WHITE JADE TIGER

Grade 5 & 6

White Jade Tiger, the award-winning novel by Julie Lawson, is a favourite book for many Grade 5 and Grade 6 teachers. We have developed a popular tour in Victoria’s Chinatown based on the characters, places and themes in the story. Students will visit the “Never Ending Store,” play fan tan in Fan Tan Alley, discover an 1881 quarter in a lai see envelope, see where Dragon Maker may have lived, and try on the clothing Jasmine wore when she was transported back in time. Plus they’ll find out lots more about the cultural and historical highlights of Chinatown itself.

This tour is offered under agreement with Julie Lawson. Cost $160.

“This was my fifth time on your White Jade Tiger tour and it gets better each time. What you do brings the story to life and the students talk about their experience for days. See you next year.”  J. R., Victoria

For more information about White Jade Tiger and the author visit http://julielawson.ca/whitejadetiger.html

CHINATOWN: HISTORY & CULTURE

Grade 4 through 12

We are experts at bringing Chinatown to life for students of all ages. After consultation with the teacher about specific needs and learning outcomes we can conduct tours that cover every aspect of Chinatown. Here are some of the most popular topics:

• General Chinatown history
• Reasons for coming to CanadaImmigration stories and hardships
• Becoming Canadian
• Chinese customs
• Chinese New Year
• Ancient Chinese culture and symbols

Our tours include storytelling, hands-on activities and demonstrations. Cost $150.

To enhance your tour of Chinatown, we can take you to the Tam Kung Temple (the oldest Chinese temple in Canada). A donation of $1/student to the temple is required.

Or stay for lunch in one of Chinatown’s popular restaurants. We can help you make the arrangements.

CHINATOWN: SYMBOLS AND STORIES

K through Grade 3

For younger students Chinatown has a lot to offer. Our tours for K through Grade 3 focus on visual symbols: the colourful murals that depict a Chinese family, Chinese students and a Chinatown street scene; the Gate of Harmonious Interest (a perfect way to explain feng shui); the reason for red lanterns; why the roof of the Chinese Public school has upturned eaves; and, of course, the many dragons and what they mean. We will involve the children in a lion dance, show them how to play a popular Chinese game and teach them how to count to four in Cantonese. We include several stories well known to Chinese children that help explain what is going on in Chinatown today. Cost $150.