First Grade Explores Traditions of Chinese New Year

Our Swain Campus, first grade friends were joined by Ethan Cheung's '33 mother, She-Yan Wong, via google meet to learn about the Chinese New Year and hear the story, My First Chinese New Year, written by Karen Katz.

The students explored a map of China and learned where the capital city, Beijing, is located.  Mrs. Wong also showed them clips of Lion Dancers in a Chinese New Year parade, taught them about the different Chinese Zodiac Symbols, and introduced them to traditional cuisine and what some foods represent.  

For example, long noodles represent happiness and longevity. Oranges are believed to bring good luck, happiness, and wealth. By eating dumplings, you are sending away the old and welcoming the new. Sweet desserts symbolize sweet life in China.

Mrs. Wong gave each student a red envelope called Lai See, which is a wish for good luck. 

Our first graders ended their study of Chinese New Year by making Chinese lanterns and hearing another story, The Great Race, written by Valerie Tsen and read by AJ Tsen '33.