Nian and New Year Slides Nian and Red Envelopes
Discovering the Lunar New Year
Long ago, there was a monster...
His name was Nian ! He was very scary and liked to come out during the cold winter.
"ROAR!" went the Nian monster!
Nian is afraid of RED!
People learned that the color red keeps everyone safe. It is a lucky color!
Red clothes
Red decorations
Red envelopes!
Lucky Hongbao
These special red envelopes are called Hongbao .
Inside, there are coins or treats. We give them to show love and wish for good luck!
Happy New Year!
Make Some Noise!
Bang!
Pop!
Crack!
Loud drums and firecrackers also scare away Nian. Let's practice our biggest clap on the count of three!
Lucky Hongbao Activity Lucky Hongbao Counting
Lunar New Year Math Adventure
Name:
Date:
Can you count the lucky coins?
Count the coins in each lucky red envelope. Draw a line to the correct number!
5
3
2
1
2
4
5
3
6
My Lucky Hongbao
Color it red and draw something lucky inside!
Draw a lucky coin or gift here...
Fold Here
Fold Here
Nian Story Teacher Guide Nian and New Year Teacher Guide
A guide for facilitating the Lunar New Year lesson, including a dramatic storytelling script and sensory activity directions for Pre-K students.
The Legend of Nian: Storytelling Script
Teacher: "A long, long time ago, in a land far away, there lived a monster named Nian. Can everyone say 'Nian'?" (Wait for response)
"Nian lived in the deep, dark ocean. Once a year, when it was very cold, he would come out of the water and roar! He was very scary. But do you know what? Nian had a secret... he was actually afraid of three things!"
1. The Color RED!
"People put red paper on their doors. They wore red shirts. They even carried red lanterns. When Nian saw the color red, he would cover his eyes and run away! Let's all pretend to be Nian seeing red... 'Augh! Too bright!'"
2. Bright Lights!
"Nian didn't like fire or glowing lights. So people lit lanterns to keep the night bright."
3. Loud Noises!
"Nian had very sensitive ears. So people banged on drums! They popped firecrackers! On the count of three, let's make our loudest drum sound to scare Nian away: One, two, three... BOOM BOOM BOOM!"
Teacher Tips
Use a red silk scarf as a visual prop during the story.
Let students practice their "Monster Roar" vs. "Brave Drummer" voices.
Bring in a physical hongbao (red envelope) to show the class.
Activity: Lucky Hongbao Counting
Setup
Provide students with the "Lucky Hongbao Activity" sheet. If possible, provide actual red envelopes and plastic "gold" coins for a concrete counting experience before they move to the paper activity.
Guiding Questions
"How many coins are hiding in this envelope?"
"Why do we want the color red to stay on our paper?"
"Who would you like to give a lucky envelope to?"
Mandarin Vocabulary
Hóngbāo (红包) Red Envelope
Nián (年) Year / Monster
Xīn Nián Kuài Lè Happy New Year
Lesson Goals
Students identify red as a lucky/protective color.
Students practice 1-to-1 correspondence counting.
Students engage in dramatic role-play safely.
Shining Lanterns Slides Lanterns and Moonlight
The Beauty of Light and Family
A Big Round Moon
Look at the moon! It is a big, bright circle.
Shape of the Day
CIRCLE
Family All Together
Family
Home
Food
A circle has no end! It means families stay together like a big round hug. We eat round food to celebrate!
Light the Way!
Lanterns bring light to the dark night. They show us the way home.
RED
Lucky Light
GOLD
Happy Light
Our Turn to Create!
1
Decorate!
2
Cut lines!
3
Light it up!
Happy Lantern Festival!
Paper Lantern Workshop Paper Lantern Workshop
Color • Cut • Glow
Name:
1
Fold Paper in Half
2
Cut the Dashed Lines
3
Open and Roll
4
Tape the Ends!
Top Edge - Tape Here
Decorate Me!
Bottom Edge - Tape Here
Cut this strip for the handle
Moon Festival Teacher Guide Moonlight and Lanterns Teacher Guide
Cultural context and facilitation strategies for exploring the Mid-Autumn and Lantern Festivals through symbolism and light.
