Gung Hei Fat Choi! "Wishing you good fortune".
This holiday dates back over 4,000 years and is deeply rooted in legend and tradition. The Legend of Nian describes a horrible beast that would come out of hiding once a year to scare people in the villages. Nian was scared of three things: the color red, loud noises and fire. The villagers would paint their doors red, hang spring couplets from their doorways, light big bon fires and set off fireworks. Often they were successful and were able to keep Nian away.
As a sixth grade teacher I thoroughly enjoyed lessons that allowed my students to immerse themselves in a new culture, way of thinking, government or art. During the ancient China unit I would spend a couple of days on this beautiful holiday. Students would learned about the history of the holiday, the legend of Nian and how they celebrate. Following the lesson students were able to choose which traditional activities they would like do.
Each student was asked to complete a spring couplet for a fellow classmate. Inside each red construction paper square students would write good luck wishes, roll the paper like a firecracker, string them together and hang them from one another's lockers. Students could then make dragon puppets, traditional lanterns, kites, water color a Chinese landscape or complete coloring pages. All of their art hung in the 6th grade hall and on Chinese New Year day with us all dressed in red we celebrated the oldest holiday by opening our spring couplets. enjoying our red envelopes and fortune cookies (although they do not originate from China, rather San Francisco).
Some afternoons as I rock Cutie E for a nap I have reflected on what unit or lesson I would be covering at that time. With today being Lunar New Year it is easy to remember the lessons, activities, art projects and anticipation of this great holiday. I can't wait to teach my grand children all about what makes today special and all other civilizations.
Luckily I do not have to wait. While our daughter was out of the country she came across some wonderful books I wanted to share with you today. These sweet stories introduce children to different cultures, holidays, families and foods at a young age with adorable art work and great storytelling.
Lunar New Year by Hannah Eliot, illustrated by Alina Chao
I love this board book! It captures the history, importance of family, legend and celebrations of Lunar New Year in a way that is easy for children to understand. The adorable art work adds to the story in a soft colorful way. I recommended this book to a friend who is completing her student teaching. The story is wonderful whether the child is an infant or middle schooler.
Bee-bim Bop! by Linda Sue Park, illustrated by Ho Baek Lee
This adorable story is about food, family and tradition. In our family every tradition or holiday is tied to food. Just ask my kids, the first thing they remember is the yummy foods we ate. In this story the adorable main character is anxiously awaiting her Bee-bim Bop or "mixed-up rice". I appreciated the simple sentences, repetitive phrases and fun text that goes with her excitement. At the back of the book you will find a recipe for bee-bim bop, cooking directions, how to serve and the meaning of bee-bim bop. Your whole family will enjoy this book.
Amy Wu and the Perfect Bao by Kat Zhang, illustrated by Charlene Chua
Have you seen the movie "Crazy Rich Asians" and wished you could sit with Constance Wu's character Rachel Chu and learn from Nick's mother, aunties and grandmother how to make the perfect dumpling? If you have or you just enjoy eating them then this book is for you. Like many of us when we were young Amy wants to do things like the big people in her family. That includes making the perfect dumpling. Amy's family is patient as she learns what it takes to make that dumpling and to be patient as she learns. The illustrations are bright and enhance the sweet story. There is a recipe at the end, be sure to check out Amy's too empty, too fat or holey dumplings so you can get yours just right.
I love that my daughter found these books and thought it was important for her children to learn about other cultures at a young age. I can't wait to expand on that as they get older. Below are a few videos you might also enjoy.
For now I will cherish the memories I have teaching 6th grade with Kim, Ash and Jenelle. They were always supportive of my crazy ideas that involved all of the sixth graders. To all my past sixth grade students, thank you for making each of these units so much fun to teach. Enjoy Lunar New Year!
A few videos on Lunar New Year
How Asians Celebrate Lunar New Year Worldwide
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