Chinese New Year

Chinese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival, is the most important traditional festival in Chinese culture. It is a time for families to come together, celebrate, and wish for good fortune in the coming year.

Origins

Chinese New Year has a long history, dating back to ancient times. The festival originated from the legend of Nian, a mythical beast that would come out on the eve of the new year to harm people and animals. Over time, the Chinese people discovered that Nian was afraid of loud noises, bright lights, and the color red. This led to the tradition of using firecrackers, lanterns, and wearing red clothing during the festival.

Traditions and Customs

Chinese New Year is marked by various traditions and customs, including:

Family Reunion: It is a time for family members to come together for a reunion dinner on the eve of Chinese New Year.
Red Packets: Married couples and elders give red packets containing money to children and unmarried individuals as a symbol of good luck and prosperity.
Dragon and Lion Dances: Colorful dragon and lion dances are performed in the streets to ward off evil spirits and bring good luck.
Decorations: Homes and streets are decorated with red lanterns, couplets, and other traditional decorations to bring good fortune.

Food

Food plays a significant role in Chinese New Year celebrations. Some popular dishes include:

Spring Rolls: Symbolizing wealth and prosperity.
Nian Gao: A sticky rice cake symbolizing growth, progress, and achieving new heights in the coming year.
Fish: Eating fish represents surplus and wealth.

Study Guide

Here are some key points to remember about Chinese New Year:

What is Chinese New Year also known as? - The Spring Festival
What is the legend behind the origins of Chinese New Year? - The legend of Nian, a mythical beast
What are some traditional customs associated with Chinese New Year? - Family reunion dinner, red packets, dragon and lion dances, decorations
What is the significance of eating fish during Chinese New Year? - It represents surplus and wealth

◂Social Studies Worksheets and Study Guides Sixth Grade. Great Migration

The resources above cover the following skills:

National Curriculum Standards for Social Studies (NCSS)

TIME, CONTINUITY, AND CHANGE

SOCIAL STUDIES PROGRAMS SHOULD INCLUDE EXPERIENCES THAT PROVIDE FOR THE STUDY OF THE PAST AND ITS LEGACY.

KNOWLEDGE - Learners will understand:

Concepts such as: chronology, causality, change, conflict, complexity, multiple perspectives, primary and secondary sources, and cause and effect.

National Center for History in Schools (NCHS)

Historical Thinking Standards

Historical Comprehension

Reconstruct the literal meaning of a historical passage.

Historical Analysis and Interpretation

Analyze cause-and-effect relationships and multiple causation, including the importance of the individual, the influence of ideas.

United States History Content Standards

Era 5: Civil War and Reconstruction (1850-1877)

How various reconstruction plans succeeded or failed.

The student understands the Reconstruction programs to transform social relations in the South.

The student understands the successes and failures of Reconstruction in the South, North, and West.

Era 6: The Development of the Industrial United States (1870-1900)

The rise of the American labor movement and how political issues reflected social and economic changes.

The student understands how Americans grappled with social, economic, and political issues.