INTERMEDIATE LEVEL CHINESE NEW YEAR LESSON PLAN

Transcription

1 INTERMEDIATE LEVEL CHINESE NEW YEAR LESSON PLAN Copyright 2013, Red River Press Inc. For use by members of ESL-library.com in accordance with membership terms. 1

2 Chinese New Year Reading 1. Chinese New Year is the biggest and most important holiday of the year for Chinese people around the world. It is actually two celebrations in one. According to Chinese tradition, everyone s birthday is celebrated on New Year s Day. This is also the most important time of the year for families to get together. CHINESE NEW YEAR 2. Chinese New Year does not have a fixed date on the Western calendar because it is based on the lunar calendar. It always falls between January 20 th and February 21 st. Each year, the Chinese calendar is represented by one of twelve animals from the Chinese Zodiac. The signs include animals such as the ox, the rabbit, the snake, and the horse. For example, 1998 was the year of the Tiger was also the year of the Tiger. The Chinese believe that people share the characteristics of the animal that represents the year of their birth. All of the animals are associated with different characteristics. Two people who are born in the year of Rooster are thought to be similar. 3. There are many traditional activities associated with Chinese New Year, and many of these symbolize new life and new beginnings. Many are also related to the idea of good luck. Chinese people sweep and clean their houses before New Year s Day and then put away their brooms so good fortune will not be swept away. They always pay off their debts before New Year s Day because it is bad luck to begin the new year if you owe money. People also buy new clothing and new shoes because they believe that bad luck will come to those who step on the ground in old shoes on New Year s morning. It is also important to settle old arguments. 4. The color red is seen everywhere on Chinese New Year because it represents fire, which can drive away bad luck, according to legend. Gold is also an important color at this time. It represents wealth and good fortune. Families decorate their homes with flowers and paper decorations. Copyright 2013, Red River Press Inc. For use by members of ESL-library.com in accordance with membership terms. 2

3 Chinese New Year Reading Continued... Exchanging gifts is an important tradition, and children always receive red envelopes containing lucky money. The traditional New Year s greeting is kung hey fah choy, which means I wish you a prosperous New Year. CHINESE NEW YEAR 5. Food is a very important part of the Chinese New Year celebrations. Families and friends get together for large feasts and many of the foods that are eaten have special meanings. Fish is eaten to ensure long life and good fortune. Red dates bring prosperity, lotus and melon seeds will bring many children, and oranges symbolize wealth. Ancestors are remembered with offerings of food. The table is usually covered with a red cloth and red candles, and often there are twelve courses to represent the twelve animals of the zodiac. 6. The dragon and the lion are other popular symbols of Chinese New Year. Many Chinese communities around the world celebrate with dragon and lion dances and parades through the streets with people dressed in brightly colored costumes. Of course, a Chinese New Year celebration would not be complete without loud and colorful fireworks. 7. In many Chinese communities, the new year is celebrated as an official holiday for three or four days, but often the celebrations continue until the Festival of Lanterns, which is on the 15 th day of Chinese New Year. Happy Chinese New Year! Copyright 2013, Red River Press Inc. For use by members of ESL-library.com in accordance with membership terms. 3

4 Reading Comprehension Practice asking and answering the following questions with your partner. Then write the answers in the spaces below. 1. Why is Chinese New Year two celebrations in one? 2. Why does Chinese New Year not have a fixed date on the Western calendar? 3. What is the Chinese Zodiac represented by? 4. How do Chinese babies become associated with certain animals? 5. Why do Chinese people put away their brooms on New Year s Day? 6. What two colors are often seen on Chinese New Year? 7. What do children receive on Chinese New Year? 8. Why do New Year s meals often consist of twelve courses? 9. Why is fish an important dish on Chinese New Year? 10.When does the Festival of the Lanterns take place? Copyright 2013, Red River Press Inc. For use by members of ESL-library.com in accordance with membership terms. 4

