1. Reference Essay 1
'A Year in Elementary School' is an excerpt from the memoir of scholar Nguyen Hien Le.
In this text, the author recounts his childhood years in elementary school. The document vividly portrays the living conditions and early memories of the boy who would later become a talented national scholar. Despite losing his father early, the boy lived thanks to the hard work of his mother in trade. The years of childhood for the author were between good and bad. But they were also lessons and enrichment of knowledge and understanding for the scholar. After wandering days, Nguyen Hien Le promised himself to strive for study, to rise up. His less-educated mother compensated for his knowledge deficit by providing the best conditions for him to study. He had a kind and loving grandmother. During those days, the boy often skipped school and gathered to play with his childhood friends. Looking back, he regretted not spending more time on training and studying, but in return, he gained more knowledge, lessons in physical training, and understanding of ordinary young people.
The text with its truthful memoirs delicately and profoundly captures the moments and lessons of the boy in his early years.

2. Reference Essay 3
Reading 'A Year in Elementary School' by Nguyen Hien Le, the reader feels as if reliving childhood memories, which everyone can relate to. The text is the author's reminiscence of his childhood years in elementary school. After the loss of his father, with no one to remind him, the protagonist 'I' neglected studies for a whole academic year. His mother, busy with family chores all day and illiterate, couldn't assist with schoolwork. He often left early but returned late, idly wandering with friends until late at night before going home. On days off, 'I' went out to play all day, returning only when called for dinner. Reflecting later, 'I' felt regret for wasting many learning opportunities. However, physically and temperamentally, there were some benefits: becoming more agile and living a simpler, more natural life. Through this, the author also aims to impart a valuable lesson about balancing study and play. It's indeed a precious and useful piece of advice.

3. Reference Essay 2
The text 'A Year in Elementary School' by Nguyen Hien Le has left a strong impression on readers. The author vividly recounts his childhood years in elementary school with authenticity. Few would imagine that such a distinguished scholar and writer had such a childhood. With the early loss of his father, the protagonist 'I' was raised single-handedly by his mother. His formative years oscillated between good and bad. After days of aimless wandering and play, he jolted himself into rethinking and committed to studying harder. Looking back, he regretted not investing more time in studying. However, physically and temperamentally, there were some advantages: becoming more agile and living a simpler, more natural life. Through this, the author aims to impart a lesson about the importance of balancing study and play in life.

4. Reference Essay 5
The character in 'A Year in Elementary School' is constructed based on the prototype of the author Nguyen Hien Le in real life. When reading the text, few would think that such a distinguished scholar, a remarkable writer, had such a memorable childhood. With the early loss of his father, 'I' lived under the care of his mother, grandmother. Life wasn't abundant materially, but spiritually, it was comfortable when he could play and have a proper childhood with his friends. In the summer, the boys often wandered catching insects, gathering by the riverbank, chatting by the boat dock, playing tag. In the winter when they couldn't go out, he stayed home reading Chinese stories to the family inside and outside listening. The author recounted vividly, authentically the childhood memories. We seem to also see images of ourselves in it. During that time, the character 'I' wasted a lot and didn't study, but on the other hand, 'I' felt benefited by being more agile, living simpler, more naturally, understanding the common children better. Through the character 'I', we can see that reconciling between study and play is extremely necessary. If studying enhances intelligence, then playing activities will enhance health and create memorable memories for students.

5. Reference Essay 4
Reading the text 'A Year in Elementary School' by Nguyen Hien Le, we are impressed by the character I. Perhaps each person has captured their own image in this character during their childhood years. The boy 'I' in the essay had memorable elementary school years. When his father passed away, with no one to remind him, 'I' neglected his studies for a school year. His mother, busy all day with family affairs and illiterate, couldn't accompany him. He often went out early and came home late, wandering with friends until late at night. On days off, 'I' played all day, only returning home when his grandmother called for dinner. Looking back, 'I' regretted wasting so much in terms of studying. But on the other hand, physically and temperamentally, he gained a bit: he became more agile, lived more simply and naturally. From this character, readers realize that reconciling between study and play is extremely necessary.

6. Reference Essay 7
The text 'A Year in Elementary School' by Nguyen Hien Le is the recollection of the character I about his elementary school years. His father passed away early, so his mother worked hard to support 'me'. Like the childhood of many other children, the boy also faced the choice between studying and playing. In the first year of elementary school, without the urging of parents, the boy neglected his studies and played with friends until late at night every day. But his poorly educated mother awakened him. His mother not only provided material needs but also compensated for his lack of knowledge. Because of her love, strictness, and encouragement to study, he realized his mistakes and spent more time studying. Looking back, he regretted not spending more time practicing and studying, but he also gained more knowledge, lessons about physical training, and understanding of ordinary young people. The author wants to convey a lesson about the importance of balancing study and play through the essay. This is truly a valuable and useful advice.

