Lesson Plan #2
CHINESE NEW YEAR

Grade:  Five and Six
Jill Inkel EDU 553

1.  OBJECTIVES
Students will:
A.  Define the Chinese New Year.  When it begins for the year 2000.
B.  Explore the traditions of the Chinese Holiday
C.  Investigate the difference between the Western Calendar and the Chinese
Lunar Calendar.
D.  Answer the questions to the Cyber hunt.

2.  RESOURCES/MATERIALS
· pencil
· handout with Cyber Hunt questions
· Classroom computers set with access to Web sites to answer the questions
about Chinese New Year.

3.  PROCEDURES
    The students will spend the week prior to the lesson reading books about
the Chinese New Year from the school library.
    Divide students into groups of three to minimize time on the computer.
Students should work together to access Web sites and answer questions
individually on their hand outs.  They should record their answers from each
Web site as it appears on the Cyber Hunt.

4.  STANDARDS
    Students are encouraged to broaden their perspectives on a different
culture.  They are to demonstrate their skills on using the Internet to
retrieve information.  They are expected to visit only the sights listed on
the Cyber Hunt.  Computers are equipped with  CyberPatrol a software program
to filter options in using the Internet to safely search the World Wide Web
for information.

5.  Anticipatory Set
    To make students aware of other cultures and traditions celebrated in
other countries.  To highlight the Chinese culture and allow students with a
Chinese heritage to share information with their peers.  The students will
have fun exploring the answers to the Cyber Hunt and collect data to add to
their understanding of traditions outside their own.

6.  TEACHING
    INPUT:  Students will already have a knowledge base of the Chinese New
Year from library materials read to the class in the previous week.
    MODELING:  Teacher will be available to work with each small group of
three students to copy and paste URL’s into the WWW address box.
    CHECKING FOR UNDERSTANDING:  Teacher will allow students to visit the Web
sites with the teacher present to offer advice and guide their search.
Students will share their results with the class when the Cyber Hunt is
completed by every group
    QUESTIONING STRATEGIES:  Teacher will ask questions on what new
information they learned by using the Internet compared to the library books
read in the past week.

7.  GUIDED PRACTICE
    Teacher will have the opportunity to observe the students comfort level
in using the Internet to compile information.

8.  CLOSURE
    Students will have the opportunity to discuss what they learned about
Chinese traditions and the celebration of the Chinese New Year.
    Students will be asked to comment on the use of the Internet for
gathering the answers to the Cyber Hunt.  Did they like the process?  What
part was most difficult? What was easier?
Answers:
1.  4702
2.  February 5, 2000
3.  This year February 5, 2000
4.  Answers vary
5.  Spring Festival
6.  Open every door and window to let go of the old year
7.  Answers vary
 

Gung Hay Fat Choy
May You Prosper
Celebrate the Chinese New Year
 
Directions:  Celebrate the Chines New Year by exploring cyberspace to these
fascinating Web sites.  All the Web sites will be bookmarked for easy access.
 Write your answers to the questions below.  A group discussion will follow
this activity.

1.  According to the Chinese calendar, what year  begins June 22, 2004?
    http://www.afk.com/resources/lunarnewyear.tmpl
 
 
 

2.  When does Chines New Year begin in the year 2000?
    http://www.afk.com/resources/lunarnewyear.tmpl
 
 

3.  What year is the Chinese year 4698?
    http://www.afk.com/resources/lunarnewyear.tmpl

4.  Which animal represents the year in which you were born?

    http://www.new-year.co.uk/chinese/calendar.htm
 

5.  The Chinese New Year is also popularly know as
__________________________. (Hint:  Click on "The Origin of Chinese New
Year.")
    http://www.chinascape.org/china/culture/holidays/hyuan/newyear.html
 
 
 

6.  What is traditional to do at midnight on New Year's Eve at midnight and
Why?(Hint:  Click on "Chinese New Year" and scroll down to "On New Year's
Eve".)

    http://www.familyculture.com/holidays.htm
 
 

     7.  Open a Virtual Fortune Cookie.  What did it say.  (Hint:  Click on
Virtual Fortune Cookies)
    http://www.new-year.co.uk/chinese/index1.htm

Carla L. McKinnon
Edu 360
September 23, 1998

Exploring China

Grade Level: Ninth Grade

Subject: World Understanding

Objectives:
By the end of the lesson the student will be able to,
? Identify 10 facts pertaining to the history of China.

Purpose:
 This is a brainstorming/introductory activity to a unit on China.

Student Arrangement/Safety:
 Students are to work in the Computer Lab/Library.

Time Allotment:
 Two class periods.
 

Procedure:
1. Students are to work independently in the computer lab.
2. Students will begin the assignment by going the Internet Explorer and go to the following supervised website: http://www.kn.pacbell.com/wired/China/scrapbook.html
3. At the approved website, students are to utilize the links to find 10 facts pertaining to China.
4. After the facts are found, students are to present their information to the class. In one of the following suggested ways:
? Microsoft PowerPoint presentation
? Visual presentation using an Artistic approach
? A summary of their written findings
Remind students if the have other ideas for a presentation to be creative!

Assessment:
 Students will reach the objective when 10 facts about the history of China are found and presented in one of the three suggested ways or in a creative way of their choice.