Cultural Context
The Full Moon: In Chinese culture, the roundness of the full moon symbolizes family "completeness" and unity (reunion).
The Lantern Festival: Traditionally held on the 15th day of the first lunar month, marking the final day of the traditional Chinese New Year celebrations.
Mid-Autumn Festival: A time for families to gather, appreciate the moon, and eat mooncakes (round pastries).
Discussion Prompts
"What things are round like the moon? Does a circle have a beginning or an end?"
"How does it feel to see a bright light in a dark room? How does a lantern make you feel safe?"
"If you could send a light to someone you love, who would it be?"
Craft Workshop: Paper Lanterns
Skill Focus
Fine motor control through folding and controlled snipping. Following multi-step visual instructions.
Materials
Red/Gold construction paper (if not using printouts), safety scissors, glue/tape, LED tea lights (optional).
Teacher Tip
Pre-fold the papers for students who struggle with alignment to ensure the "fringes" are cut correctly.
Mandarin Vocabulary
Yuèliang (月亮) Moon
Dēnglóng (灯笼) Lantern
Tuányuán (团圆) Reunion
"Light connects us all."
End the lesson by dimming the lights and letting students 'glow' with their creations.
The Magic Brush Slides The Magic Brush
Painting with Water and Joy
Artist's Treasures
Chinese artists use four special tools. They call them the Four Treasures .
Brush
Ink
Paper
Inkstone
Soft and Strong
A Thin Line
Touch the paper gently.
A Thick Line
Press down a little more.
Our brush can dance across the paper!
Standing Tall
In Chinese painting, we hold the brush straight up and down . Like a tall tree!
Sit up straight
Hold it in the middle
Magic Painting
Did you know?
We are going to use Magic Water ! When we paint on our special mat, the marks appear like ink... then they disappear like magic!
Let's get our brushes ready!
Magic Brush Play Sheet Magic Brush Play
Ink and Water Exploration
Artist:
Step 1
Hold your brush tall like a tree!
Show your teacher your tall brush!
Step 2
Trace the paths with your brush and water.
Slow Path
River Path
Raindrop Path
Create your own magic below!
Brush Painting Teacher Guide The Magic Brush Teacher Guide
Facilitating a tactile and sensory introduction to Chinese brush painting with a focus on mindfulness and tool handling.
The Magic of Process
Traditional Chinese painting (Guóhuà) is as much about the gesture as it is the final image. For Pre-K students, we focus on the sensory feeling of the soft brush and the magic of disappearing marks (if using water mats).
"The brush is an extension of your arm. If your heart is calm, your line is smooth."
Setup Choice
Option A: Water writing mats (Mess-free, disappears).Option B: Black tempera paint (Permanent, higher contrast).Option C: Large paper on the floor for full-arm movement.
Modeling the "Tall Brush"
1. Holding the Tool
"Hold your brush in the middle. Not at the bottom like a pencil! Look, mine stands up straight like a skyscraper. Can you make yours stand tall?"
2. The Tickle vs. The Stomp
"If I tickle the paper with the very tip, I get a tiny thin line. If I give the paper a big hug with the whole brush, I get a fat, thick line!"
Mandarin Vocabulary
Mǎobǐ (毛笔) Writing Brush
Shuǐ (水) Water
Mò (墨) Ink
Classroom Management
One water cup per two students to minimize spills.
Use soft-bristle brushes (goat hair or synthetic) for the true tactile experience.
Play soft flute music to encourage a calm atmosphere.
Kind Words and Respect Slides Kind Words and Respect
Learning How to Show Love
Polite Words
In Mandarin, we have special words for our friends and teachers.
Nǐ Hǎo
Hello
Xiè Xie
Thank You
SMILE!
A Little Bow
Stand straight
Nod your head
A small bow shows that we are listening and being respectful. It's like saying "I see you" with our whole body!
The Two-Hand Gift
When we give a toy or a book to a friend, we use both hands .
Why do we do it?
It shows the object is important.
It shows we are being very careful.
It shows respect for our friend.
Let's Try It!
Step 1
Say "Nǐ Hǎo" and bow to your partner.
Step 2
Pass a block using both of your hands.
