STUDENTS CELEBRATE CHINESE NEW YEAR

Chopsticks proved challenging for Jan Guth's students -- as well as faculty members. Jackson USA Signal/Mark Evans

Points of interest at the Chinese New Year festivities included information on types of government, geography and other lessons.

Principal Stan Siler tries to figure out a seven-piece Tan-Gram puzzle.

A Chinese dragon highlighted a mini Chinese New Year parade held by Jan Guth's students.

Students of Jan Guth at West Lane Elementary got to experience much of the excitement of the traditional Chinese New Year -- without leaving school.

Guth, a learning disabilities teacher, started introducing her students to the event three years ago. It has grown to include a mini-parade, featuring a traditional Chinese Dragon, and displays of various aspects of Chinese culture.

"It's a good time and I think they learn a lot about Chinese culture," Guth said, following the annual festivities Feb. 4. "It's like being there. It gives the kids a chance to do something different in their own classroom."

Students got to eat traditional Chinese food, test their wits at traditional Chinese games (In fact, to earn the "right" to use a fork instead of chop sticks, students had to solve a seven-piece Tan-Gram puzzle.) and learn about Chinese folklore, social studies topics and symbols of each Chinese years.

Guth likes the idea of the LD students being exposed to various cultures and to get a chance to have such a hands-on learning experience.

"They get to see that because you look different or do things different it doesn't make you better or worse that someone else," she said. "My students have a different way of learning. Just because they do things different doesn't make them weird or different."

Students took delight in showing their Chinese projects to friends in other classes and to Principal Stan Siler.

"The eighth graders still remember Chinese New Year from when we celebrated it three years ago," Guth said. "Hopefully they will be more aware of other cultures from now on."

Posters displayed items the Chinese invented -- stamps, gunpowder, fireworks, paper, boat rudders; talked about geography, government, imports and exports; told of the Chinese version of Cinderella; and gave demonstrations of how to make one's Chinese symbol.

Many of the authentic Chinese momentos were given by John of China Palace restaurant.

"John just became a U.S. citizen a year or two ago," Guth said. "Sometimes we take everything for granted. He's very excited about being a citizen."

He gave calendars, wall-hangings and more, to add an extra touch of authenticity to the celebration.

Guth had enough Chinese delicacies to share with her fellow West Lane faculty members.