Chinese New Year

For the month of January, we took time to learn about this most important Chinese Holiday. Chinese New Year is actually late this year, and doesn't begin until February 18. The date varies from year to year because it is based on a lunar calendar. Students learned that the celebration lasts for 4 days. They also had the chance to learn about all different types of Chinese customs and beliefs. Students in grades K-5 completed several Chinese New Year Projects.

Kindergarten created Dragon puppets, complete with streamers, and sequins!

First Grade worked on two different types of Dragon puppets, drew oil pastel dragons, and Chinese fans, and used bingo daubers to create Chinese blossom branches, as well as making a Chinese Carp fish kite.

Second Grade made dragon wall hangings, drew and painted watercolor dragons, used a collage technique and paint to create Chinese blossom branches, used paper bags to make a Chinese dragon puppet, as well as painting warm colored Chinese carp fish.

Third grade worked on clay dragons for 2 weeks, used oil pastel to draw their own Chinese New Year dragon, they also used 36-gauge aluminum to practice the art of “repousse”-in which a design is indented into the metal. They had to create a dragon, and then colored their project in with sharpie, and also completed a Chinese bamboo painting with chalk background.

Fourth grade worked on 3 dimensional carp windsocks, watercolor panda portraits, origami, and using foam board created a Chinese New Year foam print.

Fifth grade created Chinese New Year dragon shadow puppets, watercolor and sharpie dragons, and oil pastel dragons.

Click a picture to see a larger view.