long ago in china, the jade emperor, the almighty chinese god, · the jade emperor looked out to...

Name: edHelper

Chinese Fable: Chinese Zodiac

Long ago in China, the Jade Emperor, the almighty Chinese God, decided to have a race. The Jade Emperor was the ruler of the heavens. He announced that he would set up a system that runs in a 12-year cycle. He called it the Zodiac. He offered to hold a contest on his birthday. The first twelve animals of his kingdom to arrive at the finish line would receive the honor of having a year named after them. All the animals were very excited!

Rat was ambitious. It wanted to win the first prize. Yet, it had two problems. The first was about the timing. Because the race would start at the crack of dawn, Rat was afraid that it could not wake up on time. The second was about the route. As the finish line would be directly beyond a swift river, Rat needed to find a way to cross the current. Just when Rat was contemplating a solution, it bumped into its best friend, Cat. After a lengthy discussion, the two animals came up with a brilliant idea. They decided to solicit help from Ox. Rat and Cat figured that Ox - always being an early riser and a good swimmer - could wake them up before sunrise and carry them across the river. With their minds made up, Rat and Cat went to see Ox. Out of kindness, Ox agreed to help. Hence, the three animals formed an alliance. They promised to help each other, so they could share the first prize.

On the day of the race, Ox woke up Rat and Cat and put them on its back. Just when Ox was half way across the river, Rat had a second thought about the plan. It wondered, "Why should I share the glory with Cat? Look at it! It just lies on Ox's back sleeping! What a lazy animal Cat is! Come to think of it, what if Cat decides not to honor the agreement? It runs fast. Surely, it can get to the finish line before I do, once Ox reaches the bank." Eager to win, Rat decided to get rid of Cat. It quietly crept next to Cat and gave it a push. SPLASH! Cat fell into the river. Not knowing how to swim, Cat called out for help. To its horror, Rat pretended not to hear its pleas and urged Ox to keep on moving.

Finally, Ox reached the other side of the river and climbed ashore. As soon as they were on the dry land, Rat jumped from Ox's back and ran ahead toward the finish line. Ox could not believe its eyes! It called out, "Wait for me! I thought we had a pact! And where is Cat?" Rat didn't stop. It kept on charging ahead. Just as it had dreamed,Rat won the contest! The Jade Emperor congratulated Rat and named the first year "Rat." Before long, Ox also reached the finish line and took the second spot. Ox was furious at Rat. It accused Rat of breaking the deal. Rat laughed smugly and said, "How naive you are! Why should I - the smartest of all creatures - share the title with Cat and you? It's your own mistake to trust me!" Ox wanted to argue more, but it was not very good at expressing its opinions. Though upset by Rat's deceitful act, Ox decided to drop the matter.

Then, Tiger arrived and settled for the third prize. The Jade Emperor waited patiently for more animals to come. From a distance, he heard a thumping sound and saw Rabbit leaping toward him. He registered Rabbit as the fourth Zodiac animal. Just as he was recording Rabbit in his book, Dragon descended from the sky and took the fifth place. The Jade Emperor wondered how Rabbit crossed the river and why Dragon came so late. Rabbit answered first. It told the Jade Emperor that, thanks to its powerful hind legs, it was able to jump from one stone to another that were scattered across the riverbed. Dragon apologized to the Jade Emperor for being late. It said that, on the way here, it saw people crying and stopped to ask why. People told Dragon that they wanted to grow rice, but there wasn't enough rain. Feeling compassion, Dragon gathered clouds and made rain for them. The Jade Emperor was happy. He praised Rabbit for its quick wit and Dragon for its unselfishness.

Next to reach the finish line was Snake. It beat Horse by a narrow margin.

The Jade Emperor looked out to the river and saw Monkey, Goat, and Rooster standing on a log and working as a team to maneuver their makeshift raft across the swift current. Once ashore, they helped each other to reach the destination. Goat took eighth place, Monkey ninth, and Rooster took tenth.

After a while, no other animals showed up. Then, suddenly, Dog emerged. It told the Jade Emperor that it could have been here earlier, had it not stopped to play in the water.

Name: edHelper

Now, just one more spot was left in the Chinese Zodiac. Which animal would come next? Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Chicken, Dog, and the Jade Emperor all fixed their eyes on a black dot that gradually drew closer. Aha! It was Pig. Pig told the Jade Emperor that it overslept. It was happy that it secured the last prize!

