Start with the story. Then go through each chapter, one lesson at a time. Each lesson has three short checks. Each chapter ends with a review. The unit ends with a wrap-up.
Pencil drawing, not a photograph: a round teapot and three small tea cups on a round wooden tray, with two mandarin oranges and their leaves beside it
3Unit
Family, Friends and Harmony
Values
This unit is about family, friends and getting along. Confucius taught about caring for parents. The Daodejing talks about water, soft and strong.
You will learn how many families get ready for Lunar New Year. You will learn about Qingming. You will meet yin and yang, two sides that fit together.
By the end, you can name ways families show respect. You can tell why water can be strong. You can explain harmony in your own words.
When it happened
Step 1
Clean the house before Lunar New Year
Step 2
Hang red paper with good wishes
Step 3
Share a family dinner and make dumplings
Step 4
Visit elders and get red envelopes
Step 5
Watch lion and dragon dances in Chinatown
Step 6
In spring, clean graves at Qingming
Step 7
Watch water wear a stone, one drop at a time
Step 8
Find ways different friends fit together
5
Chapter
Respect at Home and the New Year
Family
Big questionHow do families show respect and love for one another?
The story
Sweeping Before the New Year
A girl cleans the whole house, and her grandmother tells her why.
It was the day before Lunar New Year. Mei held a broom. She swept the kitchen. She swept the hall. She even swept under the beds.
'Why do we clean so much today?' Mei asked. Her grandmother, Nai Nai, smiled. 'We sweep out the old year,' she said. 'Then the new year starts fresh.'
'And tomorrow,' Nai Nai said, 'we will not sweep at all. We keep the good luck in.' Mei laughed. She hung red paper on the door.
That night the family made dumplings together. Mei folded one carefully for Nai Nai. 'Thank you for teaching me,' she said. Nai Nai gave her a warm hug.
Talk about itWhat does your family do to get ready for a special day?
Section 1
Caring for Parents and Grandparents
5.1
What Is Xiao?
Main ideaXiao means caring for and respecting parents and grandparents, as Confucius taught.
Confucius taught about xiao. You say it like ’shyow.’ It means caring for your parents and grandparents. It means showing them respect.
Confucius said xiao is more than giving food. Even animals get fed. Xiao means caring with a respectful heart.
Words to know
xiao
caring for and respecting parents and grandparents
Check yourself
1. What does xiao mean?
Why: Xiao means caring for and respecting parents and grandparents.
2. What did Confucius say xiao is more than?
Why: In Analects 2.7 he says it is more than feeding them.
3. What does xiao need, as Confucius taught?
Why: He taught that respect makes the difference.
5.2
Let Them Know Where You Are
Main ideaConfucius taught that caring children tell their parents where they are going.
Confucius gave a simple idea. When your parents are alive, do not go far without telling them. Let them know where you are.
Why? Parents worry about their children. Telling them where you go shows you care. It is one small way to show xiao.
Words to know
worry
to feel upset because you think something may be wrong
Check yourself
1. What did Confucius say to do before going far?
Why: Analects 4.19 says to let parents know where you go.
2. Why tell parents where you go?
Why: Telling them shows you care about their worry.
3. This small act is one way to show what?
Why: It is one way to show xiao, care for parents.
Section 2
Lunar New Year
5.3
Getting Ready
Main ideaBefore Lunar New Year, many families clean the house and hang red decorations.
Lunar New Year comes in winter, in January or February. It follows the moon’s calendar. Many families clean the house before it starts.
They hang red paper with good wishes. Red is a color for good luck in China. Many families also eat a big dinner together on New Year’s Eve.
Words to know
Lunar New Year
a new year that follows the moon's calendar, in January or February
lunar
about the moon
Check yourself
1. When does Lunar New Year come?
Why: It follows the moon's calendar and falls in January or February.
2. What color is used for good luck?
Why: Red is a color for good luck in China.
3. Why do families clean before New Year?
Why: Cleaning sweeps out the old year.
5.4
Red Envelopes and Dumplings
Main ideaAt New Year, many families visit elders, share dumplings and give red envelopes.
On New Year’s Day, many children visit grandparents and elders. They say good wishes. Elders give them red envelopes with a little money inside.
Many families make dumplings together. The dumplings are shaped like old Chinese money. They stand for a good year ahead.
Words to know
red envelope
a red paper envelope with a gift of money, given at New Year
elder
an older person, like a grandparent
Check yourself
1. What is inside a red envelope?
Why: Elders put a little money inside as a gift.
2. Who do many children visit at New Year?
Why: Visiting elders is a way to show respect.
3. What do dumplings stand for?
Why: Shaped like old money, they stand for a good year.
5.5
Dragon and Lion Dances
Main ideaDragon and lion dances fill the streets at New Year, including in Chicago's Chinatown.
At New Year there are lion dances and dragon dances. Dancers move inside a big, bright lion costume. Drums and cymbals play loudly.
Chicago’s Chinatown has a Lunar New Year parade. Families come to watch. Many families keep New Year customs, whatever their beliefs.
