Step 1A: Enter Basic Information about the Lesson
Name of the Lesson: / Chinese Lantern Festival
Lesson Grade Level: / 4th Grade
Additional Grade Level: / 3rd-5th Grade
Step 1B: Specify the Instructional Setting
Instructional Setting / X / Single Student / X / Small Group / X / Whole Class
Step 1C: Instructional Materials to be used with this lesson
Materials and Resources used by teachers and students: /
  • Assorted colored construction paper 9 x 12" (one sheet per student)
  • (3) Three black strips of construction paper measuring 1/2" wide and 12" long each (to be pre-cut by teacher)
  • Markers
  • Scissors
  • Glue
  • Optional: yellow and orange tissue paper

Step 2: Lesson Description and Objective(s)
General Description of Lesson: / Students will learn that the last celebration of the Chinese New Year is the Lantern Festival.
Objective(s) of Lesson: / Students will learn:
  • The Lantern Festival is the last day of celebration of Chinese New Year
  • Students will learn three major customs: rice balls, carrying lanterns, and playing riddles

Step 3: Teacher Procedure
ANTICIPATORY SET /
  • Review the Chinese New Year Celebration traditions
  • We will go around the room to review the different decorations students made, and the different traditions that we learned.
  • Understand that we learned how Chinese New Year starts

DIRECTED LESSON /
  • Teach students that Chinese New Year is a 15 day celebration
  • Teach (using power-point) Days 1-14 for the students
  • Explain that day 15 is the Lantern Festival
  • Students will learn that the Lantern Festival is the celebrated at the end of Chinese New Year

GUIDED PRACTICE /
  • Each student will create his or her own paper lantern from construction paper using scissors, markers, and glue.
  • First, students will decorate large colored sheet of construction paper with markers. Students may draw Chinese symbols, characters, or other scenes relevant to the Chinese New Year celebration.
  • After decorating, paper will be folded in half lengthwise ("hot-dog-style") so that rectangle measures 4.5" x 12". Students will then measure and mark equal distances of 1/2" from fold to one black edge.
  • Beginning from folded edge, students will use scissors to make cuts along measured lines, being careful to cut up only up to the edge of the black strip and not beyond. (Students can unfold paper once all cuts have been made.) Students will then bend short edges (9" edges) together to form a cylinder and glue together. Once edges are dry, students will spread the slits at the fold and create the "lantern effect."
  • A final black 12" x 1/2" strip is bent and attached with glue at top of the lantern to form the handle. If desired, students may add crumpled orange and yellow tissue paper to the inside of their lanterns to resemble the candle flame. When all lanterns are dry, students can string lanterns along black yarn and hang around the classroom.

INDEPENDENT PRACTICE /
  • Students will share out their lantern and explain the designs they choose for their lantern
  • Students will hang them in the classroom