The Jade Emperor gathered all twelve winners together and congratulated them. Then, all of a sudden, he heard noises coming from the direction of the river. He turned to look what the commotion was about. It was Cat! Soaking wet and gasping, Cat rushed to the Jade Emperor and called out, "I am here! I am here! Did I win?" The Jade Emperor explained to Cat that it was too late. He only needed twelve animals for the Zodiac, and unfortunately, Cat was the 13th animal to cross the finish line. Enraged, Cat charged toward Rat and wanted to kill the betrayer. Yet, Rat was faster. It sought refuge by hiding under the Jade Emperor's chair. Seeing this and not wanting to anger the Jade Emperor, Cat refrained from its pursuit. It vowed that Rat would now be its archenemy. From that point on even until today, Rat always tries to stay clear of Cat!

Chinese Fable: Chinese Zodiac

Questions

1. How many animals does the Chinese Zodiac have?

A. thirteenB. twentyC. sevenD. twelve

2. Which three animals teamed up to cross the river with a log?

A. Pig, Dog, and HorseB. Dragon, Tiger, and RabbitC. Rooster, Monkey, and GoatD. Rat, Cat, and Ox

3. Why did Dragon come late?

A. It stopped on the way to kidnap a princess.B. It stopped on the way to make rain.C. It stopped on the way to put out a fire.D. It stopped on the way to burn a forest.

4. Jade Emperor was disgusted by Rat's cheating act, so he disqualified Rat and gave the first prize to Cat.

A. trueB. false

5. Rabbit crossed the river by hopping from one stone to another that were scattered across the riverbed.

A. trueB. false

6. Which of the following animals represents the seventh year of the Chinese Zodiac?

A. PigB. HorseC. RabbitD. Monkey

Name:edHelper

417,1- 578

215- 142

469,1- 969

494,1- 605

865- 164

040,1- 232

423,1- 019

184- 821

150,1- 004

317- 752

919- 163

641,1- 114

898- 211

225,1- 667

854- 423

804,1- 838

317- 311

411,1- 185

854,1- 758

315,1- 037

198- 355

921,1- 168

853,1- 797

565- 933

620,1- 023

929- 936

119- 447

249- 817

388- 703

889- 211

945- 013

277- 145

751,1- 049

665,1- 798

020,1- 624

8+ 7

+ 3

+ 3

- 4

+ 7

+ 7

13-

72+ 5

- 8

42+

72+

43

https://www.edhelper.com

Name: edHelper

Chinese New Year Traditions

The Chinese New Year is the most important holiday for Chinese people. Like Thanksgiving celebrated in the United States, the Chinese New Year is a time for family. Regardless how far away they live from their parents, Chinese people will do their best to go back home and have a big feast with their families on the eve of the Chinese New Year. For fifteen days, Chinese people are very careful not to do anything disrespectful to their ancestors or mythical gods. By behaving properly, Chinese people believe that their ancestors and gods will grant them fortune and luck in the coming year.

So, what are the appropriate codes of conduct? Well, here is a checklist of DOs and DON'Ts during the Chinese New Year:

DOs

< UL><LI>Do wear red clothes. Red symbolizes fortune and luck.<LI>Do set aside grudges against enemies and call off unpaid debt. Let bygones be bygones - if personal differences or financial obligations cannot be settled before the Chinese New Year, they shall be forgotten.<LI>Do clean your house thoroughly before the Chinese New Year, so misfortune will be cleaned away to make room for good fortune.<LI>Do have a dish of a whole fish for the feast on the Chinese New Year's eve. Make sure that you leave some to be eaten on the following day. As "fish" and "extra" have the same pronunciation in Chinese, having a fish left over from a previous year corresponds to a popular Chinese proverb meaning "having extra every year."<LI>Do give red envelopes (stuffed with money) to your parents, your children, or the children of your friends and relatives. You will only need to do so if you are married. When giving out red envelopes, you are wishing that the recipient would not grow old.</UL>

DON'Ts

< UL><LI>Don't wear white or black clothing. Traditionally, Chinese people regard black and white colors as symbols of death.<LI>Don't curse. Speaking foul language is disrespectful.<LI>Don't utter the word "four" as it is pronounced the same as "death" in Chinese.<LI>Don't clean your house or throw away garbage on the first day of the Chinese New Year. Chinese people believe that fortune will be swept away.<LI>Don't use sharp objects (such as knives and scissors) on the first day of the Chinese New Year. Using sharp objects symbolizes cutting off wealth and having to suffer from injury.<LI>Don't break anything. Shattering things into pieces is considered bad luck.</UL>

Although some of the taboos and customs observed during the Chinese New Year may seem superstitious, it is fun to experience and learn about a different culture!

