Birthday Celebrationsin US & China

Chen Fangfang

Birthday Song• happy birthday to you, 

happy birthday to you happy birthday dear _______ happy birthday to you 

how old are you now how old are you now how old are you ________ how old are you now Are you , 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, (etc. the person responds when you reach their age) 

Happy birthday to you happy birthday to you, happy birthday dear __________ 

happy birthday to you 

Happy long life to you happy long life to you happy long life dear________ happy long life to you 

From good friends and true, From old friends and new, May good luck go with you, And happiness too. 

Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you happy birthday dear ________ happy birthday to you 

Ice BreakAsk 12

studentsthen

finish the chart!

Find your group!• If your birthday is in the same month

range 1-2/3-4/5-6/7-8/9-10/11-12, you are in the same group now. (Do not use oral language!)

• Settle down.• Discussion Time:• What are the birthday celebrations

in your family?• Take notes in Venn Diagram-1.

Share Time

Birthday treats in China

•  CHINA: LONG NOODLES FOR LONGEVITY• Chinese birthday tradition maintains that one

should symbolize their longevity by eating a plate of long noodles, slurping them in as far as possible before biting.

• In China, the birthday boy or girl pays respect to his/her parents. The friends are invited to lunch and noodles are served to wish a child a long life.

Birthday Treats in US

When you are 1 year old in China--Draw lots( 抓周 )

When you are 1 year old in US—Theme Party

• Read the traditions of birthday subjects and write down the new words in your word bank notebook.

Extended Reading Time:• 1. Read Birthday Celebrations from China and Birthday Celebrations from America. Then finish the Venn diagram-1.

• 2. Read My American Birthday Celebrations then finish the Writing Project:

• My Chinese Birthday Celebrations • Or• Compare the Birthday Celebrations in US

and China

Do You Have A Birthday TraditionOr Favorite Birthday Photo To Share?

• What vivid sights, sounds, and smells do you remember about your own birthdays growing up? Did your family observe special ceremonies passed down through generations?

• Even if you now live in America, Europe, or another country new to your family, are there precious birthday traditions brought with you from your ancestral home?

• What did you most look forward to on your birthdays? Was it ...• Special foods, treats, once-a-year delicacies?• Games, competitions, feats of skill, reaching of milestones?• Cultural ceremonies for reaching certain ages?• Camaraderie, friendship, renewal of family ties?• Music, songs, prayers?

Fun to Know• MEXICO: THE BIRTHDAY PIÑATA• Mexicans sure know how to have a good time,

and it’s no surprise that they have what is in my opinion the most fun tradition for children: The birthday piñata filled with candy. Grab a blindfold and a broomstick, and let the celebration begin. I don’t know about you, but I certainly would trade my birthday cake for a piñata any day.