D is for Dancing Dragon A China Alphabet

D is for Dancing Dragon A China Alphabet Author: Carol Crane Illustrator: Zong-Zhou Wang Guide written by Cheryl K. Grinn Portions may be reproduced for use in the classroom with this express written consent of Sleeping Bear Press Published by Sleeping Bear Press 310 N. Main St., Suite 300 Chelsea, MI 48118 800-487-2323 www.sleepingbearpress.com

WHERE IN THE WORLD IS CHINA? People used to say that if you dug deep enough into the earth you would reach China. Silly, weren t they? What they were trying to say was that China is on the opposite side of the world from the United States. Use the map at the front of the book D is for Dancing Dragon and a globe to help you find these answers. 1. China is found on which continent? 2. The United States are on which continent? 3. Which ocean borders both the United States and China? 4. Name the country directly north of China. 5. True or False Thailand shares a border with China. 6. Is China closer to the United States or Australia? 7. Name two seas that border China. 8. In what part of China is Beijing. 9. Name the capital of Nepal. 10. Name the continent that borders China to the west.

That s BAD Luck!! Every society has symbols they consider bad luck. You ll learn about some of the symbols the Chinese consider bad luck on the C page of D is for Dancing Dragon. List 3 things the Chinese consider unlucky. 1. 2. 3. List 3 things you consider unlucky. 1. 2. 3. Do you believe these superstitions are real? Write a short paragraph explaining your feeling about superstitions.

Chinese Inventions D is for Dancing Dragons is a book that will teach you many interesting facts about China and the Chinese people. You will find many Chinese inventions throughout this book. Circle the Chinese inventions. Paper Pencil Typewriter Abacus Kite Compass Telephone Automobile Wheelbarrow Garden hose Printing Fireworks Chain pump What is your favorite Chinese invention? Tell why.

CHINA CROSSWORD FUN You will find the answers to this crossword throughout the wonderful book D is for Dancing Dragon. It is filled with interesting and fun facts about the country of China. Have FUN looking for these answers! C H I N A (C) Used for eating in China (H) People born in 1990 have this Chinese zodiac sign. (I) One of the Four Treasures of Study. (N) A Chinese greeting (A) Chinese paper cutting is a form of. List 3 things you found most interesting in D is for Dancing Dragon. 1. 2. 3.

ALPHABETIZE THE TEA Hot or cold, many people choose tea as their favorite beverage. One tale of how the Chinese started drinking tea can be found in D is for Dancing Dragon. Each of the following is a different type of tea. Put these teas in alphabetical order. Circle the tea you read about in D is for Dancing Dragon. Green Jasmine Earl Grey Camomille Black Peppermint English Breakfast Orange Pekoe 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8.

Golden Monkey Math How exciting it is to spot a group of Golden Monkeys in the trees as your boat travels through China s Three Gorges. To find the name of the river you are traveling on read D is for Dancing Dragon. The Three Gorges are on the River. Solve the following math equations. 1. 15 + 8 + 7 6 = 2. 100 + 86 30 = 3. 33 x 3 / 11 = 4. 78 26 2= 5. 225 40 76 + 10 = 6. 12 x 4 + 13 10 = 7. 400 / 10 + 15 + 20 = 8. 18 + 10 + 9 + 12 = 9. 100 60 25 15= 10. 25 x 3 + 46 75 =

Mighty Mt. Everest Read All About It Mighty Mt. Everest! Where can you discover the secrets of this mountain? You ll have fun learning about the mighty giant in D is for Dancing Dragon. Answer these questions about Mt. Everest. 1. Name the mountain range where Mt. Everest is found. 2. How long ago was Mt. Everest formed? 3. In what country is it found? 4. Who discovered Everest? 5. How many miles high is it? 6. Does it get taller or shorter each year? 7. What is its name in Nepal? 8. In Tibet it is called Chomolumgma; this means 9. True or False People can move easily across the Himalayas 10. Name the continent where Mt. Everest is found

Treasure Search Search high and low throughout D is for Dancing Dragon to find the answers to this search. 1. Who is the author of the book? 2. Where would you find a yurt? 3. Where is the Forbidden City? 4. What do Giant Pandas eat? 5. In which city will you find the Terra Cotta Warriors? 6. How many signs are there in the Chinese zodiac? 7. Name the second longest river in China. 8. The Precious Pearl is a symbol of 9. Can the Great Wall be seen from the moon? 10. What means of transportation was used on the Silk Road?

