1st-Chinese Dragons

Kinder: Chinese Dragons

This is the 2nd year I've done Chinese Dragons. Last year, I did dragons with 1st grade. They were a bit different than the version I did with kinder below. I did not have enough watercolor paint left to do what I did last year with 1st. But I think it is just as well, because the below project is simplified-perfect for kinder. We watched the same videos-one on a Chinese New Year parade and another of a Chinese Dragon Dance. We talked a bit about Chinese New Year and of course how dragons were involved. Chinese Dragons are a symbol of wisdom, strength and luck. The longer the dragon, the more luck!

We did a step-by-step instruction with this dragon. We began with a triangle head. We added eyes, mustache, horns, silly hair. Then, added a wavy body line and added triangular or wavy scales. Some classes used Crayola's construction paper crayons. Other classes used oil pastels. The crayons are less messy, but the oil pastels have better color. It is interesting to compare results. After students drew and colored, they added small ribbon pieces (confetti) and gold glitter tempera paint. This was a simpler project compared to a few other things we've done this year, and a nice way to end the school year. This was the 2nd to last project kinders did.

Way to go Kindergarten!