Gung Hay Fat Choy! We continued our exploration of China and learned about their culture and traditions involved when celebrating the Chinese New Year! The Chinese New Year officially begins on February 5th, 2019, and ends on February 19th.  This is the year of the pig. We learned that there are many preparations before the celebration.  The Chinese clean the house to sweep away the bad luck from last year.  They buy a new a new outfit and get a haircut to start the year all fresh and new.  There is a lot of food preparation as well to help ensure good health and wealth for the New Year.  On Chinese New Year's Eve or New Year's Day, parents will prepare a red envelope filled with gold coins and put it in their children's pocket. The red color of the envelope symbolizes good luck and is a symbol to ward off evil spirits.   The Chinese lucky money, also known as Hongbao or Yasuiqian in Chinese is a traditional way to wish good luck. Each of our class received their own red envelope filled with gold coins!  We then learned about the Dragon Dance and how it is an important part of this celebration that symbolizes the beginning of spring in China.   The children made their own Chinese Dragons and danced their own Dragon Dance to music used in this celebration.  At snack we enjoyed fortune cookies and reading our fortunes!