Students can use this activity to learn more about the Chinese Zodiac and Lunar New Year! They can use the example Zodiac to find the animal that represents their birth year and learn about the animal's traits, lucky colors, and possible professions. Then, students can make an "All About Me" incorporating their animal and their own favorite colors, personality traits, hopes, and dreams for the future. When finished, they can share their "All About Me" with the class in an engaging project that combines art, writing, community and learning about other cultures!
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Due Date:
Objective: Learn about the Chinese Zodiac! Find your animal and create an "All About Me"!
Student Instructions:
Spend some time introducing the concept of the zodiac to the whole class, explaining the history, time, and animals especially.
Assist each student in finding their own birth year and animal so they can begin to relate to the concepts of Ancient Chinese beliefs.
Students can create an "All About Me" page to relate themselves to the ideas of traits, professions, and lucky colors that the zodiac signs make use of. Students enjoy seeing what animal they are and are able to further relate to the history.
At first glance, it might seem difficult to help students understand the Chinese Zodiac and Lunar New Year. But looking at the traits of the signs and the animals makes it fun for students to learn about these concepts, and it keeps them engaged.
Yes they can! And that is exactly the way to help them understand the concepts, by giving them personal examples to relate to. When they discuss their own traits and favorite colors in terms of something like the Chinese zodiac, they are able to understand both the material and themselves more clearly.