Here are some suggestions on where you could look for ideas and inspiration about China….

Books

A Life Like Mine.  How children live around the world.  Published by Dorling Kindersley books).

A School Like Mine.  Dorling Kindersley books.

China by Susie Dawson (part of a series of books called Fiesta).

Chinese New Year by Sarah Moyse.

Chinese New Year by Catherine Chambers.

Country Fact Files: China by Catherine Charley.

Eyewitness Guide: Modern China  Dorling Kindersley books.

Letters from around the World: China by Julia Waterlow.

Nations of the World: China by Catherine Field.

Traditions from China by Shelby Mamdani.

Or of course visit your local library and ask what books they have!

Websites

www.chinanow.org.uk
This website gives information about events and activities to celebrate Chinese culture in the UK.  This is also a useful website for information about China - first click on the word ‘Education’ on the home page, then click on ‘Primary’ and the word ‘here’ (written in red), this leads to information packs for teachers.  The document called ‘Notes for assembly – Primary Schools’ has some useful facts and interesting stories from China.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/cbbcnews - search China on the Newsround webpage, one article in their archive is called ‘I found out about school in China’.

http://en.beijing2008.cn - this is the official (English language) site for this summer's Olympics in Beijing. Find out more about what the Chinese are planning for one of the world's biggest events...

Museums

The British Museum, Great Russell Street, London, WC1B 3DG.
www.britishmuseum.org
 
The First Emperor exhibition, runs until 6th April, displaying China’s Terracotta Army, warriors built in stone and buried with the first Chinese Emperor.  Find out what was China like in 221BC and how it has developed and changed to the modern day. 

Victoria and Albert Museum, Kensington, Cromwell Road, London SW7 2RL
www.vam.ac.uk
The V&A Museum has a large collection of Chinese objects.

Natural History Museum,
http://www.nhm.ac.uk/visit-us/whats-on/events/detail.jsp?key=14555
The Chinese year is represented by one of 12 animals. A storyteller and her dragon friend find out more about these animals at the National History Museum including discovering in which animal year you were born! Visit an information desk in the museum to find out more!

Asia House
http://www.asiahouse.org/net/Exhibitions.aspx
A fantastic place to visit to get inspiration for your story, including an exhibition of modern Chinese Art!

Other
Mandarin Chinese for Kids
Chinese Dragons Club offers a fun, fast and friendly way to learn Mandarin Chinese from native speakers through songs, art, games and competitions.
If you’re interested in booking Chinese Dragons to run a series of after-school classes, a special activity day or would like a taster assembly at your school so you can find out more, just contact Marcus, Club Co-ordinator on 020 8871 4470 or email Marcus@dragonsineurope.com. Or visit www.dragonsineurope.com for details.

THESE ARE JUST SOME IDEAS TO GET STARTED. IF YOU DISCOVER OTHER HELPFUL BOOKS OR PLACES OR WEBSITES, PLEASE LET US KNOW AND WE WILL UPDATE THIS LIST.

E-mail your suggestions to: ideas@polkatheatre.com

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