Objective
By the end of this lesson, the student will be able to create Chinese New Year-inspired artwork and understand the significance of this cultural celebration.
Materials and Prep
- White drawing paper
- Colored pencils or markers
- Pencil and eraser
- Reference images of Chinese New Year symbols (optional)
No prior knowledge or preparation is required for this lesson.
Activities
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Create a Chinese New Year Greeting Card:
Using the materials provided, have the student design and decorate a greeting card for Chinese New Year. They can include traditional symbols like dragons, lanterns, or zodiac animals.
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Draw a Chinese Dragon:
Encourage the student to draw a Chinese dragon on a separate sheet of paper. They can research reference images or use their imagination to create a colorful and vibrant dragon.
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Design a Chinese New Year Poster:
Have the student create a poster that showcases the customs and traditions of Chinese New Year. They can include elements like firecrackers, red envelopes, and the zodiac animal for the year.
Talking Points
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Chinese New Year is a festive holiday celebrated by many people around the world.
"Chinese New Year is a time for families to come together and celebrate the start of a new year. It's like a big party!"
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Dragons are an important symbol in Chinese culture and often appear in Chinese New Year celebrations.
"Dragons are considered lucky in Chinese culture. They are believed to bring good fortune and chase away evil spirits."
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Red is a significant color during Chinese New Year.
"Red is believed to bring good luck and happiness. That's why you see red decorations everywhere during Chinese New Year!"
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Firecrackers are commonly used during Chinese New Year celebrations.
"Firecrackers are set off to scare away evil spirits and bring good luck for the coming year. They make a lot of noise!"
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Each year in the Chinese zodiac is represented by an animal.
"This year is the Year of the [current zodiac animal]. The zodiac animals have different characteristics and people born in each year are believed to have those traits."