SEA CLIFF THIRD GRADERS CELEBRATE THE CHINESE NEW YEAR

North Shore Schools, Glen Head, NY - Third graders at Sea Cliff School celebrated the Chinese New Year after a month-long interdisciplinary unit on China that integrated reading, writing, social studies, art and music. Students researched many facts about China. The third graders also learned about the symbolism that is involved in the Chinese New Year, the significance of the dragon, the history of China, and China’s geography.

Music teacher Ashley Hassett said, “In music, our third graders focused on the dances that accompany the popular parades of the Chinese New Year. They compared and contrasted the Lion Dance and the Dragon Dance, and discussed how the Chinese New Year Celebration compares to the Brazilian Carnival (that they recently learned about.)” She continued, “My students also studied the various instruments that accompany these traditional dances. Prior to our celebration, they diligently practiced adding instrumental accompaniment to the dragon puppets that they created in Art.”

Art teacher Lisa Giurlanda added, “My students learned about the process of puppetry and the specific characteristics of the Chinese dragons. After our month-long study, they fully comprehended that art is another way to teach an audience about a culture.”

During the Chinese New Year Celebration, the third graders paraded up and down the hallways of Sea Cliff School with musical instruments and their dragon puppets. Additionally, they presented facts about China to their peers in each grade level and answered multiple questions. At the end of the celebration, they wished everyone a prosperous Year of the Horse!


Article by Shelly Newman

Photo Caption 1: Article by Shelly Newman Photos by Michelle Tanner and Lisa Giurlanda

Featured are third graders at Sea Cliff Elementary school who participated in a Chinese New Year Celebration which culminated an interdisciplinary unit on China that integrated reading, writing, social studies, art and music.