Chinese New Year Traditions

Questions

1. What is the most important holiday for Chinese people?

A. Dragon Boat FestivalB. Mid-Autumn Moon FestivalC. ThanksgivingD. Chinese New Year

2. Chinese people have a big feast on the first day of their New Year.

A. falseB. true

Name: edHelper

3. Which of the following about the Chinese New Year is true?

A. Using knives on the eve of the Chinese New Year is taboo.B. All house cleaning shall be done on the first day of the Chinese New Year.C. Wearing white clothing is not recommended.D. It lasts 25 days.

4. Which of the following behaviors is acceptable during the Chinese New Year?

A. Settling debts from the previous year.B. Wearing red outfits.C. Breaking glasses.D. Using the word "four."

5. Which of the following behaviors is NOT acceptable during the Chinese New Year?

A. Setting aside personal grudges.B. Giving red envelopes to your parents and children.C. Wearing black dresses.D. Having some fish left over from the feast on the eve of the Chinese New Year.

6. Why can't Chinese people use knives and scissors on the first day of their New Year?

A. To show respect for their ancestors and mythical gods.B. To avoid sweeping away fortune.C. To make sure that they have extra in the coming year.D. To avoid cutting off fortune.

7. Which of the following symbolizes death in Chinese?

A. FourB. White clothesC. Black clothesD. All of the above

8. What is the preferred color for the Chinese New Year?

A. GreenB. WhiteC. YellowD. Red

Rewrite the sentence correctly.cool lets go shouted frank as he ran toward the roller coaster

Read the topic. Try to make it better. The first one is done for you.

Topic: pizza

1. making homemade pizza, tossing the dough in the air, and covering it with sauce, cheese, and toppings

2.word root curr can mean run current, undercurrent

Name:edHelper

A number plus 9 is sixty-nine. What is the number?

677 exceeds twelve times a number by 89. What is the number?

If a number is decreased by 10, the result is 19. What is the number?

Eight times a number, increased by fourteen, equals one hundred two. What is the number?


Name: edHelper

Red Equals Good LuckBy Jody Williams

Chinese New Year is filled with tradition. A tradition is something that has been done year after year. Many times these traditions are handed down from generation to generation. One tradition of the Chinese New Year is to hand out red envelopes. Red envelopes are given out on New Year's Day. The envelopes are red because red means good luck and happiness in the Chinese culture. Red envelopes are given to children and people who are not married. The amount inside each envelope is different. It depends upon each family's income.It also depends upon how old each person receiving an envelope is. Many times young children receive less money than older children and adults. No matter what the amount inside the envelope, chances are that it is an even number and a new note or bill. Both symbolize good luck for the New Year.

Red Equals Good Luck

Questions

1. What does it mean when something is handed down from generation to generation?

2. The color red is used because it means ______ in the Chinese culture.

A. love and friendshipB. stop and waitC. fire and excitementD. good luck and happiness

3. Who are red envelopes given to?

4. What things determine the amount of money in the red envelope?

A. family incomeB. age of person receiving envelopeC. both A and BD. neither A nor B

Name: edHelper

5. Using information from the story, why would a person probably not find seventeen dollars in a red envelope?

6. The writer's main reason for writing this story was to ______ her readers.

A. informB. persuade or convinceC. entertainD. none of the above

4 3+ 2 2

Which is the largest?

75.8 ÷ 4.3 75.8 ÷ 4.5 75.8 ÷ 4.47 9 8

- 3 4 4

Write 849,037 in words.13 km = m

How many digits are in ten times ten?

1 lb = 16 oz

20 lb = oz

How many pounds are in 48 ounces?

pounds

For 5,129,982,990,698, write the digit that is in the ten thousands place.

4 x 8 = Write a letter that has two or more lines of symmetry. 2 6 9

+ 2 5 98 8

- 4 2

Name:edHelper

Can you draw lines to cover every number or shape in the picture?You can only move left, right, up, or down. And definitely no starting or stopping in a blank spot!

