This is a unit by NCTA alumni Stefanie Best. It was through the NCTA seminar that she had, in her words, "the idea for a unit that would explain the meaning and purpose of the Chinese Zodiac and also tie in why the celebration of the Chinese New Year is so important to China, the meaning and history behind it, activities (FangBao, Tangrams, and Tiu-u) and crafts (making red envelopes, designing good luck banners) and of course the food. During the unit I plan on students, in groups, researching the Chinese Zodiac symbols for their meaning and sharing their findings with the class. Class discussion will compare and contrast similarities and differences that China and the U.S have when celebrating the New Year. We will analyze celebrations such as Po Woo and the Lantern Festival and see how family plays such an important connection to the celebration of the New Year. Through all of this I want students to appreciate the differences they discover and hope for them to notice these in other cultures. I would then hope to implement this unit at or as close to each year’s Chinese New Year Celebration."
