You may want to ask students what they think the differences might be between living in a country as old as Taiwan compared to one as young as the United States. If your students live in an area with a sizable Chinese population, they may be familiar with New Year's Day parades featuring festively colored model dragons weaving through the streets. There are other interesting customs associated with Chinese New Year. On that day, for example, married couples give children presents of money in red envelopes. Just as we use the season of Advent to prepare for Christmas, the Chinese use the month before New Year's Day to prepare for their celebrations.
People buy presents, decorate their homes, and clean their houses from top to bottom.
On New Year's Day, they serve a traditional dinner that features seafood and dumplings. Often there are fireworks that night. Your students may enjoy learning more about these Chinese New Year's Day customs. The year is 4698. East China Sea 4.