1. Chinese new year By Emily

2. Where? When? Chinese New Year is celebrated in China and other Chinese communities around the world.Chinese New Year is celebrated in China and other Chinese communities around the world. Chinese New Year is also known as Lunar New Year or Spring Festival. It always starts on a new moon. It is the start of Spring in China.Chinese New Year is also known as Lunar New Year or Spring Festival. It always starts on a new moon. It is the start of Spring in China. This year, Chinese New Year was on the 10 th February.This year, Chinese New Year was on the 10 th February. Chinese New Year is the longest and most important holiday in China. It goes for 15 days and ends on a full moon.Chinese New Year is the longest and most important holiday in China. It goes for 15 days and ends on a full moon.

3. Why is chinese new year important? Chinese New Year is important because it is when people remember the time when Chinese people scared off the monster Nian. They scared him off by making loud noises and hanging up the colour red. This is why people celebrate using firecrackers, gongs and the colour red.Chinese New Year is important because it is when people remember the time when Chinese people scared off the monster Nian. They scared him off by making loud noises and hanging up the colour red. This is why people celebrate using firecrackers, gongs and the colour red. People remember family members who have passed away.People remember family members who have passed away.

4. Animal zodiac There are 12 animal zodiac symbols that rotate each year. The symbols, in order, are: rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, ram, monkey, rooster, dog and pig.There are 12 animal zodiac symbols that rotate each year. The symbols, in order, are: rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, ram, monkey, rooster, dog and pig. I was born in 2004. 2004 was the year of the monkey.I was born in 2004. 2004 was the year of the monkey. 2013 is the year of the snake, so next year will be the year of the horse.2013 is the year of the snake, so next year will be the year of the horse.

5. Preparations People clean their houses from top to bottom before Chinese New Year. They do this to make way for good luck. It is bad luck to clean on New Years day.People clean their houses from top to bottom before Chinese New Year. They do this to make way for good luck. It is bad luck to clean on New Years day. Lights are hung up outside the house. They repaint their doors and window sills in red. This is to scare off the monster Nian.Lights are hung up outside the house. They repaint their doors and window sills in red. This is to scare off the monster Nian. On New Years Eve strips of red and gold paper are hung down the doors for good luck with messages of good luck like happiness, wealth and long life.On New Years Eve strips of red and gold paper are hung down the doors for good luck with messages of good luck like happiness, wealth and long life. Lanterns and stickers decorate the inside of houses.Lanterns and stickers decorate the inside of houses. People have their hair cut and buy new clothes.People have their hair cut and buy new clothes.

6. How do people celebrate chinese New year? People celebrate Chinese New Year with their family.People celebrate Chinese New Year with their family. They give presents to each other. Older family members give red envelopes with money in them to the younger family members.They give presents to each other. Older family members give red envelopes with money in them to the younger family members. They wear new red clothes and if the year is your animal zodiac year then you also wear red underpants!They wear new red clothes and if the year is your animal zodiac year then you also wear red underpants! People and puppet dragons dance to the music of drums and gongs.People and puppet dragons dance to the music of drums and gongs. People light firecrackers.People light firecrackers.

7. food Families share a special meal together. Some of the foods that are served have special meanings such as…Families share a special meal together. Some of the foods that are served have special meanings such as… Chicken – presented whole, still with head, feet and tail. This represents completeness of the whole family.Chicken – presented whole, still with head, feet and tail. This represents completeness of the whole family. Fish – also presented whole so the year has a good start and a good end.Fish – also presented whole so the year has a good start and a good end. Long uncut noodles – for looooonnnngggg life.Long uncut noodles – for looooonnnngggg life. Sesame doughnuts – brings wealth.Sesame doughnuts – brings wealth.

8. Mt waverley restaurant celebrates chinese new year 2011

9. Resources www.topmarks.co.uk/chinesenewyear/Customs.aspxwww.topmarks.co.uk/chinesenewyear/Customs.aspxwww.topmarks.co.uk/chinesenewyear/Customs.aspx www.chinesezodiac.com/calendar.phpwww.chinesezodiac.com/calendar.phpwww.chinesezodiac.com/calendar.php en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_New_Yearen.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_New_Year www.enchantedlearning.com/crafts/chinesenewyear/www.enchantedlearning.com/crafts/chinesenewyear/www.enchantedlearning.com/crafts/chinesenewyear/ Time to Celebrate: Identity, diversity and belief. By Mark and Olga Fox, 2007. Published by Curriculum Corporation, Australia.Time to Celebrate: Identity, diversity and belief. By Mark and Olga Fox, 2007. Published by Curriculum Corporation, Australia.