chinese lantern festival - social studies


Level: 1-4
Duration: 3 weeks
Years: 1-8
Strand: Culture and Heritage (C&H)

About this Unit

This multi-level Social Studies unit focusing on the Lantern Festival has been written by Mike Tapp. The original unit by Mike Tapp and Christina Ward has been updated and teachers can now match the level to their class. They also have the option of choosing activities from other levels to match the abilities of their students.

The Lantern Festival is celebrated as part of Chinese New Year in communities all over the world. The customs and traditions can vary from country to country.

The start of the Chinese New Year is based on the cycles of the moon so the Western calendar dates vary each year. Chinese New Year is usually celebrated around late January or early February. Each New Year is represented by one of the twelve zodiac animals.

The Lantern Festival takes place on the 15th day of the first month of the lunar year. The Asia:NZ Lantern Festival, in Auckland's Albert Park and Christchurch's Victoria Square, is held each year around February/March.

Achievement Objectives

Students will demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

  • Level 1: Features of the culture and heritage of their own and other groups
  • Level 2: Ways in which communities reflect the cultures and heritages of their people
  • Level 3: How practices of cultural groups vary but reflect similar purposes
  • Level 4: Why and how individuals and groups pass on and sustain their culture and heritage

Specific Learning Outcomes

Students will be able to:

  • Level 1: Describe three customs and traditions of the Chinese Lantern Festival
  • Level 2: Explain ways communities celebrate their cultures and heritages
  • Level 3: Explain how New Year celebrations vary but reflect similar purposes
  • Level 4: Describe how people pass on and sustain the traditions and customs of the Chinese Lantern Festival. Explain why people pass on the traditions and customs of the Chinese Lantern Festival

Cross Curricular Links

  • The Arts
  • Technology

Process

  • Inquiry

Essential Skills Focus

  • Communication
  • Information
  • Problem-solving
  • Self-management
  • Social and co-operative
  • Physical
  • Work and Study

Settings

  • New Zealand
  • Asia
  • Europe
  • Other

Perspectives

  • Multicultural
  • Current issues
  • Future

Teaching and Learning

Resources

Recommended References

Contacts

  • People are your most valuable resources. Where possible, make contact with and seek the advice of the experts in your own Chinese community.

Print

  • Books - contact The National Library
  • School Journals

Electronic

The sites below provide general background information