Objectives. Kindergarten-1 st Grade. Activities

Transcription

1 Chinese New Year The Chinese New Year is a special and important holiday for millions of Chinese people around the globe. It is a time for Chinese to celebrate that a year has passed, a time to finish old business, and to welcome the New Year. The Chinese New Year is also a time for families to gather, spend time together, and remember their ancestors. No one quite knows when celebrating the Chinese New Year began; however, it is a holiday that has been observed for thousands of years. One legend tells of a beast long ago named Nian, which means year, that would go out on the night before the New Year began and eat people in the villages. An old man convinced Nian the beast to stop eating people and eat the animals of the forest instead, but the old man also advised that people put red decorations in their windows and on their doors to scare Nian away just in case he forgot that he wasn t supposed to eat people! Even today, around the New Year, people greet each other with, Guo Nian which means both, Survive Nian and Celebrate the year. The Chinese have a unique calendar that follows the phases of the moon and so the Chinese New Year is determined by the first new moon after the sun enters Aquarius according to that calendar. This happens later than the New Year of January 1 st. The Chinese New Year takes place between the end of January and the middle of February. The date of the Chinese New Year changes every year. Each New Year is named for one of the twelve animals of the Chinese zodiac, which also changes each year. The symbols of the zodiac are thousands of years old and include the tiger, hare, dragon, serpent, horse, ram, rooster, dog, rabbit, boar, rat, and ox.

2 During the Chinese New Year season homes are cleaned and decorated with symbolic flowers, fruit, bright beautiful pictures, and red paper decorations so that they are fresh for the beginning of the New Year. The New Year is a happy and colorful time. Special new clothes in bright colors are worn to attract the god of the universe who always returns at the New Year. A highlight of the season is the New Years Eve feast. Before eating, food is placed on altars and offerings are made to the gods. On the Chinese New Year no one is supposed to cook, so food is prepared beforehand. People hide all knives, scissors and any other sharp objects because it is believed that anything sharp might cut the good luck of the New Year. One important tradition of the Chinese New Year is exchanging gifts, small red envelopes called laisee, which are filled with "lucky money". Families and friends give red envelopes to children. The color red symbolizes happiness and vitality. Gold is the color of good fortune. The money inside is used to buy holiday treats. Pyramids of oranges and apples are displayed in homes to bring good luck. Money trees are made and displayed as a sign of prosperity During the Chinese New Year all debts are repaid so that the New Year will begin debt free. Today, one of the main New Years events is a grand parade. As part of the parade, people dress in dragon costumes and dance down the streets. These costumes are made of brightly colored silk and extravagantly painted and decorated. Some dragons are more than 100 feet long. The dragon is the symbol of the New Year and of goodness and strength. People set off firecrackers in the streets during the parade to scare away Nian the beast and evil spirits. The festival celebrating the New Year lasts 5 days; and ends with preparations for the festival called Yuen Si, which is the Festival Of the Lantern ten days later. The three-day Lantern Festival is a time in which lanterns are decorated and hung. People wear white in honor of the

3 moon and moon cakes are eaten. Long ago people searched for spirits with burning sticks. It was thought that the spirits could be seen during the full moon. Objectives Students will recognize and understand diverse religious and cultural beliefs and celebrations. Students will recognize and understand symbols and themes used in festivals and celebrations. Kindergarten-1 st Grade Activities Dragon Dance Look at pictures of dragons. Students make their own dragon costumes using old pillowcases. Cut a hole in the middle of the closed end and two holes at the corners for arms. Paint the pillowcase with red and yellow tempera. Make a large dragon's head out of a grocery bag stuffed with newspaper and paint dragon features. Attach a 5 x8 piece old bed sheet of butcher paper for the body. Decorate it with paint, glitter, sequins and feathers. Students then hide under the sheet/butcher paper

4 dragon body and support the dragon s head from underneath. Use traditional Chinese music to have a parade. Students create dances and do a dragon dance. Good Luck Envelopes Students use a 9 x9 square piece of foil to make coins and an 8 x8 square piece of red paper to make envelopes. Tear the foil into 1 squares and fold the edges to make coins. Fold the red paper in the corners so that they meet in the middle. Seal three of the corners with a gold sticker. Decorate the envelope to make it special. Fill the envelope with coins and seal the remaining corner with a gold sticker. The envelopes are given to friends and family members. Fu Symbol In China, the word for good luck is fu. People paint signs with this character to hang in their homes and in the streets. These signs are painted in the traditional red and gold colors and are hung upside-down for good luck. Students decorate a pre-made sign using gold or red paint and glitter. Hang up side down in the classroom for good luck.

