Goal : To learn about another culture and ways they celebrate. To have an appreciation of how others celebrate. To learn a little of the history behind celebration, and a little Chinese history

• K will learn that there are other alphabets for other languages.
• K will learn more about Asian food.
• K will learn at least one Chinese myth or legend.
• K will help me prepare for hosting a New Year Celebration for WellSpring at our house.

Beginning activities: We talked a little about our calendar New Year at that time. We went to Chinatown in Chicago and ate lunch there, and wandered around a little, taking photos and shopping for some supplies for our WellSpring celebration.

Food Activities: K will help me sort through some recipes and decide on what to make for the celebration. We will try some of the recipes by making them for our family first. K will work at getting better at using her Chopsticks! We will make our own fortune cookies, with our own fortunes. (after talking about how fortune cookies are really a Chinese-American tradition.)

Decorating Activities: Care of the home is very important to the Chinese New Year tradition. Everything is cleaned for the New Year, and banners and hangings for good luck are placed by doorways and gates. K and L will help me clean the house a little, and will write some calligraphy banners to place by the doors of our house.

Chinese Myth and Legend: We will read about the Chinese ballad of Mulan.

Books:

• "Fa Mulan" by Robert D. San Souci, illustrated by Jean and Mou-Sien Tseng (This book is more understandable for children K and L's age. Beautiful watercolour illustrations.)
• "The Song of Mulan" by Jeanne M. Lee (This book seems truer to the original poem, it's written in more poetic English and also Chinese script.)
• "Mulan" Disney DVD.

Red Clothes: We will work on making something red to wear for the Chinese New Year celebrations. I bought some red brocade from a fabric store. We will try sewing hairbands and appliquéing some brocade onto plain t-shirts.

Planning a celebration: We will host a party for Chinese New Year with our friends from WellSpring. Anna B and W will co-host. K will help me getting ready, helping to decide on activities. We will make noise makers and write calligraphy, and have a lunch together. We will have some red envelopes (lai see) to give out and enjoy some Asian treats, and try using chopsticks.

Links: http://www.theschoolbell.com/Links/Chinatown/entrance.html Has some good photos of the San Fransisco's Chinatown parade… also of other things like photos of a Fortune Cookie factory. http://www.new-year.co.uk/chinese/ http://www.chineseparade.com/ This is information about the San Fransisco Night Parade. http://www.activityvillage.co.uk/chinese_new_year.htm This page includes printable colouring pages, and puzzles to play on your computer.

Media: Mulan - Disney DVD Holidays for Children- Chinese New Year - Schlessinger Media jDVD 394.261 (this DVD has a Mandarin Language track!)

Books:

• "Chinese New Year" by Alice K. Flanagan Illustrated by Svetlana Zhurkina j394.261 ( an easy reading non fiction book. )
• "Chinese New Year Crafts" by Karen E. Bledsoe j745.594 (a fun book with 11 crafts to make. We will make the noisemakers p. 14-15 and Chuan Lian p. 8-9 for 2006)
• "Moonbeams, Dumplings and Dragon Boats" by Nina Simonds, Leslie Swartz, and the Children's Museum, Boston. Illustrated by Meilo So. J394.26951 (This is an awesome reference book including tales, activities, crafts and recipes.)
• "Chinese New Year" by Julie Murray j394.261 (Another easy reading non fiction book. This book has photographs, not illustrations. Includes an easy reading index!)
• "Fa Mulan" by Robert D. San Souci, illustrated by Jean and Mou-Sien Tseng j398.2 (This book is more understandable for children K and L's age. Beautiful watercolour illustrations.)
• "The Song of Mulan" by Jeanne M. Lee jChinese895.11 (This book seems truer to the original poem, it's written in more poetic English and also Chinese script.)

All this and more, as we look into another culture and celbrate Chinese New Year!

 

 

 

Proverbs 3:5-6

 

 

 

 

© Anna Noack-Brown 2005.