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, the history and traditions behind the celebration, and a personal reflection on the new year ahead.
Most Lunar New Year resources are built for elementary, with paper lantern crafts and coloring sheets. This one is built for high schoolers: real mythology, real cultural context, and a reflection that asks them to think about their own lives. The zodiac is the hook (every student wants to know their animal), but the reflection is where it lands. Students identify their own sign, then think about what they need to let go of to make room for good fortune.
BADGES: Editable Google Slides | No prep | Grades 9-12 | Cultural literacy | World History, Cultural Studies, ELA, Advisory
HOW IT WORKS:
Watch the TED-Ed video. “The Myth Behind the Chinese Zodiac” tells the origin story of the twelve zodiac animals. It’s short, visual, and packed with mythology students actually find fascinating. Watch together or assign it independently.
Walk through the slides. Visual, chunked slides cover the history, customs, and cultural significance of Lunar New Year. Display them at the front for a guided discussion, or have students work through them on their own devices.
Reflect on your sign. Students use the Chinese Zodiac website to find their own animal, learn its characteristics, and share details about their sign. Then comes the turn: what do they need to let go of to make room for good fortune in the new year? This is where cultural learning becomes personal connection.
WHO IS THIS ACTIVITY FOR?
High school classrooms (grades 9-12) in any subject where cultural awareness, global perspectives, or community building belongs
World History, Cultural Studies, ELA, Advisory, Homeroom, or any class exploring holidays around the world, Asian culture, or personal reflection
Late January or early February when Lunar New Year falls, though the zodiac and reflection pieces work any time you want a class period that builds connection and cultural literacy
STUDENT SKILLS:
Learn the mythology and cultural significance behind the Chinese Zodiac through a TED-Ed video
Discuss zodiac characteristics, traditions, and what they represent
Research their own Chinese Zodiac animal and present details about their sign
Reflect on their own lives and identify what they need to release to welcome new growth
Build cultural literacy about a holiday celebrated by over a billion people worldwide
EASY TO ADAPT:
Display the slides at the front for a full-class discussion, or assign the Google Slides for independent work
Use all the slides or select the pages that fit your pacing
REFUNDS:
Due to the nature of digital products, all sales are final and refunds are not available. Please review the product description and preview images carefully before purchasing. If you have trouble accessing your files, contact me at drea@deeplyhumanteaching.com and I’ll help resolve it.
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, the history and traditions behind the celebration, and a personal reflection on the new year ahead.
Most Lunar New Year resources are built for elementary, with paper lantern crafts and coloring sheets. This one is built for high schoolers: real mythology, real cultural context, and a reflection that asks them to think about their own lives. The zodiac is the hook (every student wants to know their animal), but the reflection is where it lands. Students identify their own sign, then think about what they need to let go of to make room for good fortune.
BADGES: Editable Google Slides | No prep | Grades 9-12 | Cultural literacy | World History, Cultural Studies, ELA, Advisory
HOW IT WORKS:
Watch the TED-Ed video. “The Myth Behind the Chinese Zodiac” tells the origin story of the twelve zodiac animals. It’s short, visual, and packed with mythology students actually find fascinating. Watch together or assign it independently.
Walk through the slides. Visual, chunked slides cover the history, customs, and cultural significance of Lunar New Year. Display them at the front for a guided discussion, or have students work through them on their own devices.
Reflect on your sign. Students use the Chinese Zodiac website to find their own animal, learn its characteristics, and share details about their sign. Then comes the turn: what do they need to let go of to make room for good fortune in the new year? This is where cultural learning becomes personal connection.
WHO IS THIS ACTIVITY FOR?
High school classrooms (grades 9-12) in any subject where cultural awareness, global perspectives, or community building belongs
World History, Cultural Studies, ELA, Advisory, Homeroom, or any class exploring holidays around the world, Asian culture, or personal reflection
Late January or early February when Lunar New Year falls, though the zodiac and reflection pieces work any time you want a class period that builds connection and cultural literacy
STUDENT SKILLS:
Learn the mythology and cultural significance behind the Chinese Zodiac through a TED-Ed video
Discuss zodiac characteristics, traditions, and what they represent
Research their own Chinese Zodiac animal and present details about their sign
Reflect on their own lives and identify what they need to release to welcome new growth
Build cultural literacy about a holiday celebrated by over a billion people worldwide
EASY TO ADAPT:
Display the slides at the front for a full-class discussion, or assign the Google Slides for independent work
Use all the slides or select the pages that fit your pacing
REFUNDS:
Due to the nature of digital products, all sales are final and refunds are not available. Please review the product description and preview images carefully before purchasing. If you have trouble accessing your files, contact me at drea@deeplyhumanteaching.com and I’ll help resolve it.