Chinese New Year

Studying education in a city school I was never really encouraged to celebrate holidays 

So many different students celebrated so many different things. 

Moving back to the district I am in now ... 

we do not see as much diversity in our students.

Growing up I did not feel that I was exposed to different cultural beliefs in the world because it was not directly around me. I try to take time throughout the year to highlight different holidays. I put them on the calendar, I share facts about each one, and every once in a while we can really dive into those holidays.

This year we dove into the Chinese New Year!

Our school library had this story...

My First Chinese New Year

by: Karen Katz

Students loved hearing about all of the unique traditions that this holiday held.

I found this free resource on TPT

We were able to look at key vocabulary terms from the story and place them in ABC order.

Friday we had special guests come in to share a bit more about this holiday ...

The kids really loved learning how to lion dance ....

Students had an opportunity to learn about their Zodiac Symbols

They received chocolate coins as children would on the new years celebration as well as book marks

Bubble wrap was passed out to each student to resemble fireworks and the new year celebration.

Things got noisy but boy did we have fun!

Here are a few other read alouds I would consider using in the future.
Thanks to Amazon for the descriptions and availability to be purchased.

Bella's Chinese New Year

by: Stacey Zolt Hara

This story is about An American girl living in Singapore, Bella is celebrating Chinese New Year at her school with a big party and we are all invited along. With her infectious smile and zest for life, Bella connects with the people and culture around her, making new friends and learning through her experiences. Appreciative of Singapore's customs and traditions, Bella guides us through orange exchanges with friends, the magical wish of a Lo Hei salad and the surprises kids find in shiny red envelopes during the New Year.

Bringing In the New Year

by: Grace Lin

This exuberant story follows a Chinese American family as they prepare for the Lunar New Year. Each member of the family lends a hand as they sweep out the dust of the old year, hang decorations, and make dumplings. Then it’s time to put on new clothes and celebrate with family and friends. There will be fireworks and lion dancers, shining lanterns, and a great, long dragon parade to help bring in the Lunar New Year. And the dragon parade in our book is extra long–on a surprise fold-out page at the end of the story. Grace Lin’s artwork is a bright and gloriously patterned celebration in itself! And her story is tailor-made for reading aloud.

Chelsea's Chinese New Year

by: Lisa Bullard

Chelsea's family is celebrating Chinese New Year! Chelsea gets to stay up late. She watches fireworks and a parade with a dragon! She and her family have a big feast. Find out the different ways people celebrate this special day! 

Dragon Dance

by: Joan Holub

It's Chinese New Year and there are so many fun things to do! Shopping at the outdoor market for fresh flowers, eating New Year's dinner with the whole family, receiving red envelopes from Grandma and Grandpa, and best of all-watching the spectacular Chinese New Year's parade! Introduce the customs of Chinese New Year to even the youngest readers with this festive new lift-the-flap book. 

Chinese Zodiac Animals

by: Sanmu Tang

Which Chinese zodiac animal are you? A clever rat? A brave tiger? A hardworking ox? Or an energetic dragon?

In ancient China, each sign marked a different year in a 12-year calendar. Over time, people believed that a person's character and destiny were somehow decided by his or her zodiac animal.

Chinese Zodiac Animals explains the traits of each animal sign and what luck the future might hold for the person born under that sign. Chinese Zodiac Animals is a fun and informative way to learn about an important part of Chinese traditional culture.