Celebrating Chinese New Year

Context and Rationale

This 60-minute lesson is designed for Primary 1 students in a play-based classroom setting. The focus is on introducing children to Chinese New Year through active, imaginative play that supports development across literacy, expressive arts, and social studies within the Scottish Curriculum for Excellence framework. This approach honours children’s natural curiosity and embodies creativity, inclusiveness, and cultural awareness.

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Learning Intentions

By the end of this lesson, learners will:

• Understand that Chinese New Year is an important celebration in Chinese culture.
• Recognise simple symbols and traditions associated with Chinese New Year (e.g. dragon dance, lanterns, zodiac animals).
• Engage in imaginative role play to explore story, emotions, and cultural practices.
• Use language and communication skills to share ideas and work collaboratively.
• Develop fine motor skills through craft-making related to Chinese New Year.

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Curriculum for Excellence Links

Experiences and Outcomes

• SOC 0-09a: I explore and appreciate the values and customs of my own and other cultures to develop respect for others.
• EXA 0-02a: I enjoy exploring objects, pictures, materials, sounds and movements to discover and develop my own ideas and imagination.
• LIT 0-09a: I can engage with others in a variety of ways, working in pairs or groups to share experiences and ideas.
• TCH 0-13a: I develop skills in using tools and techniques that involve hand-eye coordination and creativity.

Organisers

• People, place and environment
• Culture and identity
• Expressive arts
• Literacy and English
• Technologies and health and wellbeing (fine motor development)

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Resources Needed

• Large space for role play (e.g. carpet area or cleared classroom space)
• Dragon and lion dance puppet props/toys or simple masks
• Red paper and gold/yellow paper for lantern-making
• Glue, safety scissors, string, crayons, stickers
• Picture cards with traditional Chinese New Year symbols (lanterns, fireworks, zodiac animals)
• Storybook or short video (appropriate and simplified) about Chinese New Year stories
• Painted cardboard ‘Chinese market stalls’ to set the scene

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Lesson Structure

Time	Activity	Details & Teaching Points	Assessment Opportunities
0–10 mins	Introduction Circle Time	- Show and discuss Chinese New Year symbols and traditions. - Use picture cards to introduce vocabulary (e.g. dragon, lantern, zodiac). - Use simple language and colourful visuals.	Observe pupils’ listening, interest, and ability to recall key words.
10–25 mins	Story and Role Play Setup	- Read or watch a short story/video on Chinese New Year. - Explain the dragon dance and lantern festival. - Set up play area with market stalls, dragon puppet, lanterns.	Ask children to say what they remember and describe parts of the story.
25–45 mins	Guided Imaginative Play	- Children take turns acting out: dragon dance, lantern making, market vendors. - Encourage use of phrases like “Happy New Year!” and greetings. - Scaffold communication within pairs/groups.	Monitor social interactions, communication, and creative roles adopted.
45–55 mins	Craft Activity: Making Paper Lanterns	- Children make simple paper lanterns using scissors and glue. - Highlight colours red and gold for luck. - Support children with cutting, folding.	Assess fine motor skills, ability to follow instructions, independence.
55–60 mins	Reflection and Sharing	- Children share their lanterns and talk about what they enjoyed. - Sing a simple ‘Happy New Year’ song, if time permits.	Use questions to assess recall and understanding; note confidence in speaking.

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Differentiation and Inclusion

• Provide pre-cut shapes for children with fine motor difficulties.
• Use visual cues and gesture to support understanding of vocabulary for EAL learners.
• Offer varied roles in play (dragon performer, storyteller, crafts helper) to suit children’s interests and abilities.
• Create a calm corner with visuals of Chinese New Year in case some children need quiet time.

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Extensions and Home Learning Suggestions

• Encourage families to share if they celebrate Chinese New Year or any other festivals.
• Provide a simple take-home sheet with pictures and words to talk about Chinese New Year.
• Suggest watching a family-friendly Chinese New Year parade or festival video at home.

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Teacher Reflection Prompts

• How well did the children engage in the role play?
• Were the children able to use new vocabulary during activities?
• Did the craft activity support fine motor development effectively?
• How did the children respond to exploring a culture different from their own?
• What adaptations might improve inclusion or engagement next time?

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This lesson uses play as a powerful medium to explore cultural diversity and build foundational communication and motor skills in an age-appropriate way, in full alignment with Curriculum for Excellence principles and outcomes.