Grade Level: 3 - 5

Subject:
        Math, Language Arts, Science

Learner Outcomes:
  Learners will compare and contrast U.S. and Chinese New Year customs.
  Learners will draw and label the lunar cycle.
  Learners will calculate the birth year of family members to determine the Chinese horoscope.
  Learners will write personal descriptions and journal entries in order to compare characteristics from the Chinese and American horoscopes.

Duration of Lesson:
        six separate 45 minute lessons

Materials:
        drawing paper, colored pencils, calculator

Technology Tools / Courseware:
        computer, television, video camera, digital camera

Teacher Notes:
Contact Chinese restaurants for class sets of placements dealing with Chinese New Year.
Bookmark appropriate web site for students to visit. (see references)
Have an Acceptable Use Policy on file for students.
Direct students to find out how old two or three people from other generations are.  (for example:  a parent and grandparent)

Procedures:
        Session 1:
              1.  Teacher will read aloud a picture book dealing with Chinese New Year. (see references)
              2.  In cooperative learning group students will research Chinese New Year utilizing the internet,
                   encyclopedia, magazine articles, and classroom library. (see references)
     Session 2:
              3.  Using  concept maps, with whole class grouping, students will share information gathered
                   during research.
              4.  Teacher will direct class discussion to focus on the phases of the moon, i.e. causes of the
                   cycle, planting "by the moon," and the lunar phase/Chinese New Year connection.
              5.  Students will draw and label the lunar cycle.
     Session 4:
              6.  Students will determine the "year" by the Chinese calendar in which they were born.
              7.  Students will read the personality descriptions for their birth year.  Compare these to the way
                   students perceive themselves in a written composition.
              8.  Students will calculate the birth year for their relatives, read the corresponding personality
                  description, and discuss the suitability.  They will read local newspaper horoscopes and will
                  compare and contrast these with the Chinese descriptions through journal entries.
     Session 5:
              9.  Cooperative groups will prepare activities based on Chinese New Year customs. Teacher
                  will use digital camera and video tape to record students as they work.
     Session 6:
              10.  Class will share their celebration. Festivities will be recorded.  (examples:  dragon dance
                    lucky money, lantern festival, traditional foods, costume)

Modifications:
         Cooperative learning groups will be designed to provide opportunities for all students.

Enrichment Activities:
         Students will collect photographs, graphics, and note-worthy information to be used for creating
             Power Point slides.
         Students will print and complete a word search puzzle based on Chinese culture.

Evaluation / Assessment:
        Formative - Teacher observation of groups as they create celebration
                           activities.  A rubric will be used to assess group behavior.
        Summative - Individual drawings of the lunar phases of the moon will be
                            assessed by the teacher.

West Virginia Individual Goals and Objectives:
        Math
               3.19, 3.20, 4.18, 4.24, 5.10, 5.14, 5.48
        Language Arts
               3.26, 3.32, 4.26, 4.40, 5.17, 5.23
          Science
               3.27, 3.30, 3.71, 4.65, 4.30, 5.24, 5.46
National Standards:
         Math
               1.  Understands and applies basic and advanced properties of the concepts of numbers
               2.  Uses basic and advanced procedures while performing the processes of computation
       Language Arts
               1.  Uses listening and speaking strategies for different purposes
       Science
               1.  Understands the composition and structure of the universe and the Earth's place in it

References:
         Chinese New Year sites
              Chinese New Year
              Chinese New Year activities and crafts

        Activities
              Word search puzzles

         Book References
         Sam and the Lucky Money by Karen Chinn ISBN 1880000539
         Chinese New Year's Dragon by Rachel Sing ISBN 0671886029
         Celebrating Chinese New Year by Diane Hoyt - Goldsmith ISBN 0823415201
         Lion Dancer by Kate Waters ISBN 0590430475

Authors:
        Marguin Godfrey, French Creek Elementary School
       Jody Johnson, French Creek Elementary School
       Ronna Smallridge, French Creek Elementary School