Celebrating Chinese New Year in the Classroom
Engaging Activities to Foster Cultural Appreciation and Learning
Celebrating Chinese New Year (or learning about China during a cultural study) in the classroom is a vibrant opportunity to explore and appreciate Chinese culture while fostering tolerance and understanding among students.
Art Project: Traditional Chinese Hats
Students can create traditional Chinese hats using the following materials and instructions:
Materials Needed:
Red tag paper
Scissors
Stapler
Small brushes
Black ink or paint
Instructions:
Draw and cut out a large circle from the red tag paper.
Bend the circle into a cone shape and staple it.
Decorate the hat with designs or write a Chinese character, such as "love."
This craft not only engages students but also introduces them to artistic elements of Chinese culture.
Preparing for Gung Hay Fat Choy
To prepare for the celebration, I gather books and supplies early in the year: There are some great titles available!
Red Envelopes: Give to students as symbols of luck and prosperity. They love making and/or receiving these fun gifts.
Chopsticks: Used for activities like reading exercises.
Musical Elements
Music plays a crucial role in the celebration. I introduce a special song related to the New Year and lead students in a fun, simplified version to the tune of "The Noble Duke of York."
Chinese New Year Activities
Activities include:
Literature: Reading and discussing stories about Chinese New Year.
Music: Singing traditional songs.
Art: Crafting Chinese hats.
Literacy & Math: Incorporating New Year themes into exercises.
Creative Writing: Writing stories or poems about the festival.
Word Wall: Highlighting relevant vocabulary.
Reading: Using themed texts for comprehension.
These activities are easy to implement and provide a well-rounded learning experience, inspiring students to appreciate the richness of world cultures.