Ancient Instruments Chinese children spend time daily practicing their musical instruments. The piano and the violin are popular instruments for modern students. Discover the types of instruments that were played by the Chinese in ancient times in the book D is for Dancing Dragon. Write the correct name after each instrument. 1. Bamboo pipes of different lengths mounted on a base. 2. A two-string type of fiddle 3. This instrument can be made to sound like horses galloping 4. Stringed instrument similar to a guitar 5. Invented 3000 years ago and made of bronze Which of these ancient instruments would you enjoy playing?

Have you ever seen a Chinese Acrobat show? You don t have to go to China to have this experience. You can find troupes performing throughout the United States. Discover how these troupes were formed in D is for Dancing Dragon. Pretend you ve just won a contest and your prize is the opportunity to spend one day at the Chinese Acrobat training school. Describe your experience. Describe the people, food, and training you experienced during this wonderful week.

Make a Panda Diorama When we think of China, the panda often comes to mind. Maybe you ve see a live panda at the zoo. Discover many interesting facts about pandas on the P page of D is for Dancing Dragon. You can also read about dough figures on the K page. This project combines the panda and dough figurines. Panda Diorama Materials Shoe box Play dough or clay Colored paper Paint, brushes, glue, markers Scissors Procedure 1. Decide on the setting you will use for your panda. 2. Make your panda or pandas and let them dry. 3. Paint your pandas and let them dry. 4. Design the setting for your diorama in your shoebox. Don t forget to add some bamboo. 5. Add your pandas to complete your diorama.

Dragon Dance The dragon is a very important symbol to the Chinese. Learn about the important qualities the dragon is said to have in D is for Dancing Dragon. The Dragon Dance is held throughout China to celebrate the Chinese New Year. Have fun making a class dragon and performing your own Dragon Dance. Materials 1 shoe box per child 1 large box for the dragon s head. You may choose to make the head out of a large bag or papier mâché. Decorating materials paint, glossy paper, feathers, glitter, fabric, markers, beads, crayons, etc. Be creative! Scissors Glue Rulers or flat pieces of wood to attach for students to carry their pieces of the dragon. Each child will create their own part of the dragon s body. A group could work on the head. Attach the rulers to the parts of the body. Don t forget a tail! Play some Chinese music and have a wonderful Dragon Dance.

A Dragon Tale Dragons make us think about fairy tales. Find the importance of dragons to the Chinese people in D is for Dancing Dragon. Write a fairy tale about a Chinese dragon and its adventures. Once upon a time

We Love Vegetables! Survey and Graph Have you ever tasted bok choy? It s a type of Chinese cabbage. Vegetables are very important in the diets of the people in China. Discover many different vegetables the Chinese enjoy in D is for Dancing Dragon. Survey your class and another class to find the favorite vegetable of each student. Survey corn peas tomatoes potatoes other Use this data to make a pie chart. A pie chart shows the percentage of students that preferred each vegetable. It should equal 100%.

BUILD THE WALL Astronauts in space can see the Great Wall of China. Isn t that amazing?! Learn the history of this awesome structure in D is for Dancing Dragon. In order to get a feel for the size of the Great Wall, you will build a classroom Great Wall to scale. The wall is about 4,000 miles long. Materials Empty milk cartons or Lego type blocks Scissors Paint Directions 1. Determine the scale you will use for your wall. Collect the number of milk cartons or blocks you will need. 2. Wash cartons thoroughly and let dry. 3. Study pictures of the design of the wall. 4. Cut cartons to resemble the wall. 5. Paint or cover cartons with construction paper painted to look like stone. 6. Assemble your Great Wall. 7. Invite another class to view this amazing feat!

The day is bright and sunny with a light breeze. It s a perfect day for flying a kite. Did you ever wonder who invented the kite? Find the answer to this and many other questions in D is for Dancing Dragon. Use the space below to design your own kite. Make it bright and colorful. Choose an animal as the theme for your kite. Be creative! If you really like your design, make a version of it that will fly!

Did You Know? D is for Dancing Dragon is a wonderful book that describes the Chinese culture. After you have read this book, make a list of 10 things you would like Chinese children to know about America. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.

