Nursery Two
Term 1
Inquiry Topic: What are the customs and traditions of the Chinese New Year?
As children celebrate festivals and occasions, they were curious about the various practices. This term, the Nursery children will learn to be more appreciative of the Chinese culture in Singapore as they discover what they see, eat and do during Chinese New Year.
Week 4 What do we see during Chinese New Year?
January 25, 2019
This week, the children visited Chinatown where they saw festive decorations such as spring couplets and traditional cheongsam. As they took a stroll down the streets, they questioned what they saw. Children were then encouraged to ask the various stall vendors on questions that they had. They related their observations and discoveries to their prior experience.
Zayn, “I see this bicycle before on the television!”
David, “That is the Chinese paper fan we did with Teacher Yuluan!”
Upon returning to class, children recorded their findings through illustrations and later shared during the show and tell with their peers. Through sharing their discoveries and prior experiences, children are more aware of the customs and traditions during Chinese New Year.
Week 3 How to make pineapple tarts?
January 18, 2019
This week, we partnered with Mr Lim, a pastry chef and also a parent, to provide an opportunity for children to make pineapple tarts! The children visited his baking studio where they rolled the dough and stuffed pineapple jam filings. Children also asked Mr Lim questions relating to the Chinese New Year tradition.
Ken, “Why we eat pineapple tarts on Chinese New Year?”
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Week 2 How to make a Chinese paper fan?
January 11, 2019
This week, Teacher Yuluan then recapped on the previous discussion on the things they see, eat and do during the festive season. Children were encouraged to recall their prior experiences during the celebration of Chinese New Year and discussion with parents. In the main activity, children made their own paper fan with Chinese New Year decorations.
Lesson Objective
1. Children will be able to share with peers on what they see, eat and do during Chinese New Year.
2. Children will be able to fold and decorate their paper fan.
Teaching Techniques
Guidance
Guidance involves positive discipline that is important in supporting and enhancing children’s social and emotional development (Mosier, 2009). Teacher Yuluan worked with children in setting rules and boundaries such as using listening to their friends when they share and raising hands before they talk. This was constantly reinforced throughout the lesson to remind children of the expected behaviour.
During the introduction of materials like colour pencils, Teacher Yuluan led through a logical sequence where she warned children of the consequences of inappropriate behaviours such as putting colour pencils into mouth causes stomachache and using them to draw on the floor dirties the school. As such, children learnt to avoid undesired consequences while recognising behaviours that are safe and acceptable.
Furthermore, Teacher Yuluan showed the child respect and that she was guided, not punished when the child responded that she ate ketupat during Chinese New Year. Instead of dismissing the child’s response, Teacher Yuluan explained that it was uncommon to eat ketupat during this festive season but assured her that it was alright to eat Ketupat as part of her family tradition.
Scaffolding
Scaffolding is the process of providing temporary guidance and support to children through verbal and non-verbal means (MacNaughton & Williams, 2009). When one child was unsure of folding the paper fan, Teacher Yuluan acted as the more knowledgeable other by demonstrating the steps, allowing the child to follow and later did it independently. As the child became the more knowledgeable one, she demonstrated to another child who needed help with folding her paper pan. Through scaffolding, Teacher Yuluan supported children’s learning while increasing their level of competence.
Teacher Yuluan demonstrates how to fold a Chinese paper fan.
Teacher Yuluan sets classroom rules before the activity.
Teacher Yuluan warns children of the consequences of putting colour pencils into their mouths.
Teacher Yuluan demonstrates how to fold a Chinese paper fan.
Week 1 What are the things we do during Chinese New Year?
January 4, 2019
As we celebrate Chinese New Year this month, the teacher shared a book titled Bringing in the New Year by Grace Lin where the family in the story prepares for spring cleaning. Children related the story to their personal experience as they shared their preparation for the new year. Teacher Yuluan then got children to discuss their experiences with their parents at home.
Ryan said, "I also see my mummy sweep the floor."
Kayden said, "I help to put the flowers on the table when the people come my house.”
Evon said, "My daddy and mummy also bring me to many place."