The first one is already done for you. Good luck.

Draw exactly 8 lines.Start on 1.Do not pick up your pencil.

12

34

56

7 8

9

66

444

2 7

8

Draw exactly 7 lines.Start on 1.Do not pick up your pencil.

1

2 3

4 5

67

811

2

7

6

33

6

5

Draw exactly 5 lines.Start on the square.Do not pick up your pencil.




1

Name

A Festival for Family: Chinese New Year

Answer the following questions BEFORE you read this book.Write what you know. If you want to guess, you can. You will NOTbe marked wrong!

1.When is Chinese New Year?

2.How long is the celebration of Chinese New Year?

3.How are Chinese New Year celebrations different from American New Year celebrations?

2 A Festival for Family: Chinese New Year

The Chinese New Year is a special holiday to the

Chinese people. It is also called the Spring Festival.

Chinese New Year is not January 1. The date is

different each year. The holiday is based on the

moon's cycles. Chinese New Year's Day may be as

early as January 21. It may be as late as February

20. In 2012, Chinese New Year's Day was January

23. Chinese New Year lasts longer than just one

day. It begins the first night of the new moon

during the first Chinese lunar month. That first new

moon night is New Year's Eve. The next day is

New Year's Day. The festival lasts until the first

night of the full moon. That is the fifteenth day of

the first Chinese lunar month. The Lantern Festival

is the end of the Spring Festival and the Chinese

New Year celebrations.

3

Chinese New Year is a festival for family. Before

New Year's Eve, many preparations are made.

Houses must be well cleaned. Per tradition, families

must "sweep out" all the bad luck from the old year

to make way for good luck to come in the new year.

All Chinese children, no matter how old they are,

will do their best to go back home for the holiday.

They may travel far to get there. On Chinese New

Year's Eve, families gather for a reunion dinner.

There is a big family feast. Photo credit: Alpha


Red means good luck. It is said to keep away evil

spirits. Windows and doors are decorated with red

paper. Poems written on red paper are placed on

walls. People wear red clothes. Gifts of money are

given in red paper envelopes. These are usually

given by married couples to single people, both

young and old. Younger children get less money

than older children and adults. The amount of

money given is usually an even number.

(Odd-numbered money gifts are given at funerals.)

Money should not be given in amounts of 4, 40, or

400. These are bad luck. That is because the word

"four" sounds the same as the word "death."

5

For the Lantern Festival on the last day, beautiful lanterns

are hung everywhere! Many of them are traditional red

globe lanterns. Lanterns may also look like fish, goats, or

dragons. Children carry lanterns through the streets.

Lanterns may float in water. Sometimes lanterns are

floated up into the sky. People get together to enjoy the

beautiful lanterns and to celebrate with different activities.

There are parades. Puzzles are written on lanterns, and

people have fun solving them. Lions dance in the streets.

People in a huge lion costume dance to the music of gongs

and beating drums. It is believed that the lion brings good

luck. The evening ends with fireworks! Happy Chinese

New Year!


Name

A Festival for Family: Chinese New Year

Answer the following questions AFTER you have completed this book.

1.Chinese New Year is celebrated during the month of or

2.The Chinese New Year celebration lasts for days.

3.Chinese New Year is also called

7A Festival for Family: Chinese New Year

4.Giving gifts of money in red envelopes is one tradition that is followed during Chinese New Year. What traditions does your family follow? Describe how your family celebrates the New Year's holiday.

1

Name

Celebrate Chinese New Year!Answer the following questions BEFORE you read this book.Write what you know. If you want to guess, you can. You will NOTbe marked wrong!

1.When is Chinese New Year?

2.How long is the celebration of Chinese New Year?

3.How are Chinese New Year celebrations different from American New Year celebrations?

2 Celebrate Chinese New Year!

The Chinese New Year is the most important holiday to the

Chinese people. Chinese New Year is not January 1. It

happens at different times each year. That's because it is

determined by the Chinese lunar calendar. Chinese New

Year's Day may be as early as January 21. It may be as late

as February 20. In 2012, Chinese New Year's Day was

January 23.

3

Chinese New Year is more than just a one-day holiday. It is

also called the Spring Festival. It begins the night before

New Year's Day (New Year's Eve) with the new moon and

lasts until the Lantern Festival on the fifteenth day of the

first Chinese lunar month. The Lantern Festival is held on

the first full moon night in the Chinese calendar. It marks

the return of spring. Chinese New Year celebrates change.

