For thousands of years, it has been an occasion for Chinese families to come together and give thanks to the harvest of crops. It is also a festival associated with one of the legendary tales - the goddess Chang'e. It may be impossible for us to see Chang'e in the moon though she took the moon as her home.
Today, families gather together and celebrate this festival with feasts and mooncakes. Children are encouraged to make and decorate their lanterns. Let's take a look at how Mid-Autumn Festival is celebrated around the world!
The moon itself is the biggest symbol of Mid-Autumn Festival. Let's take a look at some moon-related phrases!
I love you to the moon and back.
many moons ago
over the moon
reach for the moon
Rabbit Moon
Author and illustrator: Jean Kim
Synopsis:
An Asian fable that will keep you occupied. The moon rabbit is doing wonders by gathering beautiful wishes and transforming them into shining stars every night. Wanting to break the daily routine, the Moon rabbit decided to travel and visit the Earth in hopes to make new friends. Let’s read this book filled with a memorable journey of the rabbit moon to find out more about the work he does in the night sky .
Questions for you:
Do you want Moon rabbit to take your dreams and turn them into glowing stars?
What do you think will happen when the Moon rabbit reaches the Earth ?
Would you rather help to make dreams turn into stars or travel to the moon?
You can listen to the story on YouTube.
The Way Back Home
Author and illustrator: Oliver Jeffers
Synopsis:
A young boy discovers a plane in his closet that brought him curiosity. Soon he goes for a journey to the moon. But then in the story he finds himself in trouble. Yet he is not alone, who else is stranded among the moon and stars? The young boys learns to offer a helping hand to the one in need. Let’s read the book to find out more about the adventures. Let’s be there for each other.
Questions for you:
What is the boy going to stumble upon in the closet? Any guesses?
Who is a Martian and where do they come from?
Would you feel scared alone in space?
Did the boy do a good thing by helping the Martian in times of need?
You can listen to the story on YouTube.
The Moon Book
Author and illustrator: Gail Gibbons
Synopsis:
Our fascination for the Moon and the puzzling questions of its existence are broken down in this book. You can learn more about the interesting facts of the moon. The abundance of knowledge would keep you truly engaged.
Questions for you:
Name two tools people use to view the moon clearly.
What is the name of the natural satellite that is the closest and is our neighbor to earth?
How long does it take for the Moon to travel around the earth?
How many phases does the moon go through?
You can read the book here.
How To Bicycle to the Moon to plant sunflowers
Author and illustrator: Mordicai Gerstein
Synopsis:
A boy made the impossible possible for himself. He goes on a journey to plant sunflowers on the Moon. His determination and courage to make the lonely moon cheerful if fruitful. Let’s explore the 24 steps he meticulously made to travel out into the space. We can explore his detailed journey through the steps he took by vivid imaginations to reach to the beaming moon in outer space. Let’s read the book to find out more about the kind hearted journey to the Moon.
Questions for you:
Did he do a good job by offering the sad moon some happiness by planting the sunflower seeds? Why do you think so?
Will people travel to the moon somedays in the future to plant the Sunflower seeds to make the moon happy?
Which part of the Journey to the moon seems the most dangerous one?
Do you see yourself swimming in outer space someday?
You can listen to the story on Youtube.
Students were invited to explore the Fruit Posters displayed in their own classrooms and complete fruit crossword puzzles.
They could also draw and colour their own paper lanterns.
Three riddle posters with hints were posted on the boards in P3 and P4 classrooms; students needed to solve at least 2 out of 3 riddles and write their answers on the task sheets. They could use the hints on the posters to help them.
They also matched the pictures of a mooncake recipe with the steps descriptions and designed their own mooncakes.
Pictures of the story were posted along corridors on the 3rd floor. Students had to read the story, put the story pictures in the correct order and design a dialogue for the characters.