Lunar New Year Canon

Submitted by Bonnie Tsung

Adapted from

Day 1 – Prep day

• Begin with teaching the “Lunar New Year” canon. MFC V.1 #41
• Share with students that the Lunar New Year is made up of zodiac
animals and that story is called “The Great Race.”
• Students will read “The Great Race” by Christopher Corr.
• Discuss the different zodiac animals and their characteristics as you
read the book.

Day 2 – Review and Group Chant

• Review Lunar New Year canon. Try in canon if students are ready.
• Let students put the zodiac animals in order. Remind students of the characteristics of
the animal. As a class, have students create a beginning/title and say it as a chant.

Example:
Day 3 – Create a mystery chant
• Have 12 cards for the 12 zodiac animals. Students will be in small groups and will select
two of the zodiac animals. Between the two selected animals, students will choose one
of the two zodiac animals and create a 32-beat mystery chant. Scaffold if necessary by
having students brainstorm characteristics. Chants should not have the animal named.
• Share and allow for guesses.

Day 4/5 – Extensions

• Have several sets of “action cards” with unpitched percussion/body percussion/barred
instruments/creative movements
• Students will select two of the action cards and choose their favorite action to transfer
their mystery chant.
• Share

Day 6 – Sharing with outside of the classroom

• Review all the activities: mystery chant, canon, group zodiac chant, “action” mystery
chant.
• Have students decide on the form.
• Find audience to watch!