FairKids Field Trip Program
FLOWER & GARDEN BUILDING – CHINA
In 2014 we will travel to China in the Flower & Garden Building & Atrium. With the power to heal, the
capability of bringing prosperity, and the potential to increase one’s longevity of life, flowers and their
symbolism play a critical role in Chinese culture. They are an indelible part of the nation’s collective
consciousness and convey positive messages which are deeply rooted in the culture’s belief system.
Flowers are a recurring theme in Chinese art and poetry and will be sure to enchant you while you
weave your way through this attraction. The Atrium will mirror the tropical rainforests of China with
animals and plants native to the country. Situated in eastern Asia and bounded by the Pacific to the
east, China is the third largest country in the world, with much to explore and experience. Come with us
as we celebrate the history, culture, flora and fauna of China.
Grades: Intermediate
Flower & Garden Pavilion
Flora and Fauna of China…..Dragons and Chinese Culture
Before your visit:
*Write down definitions for the words “culture” and “tradition.”
*Brainstorm and discuss American cultures and traditions and write them down on chart paper.
*Read the book, Bringing in the New Year.
*Brainstorm and discuss Chinese culture and traditions and write them down on chart paper.
*Compare and contrast American cultures and traditions with Chinese cultures and traditions
and use a Venn diagram.
*Discuss the Chinese New Year and how animals are used to signify the year.
*Discuss mythical dragons and Chinese dragons. It is believed that the dragon is a symbol of
good luck, power, and energy.
*Read the book, The Last Dragon, to show the parts of a Chinese dragon and Chinese traditions.
During your visit:
*Walk through the China Flora & Fauna exhibit. What evidence do you see of Chinese
traditions and culture? (lanterns, dragons, beautiful gardens, and flowers.)
*What animals do you see in the Chinese rainforest located in the atrium of the exhibit?
*Do you see evidence of the Chinese New Year?
*Write down what you observe in the Chinese gardens in the exhibit.
*Write down some Chinese symbols that you observe in the exhibit and their meaning in
English.
After your visit:
*Make a list of your family’s traditions and share them with a partner. How do your traditions
compare with what you observed in the exhibit?
*Compare your backyard at home with the gardens in the exhibit. Write a comparison and
contrast essay about your garden and the Chinese garden in the exhibit.
*Illustrate and color a Chinese garden similar to what you saw in the exhibit.
*Make a paper dragon using the two different colored strips of 1 inch by 24 inch construction
paper, drawing paper, glue, crayons, yarn or fishing line, and tissue paper strips (see attached
template.) Glue the two construction paper strips together at a right angle and let dry. Fold
the bottom strip over the top strip and then the top strip over the bottom. Continue to fold in
this manner until you are unable to fold anymore. Glue the end together and attach various
colors of tissue paper strips for the tail of the dragon. Use the attached template or draw and
color a dragon’s head on the drawing paper and glue it to the accordion shaped construction
paper figure. Attach fishing line or yarn to the body of the dragon so it can be hung from the
ceiling. Display the dragons in your classroom.
*Describe how your family shares beliefs, culture, and traditions with family members. How
will you share these items with your spouse when you get married, with your children, and with
your grandchildren? Write a three paragraph essay to address these items.
In paragraph 1: Describe the beliefs, culture, and traditions of your family
In paragraph 2: Describe how your family shares these important traditions and beliefs
with new members.
In paragraph 3: Discuss why it is important to share family traditions and beliefs. What
did you learn when you discussed this with your family members? How
did you feel? Why are family history and traditions so important?
Books About Dragons and Chinese Culture:
Bringing in the New Year by Grace Lin
Chinese Children’s Favorite Stories by Mingmei Yip
Chinese New Year’s Dragon by Rachel Sing
Happy, Happy Chinese New Year by Demi Demi
Make a Chinese New Year Dragon by Connie Medina
Sam and the Lucky Money by Karen Chinn
The Dancing Dragon by Marcia Vaughan
The Day the Dragon Danced by Kay Haugaard
The Last Dragon by Susan Miho Nunes
The Pet Dragon by Christop Niemann
The Water Dragon: A Chinese Legend by Li Jan
Yang the Second and Her Secret Admirers by Lensey Namioka
Yang the Third and Her Impossible Family by Lensey Namioka
Grades: Intermediate
Flower & Garden Pavilion
Flora and Fauna of China…..Flowers
Before your visit:
*Find China on a map. Explain to the children that China is a very old and interesting country. It is the third largest
country in the world. There are beautiful gardens filled with many kinds of flowers in China.
*Many flowers hold special meanings for Chinese people. In addition, the colors of the flowers are also symbolic.
Pink and red stand for happiness, celebration and good luck, while white represents death and ghosts.
*Review the parts of a plant (roots, stem, leaf, and flower.) Discuss why plants are important and list on chart
paper (provide food, provide oxygen, prevent erosion, provide shelter, provide raw materials, provide medicine,
and provide beauty.)
*Discuss the parts of a flower (see diagram below.) Draw and the label the parts on chart paper and have the
students draw and label the parts on paper.
During your visit:
*Observe the many types of flowers and plants at the Flower and Garden Pavilion. Which one is your favorite?
*Choose your favorite plants in the Flower & Garden Pavilion. How many of the plant parts can you identify? Do
these plants also grow in California?
*Draw a picture of three of your favorite flowers in the exhibit and make sure you label them with their names.
After your visit:
*Discuss the plants and flowers that students observed in the exhibit.
*Share the drawings that the students created from the exhibit.
*Review the parts of the flower (see above.)
*Demonstrate how to dissect a flower and have students dissect a flower in pairs. Alstroemeria flowers are a good
flower for dissecting and showing the students the parts of a flower. On chart paper, model the steps for
dissection and have the students copy and draw and label the parts on paper.
*Have the students write an essay where they are pretending that they are a flower that is on display in the Flower
and Garden Pavilion at the Los Angeles County Fair. Adjust the number of paragraphs based upon your grade
level.
Paragraph 1: Describe in detail what type of flower you are and your location within the exhibit.
water
Paragraphs 2-4: Describe what happens to you while you are in the exhibit. Do visitors touch you? Do
you communicate with other flowers? Are you picked or separated from your plant? Does someone
and fertilize you? Make sure you use the sensory words.
Final Paragraph: Describe in detail what happens to you in the end? Were you purchased? Did you die?
Were you loved? Make sure you reflect on how you feel as a flower.
Draw an illustration for your essay.
Books About Flowers and Plants:
The Empty Pot by Demi
Flowers (Plant Parts) by Melanie Waldron
Flowers, Flowers, Flowers! A Read-Aloud to Your Kids Children’s Picture Book of Flowers and Plants by Hannah
Elise
From Seed to Plant by Gail Gibbons
National Geographic Reader: Seed to Plant by Kristin Baird Rattini
Plant Parts (The Life of Plants) by Louise Spilsbury
The Tiny Seed by Eric Carle
Time for Kids: Plants! by Brenda Iasevoli