Look at the images and word bank from Mid-Autumn Festival, discuss what students ​see and predict what the festival might be about.

Mid-Autumn Festival is a traditional festival celebrated annually in China and globally by Chinese communities. It's a lunar ​festival, which means the date changes yearly, but is always in Autumn, on Month 8, Day 15 of the lunar calendar. That day ​is always in September or October. The festival centres around enjoying the full moon and, like all festivals, has special ​foods to eat and different activities. There is also a well known myth from the festival, ‘Chang’e the Moon Goddess’.

Students explore the videos and readings, recording key information and then discussing with a partner how Mid Autumn ​Festival is celebrated.

Mid-Autumn Festival is not only celebrated in China, but across East and South East Asia. Consider which countries this ​includes. Explore the videos to identify similarities and difference between celebrations and consider why communities around ​the world (outside of China/Asia) celebrate it.

Mid-Autumn Festival – ​“Children’s Day in Vietnam”

How the Mid-Autumn Festival is ​celebrated around the world

Gardens By the Bay Mid-Autumn ​Festival Light up 2018: Singapore

Extension: The Rabbit in the Moon Story

During the Mid-Autumn Festival Changér Flies to the Moon is a commonly told story. It is based on the myth of Houyi and ​Changér and also references a 'rabbit in the moon'. The idea of a rabbit in the moon can be found in other cultural stories, ​including ancient Aztecs.

Explore the global links of this story through the videos and activities on these pages.

WRITE A LANTERN WITH A RIDDLE

Lantern making is a common activity at Mid-Autumn Festival. ​Riddles are often inscribed on the lanterns as part of the ​festival and seen as a fun activity. Explore how riddles work ​here and try writing your own.

Make a lantern (find simple and complex lantern making ​activity cards here), including a riddle (find Riddle Writing ​activity card here), inscribed on the lantern just like they ​do at Mid-Autumn Festival.

PLAN A CELEBRATION

Individually, in pairs or small groups, plan how you could celebrate Mid-Autumn Festival at your school. Brainstorm ideas, ​consider different activities, foods eaten (cooked/sold), who can attend, how to advertise it (school social media, ​posters) etc. Design educational materials eg. poster or video for the school community, to display or share to educate ​others about the holiday or festival.

Follow the instructions below to make either a no-​bake mooncake or a cooked version.

Adam Liaw’s delicious no-bake mooncake

How to make moon cakes at home-easy recipe

• Share your students’ fantastic work with your school community to show them the great intercultural ​learning taking place in your classroom!

• Prepare an assembly item, social media content or posters to share about this holiday.
  

• Create a Learning Wall about the festival, with Inquiry Questions.
  

• Display students‘ work on the festival on the Learning Wall or around the school.
  

• Tag @MegGlobalEd on school posts so we can celebrate your students’ wonderful ​work. Find Meg on Facebook, LinkedIn, X/Twitter, and Instagram