Objective
By the end of this lesson, the 4-year-old student will have a basic understanding of Chinese New Year traditions and be able to create their own Chinese New Year artwork.
Materials and Prep
- Red construction paper
- Scissors
- Glue
- Markers or crayons
- Chinese New Year decorations (optional)
- Access to a computer or device with internet
Before the lesson, familiarize yourself with Chinese New Year traditions and customs. Prepare some examples of Chinese New Year artwork to show the student.
Activities
- Create a Chinese New Year Greeting Card: Help the student fold a piece of red construction paper in half to create a card. Encourage them to decorate the front of the card with Chinese New Year symbols like dragons, lanterns, or the Chinese character for "luck" (ç¦). Inside the card, they can write a simple greeting in Chinese, such as "æ–°å¹´å¿«ä¹" (Happy New Year).
- Make a Chinese Dragon Craft: Show the student how to cut out a dragon shape from red construction paper. They can then decorate the dragon with markers or crayons. Attach a popsicle stick or straw to the bottom of the dragon to create a handle. Encourage the student to move the dragon around and make it dance!
- Learn about Chinese Zodiac Animals: Introduce the concept of Chinese zodiac animals to the student. Show them pictures of different animals and explain that each year is associated with a different animal. Help them find out which animal represents the year they were born in. They can draw or color a picture of their zodiac animal.
- Watch a Chinese New Year Parade: Find a video of a Chinese New Year parade online and watch it together. Point out the colorful costumes, dragon dances, and firecrackers. Discuss the significance of these elements in the celebration.
Talking Points
- Chinese New Year is a special holiday celebrated by Chinese people around the world.
- It is also called the Spring Festival and marks the beginning of a new year according to the lunar calendar.
- People celebrate Chinese New Year with family gatherings, feasts, and fireworks.
- Red is a lucky color in Chinese culture, so it is often used in decorations and clothing during Chinese New Year.
- Dragons are important symbols in Chinese culture and are believed to bring good luck and fortune.
- During Chinese New Year, people give each other red envelopes with money inside as a symbol of good luck and blessings.
- Some traditional Chinese New Year dishes include dumplings, fish, and rice cakes.
- Learning a few phrases in Chinese, like "æ–°å¹´å¿«ä¹" (Happy New Year) or "æå–œå‘è´¢" (Wishing you prosperity), can be a fun way to celebrate Chinese New Year.
- Chinese New Year celebrations last for 15 days, with each day having its own special significance and activities.