Words to know
Chinatown
a neighborhood where many Chinese American families live and have shops
parade
a line of people marching and dancing through the street
Check yourself
1. Where is a Lunar New Year parade in Illinois?
Why: Chicago's Chinatown has a Lunar New Year parade.
2. What moves inside a big lion costume?
Why: Dancers move inside the lion costume.
3. Who keeps New Year customs?
Why: Many families keep these customs, whatever their beliefs.
Section 3
Remembering Family
5.6
Qingming, Tomb-Sweeping Day
Main ideaAt Qingming in spring, many families visit graves to clean them and remember ancestors.
Qingming comes in early April. It is also called Tomb-Sweeping Day. Many families visit the graves of their ancestors. Ancestors are family members who lived before us.
Families clean the graves. They bring flowers and food. Some burn incense. They remember and honor the people in their family.
Words to know
Qingming
a spring day when families clean graves and remember ancestors
ancestor
a family member who lived long before you
Check yourself
1. What is another name for Qingming?
Why: Qingming is also called Tomb-Sweeping Day.
2. What is an ancestor?
Why: Ancestors are family members from long ago.
3. When does Qingming come?
Why: Qingming comes in early April.
5.7
Respect at Home
Main ideaMany families show respect at home with kind words, help and a cheerful face.
Confucius said a cheerful face matters when caring for parents. Doing chores is good. Doing them kindly is even better.
Families in many places show respect at home. They greet elders. They help with chores. They listen when others speak.
Words to know
chore
a small job at home, like setting the table
Check yourself
1. What did Confucius say matters when caring for parents?
Why: Analects 2.8 says a cheerful face matters.
2. Which is a way to show respect at home?
Why: Listening shows others that they matter.
3. What is a chore?
Why: A chore is a small job at home.
Chapter review
Respect at Home and the New Year
0 / 6
1. What does xiao mean?
Why: Xiao is care and respect for parents and grandparents.
2. Why do families clean before Lunar New Year?
Why: Cleaning sweeps out the old year.
3. What do elders give children at New Year?
Why: Elders give red envelopes with a little money.
4. Where is a Lunar New Year parade in Chicago?
Why: Chicago's Chinatown holds a Lunar New Year parade.
5. What do families do at Qingming?
Why: Qingming is Tomb-Sweeping Day.
6. Confucius said xiao is more than what?
Why: Analects 2.7 says respect matters, not just food.
Send it to your teacher
6
Chapter
Be Like Water
Harmony
Big questionHow can soft things be strong, and different things fit together?
The story
One Drop at a Time
A tiny drop of water falls on the same stone every day.
High on a cave roof, a drop of water formed. Drip! It fell onto a big gray stone below. The stone did not move. It was very hard.
The next day, another drop fell. Drip! Then another, and another. Every day, for years and years, drops fell on the same spot.
The stone was hard. The water was soft. But the water never stopped. Slowly, slowly, the stone began to change. No one could see it yet.
One day a child came into the cave with a flashlight. She looked at the stone. There was a small, round hole in it! The soft water had made it, one drop at a time.
Talk about itHow could something soft like water make a hole in hard stone?
Section 1
The Best Is Like Water
6.1
Water Helps Everything
Main ideaThe Daodejing says the best way to be is like water, which helps everything.
The Daodejing talks about water. It says the best way to be is like water. Water helps all living things. Plants and animals need it.
Water does not fight to be on top. It flows to low places. The Daodejing says this is like the Dao, the Way.
Words to know
water
in the Daodejing, a picture of being soft, helpful and humble
Check yourself
1. What does the Daodejing say the best way to be is like?
Why: Daodejing chapter 8 says the best is like water.
2. Where does water flow?
Why: Water flows down to low places.
3. What does water do for living things?
Why: The Daodejing says water helps all things.
6.2
Soft Can Be Strong
Main ideaThe Daodejing says nothing is softer than water, yet it can wear away hard things.
Water is soft. You can put your hand in it. But the Daodejing says nothing is better at wearing away hard things.
There is a Chinese saying: dripping water wears through stone. It means small steps, done again and again, can do big things.
Words to know
soft
easy to press or move; not hard
strong
able to do hard things or last a long time
Check yourself
1. What does the Daodejing say about water?
Why: Daodejing 78 says water is soft yet wears away hard things.
2. What does 'dripping water wears through stone' mean?
Why: The saying means steady small steps add up.
3. Which is soft?
Why: Water is soft; you can put your hand in it.
Section 2
Yin and Yang
6.3
Two Sides That Fit
Main ideaYin and yang are two sides that fit together, like night and day.
Chinese thinkers used two words: yin and yang. Yin is like the shady side of a hill. Yang is like the sunny side.
Yin and yang are different. But they fit together. You need both. Night and day make one whole day.
Words to know
yin and yang
two different sides that fit together, like night and day
Check yourself
1. What are yin and yang?
Why: Yin and yang are different sides that fit together.
2. Which pair is like yin and yang?
Why: Night and day are different but fit together.
3. What is yang like?
Why: Yang is like the sunny side.
6.4
The Round Symbol
Main ideaA round symbol shows yin and yang as dark and light swirling together.
