Do you know as much as a third grader?

(Chinese New Year, 4706, "The Year of the Rat," February 7, 2008 - Riverhead, NY) Third graders at the Roanoke Avenue School study three countries as part of their social studies curriculum. This year they chose Mexico, China and Australia. They have been studying China for about a month. During a school assembly, wearing red and carrying samples of their studies, they brought their China unit to a festive close with a rousing celebration of the Chinese New Year and a review of what they had learned about China.

They researched China during their library time in the computer lab with Mrs. Lawrence. During their studies they assumed a Chinese name, learned to write this name in Chinese characters and say it in Chinese. "Wo-duh ming-d'zih (pronounced: Woh teh ming tsuh) (my name is) Andhy," sang out one student. They shared with their classmates what their name meant and why they had chosen it.

At the door, during the Chinese New Year assembly, guests received an informative brochure on China that the students in Ms. Horn's third grade class had made.

"Chinese children attend school six days a week. Sunday is their only day off. They go to school from 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM. Currently, there are over 200 million elementary and secondary schools; this accounts for 1/6th of the population of China," Jazmin wrote in her class' brochure.

As the children entered the auditorium, on the walls they passed were posters on China made by Ms. Friscia's class. Ten students, representing the three third grade classes, sat on the stage bearing or wearing items that they had made in art class: a Chinese symbol, a dragon mobile, the flag of China, a painting depicting the year of the rat, a lantern, hats, and fans. They greeted their audience in unison reciting, "Gung Hay Fat Choy." They then shared facts they had learned about China while a PowerPoint presentation, made by Ms. Finter's class, flashed on either side of the stage.

After the recitation on stage, all of the third graders came forward to share the songs they had learned about China in music class. During the dragon song--much to the delight of the smaller children--two long dragons paraded up to the stage from the back of the auditorium. Then the lights flashed and the third graders sang a firecracker song accented with snapping hand motions and special effects.

The celebration culminated with the Book of the Month (about the Chinese New Year) read by Roanoke Avenue Principal Debra Rodgers. The assembly was followed by a short party before dismissal wherein each third grader received a red envelope with a Chinese coin--a Chinese tradition that promises good luck for the new year. Earlier in the day, during snack time, they enjoyed a celebration with tea and fortune cookies around a centerpiece of fruit and bamboo that acted as a memorial to their ancestors.

Like the firecracker song they had sung, the third graders were literally popping with information they had learned about China.

"The Dragon, which is a symbol of imperial power, is an important part of the Chinese culture," shared Isaac. "Chinese emperors slept on dragon beds."

"Xie Xie (shi shi) Thank you," (third graders for sharing what you learned with us).

# # # #