Welcome back to the CAFYIR blog! This Friday is Lunar New Year so, today, we will be telling you all about it. Keep reading to learn more about what Lunar New Year is, common traditions and customs, and some fun activities you can do to celebrate!
CAFYIR Corner
CAFYIR on the Computer
This week the CAFYIR on the Computer students are discussing advocacy, activism, and empowerment and how it relates to the freedoms and rights we all enjoy today.
Our 6th-8th graders have also started to brainstorm ideas for their big, end of year project. More information to come!
We hope you learn a lot of new information from our content as well. Feel free to share anything you’ve learned, a topic you are interested in, questions, or anything else with us at cafyir@gmail.com.
Social Media
Each day this week CAFYIR's social media will have informative and engaging, Lunar New Year themed posts. Be sure to check it out!
If you'd like to support our mission and learn a lot of new things while doing it, check us out on social media! Leave a like and follow, tag us in posts of you trying new things, and use the #CAFYIR when applying what you learned in our blog posts or YouTube videos.
Instagram: @cafyir
Facebook: @Cafyir Programs
Twitter: @cafyir
Get Involved
If you'd like to get involved and help us provide hands-on, interactive lessons and workshops to students, consider sending your gently used books or school supplies (i.e. binders, backpacks, textbooks, and pencil cases) to 6441 S Chickasaw Trail, Ste. 189, Orlando, FL 32829. The supplies will be used as a part of our curriculum or given to students in need.
Fantastic Fact Floor
Today's fact theme is Lunar New Year! If you know any facts about Lunar New Year, share them with us on social media using the #CAFYIR.
Did you know that Lunar New Year is also called the Spring Festival and Chinese New Year?!
Did you know that it is bad luck to wash your hair on Lunar New Year’s Eve?!
Did you know that children get ‘lucky’ money in red envelopes on Lunar New Year?!
Did you know that the names of many Lunar New Year desserts have special meanings?!
Did you know that, in Chinese zodiac, 2021 is the year of the ox?!
Tip Toolbox
This week's Tip Toolbox features some popular Lunar New Year traditions, customs, and celebration!
1) This holiday is a great time to indulge in traditional Asian foods whether it is a home cooked meal or takeout. Some common dishes eaten on Lunar New Year are dumplings, fish and chicken, and sweet rice balls.
2) During Lunar New Year, people celebrate by watching traditional Chinese street performances, lighting fireworks, and catching up with family and friends.
3) On Lunar New Year be sure to wear your favorite red clothing and hang red decorations around your house because in Chinese culture the color red represents good luck and great fortune!
4) A popular Chinese tradition during Lunar New Year is gifting red envelopes to the children and receiving red envelopes from your elders, which usually have money inside!
Holiday Hub
If there's a holiday you celebrate share it with us on social media using the #CAFYIR.
February 8, 2021
National Boy Scout Day: National Boy Scout Day falls on February 8th every year! It celebrates the founding of the Scout organization which was established in 1910 by American W.D Boyce. The Boy Scouts are known for their obedience, bravery and trustworthiness. You can celebrate Boy Scout Day by doing something for someone in need, or by committing a random act of kindness, which is what the Scouts are known for!
Click here for a list of 100 acts of kindness!
February 9, 2021
National Pizza Day: February 9th is National Pizza Day! Millions of people across America eat pizza. Did you know that pizza is the second most popular fast food in America, after Hamburgers? A survey among Americans shows that 98% of people love pizza! This Neoplitan delight originated from immigrants in New York around 1940, a few years later the first pizza chain restaurant was introduced; Pizza Hut! The first Pizza Hut was in Kansas. You can celebrate Pizza Day by making your very own Pizza using this authentic recipe!
February 10, 2021
National Umbrella Day: National Umbrella Day celebrates a widely used invention: the umbrella! Umbrella’s are not only an immense convenience, but they are known for their deep history dating back to 1000 BC. They are often seen in Ancient Chinese art. The first ever umbrella made out of silk and paper and originated in Ancient China. These Umbrellas were painted with detailed dragons and intricate landscapes, making them very expensive. The umbrella soon reached Europe and the rest of the world, eventually making it the most used invention to this day! You can celebrate National Umbrella Day by learning about it’s history here! Or by making your very own origami Umbrella following the directions here!
February 12, 2021
Lunar New Year: Lunar New Year, or Chinese New Year, celebrates the start of every lunar year according to the traditional Chinese calendar. Many families celebrate Lunar New Year by enjoying large meals to bring prosperity into the New Year! Some of the fundamental dishes served on this day are 蒸魚 (zhēng yú), a steamed fish to bring surplus and wealth, 蒸雞 (zhēng jī), steamed chicken to symbolize reunion and rebirth, and 年糕 (nián gāo), a rice cake anciently used as offerings to ancestors! You can learn more about the dishes and their symbolic meaning here! Families also set off firecrackers in remembrance of Ancient Chinese folklore! In China, red is good luck; it scares away evil spirits and bad fortune; so, those who celebrate Lunar New Year wear red on this day. You can watch a mini-documentary about the lunar new year here! Did you know that Emily, a volunteer for CAFYIR, celebrates Chinese New Year? Check this week's special segment to see how she celebrates with her family!!
Current Events Collection
This week's current event is based on the COVID-19 Pandemic and how people will be celebrating Lunar New Year, this year!
