EMBRACING CHINESE CULTURE IN THE CLASSROOM: CELEBRATING

CHINESE NEW YEARChloe and Ashley

What are some stereotypes about

Chinese people and their culture?GO!

STEREOTYPES

WHY WE CHOSE THE CHINESE CULTURE

It is our responsibility as teachers to educate ourselves about the cultures of our students and to teach all students about various cultures

To learn more about the culture of China and Chinese New Year

To learn from the stereotypes. Take what we thought we knew and reevaluate it.

ABOUT THE CHINESE CULTURE

Males are typically valued more than femalesReligions include: Buddhism, Muslim, and Christianity

China has 56 ethnic groups HOWEVER Han Chinese make up 91.59% of the Chinese population, so the other 55 make up a very small portion of the population

Chinese culture is over 5,000 years old (art, philosophy, politics)

Hundreds of dialects

WHAT IS CHINESE NEW YEAR

Celebration of spring: put the past behind them, new life and new beginnings

Based off the lunar calendar which is why it never falls on the same day. The date is anywhere from Jan. 20 and Feb. 19.

Lasts 3-5 days (some people may celebrate for 15 days)Clean houses, pay off debts, new clothes, paint doors and window panes, new haircuts

Popular colors are red (power, happiness, vitality) and gold (wealth and good fortune)

CONT.

Exchange gifts Large feasts with offerings to the godsDragon is a major symbolFireworks at the stroke of midnight, wish each other a “Happy New Year”

Businesses are typically closed Ends with the Festival of Lanterns

OUR LESSON PLAN

Send out letter to parents the week before. Share family traditions a day or two before the holiday.

Tell the story of Chinese New Year and share some known traditions and cultural facts. Ask students to do some research about the holiday to use for a future assignment.

If there is a student or multiple students that celebrate the holiday, ask them to share what it means to their family and some of their traditions.

Invite guest speaker to share knowledge about the Chinese culture and Chinese New Year. (artifacts, photos, etc.).

CONT.

Identify differences between January 1st New year and Chinese New Year using Venn Diagrams.

Write short stories involving Chinese New Year.Create dragon heads, lanterns, red envelops for the day of celebration, create decorations of that year’s animal for the classroom

Throw a Chinese New Year’s party! Share Chinese short stories with the class.

HOW WE CAN MEET THE NEEDS OF OUR CHINESE STUDENTS

Training and education on interpersonal communication

Create a warm environment

Consider other reasons for any misbehaviors before disciplining

Use fair treatment in the classroom

Allow time for the student(s) to answer questions

Understand customs of their culture and know what they do and do not practice.

Learn a few basic words to help with the language barrier. Anything to show your interest and to help ease the students frustrations.

Leave the stereotypes at the door!

FOR YOUR ENJOYMENT AND EDUCATION

REFERENCES

Google search for the images

Holloway, J. H. (2003, September). Research Link / Managing Culturally Diverse Classrooms. Retrieved December 8, 2014, from Research Link / Managing Culturally Diverse Classrooms website: http://www.ascd.org/publications/ educational-leadership/sept03/vol61/num01/ -Managing-Culturally-Diverse-Classrooms.aspx

Redden, E. (2014, April 9). Chinese Students in the Classroom. Retrieved December 8, 2014, from Chinese Students in the Classroom website: https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2014/04/09/ new-research-examines-how-chinese- students-respond-challenges-classroom

THANK YOU