LESSON 2: CULTURAL-BASED VOCABULARY
SECTION 1
This lesson was written for students in grades K–5.
Pre-Reading Discussion
Ask students the following questions to help them think about the significance of culture and family ancestry. Then read
Chapter 2 of the NIE Asian New Year article series, printed on Feb. 6, 2015 on Chinese Lunar New Year celebrations.
1. Someone who moves from one country to settle in another country is called an “immigrant.” Immigrants often bring their
“cultures” with them. Do you know what culture is?
(See definitions in the Vocabulary Activity below and provide the
definition of culture for students.)
2. Can you give some examples of culture?
(Guide students in naming games, holidays, foods, etc. that are from different
ethnic communities.)
3. Do you have anyone in your family who is an immigrant? If so, do you know what country they came from?
4. Do you know what an “American” is?
(See definitions below.)
Do you know how one can become a citizen of the United
States, aka an “American?” (
Answers include being born on American/U.S. soil; being born to parents who are U.S. citizens;
or, coming from another country to live in the United States for a certain length of time and taking a test to become a
U.S. citizen.)
Read Chapter 2 on Chinese Lunar New Year from Feb. 6, 2015
Post-Reading Discussion
1. When is the Chinese New Year celebrated?
2. How do families prepare for the Chinese New Year?
3. What do children often receive for Chinese New Year?
4. What is the importance of the lion dance?
5. What animal of the animal zodiac are you and what are your good traits, according to the animal zodiac?
6. What is the Lunar Calendar?
Here is a book list if students would like to learn more about the Chinese American experience.
(Compiled by Benling Wong of the Seattle Public Library)
Chinese American children’s books
“Crouching Tiger” by Ying Chang Compestine
“Dragon Road” by Laurence Yep
“The Dragon’s Child: a Story of Angel Island” by Laurence Yep
“Good Fortune: My Journey to Gold Mountain” by Li Keng Wong
“Half and Half” by Lensey Namioka
“In the Year of the Boar and Jackie Robinson” by Bette Lord
“The Secret Voice of Gina Zhang” by Dori Jones Yang
“The Year of the Baby” by Andrea Cheng
“The Year of the Fortune Cookie” by Andrea Cheng
“Uncle Peter’s Amazing Chinese Wedding” by Lenore Look
Chinese American teen books
“American Born Chinese” by Gene Luen Yang
“Bitter Melon” by Cara Chow
“Escape to Gold Mountain: a Graphic History of the Chinese in North America” by David H. T. Wong
“Joy Luck Club” by Amy Tan
“Learning to Fly” by Paul Yee
“Mismatch” by Lensey Namioka
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