Lunar New Year: Lesson Plan
Suitable for Prep, Grade 1, 2 & 3
Year of the Rabbit
WHAT IS LUNAR NEW YEAR?
Lunar New Year celebrates the beginning of a new year on the traditional lunisolar Chinese calendar. It takes place around January and February every year. Explain to your students that it's almost Lunar New Year (or in China, Chinese New Year) and that today's lesson is going to explore this.
Watch the 'Celebrate Lunar New Year' video below and ask students to identify all the different ways that Lunar New Year is celebrated. This can include activities such as: parades, dragon and lion dances, spending time with family, giving and getting ‘red packets; and foods that are eaten: fish, noodles, dumplings, oranges.
See if your students can sing along to ‘Happy New Year’!
YEAR OF THE RABBIT
2023 is The Year of the Rabbit. The rabbit is one of 12 animals from the Chinese Zodiac. Watch 'Year of the Rabbit - Simple Facts for Kids. Cute Bunny Too' and identify three key facts about The Year of the Rabbit.
The Chinese Zodiac Story is a famous Chinese legend which explains the Chinese Zodiac and the order of the 12 animals. 2023 is the Year of the Rabbit. Watch 'Chinese Zodiac Story 2023/The Story of the Year of the Rabbit' and ask students to name all 12 animals. They can draw a picture of the race with the animals in order.
HOW IS IT CELEBRATED?
There are lots of different, special ways this festival is celebrated. There are special foods, activities to do, and lucky colours to wear and decorate your home with.
Watch 'Lunar New Year for Kids - How is it celebrated?' From 1.05-3.12 and ask students to identify as many different ways the festival is celebrated. You may note some prompts to assist them e.g. foods, clothing, lucky colours, activities.
Watch 'How Asians Celebrate Lunar New Year Worldwide' with your class and ask students if they notice any other activities.
WHO CELEBRATES IT?
Re-watch How Asians Celebrate Lunar New Year Worldwide with your class and ask students to identify the different countries and different activities that appeared in the video.
Many Asian countries celebrate Lunar New Year. Each does so in their own unique and special way. Many Asian people who move to different countries also celebrate it.
Ask students to find China, Korea, Vietnam, Laos, Singapore, Cambodia and the Philippines on Google Maps.
While looking at the countries, discuss:
- What is similar about these countries geographically?
- Can you find some other countries in Asia?
- Is there anyone in your class with ties to Asia?
Note: Many Asian people who have moved to other countries still celebrate this festival. You may have people in your class, school, community, city, etc that celebrate this.
THE LEGEND OF NIAN
There are many legends associated with Lunar New Year, the most famous one is the origin of how Lunar New Year is celebrated in China. It believes a monster named ‘Nian’ visited villages, attacking them. To learn more, watch the video below with your students:
CHINESE LUNAR NEW YEAR ACTIVITIES TO DO AT SCHOOL OR AT HOME!
Dumplings are a traditional food made together as a family, then eaten and enjoyed together during the holiday.
- Try making dumplings yourself using Meg’s Global Learning Recipe Cards.
https://megvault.com/chinese-recipe-cards
Red lanterns are hung around the streets, in public places and in people’s courtyards or gardens for decoration at Lunar New Year.
- Try making your own red lanterns using Meg’s Global Learning Arts and Crafts cards.
Decorating homes is one part of the Lunar New Year celebrations. For Chinese people, they decorate their homes with the character ‘Fu’ which means lucky.
Print out this colouring in page for students to decorate however they wish, or for ambitious students; to practice writing the character. When completed, display the finished worksheets on your classroom door for good luck!