It celebrates getting rid of the old and welcoming the new.


Chinese New Year is filled with rituals. Before New Year's Eve,

many preparations are done. Houses must be well cleaned.

According to tradition, families have to "sweep out" all the bad luck

from the old year to make way for good luck to come in the new year.

Knives and scissors are put away. It is bad luck to use anything sharp

on the first day of the Chinese New Year. Using sharp objects

symbolizes cutting off wealth or luck.

5

Debts should be paid so that the new year can be more prosperous.

Grudges and disagreements should be settled or forgotten.


Chinese New Year is a time for family. All Chinese

children, no matter how old they are, will do their best to go

back home for the holiday. They may travel far to get there.

On Chinese New Year's Eve, families gather for a reunion

dinner. There is a big family feast. A whole fish is served.

Families make sure that some fish is leftover to be eaten the

following day. "Fish" and "extra" sound the same in

Chinese, so having fish left over from the previous year

symbolizes "having extra" in the new year.

7

For the fifteen days of the Chinese New Year festivities,

people are very careful not to do anything disrespectful.

They believe that their ancestors and mythical gods will

reward their good behavior. They wish for fortune and good

luck in the coming year. Bowing is one way to show respect.


Windows and doors are decorated with paper decorations.

They say things like "good fortune," "happiness," "wealth,"

and "longevity." Red is the main color. Red symbolizes

good luck and is supposed to ward off evil spirits. People

wear red clothes and decorate their homes with red objects.

9

Another custom is giving money in red paper envelopes.

Red envelopes are usually given by married couples to

single people, young and old. The amount inside each

envelope is different depending on each family's income.

Younger children receive less money than older children and

adults. The amount of money in the envelopes is usually an

even number. (Odd-numbered money gifts are given at

funerals.) Money should not be given in amounts with the

digit four. Amounts of 4, 40, or 400 are bad luck because the

word "four" sounds the same as the word "death."


On the first day of the Chinese New Year, people do not do

any house cleaning. They do not throw away any garbage.

Cleaning might cause fortune and good luck to be swept

away. People are also extra careful not to break anything.

Breaking things into pieces is considered bad luck.

11

Some symbolic foods eaten during the holiday are noodles,

whole chickens, and oranges. Noodles bring longevity, or

long life. Whole chickens bring prosperity and family

togetherness. Oranges bring good fortune.


China is a very large country. Different customs are found in

different parts of China. Each day of the Chinese New Year

festival has its own customs. For the Lantern Festival on the

last day, beautiful lanterns are hung in shopping malls, on

city streets, in city parks, and at homes. There are traditional

red globe lanterns, but lanterns may also look like fish, goats,

or dragons.

13

People get together to enjoy the beautiful lanterns and to

celebrate with different activities. There are parades. Puzzles

are written on lanterns, and people have fun solving them.

Lions dance in the streets. People in a huge lion costume

dance to the music of gongs and beating drums. It is

believed that the lion brings good luck.


The festivities include favorite foods and last into the night

when the first full moon of the New Year shines down on

the revelers. The glow of hundreds or even thousands of

lanterns light up the night. Children may carry lanterns

through the streets. Lanterns may float in water. Sometimes

lanterns are floated up into the sky.

15

The evening ends with fireworks! Happy Chinese New Year!


Name

Celebrate Chinese New Year!Answer the following questions AFTER you have completed this book.

1.Chinese New Year is celebrated during the month of or

2.The Chinese New Year celebration lasts for days.

3.Chinese New Year is also called

4.The color is often used during the Chinese New Year because it means

in the Chinese culture.

17Celebrate Chinese New Year!

5.Give evidence from the text to explain why nineteen dollars would probably not be given in a red envelope.

6.Giving red envelopes is one tradition that is followed during Chinese New Year. What traditions does your family follow? Describe how your family celebrates the New Year's holiday.


7.Pick one of the traditions described in this book that you would like for your family to adopt and include in your annual New Year's celebrations. Write a letter to your mom or dad to persuade her or him why your family should adopt this tradition.

19Celebrate Chinese New Year!

long ago in china, the jade emperor, the almighty chinese god, · the jade emperor looked out to...

Documents