Step in, Step Out, Step Back!

Look at these images of Chinese people on ​holidays and complete this Thinking Routine:

• Step in: What do you think these people ​might feel, believe, know or experience?

• Step Out: What would you like or need to ​learn to understand this person's ​perspective better?

• Step Back: What do you notice about your ​own perspective and what it takes to take ​someone else's?
  

October 1st is China's National Day which commemorates the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949 (Communist ​China). There are usually national celebrations and military parades in Tian'anmen Square, Beijing to acknowledge and ​celebrate the day. National Day is always a week long celebration, October 1–7 and is referred to as ‘Golden Week’. It is the ​biggest week for tourism in China when people have a week off to visit their families and take trips for the holiday around China ​and abroad. Because it is a national holiday and China has a big population, this means millions of people travel across China ​and there are large crowds everywhere during this week.

Provide the following videos and readings to students to work ​independently, in pairs or in small groups to identify the key ​information about China’s National Day, which is part of their ​‘Golden Week’ holiday.

Students may use the 5 W's (Who, What, Where, Why, How) ​or other structures your provide to record their findings.

Watch the videos to find out more about the issue China faces having so many people travelling at one time which puts huge ​pressure on the tourism industry (hotels, etc), transport and, also, the environment when many people visit the same sites.

Activities:

• identify solutions to the issue.
  
• prepare a persuasive speech or letter convincing the Chinese government to introduce their ideas.
• hold a class debate with one side for keeping the holiday as it is, the other side arguing it needs to have different dates ​per state.
  

Golden Week is a week of national holidays in China, with National Day falling within the week. Other countries also have their own ​Golden Week, notably Japan. Watch these videos about how Golden Week is celebrated in Japan and identify the similarities and ​differences between how they celebrate it.

Golden Week:

Watch 0.00-1.20

10 Things to do on Golden Week

Chinese culture celebrates many different festivals and holidays. You've probably learnt about some of them already this ​year! Brainstorm 3-5 together, identify the main ideas for each festival or holiday. Check the holidays by watching the ​video below.

Create a presentation about the different Chinese holidays and festivals. Focus on these areas:

• Cultural significance
• Historical or cultural myths or stories associated
• Food and drinks
• Activities done
• Any other interesting information
  

• 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