Celebrating the Chinese New Year - Scheme of Work (No.1 in a series of 4 SoW)
This Scheme of Work (SoW) centres around a book that promotes language learning through inter-cultural understanding. The book is called ‘'Celebrating the Chinese New Year' available from CME Books. It is seen through the eyes of a modern Chinese child seeking the ‘proper’ explanation of why Chinese New Year is celebrated. Various explanations are provided by different members of the family.
What is included in the Scheme of Work?
The SoW provides guidance on reading the book interactively and provides 6 related activities drawn from the book. Teachers are encouraged to use an inquiry based pedagogy. Children should be encouraged to inquire about the books themselves; children drive their own learning. What can they see in the pictures? What language would they like to know in Chinese regarding the story? What does the story say about living as a child in China compared to the UK or any other national culture represented by the children in the class?
How adaptable is the SoW?
Teachers can adapt the SoW:
- for different age groups (KS1 or KS2).
- more or less related activities for smaller groups of children
- more or less language acquisition
Case Study
The SoW was used recently at South Hampstead Junior School. A teacher and classroom assistant worked with 5 groups containing 24 children for an hour per workshop. The children were in Reception- Year 3.
Each 1 hour workshop was organised as follows:
• Read/discuss book (15 mins)
• Group split for 1st activity (20 mins):
o Group 1 – activity A: Making red envelopes and money (with counting)
o Group 2- activity F: Contributing to group Monster Xi collage
• Groups swap for 2nd activity (20 mins)
• Consolidation/summarise (5 mins)
The children really enjoyed the book and activities, particularly contributing to a collage for the school noticeboard. See the photographs attached.
‘Together the book and the integrated Scheme of Work is very useful. The activities linked to the book are easy to do. You can easily make the teaching session longer or shorter. The Scheme of Work makes the book come alive in the classroom. The children and the school were impressed.’
Erica Wan, Chinese Teacher
Podcast with Mandarin Chinese Sound Files
Listen or subscribe (RSS) to the sound files that accompany the SoW HERE. The podcasts were created using Podium Podcasting, our recommended podcasting resource for children.
Looking for ideas for future Festivals?
Are you looking forward to the Dragon Boat Festival (16th June), then look at THIS Scheme of Work
What about the Mid-Autumn Festival (22nd September)? - Scheme of Work to be released shortly
There will be more Schemes of Work to follow using the other titles in the ‘Celebration’ series by Better Link Press - Celebrating the Lantern Festival, and Celebrating the Mid-Autumn Festival
Where can I buy the books?
The series is available through CME Books. The series of 4 books costs £20. £5.99 per individual copy.
