First grade students at Whittier Elementary School joined the festivities for the Chinese Lunar New Year, celebrating the Year of the Dog.

The Chinese New Year falls on a different date each year in January or February, depending the Lunar Calendar. This year, the Chinese New Year was on January 29. People born in 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994 and 2006 were born in the Year of the Dog.

Whittier students are learning the Chinese calendar, cutting out animal figures to match up to the 12 animals: dog, pig, rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey and rooster.

Celebrating can occur for several weeks around this the day of Chinese New Years.

For instance, a large Lunar New Year Celebration 2006 Year of the Dog event takes place on Saturday, February 4 at Union Station's Great Hall. It all starts with a colorful lion dance with musicians and firecrackers. Inside the hall there will be cultural performances with arts and crafts booths. Once the lion leaves the hall, it typically visits businesses in Chinatown to ring in the New Year.

Last Thursday, Whittier students paraded around their school with a paper mache dragon.

"We've been doing it for several years, building it up and getting more sophisticated," said first grader teacher George Leung, a Chinese American.

"They love it. It's interesting and fun to learn about other people's cultures,"said teacher Gail Mart.

Leung invited parent volunteer Ann Wong Ramsey into his class. She taught them how to make paper lanterns with Chinese characters they wrote themselves.

The Chinese New Year curriculum includes folk tales and arts and crafts. This year Ramsey talked to the first graders about trade between China and the U.S.

One activity Leung had his students do was to look at the labels of their t-shirts and other clothing. "Ninety-percent of what they are wearing are made in China," said Leung.

The kids now learn culture and the arts of the Chinese, as well as economics.

Leung says the Chinese are known for more than dragons and for owning restaurants.

The children tried their hand at calligraphy, using real Chinese brushes.

"I like how it's hard to do. It's different from English. It was hard," said Ella James.

Avery Drennan said writing Chinese was fun. "I like learning about different cultures. I look forward to seeing the dragon dance," he said.

"I like watching the dragon dance and making lanterns. It's more interesting than regular class work. I really like making Chinese things," said Maya Andreasen.

Andreason practiced writing the word "peace," in Chinese. "It's complicated. I wrote it at home. Peace is a good word," she said.

"Chinese New Year is the best and most important holiday. When I grew up, I got new clothes. It was the only time I got new clothes. We (family) visited all the relatives. The kids received lucky envelopes. When I was a kid, I did not get spending money. This was the only time I got it," Leung told his students as they gathered around him attentively on the floor.

Teachers at Whittier provide their students with a diverse educational experience, they celebrate African American history month and offer a regular Spanish program.

Leung then takes his students to teacher Miram Ayala's class for Spanish lessons during the last period.

Ayala speaks mostly Spanish for the young children. "I speak as much as possible in Spanish.

For the most point they understand what I am saying," she pointed out.

On February 9, the school will have an event called "Around the World." It will have a Spanish theme, but will celebrate all the different cultures through activities, food and school assignments.

Whittier children will have an opportunity to show off their Spanish language skills and sing Spanish songs.

"It's incredibly important for kids to be open to the cultures. Spanish is a wonderful language. Become fluent in the language and it's a tool later in life," said Ayala, who comes from Spain.

Last week Leung also encouraged his students with a more general message during a story telling session.

"Develop a good personality. Be kind and charming. Make yourself an interesting person. It's something that money can't buy, a good personality," Leung said.