Parade Celebration

LESSON 5

Children create their own ribbon streamers and express themselves through dance, celebrating the joy and energy associated with Lunar New Year parades. 

  • Share this video clip of a Lunar New Year parade.

  • Satin or silk like ribbon of any color (we chose to include red)

  • Knife with sharp end (for adult use)

  • Pliers

  • Scissors

  • Hot glue gun  

Materials

  • Gather materials

  • Cut one ribbon to length of choice 

Preparations

  • Initiate a discussion about their observations during the video, fostering conversation about the vibrant elements of the parade.

  • Asks open ended questions to encourage individuality and critical thinking.

  • Supports active participation in the creation of ribbon streamers.

  • Encourages self-expression through dance and movement. 

Objectives for Teachers

  • Children express their observations and perceptions of a Lunar New Year Parade video.

  • Children strengthen fine motor skills as they measure, cut and place ribbons during their craft activity.

  • Children express themselves through dance, celebrating the joy and energy associated with Lunar New Year parades. 

Objectives for Children

Collect and Connect

  • Practice saying the poem “Lunar New Year Dragon Rhyme” with the actions indicated. 

Lunar New Year Dragon Rhyme

There is a great big dragon coming our way,

A great big dragon on this holiday.

(Children wave up and down like a dragon bobbing up and down)

Let’s grab our lanterns and follow along,

Dancing and waving and singing a song.

(Children dance and wave)

There is a great big dragon coming our way,

Hip, Hip, Hooray!

(Children jump up and down)

Activity Flow

  1. Start by revisiting the last lesson, emphasizing the significance of parades in Lunar New Year celebrations. Here are some questions you might ask: 

  • What was your favorite part of the dragon craft activity?

  • Why did we make dragons?

  • Do you remember where people dress up like dragons to celebrate the Lunar New Year? 

2. Next, provide a visual understanding of Lunar New Year parades, by sharing this video clip. Afterwards, initiate a discussion about their observations. You could ask the following open-ended questions: 

  • What was your favorite part of the parade?

  • What Chinese Zodiac animals did you notice were part of the parade?

  • What different performances did you notice?

  • How do you think they were feeling as they were part of the parade? 

3. Discuss how people often showcase their talents during parades, especially through music and dance. Some people were dancing like dragons, others were playing instruments, and some were dancing with ribbons. Explain that all of these performances are very important in celebrating their culture. Tell the children they will be able to participate in a pretend parade/celebration and dance with streamers just like some of the children in the video!

4. Launch into the activity where children create their own ribbon streamers. Consider using red ribbons to go along with the red theme of the Lunar New Year.  

Ribbon Streamer: 

  1. Start by carving a small hole/indent on one end of a wooden dowel using a knife.

  2. Place a single eye screw in the hole and twist it securely into the dowel.

  3. Use pliers to slightly open one end of the single eye screw to fit the fishing swivel over it.

  4. Close the single eye screw with pliers to ensure the fishing swivel stays in place.

  5. Fold the ribbon and insert it into the larger loop on the fishing swivel.

  6. Secure the ribbon in place with hot glue.

  7. Use a candle or lighter to singe the ribbon's end to prevent fraying.

  8. Your ribbon streamer is now complete and ready for twirling! 

5. Conclude the lesson with a fun movement activity where children dance with their ribbon streamers to music. Encourage them to express themselves through dance, celebrating the joy and energy associated with Lunar New Year parades.