Many people know a round symbol for yin and yang. One half is dark. One half is light. They curl around each other.
Look closely. The dark half has a small light dot. The light half has a small dark dot. Each side holds a bit of the other.
Words to know
symbol
a picture that stands for an idea
Check yourself
1. What does the round yin-yang symbol show?
Why: It shows dark and light curling together.
2. What is inside the dark half?
Why: The dark half holds a small light dot.
3. What is a symbol?
Why: A symbol is a picture that stands for an idea.
Section 3
Getting Along
6.5
Bamboo Bends
Main ideaBamboo bends in the wind and does not break, a favorite picture in Chinese art.
Bamboo is a tall plant. When the wind blows hard, it bends. When the wind stops, it stands up again.
Chinese painters and poets often praised bamboo. Many saw it as a picture of staying calm. It bends but does not break.
Words to know
bamboo
a tall, hollow plant that bends in the wind
calm
quiet and steady inside
Check yourself
1. What does bamboo do in strong wind?
Why: Bamboo bends in the wind and stands up again.
2. Who often praised bamboo in China?
Why: Chinese painters and poets often praised bamboo.
3. What does calm mean?
Why: Calm means quiet and steady inside.
6.6
Harmony with Friends
Main ideaConfucius taught that good people get along with others without making everyone the same.
Harmony means getting along well. Think of a song. Many different notes play together. They sound good as one.
Confucius said a good person lives in harmony with others. But not everyone has to be the same. Different friends can fit together.
Words to know
harmony
getting along well, like different notes in one song
Check yourself
1. What does harmony mean?
Why: Harmony means getting along well together.
2. What did Confucius say about harmony?
Why: Analects 13.23 says harmony does not mean sameness.
3. How is harmony like a song?
Why: Many different notes can sound good as one.
Chapter review
Be Like Water
0 / 6
1. What does the Daodejing say the best is like?
Why: Daodejing chapter 8 says the best is like water.
2. How did water make a hole in the stone?
Why: Steady drops wore the stone away.
3. What are yin and yang?
Why: Yin and yang are different sides that fit together.
4. What does bamboo do in the wind?
Why: Bamboo bends and stands up again.
5. What did Confucius teach about harmony?
Why: Analects 13.23 says harmony is not sameness.
6. Where does water flow, the Daodejing says?
Why: Chapter 8 says water goes to low places.
Send it to your teacher
★
Unit wrap-up
Family, Friends and Harmony
Twelve words, twelve meanings
0 / 8
Tap a word, then tap its meaning. A right pair locks in green.
Words
Meanings
Unit test
Fifteen questions across the unit
0 / 10
1. What does xiao mean?
Why: Xiao is care and respect for parents and grandparents.
2. When is Lunar New Year?
Why: It follows the moon's calendar and comes in winter.
3. What is in a red envelope?
Why: Elders give a little money in red envelopes.
4. What happens at Qingming?
Why: Qingming is Tomb-Sweeping Day.
5. Which book says the best is like water?
Why: Daodejing chapter 8 says so.
6. Which pair is like yin and yang?
Why: Hot and cold are different sides that fit together.
7. What does harmony mean?
Why: Harmony means getting along well.
8. Where is a Lunar New Year parade in Illinois?
Why: Chicago's Chinatown holds a Lunar New Year parade.
9. Why do painters praise bamboo?
Why: Many saw it as a picture of staying calm.
10. What did Confucius say xiao needs?
Why: Analects 2.7 says respect makes the difference.
Send it to your teacher
Spiral review
Five questions from earlier units
0 / 5
1. (Unit 2) What did the gatekeeper ask Laozi to do?
Why: In Sima Qian's story, he asked for a book.
2. (Unit 1) Which student stayed happy with one bowl of rice?
Why: Analects 6.9 praises Yan Hui for staying joyful.
3. (Unit 2) What does Laozi mean?
Why: Lao means old and zi means master.
4. (Unit 1) Who wrote the Analects?
Why: His students and their students wrote down his words.
5. (Unit 2) What does Dao mean?
Why: Dao means the Way.
Send it to your teacher
Write it
Tell or draw: How do families and friends show respect or get along? Use two ideas from this unit, like xiao (Analects, book 2) and harmony (Analects, book 13), or water (Daodejing, chapter 8).
Name where the idea comes from.
Say 'Confucius taught...' or 'The Daodejing says...'
Use one unit word, like xiao or harmony.
Draw a picture if it helps you.
0 wordsSaved on this device as you type.
Practice rooms
Rooms already on the site that belong to this unit — cards, quizzes, a lab.
Every lesson keeps its own three checks; a lesson is ticked when all three are right. Chapter reviews, the unit test and its spiral review (five questions from earlier units in this band) score on the page. When the site is connected to your sheet, or the link carries ?dest=, each one also has a Send box: the first-try score, the standards, the supports used, the attempt number and the minutes go to your sheet as an IEP data point.
Print this page for a paper copy of the readings, the sources, the words and the questions; the answers print as dashed boxes under each question.
Fact-check notes for this course live in the handoff: quotes marked (paraphrased) were set that way on purpose.
