Simpler Version:
Level: A1 CEFR
Objective: By the end of the lesson, students will be able to understand and discuss basic traditions and customs of Chinese New Year.
Materials:
- Text: Chinese New Year Celebration (simplified version)
- Whiteboard or blackboard
- Markers or chalk
- Pictures of Chinese New Year decorations, food, and dragon dance
- Red envelopes (optional)
Warm-up (5 minutes):
- Show pictures of Chinese New Year decorations, food, and dragon dance.
- Ask students if they have heard of Chinese New Year and what they know about it.
- Write down their responses on the board.
Pre-reading (5 minutes):
- Introduce the text by telling students that they will be reading about Chinese New Year.
- Ask students to predict what the text might be about based on the pictures and their prior knowledge.
- Write their predictions on the board.
Reading (10 minutes):
- Distribute the simplified version of the text to students.
- Ask students to read the text silently.
- Encourage them to underline or circle any unfamiliar words.
Comprehension Questions (10 minutes):
- Ask students the following questions to check their understanding of the text:
1. What is Chinese New Year?
2. Why is it called the spring festival?
3. When does Chinese New Year start and end?
4. What do people do before New Year?
5. What do people eat on New Year’s Eve?
6. Why do people dress in red?
Vocabulary (10 minutes):
- Write the following vocabulary words on the board: lunar, festival, decorate, dumplings, lanterns, dragon.
- Ask students to match the words with their definitions (provided by the teacher).
- Provide examples and explanations for each word.
- Encourage students to use the words in sentences.
Discussion (15 minutes):
- Divide the class into pairs or small groups.
- Ask students to discuss the following questions:
1. Do you celebrate New Year in your country? How is it different from Chinese New Year?
2. What traditions or customs do you have for New Year?
Wrap-up (5 minutes):
- Ask students to share their answers from the discussion.
- Summarize the main points of the lesson.
- Thank the students for their participation.
Same Version:
Level: A1 CEFR
Objective: By the end of the lesson, students will be able to understand and discuss the traditions and customs of Chinese New Year.
Materials:
- Text: Chinese New Year Celebration
- Whiteboard or blackboard
- Markers or chalk
- Pictures of Chinese New Year decorations, food, and dragon dance
- Red envelopes (optional)
Warm-up (5 minutes):
- Show pictures of Chinese New Year decorations, food, and dragon dance.
- Ask students if they have heard of Chinese New Year and what they know about it.
- Write down their responses on the board.
Pre-reading (5 minutes):
- Introduce the text by telling students that they will be reading about Chinese New Year.
- Ask students to predict what the text might be about based on the pictures and their prior knowledge.
- Write their predictions on the board.
Reading (10 minutes):
- Distribute the text to students.
- Ask students to read the text silently.
- Encourage them to underline or circle any unfamiliar words.
Comprehension Questions (10 minutes):
- Ask students the following questions to check their understanding of the text:
1. What is Chinese New Year?
2. Why is it called the spring festival?
3. When does Chinese New Year start and end?
4. What do people do before New Year?
5. What do people eat on New Year’s Eve?
6. Why do people dress in red?
7. What is the Lantern Festival?
8. What is the dragon dance?
Vocabulary (10 minutes):
- Write the following vocabulary words on the board: lunar, festival, decorate, dumplings, lanterns, dragon.
- Ask students to match the words with their definitions (provided by the teacher).
- Provide examples and explanations for each word.
- Encourage students to use the words in sentences.
Discussion (15 minutes):
- Divide the class into pairs or small groups.
- Ask students to discuss the following questions:
1. Do you celebrate New Year in your country? How is it different from Chinese New Year?
2. What traditions or customs do you have for New Year?
3. Have you ever seen a dragon dance? Describe your experience.
Wrap-up (5 minutes):
- Ask students to share their answers from the discussion.
- Summarize the main points of the lesson.
- Thank the students for their participation.
More Complex Version:
Level: A1 CEFR
Objective: By the end of the lesson, students will be able to understand and discuss in more detail the traditions and customs of Chinese New Year.
Materials:
- Text: Chinese New Year Celebration (original version)
- Whiteboard or blackboard
- Markers or chalk
- Pictures of Chinese New Year decorations, food, and dragon dance
- Red envelopes (optional)
Warm-up (5 minutes):
- Show pictures of Chinese New Year decorations, food, and dragon dance.
- Ask students if they have heard of Chinese New Year and what they know about it.
- Write down their responses on the board.
Pre-reading (5 minutes):
- Introduce the text by telling students that they will be reading about Chinese New Year.
- Ask students to predict what the text might be about based on the pictures and their prior knowledge.
- Write their predictions on the board.
Reading (10 minutes):
- Distribute the original version of the text to students.
- Ask students to read the text silently.
- Encourage them to underline or circle any unfamiliar words.
Comprehension Questions (10 minutes):
- Ask students the following questions to check their understanding of the text:
1. What is Chinese New Year?
2. Why is it called the spring festival?
3. When does Chinese New Year start and end?
4. What do people do before New Year?
5. What do people eat on New Year’s Eve?
6. Why do people dress in red?
7. What is the Lantern Festival?
8. What is the dragon dance?
9. How are the dragons made?
10. What do dragons symbolize in Chinese culture?
Vocabulary (10 minutes):
- Write the following vocabulary words on the board: lunar, festival, decorate, dumplings, lanterns, dragon.
- Ask students to match the words with their definitions (provided by the teacher).
- Provide examples and explanations for each word.
- Encourage students to use the words in sentences.
Discussion (15 minutes):
- Divide the class into pairs or small groups.
- Ask students to discuss the following questions:
1. Do you celebrate New Year in your country? How is it different from Chinese New Year?
2. What traditions or customs do you have for New Year?
3. Have you ever seen a dragon dance? Describe your experience.
4. If you could celebrate Chinese New Year, what would you do?
5. How do you think Chinese New Year has changed over time?
Wrap-up (5 minutes):
- Ask students to share their answers from the discussion.
- Summarize the main points of the lesson.
- Thank the students for their participation.
Extension Activity (optional):
- Give each student a red envelope (or a piece of red paper folded like an envelope).
- Ask students to write a New Year’s wish or a message of good luck to a classmate.
- Have students exchange envelopes and read the messages aloud to the class.
