Free printable Chinese New Year, Spring Festival, Lantern Festival lesson plans

 China's lunar calendar system is centuries older than the Gregorian calendar. The Chinese New Year begins in on February 8, 2016. The beginning date for Chinese New Year varies from late January to mid February on the western calendar. 2016 celebrates Chinese New Year of the Monkey (or KangXi). Each of the 12 years in the Chinese zodiac is represented by a different animal and the calendar repeats every 12 years. It was Chinese New Year of the Monkey in 2004 and will be again in 2028. CNY kicks off the Spring Festival in China and ends with the Lantern Festival, a quaint, charming holiday. Free printable Chinese New Year, Spring Festival, Lantern Festival lesson plans

Free Catholic Lent printables, Lenten Stations of the Cross coloring pages

The Catholic church enters the Lenten season of preparation before Easter. For Catholic and Orthodox Christians, Easter is about more than just bunnies and candy. Easter celebrates the Passion, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. During Lent, which begins on Ash Wednesday, Christians ready themselves for Jesus's coming with prayer, fasting and almsgiving. The date of Ash Wednesday changes each year as Easter is a "movable feast." In 2015, Ash Wednesday is Feb. 18.Here are free printable stations of the cross, rosary, saints and Easter bible story coloring pages.  Free Catholic Lent printables, Lenten Stations of the Cross coloring pages | Examiner.com

Chinese New Year of the Monkey crafts, lesson plans, party activities for kids

Chinese New Year, also called the Spring Festival, begins late January or early February on the western calendar. CNY 2016 starts Feb. 8. It's Year of the Monkey. Here are easy, inexpensive ideas to throw a Chinese New Year festival in a school classroom or at homeschool or with your family. Animal themed activities are included.   Chinese New Year of the Sheep lesson plans, party activities for kids | Examiner.com