7. Reference Essay 6
The character 'I' in 'A Year in Elementary School' is the prototype of the author Nguyen Hien Le in real life. The excerpt depicted the image of the boy in the early days of Elementary school and the true life of a child. Few would have thought that an outstanding scholar, a writer, had such memorable childhood years. Father passed away early, the boy in the memoir lived by the hand of his hardworking mother and the love of his grandmother. It was a life that, although not materially abundant, was spiritually comfortable when he could play and have a true childhood with his friends. Those were the days he neglected his studies and participated in the games of the neighborhood children. In the summer, the boys often wandered to catch insects, gathered by the river, talked at the dock, chased and caught. In the winter when he couldn't go out, he stayed home reading stories for the whole family. The writer recounted his childhood memories truthfully and vividly. During that time, the character 'I' wasted a lot and did not study, but in some ways, he felt he benefited from being able to run and jump more agilely, live simpler, more natural, and understand common young people better. Through the character 'I', we can see that balancing between study and play is extremely necessary. If studying enhances intelligence, then playing activities will improve health and create memorable memories for students.

8. Reference Essay 9
Every day, from early morning, my mother left home to work, only returning when darkness enveloped us. My mother couldn't read, couldn't help us with our studies. At the beginning of the school year, she had enough strength to take us to the bookstore, so we could buy necessary pens, ink, and books. At the end of the year, the only question my mother often asked us was, 'Did you pass?' When my father passed away, there was no one left to remind us about studying. I missed a whole enthusiastic academic year. Every day, I left home early in the morning. But instead of returning right after class, I lingered until late at night, immersed in the vast world of friends and games. On holidays, I spent my time playing endlessly. Only when my grandmother called us for dinner did we return. My mother always warned us to come home early. Every time she found us loitering outside, she was angry, demanding we come home immediately. Every winter, when we couldn't go out to play, I stayed home, reading stories from thin books. Looking back on those days, I realized a whole academic year had been wasted. I missed the opportunity to learn, to absorb knowledge. However, what was more valuable was that those years helped me develop physically and mentally. I became more agile, learned to live simply and naturally. The moments of running and playing were not only beautiful memories but also valuable lessons about life. Those experiences helped me understand that true happiness doesn't just come from studying, but also from the happy and free moments of youth.

9. Reference Essay 8
The memories of childhood can sometimes be compared to a precious gem, radiant and sparkling. I want to share about a year in elementary school, a time full of joy and simplicity, a precious moment in my life. Although that school year is a distant memory, it still lingers in my soul. It was a time when I not only studied but also developed physically and emotionally in a unique way. It can be said that it was a memorable year for me. In my memories, elementary school was not just about math and language lessons, but also a time for me to explore early sports skills. School was where I began to learn about soccer, and every training session was a journey to conquer new skills. It was where I learned teamwork, respect for teammates, and setting goals in life. Not only in sports, but elementary school was also where I built valuable relationships with friends. We always played together after school, creating memorable moments that I will never forget. Traditional games, endless races, and hot summer days formed an inseparable part of my life. Although there were times when studying was not exciting, looking back, I realized that it contributed a lot to building my character. I learned patience, time management, and perseverance. These skills not only helped me overcome academic challenges but also laid the foundation for success in life. Therefore, a year in elementary school was not just about lessons from books but also a memorable journey of physical and emotional development. It was a time when I learned to turn every challenge into an opportunity and create cherished memories in life.

10. Reference Essay 11
That year, with my father's passing, the burdens of life became heavier for my mother and me. My mother, illiterate, unable to oversee, encourage my studies like others. My elementary school journey became unique, full of challenges and learning. Besides school hours, I often roamed and rolled with peers in the neighborhood. Life seemed like a free pass to the endless world of childhood. We played, explored, and created memorable moments until the sun set, until dinner called, then we returned. Once, my mother caught me loafing, and painful words followed, but we understood she only sought to protect and care for us. In winter, when weather confined us indoors, I found joy in reading books. In the magical pages, I entered the world of fantastic stories, immersed in character adventures. I often read aloud for the family, and those moments created warm memories and family bonds. Now, reflecting on that school year, I realize that despite missing many study opportunities, it made me agile, natural, and understanding of life from the perspective of ordinary people. That journey marked a significant turning point in my life and became a source of inspiration for growth and learning.

11. Reference Essay 10
My mother - a woman who couldn't read, yet her soul held a world full of knowledge and boundless love. Every day, she left home, walking from dawn till dusk, tireless, to provide for the family. Her footsteps, though illiterate, on every dusty road, carried hopes and desires for her children to learn, to be known for their knowledge. As for me, a lazy student, I showed up at school every day, but my soul was immersed in the world of games and friends. Time slipped away, and only at night, when the streetlights dimmed, did I remember home. Until 9 or 10 at night, I was still engrossed in street games, only returning when my mother called. On weekends, apart from play, I had nothing else to do. Though illiterate, my mother knew how to create educational experiences by sitting down with me, opening books, and telling captivating stories. Under the warm glow of yellow light, I listened to her words, fairy tales, and adventures I'd never forget. In the small world of our neighborhood, though no one could read, knowledge and love flowed in every family. My mother, with kindness and filial piety, though not literary, imparted valuable lessons about love and understanding. Seeing smiles on her children's faces, she understood that knowledge didn't just come from books, but also from gratitude and love for life.

