Chinese New Year

I love good Chinese food. I'm not talking Panda Express. Which Mr. Handsome loves to eat regularly. After working at Universal and having to see it every day for an entire summer I don't really think it qualifies. Since moving we have yet to find an amazing Chinese place. Looks like we will have to investigate or I might have to try my hand at making some. I bring this up because Chinese New Year was yesterday, February 10th this year. I love a good reason to celebrate. Even if I am a day late. :)

How do you celebrate Chinese New Year in your classroom?  I used to share books with my class and do a short lesson on the different animals associated with the Chinese Zodiac. This is the year of the snake.

Here are two of my favorite books:

D Is for Dragon Dance
I was given this one with a little paper dragon puppet. My kids loved to read this and gently play with the puppet.


Celebrating Chinese New Year

Other Great Resources

• Little Wonders' Days shared a list of great Chinese New Year Books.
• Laura Candler has a free Chinese New Years Packet.
• What's the Buzz in First has a Count by 2's Activity featuring the Chinese Zodiac Animals.
• Kindergarten Rocks has a mini lesson on Chinese New Year.
• Life on the Fourth Floor has a Chinese New Year pack that includes the story of the zodiac animals, tangrams, coloring, boggle, and more.

I have not read this book yet. It looks adorable. Anyone out there read it before? Is it worth adding to my list of books to buy?

The Runaway Wok: A Chinese New Year Tale