Greetings WOL Friends!
In this episode, we talked with our Chinese facilitators to learn more about the Lunar (Chinese) New Year. Vivi is from China and Ying-Fang is from Taiwan. They shared some of the similarities and differences in celebrating this special time of year. We also learned a bit about how the Vietnamese celebrate and why they are NOT celebrating the year of the Rabbit.
Chinese provides so many opportunities to learn more about another language and culture. When students engage in Chinese, Japanese, ASL, and Arabic they learn new alphabets that are graphic and artistic. They learn about the ancient traditions that shape not only the characters of their language but also how different cultures honor the ineffable in the world and each other. Our students have explored the art and culture - singing, creating beautiful artifacts, paper cutting, calligraphy, and making dumplings, that reflect their learning.
Listen in to learn more about the Celebration of the Lunar New Year:
Both Vivi and Ying-Fang enjoy the challenge and possibility of teaching in a virtual environment. They teach students from middle school through college-level Chinese courses.
This year between January 22nd and February 5th, 2023 people celebrated the Lunar (Chinese) New Year. There are many names for the celebration. Learn more HERE. Both Vivi and Ying-Fang taught us that there are different ways that the Lunar New Year is celebrated in other countries. It is the most important holiday in Asian culture and food is at the center. Listen to this Splendid Table Podcast and read about Lucky Foods you Need to Eat for more information.
The year of the Rabbit or Cat comes from the Zodiac Calendar. The ancient earthly elements are presented differently each year. This year, it is Yin-water and black rabbit. With each new year, you are granted a different kind of luck. Learn more HERE. Listen in to find out why the Vietnamese honor the Cat rather than the Rabbit.
Vivi tells us that a traditional celebration is 16 days and starts on the eve of the Lunar New Year and ends with the Lantern Festival. Most people take off the first 7 days. Students and teachers get a 1 month's break. The lunar calendar determines the dates - somewhere between January 20th and February 20th. Ying-Fang remembers traveling with her family to the countryside to celebrate.
Everyone goes home for a reunion on the eve of the Lunar New Year. 10 - 12 dishes are cooked and afterward, families watch the Spring Gala on TV (4 hours). Every family has their own fireworks at midnight!! (If relatives are far away you call your relatives). Then each day they go to a different family home for the rest of the 15 days.
Children LOVE Chinese New Year because they are off school and they get Red Envelopes! Fun! When Ying-Fang was young she looked forward to new clothes, a haircut, and new shoes.
Our Ying-Fang, Vivi, her daughter, and a former teacher Jane got together to celebrate at a local restaurant. I want to head to the restaurant they visited.
Chongqing Spicy Chicken (重庆辣子鸡) Mrs. Jeffers, Hannah, and Mrs. Tang
We are so excited that Ying-Fang and Vivi help students make connections from their traditions to those of the people in Asian-speaking countries. And we are thankful for their dedication to using so many best practices in their teaching.
We have created a DESIGN SPACE (Lab) and are preparing to dive into a Year-Long adventure with Narrative Storyboarding!
Check out our event on March 21st and register HERE to see how your team can get ignited and excited by the tradition of storytelling in teaching! Join the WOL Team, Allison Zmuda, and Heidi Hayes Jacobs to begin your journey!
Have a great week,
Pat
Lunar New Year - Exploring Culture #32