Explain to your students that it's almost Lunar New Year (or in China, Chinese New Year) and that today's lesson is going to explore this.

Establish your student's prior knowledge by asking the following questions. This can also be used a s a prediction task.

• What does the word ‘lunar’ mean? (moon)
• What and when is Lunar New Year? (it changes each year, around Jan/Feb as it is based on the lunar calendar)
• Who celebrates it? (people living in, or with heritage from many Asian countries)
• How is it celebrated? (lots of different ways, eating special foods, decorating homes and community areas with red, and letting off fireworks)

Watch the video to learn more about the Year of the Tiger.

Watch these two videos and identify the different countries and activities portrayed.

 

How Asians Celebrate Lunar New Year Worldwide

7 Things to Know About the Lunar New Year

Many Asian countries celebrate Lunar New Year. Each does so in their own unique and special way. Many Asian people who move to different countries also celebrate it.

Ask students to find China, Korea, Vietnam, Laos, Singapore, Cambodia and the Philippines on Google Maps.

 

While looking at the countries, discuss:

• What is similar about these countries geographically?
• Can you find some other countries in the continent of Asia?
• Is there anyone in your class with ties to Asia?

Read together How do different Countries Celebrate Lunar New Year? Identify the similarities and differences between the countries.

There are many legends associated with Lunar New Year, the most famous one is the origin of how Lunar New Year is celebrated in China. It believes a monster named ‘Nian’ visited villages, attacking them. Watch the video below to find out what happens in the legend:

Decorating homes is one part of the Lunar New Year celebrations. For Chinese people, they decorate their homes with the character ‘Fu’ which means lucky.

 

Try writing the character ‘Fu’ on a piece of scrap paper, or on this worksheet. Don’t worry about the exact lines, just have a go!

 

Watch the video below for guidance:

The worksheet provided also makes a great colouring in page. Print this out for students to practice writing the character, or just to decorate however they wish. When completed, display the finished worksheets on your classroom door for good luck!