Let s Have a Lantern Parade A children s lantern parade! Sounds like fun, doesn t it? Read about how and when this parade is held in D is for Dancing Dragon. Below are the directions for making a Chinese style lantern. Perhaps you can have a class lantern parade. Materials 12 x 18 Sheet of red construction paper Crayons, markers, glitter, paint etc. Scissors A rod or stick to hang and carry lantern Ruler Directions 1. Use Chinese designs or ideas you ve seen in D is for Dancing Dragon to decorate your paper. Decorate on one side only. Plan your design on scrap paper before you start. 2. Fold your paper (decorated side out) hot dog style. 3. Use a ruler and mark off every 2 inches along the fold. 4. Cut from the fold on each 2-inch mark. Cut toward the open end, stopping 2 inches before the end. 5. Open the paper and bend the short sides to form a circle shape. Staple the open ends together at the top, middle, and bottom. 6. Make a 2-inch-wide red paper strip and staple to the top of the lantern to form a handle. Carry your lantern on your stick or ruler.

The year 2008 will be a very special year for China. Beijing will be hosting the summer Olympics. Learn more about the capital of China in the interesting book D is for Dancing Dragon. Design a logo that you think would represent China as the host of the 2008 Olympics.

SAVE THE PANDA The Giant Panda is an endangered species. Its habitat is becoming smaller and smaller. Learn many facts about the panda on the P page of D is for Dancing Dragon. Write a letter to the newspaper editor explaining why you feel it is or isn t important to save the panda. State your opinion. Give 3 facts that support your opinion. Restate your opinion. Dear Editor,

Fireworks Poetry When we think of the Fourth of July we often think of the wonderful fireworks that light the night sky. Did you know the Chinese invented fireworks? D is for Dancing is a great book about China. In it you can learn about fireworks and other Chinese inventions. Write a poem about fireworks. Try to use words that paint a picture of the sight, sound, and feelings you get when you view fireworks. Carefully print your poem on a piece of white paper. On a sheet of black construction paper draw fireworks to go with your poem. Use fluorescent or metallic crayons or markers or paint to draw your fireworks. Glue your poem on your fireworks picture. Share your poem and picture with your class. Compose your poem.

Write a Puppet Show The Chinese find it fun to use performing arts to express their feelings. Learn about the different colors of faces and their meanings in D is for Dancing Dragon. Make colored face masks. Write a puppet play that will use the masks. Use a group of classmates to practice and perform your show.

VENN DIAGRAM Holidays, beliefs, songs, and crafts are all a part of what makes up a culture. Learn about the Chinese culture in the fact-filled book D is for Dancing Dragon. Think about the American culture and compare it with the Chinese culture. Make a Venn diagram showing the similarities and differences between the two cultures. If you could choose one holiday from the Chinese culture to celebrate, which holiday would you choose? Why did you make this choice?

Is This Me? The Chinese zodiac is different from the one that people use in the United States. You can find paper cuts of their zodiac on the Z page of D is for Dancing Dragon. Find the year you were born to figure out your sign, and read the characteristics of a person born in that year. Write a short paragraph explaining why these traits do or don t describe you. Do the same for a member of your family.

D is for Dancing Dragon Answer Sheet WHERE IN THE WORLD IS CHINA- 1) Asia 2) North America 3) Pacific 4) Mongolia or Russia 5) False 6) Australia 7) Yellow, East China 8) Northeast 9) Kathmandu 10) Europe THAT S BAD LUCK- 1) don t point the spout of a teapot toward a guest 2) 4 chairs at a table 3) a 4 th floor in a hotel WHAT DID THE CHINESE INVENT- paper, abacus, kite, compass, wheelbarrow, printing, fireworks, chain pump CHINA CROSSWORD- 1) chopsticks 2) horse 3) ink 4) Ni hao 5) art ALPHABETIZE THE TEA- black, camomille, Earl Grey, English breakfast, green, jasmine, orange pekoe, peppermint GOLDEN MONKEY MATH- Yangtze River 1) 24 2) 156 3) 9 4) 50 5) 119 6) 51 7) 75 8) 49 9) 0 10) 46 MIGHTY MT. EVEREST- 1) Himalayan Mt. Range 2) 60 million years 3) Nepal 4) George Everest 5) 5 6) taller 7) Sagarmatha 8) mother goddess of the land 9) false 10) Asia TREASURE SEARCH- 1) Carol Crane 2) Mongolia 3) Beijing 4) bamboo 5) X ian 6) 12 7) Yellow 8) wisdom 9) no 10) camels ANCIENT INSTRUMENTS- 1) sheng 2) ehru 3) pipa 4) lute 5) bells