I am starting a new series called 52 Weeks of Books. One of my favorite ways to volunteer in the classroom is as a guest reader. I have spent a lot of time in the local library asking the librarian for age appropriate, fun books. Now I volunteer in the school library and get just as excited as the kids to hear a new story. I plan to feature one book a week that will usually relate to the time of year and is appropriate to read to a kindergarten, first or second grade classroom.
Week One - Chinese New Year
Chinese New Year falls at different times each year because it is based on lunar cycles. This year it happened to fall earlier than normal, the last week of January. My go-to book is and always has been My First Chinese New Year by Karen Katz.
The cover does look a little baby-ish but this is a great way to introduce Chinese New Year to young children. The pictures are bright and colorful. The simple text allows for older students to ask questions and think about their own family traditions.
As a special surprise I often bring in a little something that goes along with the book I am reading. I brought in little rubber lizards to my son's Kindergarten class two years ago and the kids still remember. With this book I bring in Chinese Red Envelopes. You can make your own, get them at the local Chinese grocery, or order them online.
Since it is tradition to fill the red envelopes with money, I will usually drop a few coins in each or those gold wrapped chocolate coins.
Gong Xi Fa Cai!
