Hamden Hall Country Day School
Educating Students in PreSchool through Grade 12
Educating Students in PreSchool through Grade 12
News Detail
Goat Motif Heralds in the New Year
During the Year of the Goat, first-graders tried their hand at Chinese paper cutting, drawing personalized goats and then hand-cutting them to create framed red and white creations that are now exhibited in the Lower School Art Gallery.
Accompanying that hands-on project were other cross-cultural studies, such as a unit on Chinese customs and civilization and the reciting of poems and stories in their Mandarin classes.
Accompanying that hands-on project were other cross-cultural studies, such as a unit on Chinese customs and civilization and the reciting of poems and stories in their Mandarin classes.
During the Year of the Goat, first-graders tried their hand at Chinese paper cutting, drawing personalized goats and then hand-cutting them to create framed red and white creations that are now exhibited in the Lower School Art Gallery.
Accompanying that hands-on project were other cross-cultural studies, such as a unit on Chinese customs and civilization and the reciting of poems and stories in their Mandarin classes.
“We created a unique atmosphere and environment for cross-curricular learning at its best,” maintained Lower School art teacher Susan Bennett 1973. “The students studied cultural and colorful Chinese traditions throughout the month of February. This learning stretched between their formal classroom unit to Mandarin class and also in the art room.”
It was the art room where first-graders learned the delicate art of Jianzhi, also known as Chinese paper cutting. Mrs. Bennett said that her exploration of the history of paper cutting was enhanced as students learned about the Chinese New Year, the rotation of animal symbols, and more.
Students’ efforts were displayed in the Lower School Art Gallery and friends and family were invited to view the exhibit during a recent morning reception. The reception also featured students’ recitation of poems and songs in Mandarin. Most poignant was that the students were surrounded by their art works as they showcased their Mandarin skills.
“The song Gua Xin Nian was sung during the art reception and it’s basically about all the major activities Chinese people do during the New Year, such as Ling Hong Bao (get red envelopes), Tiechunlian (pasting red banners on the wall), and Chiniangao (eat Chinese rice cakes),” explained Mandarin teacher Margaret Wei.
Students learned about all of those cultural traditions associated with Chinese New Year during their Mandarin classes. Besides singing songs and reading books, first-graders worked on coloring and craft projects and watched a short movie titled, The Story of Nian, to better learn the origin of Chinese New Year.
“The children were especially excited about watching the movie clips about dragon dance and lion dance,” said Mrs. Wei.
Accompanying that hands-on project were other cross-cultural studies, such as a unit on Chinese customs and civilization and the reciting of poems and stories in their Mandarin classes.
“We created a unique atmosphere and environment for cross-curricular learning at its best,” maintained Lower School art teacher Susan Bennett 1973. “The students studied cultural and colorful Chinese traditions throughout the month of February. This learning stretched between their formal classroom unit to Mandarin class and also in the art room.”
It was the art room where first-graders learned the delicate art of Jianzhi, also known as Chinese paper cutting. Mrs. Bennett said that her exploration of the history of paper cutting was enhanced as students learned about the Chinese New Year, the rotation of animal symbols, and more.
Students’ efforts were displayed in the Lower School Art Gallery and friends and family were invited to view the exhibit during a recent morning reception. The reception also featured students’ recitation of poems and songs in Mandarin. Most poignant was that the students were surrounded by their art works as they showcased their Mandarin skills.
“The song Gua Xin Nian was sung during the art reception and it’s basically about all the major activities Chinese people do during the New Year, such as Ling Hong Bao (get red envelopes), Tiechunlian (pasting red banners on the wall), and Chiniangao (eat Chinese rice cakes),” explained Mandarin teacher Margaret Wei.
Students learned about all of those cultural traditions associated with Chinese New Year during their Mandarin classes. Besides singing songs and reading books, first-graders worked on coloring and craft projects and watched a short movie titled, The Story of Nian, to better learn the origin of Chinese New Year.
“The children were especially excited about watching the movie clips about dragon dance and lion dance,” said Mrs. Wei.
1108 Whitney Avenue
Hamden, Connecticut 06517
Phone: 203-752-2600
Fax: 203-752-2651
admissions@hamdenhall.org
Hamden, Connecticut 06517
Phone: 203-752-2600
Fax: 203-752-2651
admissions@hamdenhall.org
Hamden Hall Country Day School, located less than two miles from Yale University, is one of the best private schools in Connecticut to enroll elementary, middle, and high school students. Our nurturing and inclusive community provides a dynamic learning environment that promotes academic excellence by understanding each child and fostering their individual growth.
