Chinese New Year – Animal of the Year Graphic Organizer

Posted on February 18, 2015 by Squarehead Teachers

I like using projects year after year. It makes my life easier. This is especially true with holiday projects. There are so many other things to do and update each year, that it’s impossible to keep up. My friend, who teaches kindergarten, recently shared this idea:

In the spirit of working smarter (not harder), I created this graphic organizer to be used year after year, no matter what animal is the animal of the year for Chinese New Year! After talking about what Chinese New Year is, have the kids draw a picture of that year’s animal, and then write ideas about what that animal can do, has and is (see my friend’s example above).

Click here to download the free PDF: Chinese New Year – Animal of the Year

Chinese New Year Craft: Paper Lanterns Tutorial

Posted on January 27, 2014 by Squarehead Teachers

I love these paper lanterns. When we lived in China, there were lots of lanterns all over the place during Chinese New Year. They’re a great craft to make with kids. Here’s my tutorial on how to make them out of construction paper. Click on each image to enlarge the image.

: You’ll need a sheet of construction paper. Cut off a strip from the side (the long length) so it can he used as the handle.

: Fold it in half “hot dog style.”

: Then fold up the edges…

: …so that it looks like this.

: turn it sideways (so the opening is away from your stomach). Then make several cuts up to the fold, about an inch apart/

: Fold the open sides towards each other, making a circle with the corners touching.

: It will look like this when you’re holding it.

: Staple or tape the edges at the top and bottom.

: It should be able to stand up on its own. Then grab your strip to be used as a handle.

: Attach the handle at the top using tape or staples. Ta-da! Finished paper lantern!

Chinese New Year Craft: Spring Character

Posted on January 26, 2014 by Squarehead Teachers

The following Chinese new year craft was submitted by a fellow teacher who just did this craft with her second graders:

Copy this page for each student (white paper).
Color the back side of this paper different colors – so no white shows.
Turn it over.
Fold it in half.
Cut on bold lines.
Open it up and turn it over… It’s the Chinese character for “Spring”!
Glue it on another piece of construction paper (optional).

Super easy and totally cute. Enjoy!

Click here to download the template: Chinese New Year- Spring Character Craft

Chinese New Year PowerPoint for Kids

Posted on January 25, 2014 by Squarehead Teachers

Each year, my good friend, Cortney, does a presentation for elementary school kids about Chinese New Year. She was nice enough to let me share this Chinese New Year PowerPoint presentation with you. It explains the basics of the holiday and has pictures to go with it.

Click here for the presentation: Chinese New Year 2014