Chinese Festivals Activity

Designed by Litao Wang

Educational Technology Masters Program

Texas A&M University, 2003

Target audience: 6^th grade student

Area: Social Study

Subject: Festivals and Celebrations in China

Performance Objectives:

Play Chinese music in this workstation to create a cheerful atmosphere. The purpose of this project is to introduce the festivals in China, including the most famous one--Chinese New Year (spring festival), Lantern Festival, the Festival of the ancestral Memorial, the Dragon Boat Festival and the Mid-Autumn Moon Festival. Students will learn the cultural background and features of each festival.

TEKS:

113.22 Social Studies, Grade 6

(b). Knowledge and skills

(15) Culture. The student understands the similarities and differences within and among cultures in different societies.

(B) Analyze information by sequencing, categorizing, identifying cause-and-effect relationships, comparing, contrasting, finding the main idea, summarizing, making generalizations and predictions, and drawing inferences and conclusions;

(23) Social studies skills. The student uses problem-solving and decision-making skills, working independently and with others, in a variety of settings.

Media/Materiel:

Paper and scissors

Video player & Television

Book: Moonbeams, Dumplings & Dragon Boats: A Treasury of Chinese Holiday Tales & Recipes By Nina Simonds (Author), Meilo So (Illustrator), Leslie Swartz (Author), Boston The Children's Museum (Author) http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0152019839/103-4656929-6240666?v=glance

Activities & Recipes:

CD: 50 Popular Chinese Children’s Songs. http://www.chinasprout.com/store/Music:Children:ChildrenSongs.html

VHS: Traditional Chinese Festivals/ Sagwa Feline Festivities http://www.chinasprout.com/store/VVT009.html

Procedures:

Students will be given 20 minutes to watch the video and read the book and then complete the paper-cutting activity.

http://www.wgn.net/~nienhuis/chinese.html

http://www.travelchinaguide.com/intro/arts/paper_cut.htm

Description of activity:

On Chinese New year festival, there is a tradition to decorate “paper cuttings” on the window. The paper cutting is said to bring good luck for the family. Color and cut out the butterfly and decorate it at your home!