Submitted by ciau on
In February, two Chinese festivals were celebrated in the Gillette Road and Roxboro Road Middle Schools. On the 15th of February, a Chinese New Year celebration was held by members of the Confucius Institute at Alfred University at Gillette Road Middle School. Dr. Morton and Yuanhuan He hosted the activities. Parents and students enjoyed themselves. Suping (Emma) Wang, Yuanhuan (Beverly) He and Ping (Kevin) Wang handed out red envelopes, cupcakes, and candy. The children learned about Chinese culture through a Chinese New Year video and the story of Nian. All the students performed the poem, “Jing Ye Si.” They also learned how to write calligraphy and do paper cutting following their Chinese teachers.
Calligraphy practice
On the 28th of February, the Lantern Festival was celebrated in Roxboro Road Middle School, under the direction of teachers from the Confucius Institute at Alfred University. Mr. Yu together with four other teachers did a lot for the activities. Dr. Morton and Yuanhuan He hosted the activities. Children learned about the Lantern Festival through a Lantern Festival video. Guessing lantern riddles was an essential part of the activity. All the parents and students were welcomed by Chinese dancing by Ms. Cui and music on the cucurbit flute by Ms. Tong. Parents and kids learned how to make lanterns with Ping Wang. They learned how to use chopsticks with Suping Wang. They learned how to write calligraphy following Mr. Huo and Mr. Chen. Chinese food was provided to all the guests. They said they are looking forward to next year’s Lantern Festival.
Saying “Yuanxiaojie Kuaile”
Making lanterns
Practicing chopsticks
During January and February, students at Gillette Road and Roxboro Road Middle Schools learned about Chinese New Year, the Zodiac, the Lantern Festival, making an origami puppy and drawing a panda in their Chinese language classes.