The first grade at JKHA has just completed a thorough, hands-on unit on China and Chinese culture. They learned about the geography, time differences and the Great Wall of China—which they then built using different materials in the MakerSpace. They read all about the Chinese New Year, made lanterns and dragon puppets, learned to write their names in Chinese, counted in Chinese and learned about the Hidden Army. One of the main focuses of their study of China was on Chinese traditions. The students compared Chinese New Year traditions to customs and traditions on Rosh Hashanah. There were similarities, such as special foods. We eat apples and honey for a sweet new year and they eat long noodles for a long life. Also, the Jewish calendar follows the lunar calendar, as does the Chinese culture.

The unit culminated with celebrating Chinese New Year with a Chinese feast and dragon parade! Traditionally, people give each other red envelopes filled with good wishes and money. On the day of the Chinese feast, each student received a red envelope with a special coin and fortune. The students were so excited to open this special treat and take part in this meaningful tradition. Students chanted Gung Hay Fat Choy (Happy New Year in Chinese) as they paraded their dragons through the hallways.

The students have really developed an understanding of the similarities and differences between American culture and the Chinese culture, along with a heightened appreciation for the different traditions and ways of life across the world.