Today Year 4 have celebrated Chinese New Year, the Year of the Pig with an entire day filled with Chinese-inspired activities. The Pig is the twelfth of the 12-year cycle of animals which appear in the Chinese zodiac related to the Chinese calendar. There are five types of pigs, named after the Chinese elements. In order they are: Metal, Water, Wood, Fire and Earth.
The Year 4 Parents volunteered for the day to help with the celebrations and special guests came in to teach and demonstrate to our Year 4 pupils. The activities for today included, dumpling making! Dumplings are the northern equivalent of spring rolls, they are eaten during special occasions, but are most significant during Chinese New Year. In the children’s calligraphy session the children began by painting a panda with ink, and then learnt how to write happiness in Chinese. The Year 4 pupils also had the chance to create a beautiful detailed red lantern. In the Lion Dance workshop, they used a huge lion’s head and colourful ribbon and learnt the special movements that go with this style of dance. In the music workshop the pupils had the opportunity to play Chinese instruments. They tried their hands at the Erhuk, an instrument commonly used in Chinese operas and the Guzheng a large stringed instrument, similar to the shape and size of a keyboard, which is used in concert performances.
The whole school enjoyed a Chinese themed lunch including spring rolls, noodles and chop sticks! Thank you to Mr Reed for organising such a wonderful day and to the special guests who joined us in our activities and celebrations. Next Tuesday the Chinese New Year celebrations will commence and last 15 days until the lantern festival. Happy Chinese New Year!
