Learning Chinese Culture

We've finally wrapped up from a month long celebration of Chinese New Year, which means a lot of red here in Shanghai, and huge cultural lessons happening all the time. From the unit studies at school to field trips, social media and even the local expat parenting magazine are covered with information. I've spent time talking to our driver and Ayi to learn about their traditions as well, and it's fascinating the hear the superstitions that are so vivid still today. The Nian which is a ferocious half bull/half lion creature, and known to be scared away by the color red, noise and fire, creates a booming array of firecrackers every night! Sweeping before New Year pushes away bad luck from the home and later eating dumplings and rice balls bring wealth. There are also strong understandings about the expectation of hangboa and the representation of the New Year animal. 2015 is the Year of the 'yang,' which means sheep, ram or goat, and is truly not well noted as a strong animal. Therefore, it's not the year that families wish to have babies because it resembles much about the child's personality and fate - in this case, the weakest of the 12 zodiac animals. Learning all of this tradition is fascinating, and makes you appreciate the many families that abide so carefully to pattern - something that you often see become minimized in the US.

The 3rd graders, especially, have learned a depth of knowledge with their recent China research projects. Caden was given a persona - his was tour guide for the Great Wall - in which he was to research and write a bibliography about a day in his life. It's turned into roughly 12 pages of documented and published appreciation for basic necessities seen here, such as food, shelter and family dynamics. (Yes, I said 12 pages! The homework for a 3rd grader is rather substantial!)

Additionally, both of the kids' classes have celebrated the Chinese New Year with the opportunity to practice paper cutting, calligraphy, and martial arts; take chopstick challenges and learn to make dumplings; explore the work of a famous Chinese photographer and experience an imaginary natal homevisit where they packed chickens and babies to return to the maternal grandparents for the holiday. Oh, we had fun!

 

I also had the opportunity to plan a field trip to Shokay for about 30 students in Caden's grade. What an amazing business! Shokay (www.shokay.com) started with a student from Harvard business school who visited China, looking for a place to begin a social enterprise. In 2006, she started this business which makes clothing, hats and scarves from yak down, and is of better quality than cashmere. Carol, the owner, first came to visit the classroom and tell the history of the business, and then we ventured to the workshop, located on Chongming Island, about an hour and a half outside of Shanghai and across the East China Sea. It was there that we first stopped at Dongtan Wetland Park and then proceeded to the local workshop within the village. We met with many of the migrant women who turn the yak fibers into yarn and hand-sew the garments. It was fascinating! And the kids even learned to finger-knit.

 If video is unable to open, please go to: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=raBiaxAnUEM

It's truly a blessing to be submerged into another culture like this, but even more amazing to watch your children become excited to learn about people different than themselves.

As the kids have sang on repeat... Gōngxǐ gōngxǐ gōngxǐ nǐ ya!