5 1. fixed 2. lunar 3. occur 4. symbolize 5. sweep 6. fortune 7. debt 8. argument 9. wealth 10. ancestors 11. feast 12. ensure CHINESE NEW YEAR Vocabulary Review A. Match the words on the left with the correct meanings on the right. a. fight, disagreement b. very large meal c. a lot of money, riches d. family members from the past e. make certain f. relating to the moon g. good or bad luck, chance, fate h. happen i. something that is owed to someone j. represent k. set, decide (as a date) l. clear away dirt with a broom B. Choose the correct words from the left column above to complete the following sentences. 1. John was born in Canada, but his _ came from China a long time ago. 2. The floor is very dirty. Could you please it for me? 3. The date for the annual meeting is already. I can t change it. 4. He borrowed a lot of money from his friends over the past few years and he still has a lot of. 5. Do you believe that people can really tell your by looking into a crystal ball or reading your tea leaves? C. Choose the word(s) closest in meaning to the underlined word in the following sentences. 1. Families decorate their homes with flowers. a) fill b) make beautiful c) buy 2. Red dates bring prosperity. a) success, good fortune b) many children c) happiness 3. Chinese people put away their brooms on New Year s Day. a) problems b) pictures c) long-handled brushes for sweeping 4. Many traditions are related to the idea of good luck. a) connected b) family c) real 5. There are often twelve courses in the New Year s feast. a) something you study b) red cloth c) part of a meal Copyright 2013, Red River Press Inc. For use by members of ESL-library.com in accordance with membership terms. 5

6 Pair Work Sharing Information Student A You and your partner each have different information on the animals in the Chinese Zodiac. Share the information with your partner and together complete the questions on the following page. (Note: you may need to use your dictionaries for some of the words related to the characteristics of the animals.) Part of the Chinese Zodiac Animal Signs and Corresponding Years Rat Ox Tiger Rabbit Dragon Snake Characteristics of the animals and people born in their year. Rat Ox Tiger Rabbit Dragon Snake - hard-working, clever, charming, have big ambitions, usually successful - loyal to people who are close to them - patient, calm, trustworthy, easygoing - do not speak a lot, but when they do, they speak very well - courageous, proud, powerful, natural leaders, well-respected - sometimes cannot make up their minds - gentle, shy, sensitive, kind, love to entertain, love to gossip - often lucky with money - healthy, powerful, brave - lots of energy, like to be leaders - generous - try to help others who are less fortunate Copyright 2013, Red River Press Inc. For use by members of ESL-library.com in accordance with membership terms. 6

7 Pair Work Sharing Information Student B You and your partner each have different information on the animals in the Chinese Zodiac. Share the information with your partner and together complete the questions on the following page. (Note: you may need to use your dictionaries for some of the words related to the characteristics of the animals.) Part of the Chinese Zodiac Animal Signs and Corresponding Years Horse Sheep (Ram) Monkey Rooster Dog Pig (Boar) Characteristics of the animals and people born in their year. Horse Sheep Monkey Rooster Dog Pig - lots of energy, popular, like large crowds - want freedom, like to travel - creative, imaginative, artistic - often shy and usually religious - like to have fun, like a lot of stimulation - skillful, have good memories - tell the truth, quick thinkers - like traditional things, like to keep busy - physically active, honest, very faithful - excellent at business - intelligent, have good manners, enjoy learning - enjoy helping others, sometimes wasteful Copyright 2013, Red River Press Inc. For use by members of ESL-library.com in accordance with membership terms. 7

8 Pair Work - Question Sheet Work with your partner to complete the following questions and statements. 1. This is the year of the. 2. Last year was the year of the. 3. Which animal represents your year of birth?. 4. Which animal is often lucky with money?. 5. Which animal is usually religious?. 6. The year 1950 was the year of the. 7. Which animal loves to gossip?. 8. When will the next year of the sheep occur?. 9. Which animal is very successful at business?. 10.Which animal has a good memory?. 11.Which animal is a natural leader?. 12.Which animal enjoys learning?. 13.Which animals are shy?. 14.If you were born in the year 1959, what is your animal sign?. 15.Which animal likes to help people less fortunate?. 16.What are the characteristics of the animal that represents your birth year? 17.Do you think that these characteristics accurately describe you? Explain. 18.Name the twelve animals in the Chinese Zodiac. Then discuss the characteristics of each with your partner. Copyright 2013, Red River Press Inc. For use by members of ESL-library.com in accordance with membership terms. 8

9 Vocabulary, Idioms, and Expressions The color red is very important in Chinese New Year. This word is often used in different expressions in English. A. red (adjective) - the color of blood (ex. She is wearing a beautiful red sweater.) B. redden (verb) - to make something red or become red (ex. His face reddened when he made that foolish mistake.) Idioms and Expressions 1. to see red - to become angry ex. The boss is really going to see red when he finds out that the work was not finished on time. 2. a redhead - a person with red hair. ex. Joan s hair is naturally brown, but she has always wanted to be a redhead, so she is going to dye it. 3. to be in the red - to be in debt, losing money ex. Last year our business was still in the red, but we hope to start making money this year. 4. red tape - a lot of difficult official rules and procedures ex. If you want to immigrate to a new country, you have to go through a lot of red tape. 5. paint the town red - go to restaurants, bars, dancing, etc. and have a great time. ex. It s my birthday on Saturday. I want to paint the town red. 6. roll out the red carpet - welcome someone in a very special way ex. When the Queen comes to our city, we really roll out the red carpet for her. 7. a red-letter day - a very special day, a day to remember ex. This is going to be a red-letter day for me. I m going to see my new grandchild for the first time. 8. to be caught red-handed - to be caught while doing something bad ex. Mother told Jimmy not to eat any more cookies, but he was caught red-handed with his mouth full of cookies and his hand in the cookie jar. 9. not worth a red cent - worthless ex. My car is almost twenty years old. I can t sell it. It s not worth a red cent. Copyright 2013, Red River Press Inc. For use by members of ESL-library.com in accordance with membership terms. 9