5 Dragon Mural Using a mural sized sheet of paper, aprox. 36 x72, fill pie dishes with green, yellow, and red tempera. Students use handprints to make a New years dragon. The handprints are especially effective in portraying dragon scales and fire. State Education Standards Social Studies; 1SS-R1- Describe how history is the story of events, people, and places in the past. 1SS-F1- Demonstrate the ability to place events in chronological sequence. 1SS-F2- Describe everyday life in the past and recognize that some aspects change and others stay the same. 1SS-F3- Use stories to describe past events, people, and places. Arts: 1AV-R1- Identify and use a variety of art media and techniques to communicate ideas, experiences, and stories. 1AV-R2- Recognize that the visual arts are a form of communication. 1AV-R3- Identify various subject matter, ideas, and symbols used in one s own work and work of others to convey meaning. 1AV-F1- Select and use subjects, themes and symbols in works of art. 1AV-F2- Use additional arts media, techniques, and processes to communicate a variety of ideas, experiences, and responses. 1AV-F7- Expand knowledge and use of different arts media. 3AV-R2- Know that art is a visual language and is a form of expression and communication. 3AV-F2- Understand there are various purposes for creating works of art.

6 3AV-F5- Describe how personal experiences and outside influences may affect the work of the artist, as well as the perceptions of the viewer. Reading Resources Behrens, June. (1982). Gung Hoy Fat Choy, Happy New Year. Chicago: Children's Book Press. Brown, Tricia. (1987). Chinese New Year. New York: Holt. Demi. (1987). A Chinese Zoo. New York: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich Handforth, Thomas. (1938). Mei Li. New York: Doubleday. Hou-tien, Cheng. (1976). The Chinese New Year. New York: Holt. Politi, Leo. (1960). Moy Moy. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons. Robinson, F. (2004). Chinese New Year. New jersey: Enslow. Wallace, Ian. (1984). Chin Chiang and the Dragon's Dance. Toronto: Groundwood. Warren, J. & McKinnon, E. (1988). Small World Celebrations. Washington:Warren. Waters, Kate and Madeline Slovenz-Low. (1990). Lion Dancer: Ernie Wan's Chinese New Year. New York. Scholastic. Welsh, T. (1987). Chinese New Year. Florida: Rourke. 2 nd -3 rd Grade

7 Activities Fu Symbol In China, the word for good luck is fu. Explain to students that Chinese characters are like our alphabet combined with pictures and words. People paint signs with this character to hang in their homes and in the streets. These signs are painted in the traditional red and gold colors and are hung upside-down. Students use 8 x8 red squares of construction paper to make the fu sign. They draw the character and decorate it using gold or red paint and glitter.

8 Lantern Students follow directions to make a Chinese lantern. When completed, lanterns are hung. 1. Decorate a 9 x12 piece of paper. 2. Fold the decorated paper in half the long way. 3. Cut along the long side up from the fold every 2. Stop 2 from the open end. 4. Open the folded paper and bend and round out the long sides into a circle shape. 5. Staple the ends together at the top, middle, and bottom. 6. Cut an 11 strip of paper and staple to opposite sides of the top for a handle. Chinese Zodiac Students learn that the years on a Chinese calendar are grouped into sets of twelve with each year represented by a different animal. The animals are called zodiac signs. Students learn that as part of the New Year Celebration, the Chinese people welcome in the new animal for the year. They use pictures of that animal for decorating. People believe that the characteristics of people are like those of the animal of the year they were born. Give students the Chinese Zodiac Chart. They figure out the years for each animal. Find out in which year they were born, and in what year members of their family were born. Match the dates on the zodiac and determine if they think the characteristics of the animal accurately represent the people born in that year. Do they think this would be true for all people? Students illustrate the zodiac charts with the appropriate animals.

9 Dragon Dance Look at pictures of dragons. Students make dragon costumes using an old pillowcase. Cut a hole in the middle of the closed end and two holes at the corners for arms. Paint the pillowcase with red and yellow tempera. Make a large dragon's head out of a grocery bag stuffed with

10 newspaper and paint dragon features. Attach a 5 x8 piece old bed sheet of butcher paper for the body. Decorate it with paint, glitter, sequins and feathers. Students then hide under the sheet/butcher paper dragon body and support the dragon s head from underneath. Use traditional Chinese music to have a parade. Students create dances and do a dragon State Education Standards : Social Studies; 1SS-F1- Demonstrate the ability to place events in chronological sequence. 1SS-F2- Describe everyday life and recognize that some aspects change and others stay the same. 1SS-F3 Use stories to describe past events, people, and places. Arts: 1AV-F1- Select and use subjects, themes, and symbols in works of art. 1AV-F2- Use additional arts media, techniques, and processes to communicate a variety of ideas, experiences, and responses. 1AV-F7- Expand knowledge and use of different arts media. 3AV-F1- Identify and discuss the similarities and differences of art produced by themselves and others, using technology as one means of communicating personal ideas in a variety of forums. 3AV-F2- Understand there are various purposes for creating works of art. 3AV-F5- Describe how personal experiences and outside influences may affect the work of an artist, as well as the perceptions of the viewer. Reading Resources Behrens, June. (1982). Gung Hoy Fat Choy, Happy New Year. Chicago: Children's Book Press. Brown, Tricia. (1987). Chinese New Year. New York: Holt. Handforth, Thomas. (1938). Mei Li. New York: Doubleday. Hou-tien, Cheng. (1976). The Chinese New Year. New York: Holt.

