The Chinese New Year is an exciting time for the people of this country. It is a time of festivals and traditions that go back many centuries. It is sometimes called the Lunar New Year as well. Take your child on a journey to learn all about the Chinese New Year with the ideas presented in this engaging lesson plan. The lesson plan is designed for children in 3rd through 5th grade.
Chinese New Year Facts:
Have your child choose one of the facts listed below and write a small report supporting the fact. Use books from your local library or the Internet to find the information needed. Possible websites to visit for more information include 123ChineseNewYear.com and KiddyHouse.com/CNY.
- On the first day of the Chinese New Year, family members visit their oldest living relative.
- Tangerines are handed out on the Chinese New Year for luck and prosperity.
- The Chinese New Year traditionally starts at the beginning of the month and ends on the 15th, and is usually held in January or February each year.
- The Chinese New Year celebration is one of the largest festive holidays in China.
- Ang Pows are envelopes with money inside that are given during the Chinese New Year Festival. Only married people can give Ang Pows.
Field Trip Opportunity
Consider a trip to a Chinese restaurant that is somewhat traditional. Talk about the different decorations and menu items. Ask your child what menu items seem odd to them. Teach the child to use chopsticks, or at least to practice using them. Many restaurants will have placemats that deal with the Chinese New Year symbols. Find your child's symbol and your own, as well.
Learn about Many Chinese Inventions
China is responsible for many inventions that are used on an everyday basis. Have your child choose an invention and write a small report about it. Be sure they include who invented it, why it was invented, when it was invented, and how it is still used today.
- Paper first appeared in the 2nd century.
- The fork was used before they invented chopsticks.
- The compass traces back as far as 1000 BC.
- An umbrella, known as a parasol, was found in a tomb from the 3rd century.
- Silk is made from the silk worm. It was first woven in 3630 BC.
- The Chinese were the first to cultivate soybeans.
- Paper money first appeared in the Tang Dynasty in 690.
- The toothbrush first appeared in 1498 and was made of pig bristles.
- The crossbow first appeared in the early 5th century.
- Dominoes first appeared in 1112 as a gift to the imperial court.
- Fireworks first appeared during the Song Dynasty in 960.
Chinese New Year Activity
Chinese Lanterns:
This is a great way to bring a small piece of the celebration home. To make a Chinese New Year Lantern, you’ll need the following supplies:
- Construction Paper (red and orange)
- Scissors
- Scotch tape
- Clip art of fireworks, dragons, or other lanterns
- Glue Stick
- Yarn for hanging
Directions:
- Using the glue sticks, attach the clip art pictures to one side of the construction paper. The paper should be laid out with the longest side towards the child.
- Have your child color the clip art pictures with bold, beautiful colors.
- Fold the piece of construction paper in half.
- Cut into the paper from the folded side up to about an inch from the top.
- Continue cutting the paper from end to end about one inch apart.
- Unfold the paper and try to remove the crease as much as you can.
- Take the shorter sides of the paper and tape them together, with the edges barely overlapping.
- Form the taped paper into a circle.
- Set one end of the paper on the table and gently push down.
- The paper should separate where you made the cuts and will resemble a lantern.
- Tape each end of a piece of yarn inside the lantern at the top to make a hanger.
Supplemental Resources:
Websites:
- Family Culture is a terrific site that compiles information on different family cultures, including the Chinese New Year.
- Asia for Kids has a great deal of information on Asia, China, and their people.
Book Recommendations:
- Celebrating Chinese New Year: An Activity Book by Hingman Chan [Asia for Kids Publishers, July 2004]
- Celebrate Chinese New Year (Celebrate Holidays) by Elaine A. Kule [Enslow Publishers, August 2006]
- Chinese New Year: Celebrations in My World by Carrie Gleason [Crabtree Publishing Company, September 2008]
Teaching a lesson on the Chinese New Year is a great way to introduce your child to a whole new culture. Hopefully, the ideas and resources presented here will help you develop a unit study that will last in your child's memory for years to come.
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