ABC (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)



Teacher Resource

Lunar New Year

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1. Before you watch the BTN Lunar New Year story, record what you know about the event.

2. About how many people around the world celebrate Chinese New Year?

3. Chinese New Year follows the __________ calendar.

4. Each year, Chinese New Year falls on a different date. True or false?

5. How many animals are in the Chinese zodiac?

6. According to legend, which animal won the race to decide who would go first in the Chinese zodiac?

7. Chinese New Year in 2018 is Year of the…

8. Give examples of some traditions that take place over Chinese New Year.

9. Briefly explain the ancient story about a beast called Nian.

10. What did you learn about Chinese New Year?

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Class Discussion

Discuss the BTN Lunar New Year story as a class. Record what students know and would like to know on the KWHL chart below. Use the following questions to help guide discussion:

• What is Chinese New Year?

• Who celebrates Chinese New Year?

• How is it celebrated?

• Why does the date of Chinese New Year change every year?

• Chinese New Year 2018 is Year of the…

• What Chinese New Year celebrations do you know about? What might you see?

• Have you ever taken part in Chinese New Year celebrations? Explain which ones.

The following KWLH organiser provides students with a framework to explore their knowledge on this topic and consider what they would like to know and learn.

| What do I know? |What do I want to know? |What have I learnt? |How will I find out? |

| | | | |

| | | | |

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Chinese New Year Celebrations

Ask students what traditions might you see at a Chinese New Year celebration. What do these traditions and symbols mean? Below are some examples of Chinese New Year traditions that students can explore in more detail.

Lantern Festival

Chinese New Year celebrations end with the Lantern Festival. During the festival, people visit the temples at night carrying paper lanterns. They symbolise letting go of the past and looking forward to the future. During the lantern festival, people eat small round dumplings made of rice.

Students can make their own Chinese New Year Lantern by following the instructions here.

Lion and Dragon Dances

Watch the ABC Education Lion Dance video which explains the significance of the lion dance during Chinese New Year celebrations. Students can research in more detail the importance of the lion or dragon in Chinese culture.

Students can make a dragon or lion using the instructions here. Encourage them to look at images of Chinese New Year dragon/lion dances, playing close attention to the colours used (red, gold and green symbolise good luck). Students can then create their own lion/dragon dance.

Fireworks

Fireworks is a common Chinese New Year celebration. At midnight on New Year’s Eve, fireworks are launched to celebrate the coming of the New Year. The Chinese believe that fireworks keep away evil spirits and that the person who launches the first firework of the New Year will have good luck.

Students can design their own fireworks display on cardboard. Follow the instructions here.

Red envelopes

Red envelopes are small red and gold packets containing money given to children, family members and friends as a symbol of good luck, success and good fortune. The colour red is also used to keep away evil spirits.

Students can make their own lucky envelopes by following the instructions here

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Chinese Zodiac

The Chinese Zodiac is based on a twelve-year cycle, with each year being named after an animal. Chinese people believe that people born in a particular year take on the characteristics associated with that animal.

Students can investigate the following questions about the Chinese calendar:

o What is your Chinese zodiac animal sign? Find out here

o Create a profile of that animal. What personality traits are associated with that animal?

o What traits relate to the other zodiac animals?

o How were the 12 animals chosen and why are they in a particular order?

Source: China Highlights

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BTN – Chinese New Year



BTN – Chinese Migration



ABC Education – Dancing lions celebrate the Lunar New Year



SBS – How Chinese Australians will celebrate this Lunar New Year



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Episode 2

13th February 2018 November 2016

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Students will learn more about the significance of Chinese New Year celebrations and the Chinese zodiac.

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HASS – Year 3

Celebrations and commemorations in places around the world (for example, Chinese New Year in countries of the Asia region, Bastille Day in France, Independence Day in the USA), including those that are observed in Australia (for example, Christmas Day, Diwali, Easter, Hanukkah, the Moon Festival and Ramadan)

How the community has changed and remained the same over time and the role that people of diverse backgrounds have played in the development and character of the local community 

Dance – Years 5 & 6

Explain how the elements of dance and production elements communicate meaning by comparing dances from different social, cultural and historical contexts, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander dance 

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