As Oak Hill students are being introduced to words for the winter season and holidays on the W.O.A.K., I am coming up with ideas and preparing lessons to celebrate the year 4706, the Year of the Rat. The Chinese New Year or the Lunar New Year is on February 7th this year. This 15-day celebration is an exciting time for the people in China and around the world. The Korean, Vietnamese, and Mongolian cultures also celebrate the Lunar New Year.
Local Events:
Chinese New Year Parade in Washington, DC
February 10, 2008. Parade kicks off at 2 p.m.
Chinatown- on H Street, NW, between 6th and 8th Streets
Each year a parade is held in Chinatown to celebrate the Chinese New Year.
The event features the traditional Chinese Dragon Dance, Kung Fu demonstrations and live musical entertainment.
Chinese New Year Events at Lakeforest Mall
701 Russell Avenue, Gaithersburg, Maryland.
View beautiful Chinese New Year decorations and exhibits throughout the mall. Live entertainment (weekends only) includes traditional lion and dragon dances, folk dances and martial arts demonstrations. Demonstrations and workshops include flower/bonsai arrangement, arts and crafts, painting and games.
Phrases and Words of the Season:
The Chinese people regard pine, bamboo and plum as significant plants because all three can thrive through the cold winter season. These plants symbolize lasting friendship and noble characters that the Chinese people admire and pursue. Pine is esteemed for its longevity. Bamboo is regarded as upstanding and secure. The plum is appreciated for its nobility, purity and modesty. This common phrase can be found on containers and clothes.
Are You Smarter than a 5th Grader?
The 5th grade GT classes learned about significant events and inventions associated with the ancient dynasties in China (2033 BC- 220 AD).
Dates |
Dynasty |
Events/Invention |
| ca. 2033-1562 B.C | Xia | Calendar Bronze |
| 1562-1066 B.C. | Shang | Bronze Age Ancient Writing |
| 1066-771 B.C. | Western Zhou | System of Fengjian or “Feudalism” |
| 770-256 B.C. | Eastern Zhou | Birth of Confucius |
| 770-476 B.C | Spring & Autumn Period | 5 Kingdoms |
| 475-221 B.C | Warring States Period | Compass (spoon + plate) was invented |
| 221-207 B.C. | Qin | Unification of China Uniform currency and written language Purge of literature |
| 206 B.C.-A.D. 8 | Western Han | The Chinese Zodiac Confucianism embraced |
| A.D. 9-25 | Xin | |
| A.D. 25-220 | Eastern Han | Paper was invented |