In this article, I present a culture-based, standards-aligned instructional approach for integrating Chinese New Year music and cultural practices into elementary music classrooms in the United States. Grounded in the National Core Arts Standards for Music, specifically, Anchor Standard 11 (Connect), this approach emphasizes helping students relate artistic ideas and works to meaningful social and cultural contexts. Through interactive read-alouds of the children’s book
The Nian Monster
, students develop an understanding of cultural traditions associated with the New Year. Through singing the New Year song “Gong Xi Gong Xi,” students learn common New Year greeting phrases and celebratory gestures. Participation in lion dance activities, accompanied by a traditional luogu percussion ensemble, immerses students in expressive movement and rhythmic structures central to New Year celebrations. Students also explore traditional visual art forms, including paper cutting, calligraphy, and Chinese knotting, which are integrated with music and movement experiences within a celebratory classroom context. Through this integrated, cross-arts approach, students engage as listeners, performers, and creators across multiple artistic domains. The instructional design supports inclusive participation and fosters connections among schools, families, and communities.