{"id":3736,"date":"2018-02-15T15:45:24","date_gmt":"2018-02-15T19:45:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.explorica.ca\/blog\/?p=3736"},"modified":"2018-02-15T15:45:24","modified_gmt":"2018-02-15T19:45:24","slug":"celebrating-chinese-year","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.explorica.ca\/blog\/celebrating-chinese-year","title":{"rendered":"Celebrating the Chinese New Year"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Chinese New Year is on Friday, February 16. International Program Consultant and guest blogger Catie Martin writes about the significance of the holiday, how she experienced it as a teacher\u00a0in Thailand, and how you can bring it into your classroom.\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Do you know which Chinese Zodiac animal you are? On February 16<\/span>\u00a0we will be leaving the year of the fire rooster and entering the year of the earth dog. <\/span><\/p>\n

The Chinese New Years cycle through 12 different animal zodiac signs, and five different elements (metal, water, earth, fire, and wood). The animals and element combinations represent different personality traits of people born within that year. People born within the earth dog year are communicative, responsible at work, and serious.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Chinese New Year is based on the lunar calendar<\/a>, and the traditional Chinese calendar. The first day of the new year is always on the new moon. Chinese New Year traditions are usually celebrated for 3-7 days depending on the country.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Many countries in Asia, not only China, celebrate the New Year. It is a holiday where families gather to eat, exchange presents, and wish good fortune. On New Year\u2019s Day, or a few days before, families will clean their homes to sweep away the bad, and parents and grandparents will give their kids red envelopes<\/a> filled with cash. During the holiday there will be parades, fireworks, and temple markets!<\/span><\/p>\n

During 2016 and 2017 I taught English at a government school in Thailand. The day I left to head over on that adventure King Bhumibol Adulyadej<\/a> passed away and the whole country went into a year of mourning. All teachers had to wear black, holiday festivities were canceled, and there was no loud music or dancing for the first 30 days. It was not like the bright Thailand we are used to seeing. <\/span><\/p>\n

While I was there we still had school over the holiday. However, on New Year\u2019s Day we had a small stand set up outside with sweets, candles, and fake money. The teachers and some students gathered around the table to say some prayers and lit their firecrackers. Many of my students had firecrackers with them, and would light them off outside throughout the whole day. <\/span><\/p>\n

However, this year is a different story \u2014 there will be no school on Friday, February 16! They also celebrated the holiday earlier in the week. The teachers were dressed in bright red cheongsams<\/a>, and the students performed dances and prayers for the school. <\/span><\/p>\n

Here are three tips for celebrating the Chinese New Year in the classroom:<\/p>\n