Kindergarten students can create their own traditional lion or dragon, creatures that populate Chinese New Year festivities. Unlike Western cultures, in China the dragon is thought of as an ancestor with powers that work for the good of the people. The lion is known as one of the dragon's descendants and is a symbol appropriated into the religious practices of Chinese Buddhism. An adult may need to trace the shape of the head and tail of the lion or dragon on a sheet of construction paper for the child and help her cut it out. Reference images from books and websites for creative images of the animals. The student can then decorate the head and tail with crayons, markers, paint or glitter. Use another piece of construction paper for the body. Fold it in half lengthwise and cut along the line to make two rectangles. Fold each of these pieces like an accordion. Attach the head and tail to either end of the folded rectangle using tape or a stapler. To transform the lion or dragon into a puppet, attach a straw to the bottom of both the head and the tail, pointing down to form handholds. Students can make the animals dance in the New Year.
Supply students with three sheets of red construction paper. Dip stamps in gold paint for decorating the fans. Spread the sheets out on a flat surface and attach them together lengthwise by taping the edges. Fold the paper like an accordion, making a 1-inch fold and then flipping the paper over to make another 1-inch fold. Pinch the pleats together at the bottom of the paper. Hold the end together by wrapping three red and gold chenille stems around the base.
Simulate a Chinese lantern festival by helping students make their own New Year Lanterns. Ask students to decorate one sheet of construction paper using crayons, markers, paint or glitter. Fold each sheet of construction paper in half (lengthwise) to form a long rectangle. Carefully supervise students as they use scissors to cut 12 horizontal slots in the rectangle along the fold line, perpendicular to the line. Unfold the paper and roll the short ends towards each other to form a cylinder. Check to make sure the decorated side of the paper is showing. Attach the ends together using glue or tape. Press down gently on the top and bottom of the lantern. With a little pressure, the strips that have been cut out will bulge out slightly. To form handles for the lanterns, cut strips of paper that are 6 by 1/2 inch and attach the ends to opposite sides of the top edge of the lantern. String up the lanterns to decorate for the Chinese New Year.
Teach kindergarten students about Chinese symbols. Find a few symbols from a website or book that represent appropriate sentiments for the Chinese New Year. The symbols should be simple enough for the students to copy. Cut out diamonds from red construction paper and instruct students to trace the symbols onto the paper using black markers. Decorate the classroom with the symbols to remind students of the significance of the Chinese New Year.