11 Politi, Leo. (1960). Moy Moy. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons. Robinson, F. (2001). Chinese New Year. New Jersey: Enslow Publishers. Sing, R. (1992). Chinese New Year s Dragon Teacher s Guide. In Multicultural Celebrations. Cleveland: Wallace, Ian. (1984). Chin Chiang and the Dragon's Dance. Toronto:Groundwood. Warren, J. & McKennon, E. (1988). Small World Celebrations. Washington:Warren. Waters, Kate and Madeline Slovenz-Low. (1990). Lion Dancer: Ernie Wan's Chinese New Year. New York: Scholastic. Welsh, K. (2003). Chinese New Year. Florida: Rourke. Grade Level 4-6 Activities Intercultural Comparison This activity helps students compare Chinese New Year celebration with the New Year celebrated on January 1st. Students use paper to construct a Venn diagram (two overlapping circles). Title one circle "Chinese New Year" and the other circle "January 1st New Year" label the

12 overlapping portions "same". Students complete the diagram with information that is unique to each celebration, and complete the overlapping section with things that both celebrations have in common. After working on the Venn diagram alone, students come together to share their ideas with each other. Traditions Interview Review traditional Chinese New Year celebrations. Define the concept of tradition (A long-continued practice or custom. The handing down of beliefs, legends, and customs from generation to generation.) Give examples of things that people do that are traditions and things people do that are not traditions. Share with students some traditions that you have or traditions that we have in the United States. Students interview their parents about traditions that they have in their families. Students ask their parents how traditions began and what special meanings they have. Encourage students to ask about traditions connected to holidays or celebrations. Students draw pictures about their traditions and write a description of them. Descriptions and pictures are shared with the class, and then bound together into a "Traditions" book that can be enjoyed by the class. Remind students that many of the activities during Chinese New Year Celebrations are based on ancient traditions and we also have very old traditions. Chinese Zodiac Students learn that the years on a Chinese calendar are grouped into sets of twelve with each year represented by a different animal. The animals are called zodiac signs. Students learn that as part of the New Year Celebration, the Chinese people welcome in the new animal for the year. They use pictures of that animal for decorating. People believe that the characteristics of people are like those of the animal of the year they were born. Give students the Chinese Zodiac Chart. They figure out the years for each animal. Find out in which year they were born, and in what year members of their family were born. Match the dates on the zodiac and determine if they think the characteristics of the animal accurately

13 represent the people born in that year. Do they think this would be true for all people? Students illustrate their charts with the correct animals. State Education Standards Social Studies; 1SS-E1- understand and apply the basic tools of historical research, including chronology and how to collect, interpret, and employ information from historical materials.

14 1SS-E8- Demonstrate and apply the basic tools of historical research, including how to construct timelines, frame questions that can be answered by historical study and research, and analyze and evaluate historical materials offering varied perspectives. 1SS-E9- Describe the geographic, political, and social characteristics of the ancient civilizations of Egypt, Mesopotamia, and China and their contributions to later civilizations. 1SS-E11- Describe the major religions, including Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. 1SS-P2- Demonstrate knowledge of research sources and apply appropriate research methods, including framing open-ended questions, gathering pertinent information, and evaluating the evidence and point of view contained within primary and secondary sources. 1SS-P3- Develop historical interpretations in terms of the complexity of cause and effect and in the context in which ideas and past events unfolded. Arts: 1AV-E1- Choose the most appropriate media, techniques, and processes to enhance communication of one s own ideas and experiences. 1AV-E2- Demonstrate increasing technical ability and skill to complete visual arts assignments. 2AV-E1- Use subjects, themes, and symbols that demonstrate knowledge of contexts, values, and aesthetics to communicate intended meaning in their artworks. 2AV-E4- Describe the role art plays in culture and how it reflects, records, and shapes history in various times, places, and traditions. Reading Resources Behrens, June. (1982). Gung Hoy Fat Choy, Happy New Year. Chicago: Children's Book Press. Brown, Tricia. (1987). Chinese New Year. New York: Holt. Handforth, Thomas. (1938). Mei Li. New York: Doubleday.

15 Hou-tien, Cheng. (1976). The Chinese New Year. New York: Holt. Liang, Y. (1961). Happy New Year. California: Bowmar. Politi, Leo. (1960). Moy Moy. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons. Robinson, F. (2001). Chinese New Year. New Jersey: Enslow. Wallace, Ian. (1984). Chin Chiang and the Dragon's Dance. Toronto: Groundwood. Welsh, K. (2003). Chinese New Year. Florida: Rourke. Yoshiko, S. (1972). Twelve Years, twelve Animals. Nashville:Abingdon. Website Resources