D is for Dancing Dragon

D is for Dancing Dragon: A China Alphabet 

by Carol Crane , Zong Wang (Illustrator) 

Sleeping Bear Press, 2006

Summary:  By assigning a different aspect of Chinese Culture to each letter of the English Alphabet, the author is able to both entertain and inform the reader.  From legends of evil spirits to foods to Great Walls, there is much to learn about Chinese culture. 

Lesson: I read this book the week of Chinese New Year.  For the younger students, I focused mostly on the alphabet and the words that began with it.  I lingered on some of the more well-known cultural aspects, such as fireworks and kites.  For the older students, I ignored the alphabet and focused on the different aspects of culture, asking how it compared to some of our traditions.  Please note that Gale has a free teacher's guide for this book:  http://www.gale.cengage.com/pdf/TeachersGuides/DancingDragon.pdf

Level:  Kinder-5th 

The Story of the Chinese Zodiac

The Story of the Chinese Zodiac (El Zodiaco Chino)

by Monica Chang (Retold by) , Arthur Lee (Illustrator) , Beatriz Zeller (Translator)

Yuan-Liou Publishing Company, 1994

Summary:  The retelling of the Chinese legend of how their zodiac was created.  All of the animals are called to race, with the first 12 to cross the line earning a place in the zodiac.  Cat and Rat have a plan....

Lesson:  I read this the week of Chinese New Year.  I also made bookmarks with the birth years of all the grade levels corresponding to their Chinese Zodiac sign.  The children had fun figuring out their year, and that of siblings and friends. 

Level:  K-3rd