Lunar New Year Activity
This Lunar New Year activity for high school introduces students to one of the world's most widely celebrated holidays through a TED-Ed video on the Chinese Zodiac, exploring the history and traditions behind the celebration, and a personal reflection on the new year ahead.
Students learn the myth behind the zodiac animals, identify their own Chinese Zodiac sign, and reflect on what they need to let go of to make room for good fortune.
This no-prep Google Slides activity works for World History, Cultural Studies, ELA, Advisory, or any class in grades 9–12.
HOW THIS RESOURCE IS STRUCTURED:
Part 1 — TED-Ed Video: "The Myth Behind the Chinese Zodiac"
Students watch the linked TED-Ed video exploring the origin story of the twelve zodiac animals. Short, visually engaging, and packed with mythology that students actually find fascinating. Watch together as a class or assign independently.
Part 2 — Interactive Slides on Lunar New Year Traditions
Visual, chunked slides walk students through the history, customs, and cultural significance of Lunar New Year. The slides are designed with visuals and bullet points to hold attention — display at the front of the class for a guided discussion or have students work through them on their own devices.
Part 3 — Personal Reflection on Your Zodiac Sign
Students explore the Chinese Zodiac website to find their own zodiac animal, learn the characteristics associated with it, and share details about their sign. Then the reflection turn: students think about what they need to let go of in order to make room for good fortune in the new year. This is where the activity moves from cultural learning to personal connection.
Easy to adapt to your classroom:
⭐ Display the slides at the front of the room for a full-class discussion OR assign the Google Slides version for independent work
⭐ Use all slides or select the pages that fit your pacing
Google Slides can be used on both PC and Mac but requires a Google account and internet access. Need one? Create a free account here: https://accounts.google.com/signup/v2/webcreateaccount?flowName=GlifWebSignIn&flowEntry=SignUp
This product is for PERSONAL USE ONLY.
WHO IS THIS ACTIVITY FOR?
This activity is built for high school classrooms (grades 9–12) in any subject where cultural awareness, global perspectives, or community building belongs in the conversation. It's especially strong in late January or early February when Lunar New Year falls — but the zodiac and reflection components work any time you want a class period that builds connection and cultural literacy.
Works for: World History, Cultural Studies, ELA, Advisory, Homeroom, or any class exploring holidays around the world, Asian culture, or personal reflection.
STUDENT SKILLS:
✅ Students learn the mythology and cultural significance behind the Chinese Zodiac through a TED-Ed video
✅ Students engage in class discussion about zodiac characteristics, traditions, and what they represent
✅ Students research their own Chinese Zodiac animal and present details about their sign
✅ Students reflect on their own lives — identifying what they need to release to welcome new growth
✅ Students build cultural literacy about a holiday celebrated by over a billion people worldwide
WHAT MAKES THIS RESOURCE DIFFERENT:
Most Lunar New Year classroom resources are built for elementary — paper lantern crafts and coloring sheets. This one is designed for high school students: real mythology, real cultural context, and a personal reflection that asks them to think about their own lives. The zodiac piece is the hook (every student wants to know their animal), but the reflection is where the activity lands.
This Lunar New Year activity for high school introduces students to one of the world's most widely celebrated holidays through a TED-Ed video on the Chinese Zodiac, exploring the history and traditions behind the celebration, and a personal reflection on the new year ahead.
Students learn the myth behind the zodiac animals, identify their own Chinese Zodiac sign, and reflect on what they need to let go of to make room for good fortune.
This no-prep Google Slides activity works for World History, Cultural Studies, ELA, Advisory, or any class in grades 9–12.
HOW THIS RESOURCE IS STRUCTURED:
Part 1 — TED-Ed Video: "The Myth Behind the Chinese Zodiac"
Students watch the linked TED-Ed video exploring the origin story of the twelve zodiac animals. Short, visually engaging, and packed with mythology that students actually find fascinating. Watch together as a class or assign independently.
Part 2 — Interactive Slides on Lunar New Year Traditions
Visual, chunked slides walk students through the history, customs, and cultural significance of Lunar New Year. The slides are designed with visuals and bullet points to hold attention — display at the front of the class for a guided discussion or have students work through them on their own devices.
Part 3 — Personal Reflection on Your Zodiac Sign
Students explore the Chinese Zodiac website to find their own zodiac animal, learn the characteristics associated with it, and share details about their sign. Then the reflection turn: students think about what they need to let go of in order to make room for good fortune in the new year. This is where the activity moves from cultural learning to personal connection.
Easy to adapt to your classroom:
⭐ Display the slides at the front of the room for a full-class discussion OR assign the Google Slides version for independent work
⭐ Use all slides or select the pages that fit your pacing
Google Slides can be used on both PC and Mac but requires a Google account and internet access. Need one? Create a free account here: https://accounts.google.com/signup/v2/webcreateaccount?flowName=GlifWebSignIn&flowEntry=SignUp
This product is for PERSONAL USE ONLY.
WHO IS THIS ACTIVITY FOR?
This activity is built for high school classrooms (grades 9–12) in any subject where cultural awareness, global perspectives, or community building belongs in the conversation. It's especially strong in late January or early February when Lunar New Year falls — but the zodiac and reflection components work any time you want a class period that builds connection and cultural literacy.
Works for: World History, Cultural Studies, ELA, Advisory, Homeroom, or any class exploring holidays around the world, Asian culture, or personal reflection.
STUDENT SKILLS:
✅ Students learn the mythology and cultural significance behind the Chinese Zodiac through a TED-Ed video
✅ Students engage in class discussion about zodiac characteristics, traditions, and what they represent
✅ Students research their own Chinese Zodiac animal and present details about their sign
✅ Students reflect on their own lives — identifying what they need to release to welcome new growth
✅ Students build cultural literacy about a holiday celebrated by over a billion people worldwide
WHAT MAKES THIS RESOURCE DIFFERENT:
Most Lunar New Year classroom resources are built for elementary — paper lantern crafts and coloring sheets. This one is designed for high school students: real mythology, real cultural context, and a personal reflection that asks them to think about their own lives. The zodiac piece is the hook (every student wants to know their animal), but the reflection is where the activity lands.