Year of the Snake ~ Chinese New Year in the Classroom

I try to teach all of the major types of holidays in my classroom.  Even if it's just a quick book with a craft.  One of my favorite holidays to teach about has always been Chinese New Year.  I love the history, the traditions, and the RED!

2013 is the year of the snake.  I went on the almighty Pinterest to look for ideas to celebrate Chinese New Year in my classroom.  

We'll start our celebration by reading some books.  Here are a couple of my favorites:

Bringing in the New Year:
 
This book follows a Chinese American family as they prepare for Chinese New Year.  There are brightly colored pictures of the traditions for this Lunar New Year. 






Sam and the Lucky Money:

This is a book about a little boy named Sam who decides to donate his Chinese New Year money to a homeless man.  What a great way to teach about giving!








Check out these great snake crafts that are quick, easy, and adorable!  Yuppers, I found them on Pinterest!  (I love that site!)

 

These paper chain snakes were geared for pre-k kids, but I really think my first graders would love this one!  Not to mention, making them in lucky red....cute!

This paper plate snake is also easy and fun.  We can hang them from the ceiling...love it!

These books and crafts would also be something easy and fun to do with your kids at home too.  Put it all together with some dumplings and fried rice...mmmmm!

GUNG HEI FAT CHOI! 

Alexis

Our Favorite Holiday Books

It's a ritual...after dinner, the kids take a shower and then snuggle in their beds ready to read.  Now that they are older, reading is a requirement for school, but we still love doing it.  I love to read (even though I don't have time) and I want to instill the same love in my boys.

Now that the holidays are here, I wanted to share some of our favorite children's books for this time of year.



The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg

This book is just a given.  If you've never heard of it, it's a wonderful story about a boy who is invited aboard a train headed for the North Pole.  Even after the MANY times that I have read this book, I still get goosebumps and teary eyed.  It's a MUST READ!



Olive the Other Reindeer by Vivian Walsh

What a clever play on words for the title alone.  Olive, a dog from the North Pole, wants to be a part of Santa's fleet of reindeer.  When she's given the chance, her own special qualities shine through.

 





Light the Lights by Margaret Moorman

Although we do not celebrate Hanukkah, my kids love reading about the festival of lights.  This story is about a little girl who celebrates both Hanukkah and Christmas and how her family keeps tradition.


 

How Santa Got His Job by Stephen Krensky

This hilarious tale is about how Santa first got his job and all of the other jobs that he had in between.











What children's books are your favorites during this time of year?


Alexis

Raising Book Lovers

Reading is one of my favorite pastimes...if only I had more time for it....
I'm trying to instill the same kind of love for reading in my kids. 

Since I am a teacher and I have been doing it for so long, I have a HUGE collection of children's books, not to mention my sister gets my kids books for Christmas every year.  

Each night at bedtime, I sit with my kids, and when my husband is in town we sit as a family to read stories.  Both boys get to choose a title that they want to read.  Many nights we have "repeat offenders," but there are nights that I will look on the shelf to introduce a new title.  My oldest is a beginning reader, so at times we have him join in and "show off" his new found skills.


Here are some books that we enjoy reading:

First Grade Jitters by Robert Quackenbush

This story is about a boy who is nervous to start first grade.  We are reading this more recently because my son is going into first grade.  Although he doesn't have quite the same issues with first grade since I teach first grade, he is still a little nervous.

A Giraffe and a Half by Shel Silverstein

We LOVE this book!  There are many things that happen to this boy and a giraffe.  The story is very repetitive.  This helps even the youngest of readers to "read" the book with you.  My 4 year old is a BIG fan!

Scaredy Cat, Splat by Rob Scotton

This is a Halloween themed Splat the Cat book.  Yes, we are still reading it now...I told you, "repeat offenders." Splat wants to win the scariest costume contest at school.  There are many misadventures when Splat is around.  I enjoy the illustrations in this book.

Olivia by Ian Falconer

Olivia is an overly dramatic and imaginative pig.  In all of her adventures, you get lost in how Olivia sees the world, even if it's not necessarily what is really taking place.  I think my kids like this because they too are pretty dramatic and imaginative.

Wemberly Worried by Kevin Henkes

Wemberly is a mouse who worries about everything.  What if no one comes to her party?  What if people come, but there isn't enough food?  What if I don't have enough money to buy the new shoes that I want?  (Oh wait, that's my worry!)  Her major worry is what will happen at school.  This is also a great beginning of the school year read with your little ones.


What are your favorite stories to share with your kids?





Alexis