Chinese Parade Lions or Dragons

Submitted by: Mary Michael, Elementary Art Teacher,
Tiskilwa Grade School in Tiskilwa, IL. (USA)
Grades: 6 - 8th grade

Materials:

• Scissors

• White Glue or Glue Sticks

• Construction Paper (assorted)

• 6"x18" [15.25 x 45.7 cm] colored Tissue paper (assorted)

• Scraps of other papers such as foil paper

Procedure:

Show video or picture of the Chinese Lions or Dragons that are used in Chinatowns in the USA or in China for celebrations of holidays or other special occasions. Glue a 4" x 6" (10 x 15.25 cm) construction paper into a cylinder. Flatten it and flatten again to form a square tube. Cut it shorter if desired. Cut a slot on 2 sides for the open jaw. Cut teeth of white paper and glue to an open end. Design all kinds of interesting features, tongue, bulging eyes, scales, ears, etc. from the various papers and glue to the basic head.

Create the body by cutting several 1" x 6" (2.5 x 15.25 cm) strips and gluing them into rings. Glue these, well-spaced, to the tissue paper. Glue one end of the tissue paper to the back of the head around the three upper sides inside the head.

Make an interesting tail. Attach Popsicle sticks or stiff cardboard strips to the rings under the tissue paper to make your Chinese Parade Dragon move.

Resources:

This dragon was made using plastic cups and tissue.

Books

The Dancing Dragon - Hang up red scrolls, bake special cakes, sing New Year's songs, and when family and friends are gathered together, it's time for the parade to begin. This book folds out to reveal all the color and excitement of a traditional Chinese New Year celebration, complete with dancing dragon! Full color.

Legend of the Chinese Dragon - To this day, the dragon is a symbol of peace and plays an especially important role in the celebration of the Chinese New Year. This timely message of cooperation and empowerment makes this book especially appealing to trade and institutional accounts. Communities with significant Chinese populations will also have a special interest in this title.

Paper Crafts for Chinese New Year - Do you want to make your own dancing dragon puppet? Dragon dances are an important part of Chinese New Year celebrations. Follow storyteller Randel McGee as he explores Chinese New Year in Paper Crafts for Chinese New Year.

Prints/Miscellaneous

Chinese Paper Dragon Decorations - You can hang these in your art room while you do this lesson.

Dragon Rattan Scroll Picture - Print

Chinese Dragon Marionette - Puppet

Links

See the Chinese Dragon Puppet lesson on IAD.