Draper Elementary students welcomed the Lunar New Year with music, dance and performances that blended language learning with centuries-old Chinese traditions.

Their annual celebration gave students the chance to showcase what they’ve learned in the school’s dual immersion Chinese program while exploring the culture behind the language.

Fifth-grader James Baker said the celebration makes learning Mandarin more engaging because students connect the language to hands-on cultural activities.

“It’s fun to learn about Chinese New Year because we do a lot of fun activities,” he said. “This year, we got to use brushes called marbles and write good fortune on red paper and hang them for the new year.”

James said learning Chinese is challenging.

“Writing is harder in characters, but they look cool instead of letters. We have to use the correct tones or it can change the word’s meaning. Even though it’s hard, it’s fun,” he said.

Throughout the school, students explored traditions tied to the Lunar New Year. Red paper decorations symbolizing good fortune were made to be hung, echoing a common custom in Chinese communities. 

Fifth-grader Addie Smith said she likes the experience of both learning the language and the cultural traditions.

“Learning Chinese opens a new world with both the language and culture,” she said. “I like the custom of hanging lanterns for Chinese New Year.”

Addie also said they learned about the Chinese Zodiac calendar, Nian monster and symbolic meanings behind the lion and dragon dance.

“I plan to continue studying Chinese, and I’d like to travel using Chinese,” she said, adding she speaks it some with her first-grade brother and fourth-grade sister, who also are learning the language.

At the assembly, each grade level contributed performances reflecting both Chinese culture and their language level.

First-grade students demonstrated a traditional Chinese game similar to the American “Patty Cake” and sung “I love my family.” They also performed a fan dance to the popular folk song, “Jasmine Flower.”

Second graders performed a kung-fu fan dance to “Youth of China,” inspired by a Chinse poem about the important role young people play in shaping a nation. They also sang “Into the Spring Hills,” a song celebrating the arrival of spring, friendship and togetherness.

Third-grade students combined martial arts with a flag dance and also, performed a song accompanied by sign language.

Fourth graders showed the lion and dragon dances, a tradition at many Lunar New Year celebrations believed to bring good luck and prosperity.

The audience took a journey through Chinese culture with the fifth-grade performance. First, they recited the poem, “On the Stork Tower,” which reflects the idea of striving for high goals, and performed “Spring Morning,” a poem that captures the quiet beauty of nature. They also performed an energetic dance to the song, “New Year Happiness Around,” which focused on spreading joy, staying healthy and supporting one another.

Then, the entire school joined to sing “Gong Xi, Gong Xi,” a well-known New Year song written in 1945 to celebrate the end of the long winter and arrival of peace. The phrase means “congratulations” and “blessings.”

Principal Ronnie Mulqueen said the celebration also highlighted the significance of this year in the Chinese zodiac.

“This year is a very special one because it is the Year of the Horse,” she said. “In Chinese culture, the horse is a symbol of incredible energy, strength and speed. People born in the Year of the Horse are said to be brave, independent and full of life – just like many of you here at our school.”