incessantly, the sky was gloomy and gray. The road became muddy and flooded. The rain wasn't heavy nor light, but persistent. It kept falling, falling incessantly like my mood at that time: not scared but worried, excited, eagerly waiting. Waiting for what I was about to experience: the first day attending the opening ceremony of the new school year. I still clung to my mother, stepping through the familiar winding alleys, feeling extremely unfamiliar. I pass through this alley every day, but today my emotions are in turmoil, something grand and new is happening to me: I'm entering grade one, I'm truly grown up now.

I glanced at the surroundings that had been part of my childhood: the timid pink cosmos flowers in Uncle Tu's garden that I often picked to play bride with my friends in the neighborhood, the ripe plum tree swaying its clusters of ripe red fruits in the rain as if wishing me congratulations on my first day of school. Exiting the small alley onto Tran Mai Ninh Street bustling with activity. The girls gracefully clad in white ao dai, the boys with red scarves draped over their shoulders, I especially noticed my peers in crisp uniforms nervously clutching their mother's hands on the way to school. Though the rain still dripped steadily from the eaves of the houses lining the street, it didn't dampen the smiles on the faces of the students, lessening the excitement of the school opening day. My mother gently shook my hand and said, 'We're here at school, my child!' Ah, is this my school? It looks so big and imposing! This new school is nothing like my kindergarten.

The school was much larger and grander than kindergarten. In front of the school gate was a huge blue signboard, I muttered to myself: 'Nguyen Khuyen Elementary School' just as my mother had introduced to me weeks before. Past the three grades, the grand hall, we arrived at the classroom door. I vividly remember being in first grade, under the guidance of Teacher Huệ. She led me into the classroom and assigned me a seat. I reluctantly let go of my mother's hand and suddenly felt a sense of emptiness engulfing my soul. I looked around at my classmates, all of whom seemed unfamiliar. At this moment, I wished I had already known them. I still remember the feeling of awkwardness when everything and everyone around me felt strange. But in the classroom, there were many confident students, smiling warmly at the new student.

I admired them immensely. The teacher requested parents to leave so that the class could begin. I waved to my mother through the window. Whether it was the rain outside or tears that blurred my eyes, I couldn't tell. Some students cried loudly calling for their parents when they saw them leaving. The rain stopped. A gentle breeze tousled my hair. Warm sunlight seeped through the leaves. The opening ceremony was postponed. The teacher led us to line up in groups. The opening ceremony began in the solemn atmosphere of the flag salute. The red flag with a yellow star fluttered as the National Anthem resounded. The principal solemnly delivered a report and set goals for the new school year. The entire school echoed with applause. We, the first graders, also imitated the older students' applause. The initial shyness gradually disappeared. The sacred moment had arrived. The principal struck the gong three times to inaugurate the new school year. That gong marked the beginning of my academic journey and a significant milestone in my life.

Seven years have passed. Now I am no longer the first-grader girl of yesteryears. The memories of those days have faded over the years but still linger within me, memories of childhood, innocence, and that autumn school opening.
 

3. Draft of 'My First Day at School', short 3

Structure:

Consists of 3 parts:
- Part 1 (from the beginning… on the mountaintop): Intensely nostalgic feelings about the memories of the first day of self-schooling.
- Part 2 (continuing… also struck me as strange): The scene of the My Ly village schoolyard on opening day.
- Part 3 (remaining part) The emotions of the character 'I' upon entering the classroom.

I. Composition Guidelines

Question 1 (page 9 of Vietnamese Literature textbook, Grade 8, Volume 1):

- What evoked in the character 'I' memories of the first day of school gathering: late autumn weather, fallen leaves on the roadside, silver clouds in the sky
- Memories described in chronological order:
+ Presently reminiscing about the past: late autumn weather, the image of the little me going to school
+ The character 'I' reminiscing about the journey with mother to school
+ The feeling of the character 'I' upon seeing the school on opening day
+ The nervous anticipation of the character 'I' when taking their seat for the first lesson.

Question 2 (page 9 of Vietnamese Literature textbook, Grade 8, Volume 1):

- Images, details illustrating the nervousness and awkwardness of the character 'I':
+ The familiar scenery, the suddenly unfamiliar road, the character 'I' feels a change within
+ In the black uniform feeling dignified, solemn
+ Wanting to 'test' themselves with pen, ruler, books to become 'proficient'
+ Surprised at the crowded, cheerful, bright My Ly village schoolyard.
+ Feeling vaguely afraid before the small school
+ Startled and confused when hearing the teacher call their name
+ Feeling scared about to leave mother's hand
+ Stepping into the seat both bewildered and excited

Question 3 (page 9 of Vietnamese Literature textbook, Grade 8, Volume 1):

- Attitude, gestures of the principal:
+ looking at students kindly, advising gently
+ patiently waiting, rich in love for children
- The young teacher smiles brightly, welcoming students into the classroom
- Parents meticulously prepare their children, bring them to school, lingering when their child enters the classroom.
=> All adults show care, love, and special attention to the younger generation.

Question 4 (page 9 of Vietnamese Literature textbook, Grade 8, Volume 1):

- Comparative images: 'How could I forget the feeling blossoming in me that morning ... amidst the vast sky' -> the innocent feelings, naivety on the first day of school.
- 'that thought fleeting through my mind as lightly as a passing cloud' -> consciousness of maturity, independence briefly appearing
- 'Before me, the My Ly village schoolyard looked charming, solemn... like the Hoa Ap village communal house' -> clear perception of the beauty, solemnity of the school
- 'They were like fledgling birds standing by the nest... still hesitant and fearful' -> the innocence, confusion, and the desire to reach further of the students.
- 'they yearn clumsily and secretly... to be timid in the unfamiliar scene' -> longing to grow up, to be strong.

Question 5 (page 9 of Vietnamese Literature textbook, Grade 8, Volume 1):

- Artistic highlights:
+ The narrative follows a chronological order, with the emotions of the character 'I' being extremely natural and pure.
+ Vivid and enjoyable similes and personifications
+ Gentle, innocent prose fully expressing the genuine emotions of a child on their first day of school
+ Touches the reader's heart with the most common emotional experiences shared by anyone on their first day of school.

- The allure of the story comes from:
+ Intriguing plot situations
+ Pure, genuine emotions of the character
+ Beautiful, familiar imagery.

II. Practice

Exercise 1 (page 9 of Vietnamese Literature textbook, Grade 8, Volume 1):
- The character 'I' is emotionally stirred by the changes in nature, scenery -> beautiful, deeply memorable memories of the first day of school naturally relive in the character's heart.
- The thought of testing oneself by holding books, pens, rulers -> consciousness of maturity, independence
- Seeing the school both charming and solemn like a village communal house -> a comparison that is both amusing and unique.
- Joyful at the welcome of the teachers, reluctant to leave the mother -> the most natural gestures, emotions of the character 'I'.

In the Vietnamese Literature 8 curriculum, Preparing the Population Problem is an important topic that students should pay attention to prepare for.

In addition to the above content, students can also explore the Preparing for Local Program, Literature part, Lesson 14 to prepare for this lesson.