| China | Week 4 2

GreetingsOpen the class by greeting the children with “Hello” (which means “How are you?”) in Mandarin Chinese: “Ni Hao” (pronounced Knee How).

Review:Please: ChingThank you: Xie Xie

PowerPoint Presentation: Chinese New YearShare the following information about China. Show the PowerPoint pictures or the ones that you’ve printed out.

1. Clay pots of rice are cooked outside on gas stoves in front of street-side eateries. It is common to see barbeque duck, goose, and chicken hanging by the window. It is common for chicken to be eaten during Chinese New Year celebrations.

2. Candy is offered to guests.

3. Children receive red envelopes with money in them.

4. A boy receives his red envelope with money.

5. In Chinese mythology, this bearded man is called Choi Sun: the god of money with his helpers.

6. This display is a decoration for the New Year celebration. Orchids are often used to decorate.

10min. Class

Teacher’s Notes: The next Chinese New Year will be celebrated on February 3, 2011, the Year of the Rabbit (For current year date and animal symbol, check http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_New_Year#Dates). Chinese legends tell of the Nian, a man-eating beast from the mountains that came out every winter to feast on humans. To scare the Nian away, the people used loud noises, such as firecrackers and fireworks, and bright colors, particularly red. The beast has become a dragon. These customs led to the first New Year celebrations.

Traditionally, families clean their houses to prepare for the celebration; they are trying to sweep away any bad fortune in hopes that good luck will come in. Houses are often painted. Windows and doors are decorated with red paper cutouts and poems with themes of “happiness,” “wealth,” and “longevity.” Red and gold are considered lucky colors. Oranges are served as food because they are thought to bring prosperity. On the night before Chinese New Year, families gather together for a big dinner. Food will include such items as pigs, ducks, chicken, and sweets. Families end the night with firecrackers and fireworks displays. Early the next morning, children greet their parents by wishing them a healthy and happy New Year, and the kids receive money in red paper envelopes. The celebration continues for several days.

Chinese New Year

Celebration

| China | Week 4 3

1hour Class

7. Tangelos and kumquat plants are also used as decorations.

8. Dragons are a key symbol for the New Year celebration as well as other celebrations. You will see them later.

9. This home is beautifully decorated for the New Year.

10. Red lanterns are a common decoration.

11. This little boy is all dressed up to celebrate in his red clothes.

The Story of Mei Part 4When Mei* was older, she was able to come to America to visit her mother for the whole summer. Mei didn’t speak any English when she came to the United States but learned the language very quickly. Mei liked to go to church with her mom. The people there were so nice. She even got to go to Vacation Bible School. One woman translated the Bible stories into Mandarin so Mei could understand them. Mei also visited her mom for a whole year once and kept learning about Jesus. One day when Mei was back in China and was talking with her father, she accepted Jesus as her Savior.

*name changed

There are many children in China who don’t know Jesus. Let’s pray for Mei to grow in Christ.

Bible Verse and PrayerMatthew 18:14: “In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should be lost.” God cares about the people of China and the children of China. He wants them to become His children. The Christian and Missionary Alliance is praying for and reaching out to the people of China wherever they live. God brought Mei’s parents to the USA so they could hear about Christ. Most Chinese can’t come here, so we must go to them. Continue to pray for Christians in China and international workers there who get to meet children like Mei. Take a few minutes to pray that Mei and her family will continue to grow in Christ. Pray for her grandparents to become Christians.

Tell the children good-bye in Mandarin Chinese: “Dzai Jian.”

GreetingsOpen the class by greeting the children with “Hello” (which means “How are you?”) in Mandarin Chinese: “Ni Hao” (pronounced Knee How).

Review:Please: ChingThank you: Xie Xie

| China | Week 4 4

PowerPoint Presentation: Chinese New YearShare the following information about China. Show the PowerPoint pictures or the ones that you’ve printed out.

1. Clay pots of rice are cooked outside on gas stoves in front of street-side eateries. It is common to see barbeque duck, goose, and chicken hanging by the window. It is common for chicken to be eaten during Chinese New Year celebrations.

2. Candy is offered to guests.

3. Children receive red envelopes with money in them.

4. A boy receives his red envelope with money.

5. In Chinese mythology, this bearded man is called Choi Sun: the god of money with his helpers.

6. This display is a decoration for the New Year celebration. Orchids are often used to decorate.

7. Tangelos and kumquat plants are also used as decorations.

8. Dragons are a key symbol for the New Year celebration as well as other celebrations. You will see them later.

9. This home is beautifully decorated for the New Year.

10. Red lanterns are a common decoration.

11. This little boy is all dressed up to celebrate in his red clothes.

The Story of Mei Part 4When Mei* was older, she was able to come to America to visit her mother for the whole summer. Mei didn’t speak any English when she came to the United States but learned the language very quickly. Mei liked to go to church with her mom. The people there were so nice. She even got to go to Vacation Bible School. One woman translated the Bible stories into Mandarin so Mei could understand them. Mei also visited her mom for a whole year once and kept learning about Jesus. One day when Mei was back in China and was talking with her father, she accepted Jesus as her Savior.

*name changed

There are many children in China who don’t know Jesus. Let’s pray for Mei to grow in Christ.

Bible Verse and PrayerMatthew 18:14: “In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should be lost.” God cares about the people of China and the children of China. He wants them to become His children. The Christian and Missionary Alliance is praying for and reaching out to the people of China wherever they live. God brought Mei’s parents to the USA so they could hear about Christ. Most Chinese can’t come here, so we must go to them. Continue to pray for Christians in China and international workers there who get to meet children like Mei. Take a few minutes to pray that Mei and her family will continue to grow in Christ. Pray for her grandparents to become Christians.

Tell the children good-bye in Mandarin Chinese: “Dzai Jian.”

| China | Week 4 5

Craft Project: Dragon PuppetFor fun and easy craft, go to:http://www.activityvillage.co.uk/chinese_dragon_puppet.htm

Celebrate the Chinese New YearHave your own little celebration. Play with the Chinese yo-yos and/or dragon puppets that you made and decorate the room with the lanterns. Give each of the children a red envelope with a Bible verse in it. Say, “God’s Word, not money, is what really leads to happiness.” Play some of the Chinese games you have learned over the weeks. Serve egg drop soup, chicken, oranges, or Chinese candy from an international market.

Tell the children good-bye in Mandarin Chinese: “Dzai Jian.”

SourcesHistory.comhttp://www.history.com/topics/chinese-new-year

Activity Village.comhttp://www.activityvillage.co.uk/learn_about_chinese_new_year.htm

Wikipediahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_New_Year