How do you celebrate the Chinese New Year? In my classroom, I use poetry to introduce the celebration. The following poem introduces some of the holiday traditions:
Chinese children will greet their parents and other adults by saying, "Gung Hay Fat Choy," which means wishing you great happiness and prosperity. Naturally, we greet the adults in our school with this phrase.
The dragon dance is often conducted in the streets during Chinese New Year. My students create a parade of their own using these templates:
We make a dragon for the parade, keeping in mind that the longer the dragon, the greater the luck it bestows. To make the dragon's body, create an accordian fold. Use 2 strips of paper about 1.5" wide. Choose different colors and make the strips as long as you like. Begin by gluing the strips together.
Of course I have a poem dedicated just to the Dragon Dance.
Along the way, I incorporate other learning. These activities are part of my Winter Poetry Possibilities unit. The possibilities provide a plethora of lessons from various disciplines.
Along the way, I incorporate other learning. These activities are part of my Winter Poetry Possibilities unit. The possibilities provide a plethora of lessons from various disciplines.
GUNG HAY FAT CHOY!
