New Year in Ping Wei

In every social studies or Chinese language classroom, visuals and media are an essential when teaching about China. The Children of China film series, containing four 30-minute documentaries, transports viewers to China to reveal what life is like today in the small village of Ping Wei and beyond. Filmed entirely in China with narration by children in both English and Mandarin (with subtitles), the series provides a glimpse of a China not often available in the primary and middle school classroom. A wonderfully engrossing addition to any social studies or Chinese language course, a great introduction for student groups going to China, and a meaningful bridge for adoptive families.

Titles include:

• One Day in Ping Wei follows the daily life of ten-year old Liu Yen Twin. From work to play, in the kitchen and in the fields, the stunning images paint a strikingly real picture of life in rural China.
• Celebrate the most important holiday on the Chinese calendar with New Year in Ping Wei. Again, the film follows Liu Yen Twin and her family as they celebrate: prepare the family reunion dinner, symbolically burn paper money, set off firecrackers and fireworks, and more.
• In Land of the Dragon thirteen-year old Liu Hui Ping acts as both tour guide and teacher (speaking in English) as she leads viewers through the Forbidden City, hutongs (traditional Chinese homes), temples, and more. Throughout the film, Liu Hui Ping also teaches very basic Mandarin such as names of fruits and vegetables, how to count, etc.
• Return to Ping Wei revisits Liu Yen Twin and her family from Ping Wei. The fields are alive with the spring harvest and Liu Yen Twin is a teenager now, and school is taking on a whole new importance.

This unique production is beautifully filmed.

A good resource for introducing students to life in rural China.