Good Fortune Boxes

(art + social studies)

In China, the New Year’s celebrationis recognized as a time when peopleput the past behind them and welcome new beginnings.Enthusiastic greetings of “kung heifat choi,” meaning “congratulationsand be prosperous” are delivered tofamily and friends during this 15-day holiday period. Floral decorations,red and gold banners and poems of prosperity,health and happiness are placed in homes andpublic places. New clothing, special foods, family reunions and fireworks are all traditionalparts of the Chinese New Year, as well as thepassing of red and gold envelopes filled withmoney to children. The red symbolizes power,happiness and good fortune, the gold repre-sents wealth and prosperity — and the passingof the envelopes signifies the passing of blessings to the next generation.

This lesson plan celebrates the Chinese traditionof passing along good fortune or “Fu” to others.Instead of a red envelope, students will use abox form that is a familiar part of the Asian-American culture, decorate it festively with red,gold and Asian-themed paper patterns and create gold “fu coins” bearing good wishes toplace on or inside of the box. The Fu coins canalso be exchanged or passed along as gifts, ifdesired.

Grade Levels K-8

Process 1. Start by making the coins. Plastiroc clay will

air-dry hard, durable and lightweight — it’salso very economical. Flatten each ball into acircle about 1-3/4" diameter (3/16" thick) andtrim any rough edges away with scissors.Allow to dry, turning over at least once toallow air to get to both sides. Dry time willvary according to humidity levels and may bedecreased by placing in a sunny location or infront of a fan. Clay will be white when dry.

2. While the clay dries, create the box. Trace thebox template onto the cardstock with pencil.Cut out just on the inside of the pencil linesso they are removed. Follow instructionsprinted on template to fold into a box shape.It is helpful to have a ruler to score fold linesand a bone folder to press a crease.

3. Place glue on the side flaps and fold together.Place a small piece of tape on the flaps onthe inside of the box to hold the shape whilethe glue dries.

4. Decorate the outside of the box:– Cut shapes from the origami paper and

glue them to the box– Tear the origami paper and create a collage

on the box– Use gold or black paint to make designs or

symbols (see above for ideas)– Use images from the Dover Pictura Chinese

Design CD (71310-1006)

5. Place a small amount of gold paint in apalette well and have students paint one sideof the coin, allow to dry and paint the otherside. Make sure the edges arepainted, too. Practice writing the Chinese good luck symbols on paper while waiting for coins to dry.Although Chinese calligraphy is an artform that takes years to master, youngchildren can make symbols using simple linesand dots. The important thing is to connectstudents to the Chinese written language.Write the good-luck symbols on either side of the coin, usingblack paint and the bamboo brush.

Variations– If working with very young children or on limited time, cut the coins from Blick GoldCardstock (11408-4079)

– Permanent black markers can be usedinstead of paint to apply the symbols. Use a medium or large tip, such as SuperSharpie® (21203-2001) instead of a fine tip.

Sources

– The Simple Art of Chinese Calligraphy, byQu Lei Lei (71109-1001). Book contains history, techniques, projects and over 200names, characters, poems and phrases

– http//en.wikipedia.org - informationregarding Chinese New Year

– www.formosa-translation.com/chinese -site contains Chinese characters for manywords

Copyright © 2006 Dick Blick Art Materials. All rights reserved.

National Standards

Content Standard #3 —Choosing and evaluating a range ofsubject matter, symbols and ideas

K-4Students explore and understand prospective contentfor works of art

5-8Students use subjects, themesand symbols that demonstrateknowledge of contexts, values,and aesthetics that communicateintended meaning in artwork

Content Standard #4 —Understanding the visual arts inrelation to history and cultures

K-4Students identify specific worksof art as belonging to particularcultures, times and places

5-8Students describe and place avariety of art objects in historicaland cultural contexts

Materials

Deja-Views® Take-Out BoxPattern (55626-6009), one per student

Blick 140-lb PremiumCardstock, Festive Red (11408-3419), one half-sheet per student

Origami Paper, assorted patterns (11245- or 12234-) atleast one per student

Acme Junior Stainless Scissors(57058-1015), one per student

Dover Pictura Chinese DesignCD (71310-1006), print out various images

Wooden School Ruler, 12"(55425-1012), one per student

Bone Folder, small (12964-0001), optional

Blick Economy GraphitePencils (20302-2009), one per student

Blick School Glue (23872-)

Bamboo Brush, size 1 (05401-1001), one per student

Omyacolor Plastiroc Air DryClay (33244-9011),a 1" diameter ball per student

Sargent Metallic Acrylic Paint,Gold (00730-9015), distributeto class

Blickrylic Economy AcrylicPaint, Mars Black (00711-2046), distribute toclass

Rectangular 6-Well Tray(03068-1006), share between2 students

3M Highland® TransparentTape (23017-0051), distributethrough classroom

Good Fortune Good Luck Prosperity Happiness(Fu) (Chee) (Lu) (Lerh)

Long Life Harmony Beauty Love(Shou) (He) (Zen) (Ai)