According to Chinese folklore, a terrifying beast named Nian (年) would come out from the ocean every year to terrorize the villagers and devour their plants and animals. Now, at the start of every lunar year; it’s tradition to set off fireworks, hang lanterns and red banners, and beat loud gongs in order to ‘scare off’ the beast. The new year starts this Friday. Normally, on Lunar New Year, millions of people across the globe travel to celebrate with their families. Unfortunately, because of the pandemic, people are having to celebrate from home. Although it will be very different from other years, there are several ways that people can celebrate while staying socially distanced. Countless amounts of people around the world are celebrating by wearing red, setting up string lights in their backyards, making or buying traditional foods, and hosting Zoom calls with their friends and families; it’s unconventional, but it is still fun!
Activity Area
This week's YouTube Activity is based on the video: "DIY Chinese New Year Ox Origami"
Once you've watched the video try making your very own Origami Ox!
Now create your own ox and share them with us on social media using the #CAFYIR!
Weekly Writing Prompt:
Does your family have any superstitions, if so, what are they and why do you have them?
Share your response to the question above with us on social media with the #CAFYIR.
Enthusiasm Expanse
Weekly Motivation:
“Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.”
-Confucius
“Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment.” -Buddha
Emily's Special Segment
Hi Everybody! My name is Emily and I am the COO of CAFYIR! I have been working with the organization for about 3 years and I help write the CAFYIR Blog, each week!
Today I am going to be talking about how I celebrate Chinese New Year with my family! My grandma is from Taiwan and came to America after marrying my grandpa. Ever since I was little, my family has celebrated Chinese New Year with traditional food, decorations, and customs!
Every year we celebrate by wearing red (for good luck), having a big, homemade, Taiwanese meal (with lots of foods that are thought to bring good luck), opening red envelopes (which have small amounts of money inside to bring prosperity for the new year), and so much more!
If your family also celebrates Chinese New Year, let us know how you spend it by using the #CAFYIR on social media!
"We Challenge You!"
America is known for using the solar calendar in order to keep track of time, but different regions all around the globe use a variety of timekeeping systems.
This week, in honor of Lunar New Year, we challenge you to research the lunar calendar and the different phases of the moon!
Try to answer these questions:
What are the different phases of the moon?
When will the next full moon take place?
Why do some countries use the lunar calendar and not the solar calendar?
Share what you learned with your friends, family, and us by using the #CAFYIR!
Conclusion and Contact Us
Thank you for reading this week's blog. We hope you enjoyed! Check back next week for a new post. In the meantime connect with us on social media:
Email: cafyir@gmail.com
Instagram: @cafyir
Facebook: @cafyir programs
Twitter: @cafyir
Tik Tok: @cafyir
YouTube: @cafyir
Sources
“Ancient China Umbrella.” CoolaBoo, 8 May 2019, www.coolaboo.com/world-history/ancient-china/ancient-china-umbrella/.
“Chinese New Year 2021 – Year of the Ox.” Chinese New Year, chinesenewyear.net/.
Crabtree, Chloe-Rose. “8 Rituals and Customs To Celebrate Chinese New Year.” Culture Trip, The Culture Trip, 20 Jan. 2017, theculturetrip.com/asia/china/articles/10-chinese-new-year-traditions/.
Fan, Katherine. “How the Lunar New Year Will Be Different This Year - and How to Celebrate at Home.” The Points Guy, The Points Guy, 9 Feb. 2021, thepointsguy.com/guide/lunar-new-year-celebration/.
Gore, Makinze. “Homemade Pizza Will Kill Your Delivery Habit.” Delish, Delish, 28 Jan. 2020, www.delish.com/uk/cooking/recipes/a30686833/homemade-pizza-recipe/.
“Happy Chinese New Year Greetings: Chinese New Year Greeting, Chinese New Year Wishes, New Year Wishes.” Pinterest, www.pinterest.com/pin/748934613006529262/.
“How Chinese New Year Can Impact Your Business.” How Chinese New Year Can Impact Your E-Commerce Business, www.merchantwords.com/blog/chinese-new-year-2020.
“Lunar New Year.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 12 Dec. 2020, www.britannica.com/topic/Lunar-New-Year.
Mertes, Posted byAlyssa. “Who Is the History of Umbrellas?” Promotional Products Blog, 17 Sept. 2020, www.qualitylogoproducts.com/blog/what-is-the-history-of-umbrellas/.
“National Day Today.” National Today, nationaltoday.com/.
O'Hara, Mary Emily. “LGBTQ Advocates Applaud Boy Scouts for Lifting Transgender Ban.” NBCNews.com, NBCUniversal News Group, 31 Jan. 2017, www.nbcnews.com/feature/nbc-out/lgbtq-advocates-applaud-boy-scouts-lifting-transgender-ban-n714926.
Pinterest, www.pinterest.com/source/i.pinimg.com.
“Top 9 Lucky Chinese New Year Flowers and Fruits.” Top 9 Lucky Chinese New Year Flowers and Fruits, Chinese New Year Food, www.chinahighlights.com/travelguide/festivals/chinese-new-year-flowers-and-fruits.htm.
Traditional Chinese Paper Umbrellas: Origins and Making, www.chinahighlights.com/travelguide/culture/paper-umbrella.htm.
Xi, Amanda, and Fefe Ho. “21 Things You Didn't Know About Chinese New Year.” Chinese New Year, chinesenewyear.net/21-things-you-didnt-know-about-chinese-new-year/.
Xi, Amanda, and Fefe Ho. “Food.” Chinese New Year, chinesenewyear.net/food/.
YouTube, YouTube, www.youtube.com/.