Good friends use kind hands and kind words.
Respectful Manners Cards Respectful Manners Cards
Kind Hands • Kind Words
Cut these cards out to use during role-play or display them in the classroom!
Give with Two Hands
"Here you go, friend!"
Respectful Bow
A little nod shows respect.
Saying Hello
Nǐ Hǎo
Use a friendly, clear voice.
Saying Thank You
Xiè Xie
Shows love and appreciation.
Manners Role Play Guide Kind Words and Respect Teacher Guide
A guide for teaching Mandarin etiquette and basic greetings through role-play, social stories, and physical movement.
Etiquette Essentials
Two Hands: Using both hands to give and receive items is a fundamental sign of respect (Gōngjìng) in Chinese culture. It signifies that the interaction is important and the item is valued.
Greetings: Respect for elders and peers is shown through eye contact, a slight bow/nod, and clear speech.
Hook: The Tea Party Game
Setup:
Gather the students in a circle. Use a pretend "valuable" item (like a shiny block or a decorative tea cup).
Instructions:
1. "We are going to pass this 'Magic Cup' all the way around the circle."
2. "But wait! It's very special. You MUST use two hands to pass it."
3. "And when your friend gives it to you, say 'Xiè Xie'!"
Social Story Scenarios
Scenario 1
"You are meeting a new friend for the first time. What do you say? How does your body look?"
Scenario 2
"Your teacher gives you a new red envelope. How do you take it from their hands? What kind word do you use?"
Scenario 3
"It is time to go home. You want to say goodbye respectfully to your classmates."
Mandarin Vocabulary
Nǐ Hǎo (你好) Hello
Xiè Xie (谢谢) Thank You
Zài Jiàn (再见) Goodbye
Cultural Key:
Remind students that manners are a way to show that we care about others' feelings. It's not just a rule—it's a gift!
Dragon Dance Slides The Great Dragon Dance
Moving Together as One
A Magic Friend
In China, dragons are friendly and magical ! They bring rain for the plants and good luck for people.
Water
Luck
Dragon Power
How Does a Dragon Move?
Together!
One person holds the head. Everyone else holds the body. We must move at the same time!
The Beat!
We listen to the drum. BOOM - BOOM - BOOM! That is when the dragon takes a step.
Our Class Dragon
Every dragon has thousands of colorful scales.
Today, you will color your very own scale. When we put them all together, our dragon will be the most beautiful one of all!
Ready for the Dance?
HEAR THE DRUM
MOVE AS ONE
We have learned so much about Chinese Culture. Let's celebrate!
Dragon Scale Craft Dragon Scale Craft
A Piece of the Class Dragon
Artist:
Make your scale shine!
Color this scale using your favorite lucky colors . Use markers, glitter, or crayons to make it stand out!
Draw your luck here!
Cut along the dashed line
After coloring, give your scale to your teacher to join the Class Dragon!
Festival Day Teacher Guide The Great Dragon Dance Teacher Guide
Facilitation guide for the sequence culmination, focusing on cooperative movement, rhythm, and the celebration of Chinese traditions.
Culmination Goals
Synthesis: This lesson combines the physical respect learned in Lesson 4, the artistic effort of Lesson 3/5, and the festive joy of Lessons 1/2.
Teamwork: Pre-K students practice "moving together"—a difficult but rewarding developmental skill that mirrors the community values of Chinese culture.
Rhythm Guide
The Drum Beat:
BOOM
BOOM
BOOM
The drum controls the dragon. If the drum goes slow, the dragon moves slow. If the drum goes fast, the dragon wiggles!
Dragon Dance Moves
The Slow Walk
Students follow the "leader" (head) in a straight line, stepping on every drum beat.
The Sleepy Dragon
The drum stops. Everyone crouches down low to the floor together.
The Wiggle
The drum beats fast! Everyone shakes their body (while holding on) to make the scales shimmer.
Final Vocabulary
Lóng (龙) Dragon
Wǔlóng (舞龙) Dragon Dance
Hézuò (合作) Cooperation
"We are a Team!"
End the lesson by having students bow to each other and say "Xiè Xie" for being a good dragon partner.
