Objective:
Introduce young learners to the basics of the Lunar Chinese New Year, including its traditions, vocabulary, and simple Mandarin phrases, while fostering an appreciation for Chinese culture.
What You’ll Need:
- Red envelopes (real or DIY with red paper)
- Gold chocolate coins or stickers
- Paper and markers for crafts
- A projector or laptop to show videos
- Printable vocabulary flashcards (I’ll provide the word list below)
- A basic map of China to show where these traditions originated
Lesson Plan Outline:
- Introduction (5 minutes) Start by asking, “Who knows what Chinese New Year is?” Gather responses, then explain:
- Chinese New Year (春节, Chūn Jié) is also called the Lunar New Year because it follows the moon’s calendar.
- It’s the most important holiday in China and many other Asian countries.
- Every year is represented by an animal from the Chinese zodiac (this year is [insert the zodiac animal based on the year you’re teaching]).
- Fun fact: It lasts for 15 days, and people celebrate with food, family, and fireworks!
- Vocabulary Time! (10 minutes)
Teach these simple Mandarin words and phrases (kids LOVE trying out new sounds—make it fun and interactive):
English | Mandarin (Pinyin) | Pronunciation Tips |
---|---|---|
Hello | 你好 (Nǐ hǎo) | Knee-how |
Happy New Year | 新年快乐 (Xīn nián kuài lè) | Sheen-nyehn-kwai-luh |
Red envelope | 红包 (Hóng bāo) | Hong-bao |
Fireworks | 烟花 (Yān huā) | Yan-hwa |
Dragon | 龙 (Lóng) | Long (like the word “long”) |
Family Dinner | 团圆饭 (Tuán yuán fàn) | Twahn-ywen-fahn |
Activity: Hold up flashcards with the Chinese characters and pictures (like a red envelope or a dragon). Practice saying the words together. Reward participation with stickers or gold chocolate coins.
PS – you can download some Chinese New Year worksheets for kids from StudyCat.
- Cultural Story Time (10 minutes)
Share the legend of Nian (年):- Long ago, a monster called Nian would scare villages every New Year’s Eve.
- The villagers discovered Nian was afraid of the color red, loud noises, and fire. That’s why people wear red, light fireworks, and hang red lanterns during the Lunar New Year.
- Ask: “What would YOU do to scare away a monster?”
- Hands-On Craft: Make Red Envelopes (15 minutes)
Explain the tradition:- Kids get red envelopes filled with money during Chinese New Year as a wish for good luck and prosperity.
- Show a real red envelope (if you have one) and pass it around.
- Provide red paper, markers, and stickers (gold stars, dragons, or firecrackers).
- Help kids write the Chinese character 福 (Fú, meaning “good fortune”) on their envelopes.
- Let them decorate with drawings or patterns.
- Let’s Move: Lunar New Year Parade (10 minutes)
Kids LOVE parades, so create your own mini one:- Assign roles: some kids can carry red lanterns (use craft ones if you’ve made them), others can wave ribbons, and one can be the head of the dragon.
- Play traditional Chinese music (search “Lunar New Year music” on YouTube) as they parade around the classroom.
- Wrap-Up Game: Chinese New Year Bingo (10 minutes)
Create simple Bingo cards with pictures of firecrackers, red envelopes, dumplings, dragons, etc.- Call out the items in Mandarin AND English.
- First to get Bingo wins a small Lunar New Year prize (like a sticker or an extra chocolate coin).
Bonus Ideas:
- Taste Test (Optional): Bring in small samples of Lunar New Year foods like dumplings (jiǎo zi), mandarin oranges, or rice cakes (nián gāo). Explain their symbolic meanings:
- Dumplings = Wealth
- Oranges = Good luck
- Rice cakes = Growth and progress
- Chinese Zodiac Fun:
- Print a zodiac animal chart and let kids find their animal based on their birth year.
- Share simple personality traits associated with each animal. For example, “If you’re born in the Year of the Tiger, you’re brave!”
Take-Home Activity:
Send home a printable worksheet with:
- The vocabulary words they learned (with pictures).
- A blank red envelope template for them to decorate at home.
- A coloring page of a dragon or lantern.
You can grab these Lunar New Year Worksheets.
Why This Lesson Works:
- Interactive: Kids learn best when they’re involved—crafts, parades, and games make the experience memorable.
- Cultural Appreciation: It’s a great way to introduce kids to diversity and teach them to respect other traditions.
- Language Exposure: Even if they don’t master the Mandarin phrases, they’ll remember the fun of learning something new.
Happy Lunar New Year (新年快乐)! 🎉✨