10 Vocabulary and Idiom Practice Now write your own sentences using the expressions on the previous page. CHINESE NEW YEAR Copyright 2013, Red River Press Inc. For use by members of ESL-library.com in accordance with membership terms. 10

11 Find Someone Who Walk around the classroom and ask your classmates questions. Write the questions in the spaces provided below, and write your classmate s name on the right if he/she answers yes. Find someone 1. who was born in the year of the monkey. _ 2. who can name all the twelve animals of the Chinese Zodiac. _ 3. who would like to be a redhead. _ 4. who has experienced a lot of red tape in the past month. _ 5. who can tell you what animal his or her grandmother is. _ 6. who has had a red-letter day recently. _ 7. who knows why the Chinese put away all their brooms on New Year s. _ 8. who likes to paint the town red. _ 9. who was born in the year of the dragon. _ 10. who can tell you the traditional Chinese New Year greeting. _ Copyright 2013, Red River Press Inc. For use by members of ESL-library.com in accordance with membership terms. 11

12 Teachers Notes / Answer Key These activities are designed for intermediate-level adult ESL learners, but they may also be suitable for junior and senior high school ESL students. Reading on Chanukah and Comprehension Questions Begin by introducing any vocabulary you feel the students may have difficulty with. You may choose to have the students read the passage silently, or have the students take turns reading aloud in order to monitor pronunciation. After reading the passage, break the students into pairs and have them practice asking and answering the comprehension questions. At the end of the oral practice, have the students write the answers. Review again orally with the whole class. 1. Chinese New Year is two celebrations in one as it is also the time to celebrate one s birthday. 2. Chinese New Year does not have a fixed date on the Western calendar because it is based on the lunar calendar. 3. The Chinese Zodiac is represented by 12 animals. 4. A child is associated with the animal and corresponding characteristics that represents his or her birth year. 5. They put away their brooms so good fortune will not be swept away. 6. The color red and the color gold. 7. Children receive red envelopes containing lucky money. 8. There are often twelve courses to represent the twelve animals of the zodiac. 9. Fish is an important dish as it is believed to ensure long life and good fortune. 10. The Festival of Lanterns is on the 15 th day of Chinese New Year. Vocabulary Review A. Matching l. k 2. f 3. h 4. j 5. l 6. g 7. i 8. a 9. c 10. d 11. b 12. e B. Fill in the blanks 1. ancestors 2. sweep 3. fixed 4. debt 5. fortune C. Choose the underlined word 1. b 2. a 3. c 4. a 5. c Pair Work Break the class into pairs. Each student has a different reading about the animals of the Chinese Zodiac. Have the students read their articles silently and then share the information with their partner by completing the comprehension questions together. 1. (answer will vary) 2. (answer will vary) 3. (answer will vary) 4. Rabbit 5. Sheep 6. Tiger 7. Rabbit Dog 10. Monkey 11.Tiger 12. Pig 13. Rabbit and sheep 14. Pig 15. Snake 16. Individual answer 17. Individual answer 18. Rat, ox, tiger, dragon, rabbit, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog, pig Group Interaction / Practice Making Questions Find Someone Who... First, have the students write out the questions they will be asking their classmates. Then have the students circulate around the class, asking the questions on the sheet. When the student finds a classmate who can answer the question, he/she will then write the student s name on the line and follow up with one more question of his/her own. Ex. Have you been inside a lighthouse? If the student answers yes, the second question might be: Where was it located? Try to encourage the students to engage in real conversation during this activity. Follow up by sharing the information with the whole class. Spelling Note: This lesson shows the American spelling of the words Color, Colors, Colorful, Colored, and Practice. Most other English-speaking countries spell these words this way: Colour, Colours, Colourful, Coloured, and Practise (when used as a verb; Practice when used as a noun). Make it a challenge for your students to find these words in the text and see if they know the alternate spellings. Copyright 2013, Red River Press Inc. For use by members of ESL-library.com in accordance with membership terms. 12