Objective
By the end of this lesson, the student will be able to understand and appreciate the traditions and symbols of Chinese New Year through art and English activities.
Materials and Prep
- Construction paper (red, yellow, and other assorted colors)
- Scissors
- Glue stick
- Markers or crayons
- Pencil
No prior knowledge or preparation is required for this lesson.
Activities
- Create a Chinese New Year Dragon
- Make a Red Envelope
- Learn Chinese Greetings
Guide the student to draw and cut out a dragon shape from the construction paper. They can then decorate it using markers or crayons. Encourage them to be creative and use vibrant colors.
Show the student how to fold a piece of red construction paper into an envelope shape. They can then decorate it with symbols of good luck, such as Chinese characters for happiness or a picture of a goldfish.
Teach the student some simple Chinese greetings, such as "Ni Hao" (Hello) and "Xin Nian Kuai Le" (Happy New Year). Practice saying these greetings together.
Talking Points
- Chinese New Year is a special holiday celebrated by many people in China and 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 many traditions, such as dragon dances, fireworks, and giving red envelopes.
- The dragon is an important symbol in Chinese culture and is believed to bring good luck and ward off evil spirits.
- Red is a lucky color in Chinese culture, which is why red envelopes are given during Chinese New Year.
- Saying "Ni Hao" means hello in Chinese, and "Xin Nian Kuai Le" means Happy New Year.