Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Fastest Pig in the West in the Classroom: Zodiac Signs

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
Students explore Chinese culture by reading a story with their class. In this astrology activity, students read a chapter from the book The Fastest Pig in the West and discuss the relevance of the Chinese zodiac in modern society....
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Chinese Zodiac

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners create their own personalized Zodiac page on a word processing document after researching and discussing the origins of Zodiak signs. This lesson does include resource links and may be controversial.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

It's Written in the Stars!

For Teachers 2nd - 5th
Children create narrative accounts about their character traits, illustrate the constellation of each sign of the Zodiac, and write and illustrate their own creative myths about an original "Zodiac Sign". They use the computer as a...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Telling Time Through the Zodiac

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Learners compare the Chinese and Western zodiacs, their symbols, their meanings, and their calendars through a in-class discussion and a small group project. This lesson includes vocabulary and extensions.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Lunar Calendar

For Teachers 1st - 3rd
Students examine the Chinese calendar and Zodiac signs in this early elementary activity on calendars and culture. Discussions on cultural beliefs and values are emphasized and could be controversial.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Kodomo No Hi: Children's Day Celebration

For Teachers K - 3rd Standards
Children's Day is a beloved Japanese holiday with many colorful and engaging traditions. On this national holiday celebrated yearly on May 5, children are honored for their strengths and given good wishes for happiness. Your younger...
Lesson Plan
National Endowment for the Humanities

Neh: Edsit Ement: Animals of the Chinese Zodiac

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
This site from EDSITEment provides a fun look at the Chinese culture by examining the animals of the Chinese Zodiac and the traits of the Chinese calendar.
Website
British Library

British Library: International Dunhuang Project: Chinese Astronomy Resource

For Students 9th - 10th
Using the early Dunhuang Star Atlas, an important historical and scientific document of the sky seen from China dating from before AD 700, learn about astronomical history from the perspective of China. Find resources and analysis that...