Chinese New Year Party Re-cap!
Meet our Teacher!
My name is Lizzie He. I am a teacher, a Licensed Mental Health therapist and a follower of Jesus Christ. I love to incorporate plays, art, and different culture elements in my curriculum and counseling. My passion is teaching, inspiring and challenging children to love learning and achieving confidence, so they can become the best that God created them to be.
I am a life-long learner myself. I have two undergraduate degrees in Chinese literature and Business English and three Masters, M.Ed. in Educational and Developmental Psychology, MA in Biblical Studies and MA in Counseling. During the course of my education, I endured many challenges that I achieved with hard work, positive attitude, and persistence. I believe that all children can learn.
I love my work and I enjoy working with children because they are like raw diamonds that God has been using me to shape into precious stones. I like to see how much they learn and change during their school year and throughout the years.
Outside of school, I am very sociable and love to travel. I enjoy movies, books and going to the beaches and state parks. I also enjoy yoga and helping to run the Children’s Ministry at our church.
Chinese New Year
Chinese New Year is the longest and most important celebration in the Chinese calendar. This year’s Chinese year began Feb. 19, 2015. Chinese months are calculated by the lunar calendar. The start of each month matches up with the day of the New Moon or the darkest day. Festivities for the Chinese New Year traditionally starts on the first day of the month and continue until the fifteenth, when the moon is brightest!
In China, people may take weeks of holiday from work to prepare for and celebrate the New Year. At One School, we also celebrated the Chinese New Year! Our scholars were thrilled to experience the beautiful culture and traditions of China.
Red envelopes
Red envelopes are money wrapped in red paper given to kids from their parents, grandparents and others as New Year gifts. They are called hongbao in Mandarin. Sending red packets is a tradition at Chinese New Year. Chinese people love the color red, and regard red as the symbol of energy, happiness and good luck. Sending red envelope is a channel for sending good wishes and luck. Actually, the significance of red envelope is the red paper, not the money inside. Wrapping money in red envelope is hoped to bring more happiness and blessing to the receivers. It is considered impolite to open a red packet in front of the person who gave it to you. OSOTA elementary scholars, received red envelope with Chinese money while learning about Chinese currencies.
The Lantern Festival
The Lantern Festival is held on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month. This year’s Lantern Festival is March 5th, 2015. Some of the lanterns may be works of art, painted with birds, animals, flowers, zodiac signs, and scenes from legend and history. People hang glowing lanterns in temples, and carry lanterns to an evening parade under the light of the full moon. In many areas the highlight of the lantern festival is the dragon dance. By the end of the week, our room resembled the streets and homes of China. Our scholars beautifully decorated their colorful lanterns and displayed them around the classroom.
