EMBRACING CHINESE CULTURE IN THE CLASSROOM: CELEBRATING CHINESE NEW YEAR Chloe 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 females  Religions 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 gods  Dragon is a major symbol  Fireworks 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: 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: new-research-examines-how-chinese- students-respond-challenges-classroom

THANK YOU