【Shared Picture Book Reading】MM Chinese Club and Suzhou Experimental Primary School Bilingual Reading Class — Session Three

在2025年4月20日，英国苗苗中文学校（MM Chinese Club）与苏州实验小学(Suzhou Experimental Primary School)顺利举办了第三期双语绘本共读活动。这一次中英学生们共同阅读的绘本为：《二十四节气（24 solar terms）》。

On 20 April 2025, MM Chinese Club in the UK and Suzhou Experimental Primary School successfully held the third session of their bilingual picture book reading programme. This time, the British and Chinese pupils read together the picture book The 24 Solar Terms.

在2000多年以前，中国人通过观察太阳的运动轨迹，创立了二十四节气这个古老而科学的时间制度。在国际气象界，二十四节气被誉为“中国第五大发明”。2016年，二十四节气被正式列入联合国教科文组织人类非物质文化遗产代表名录。

More than 2,000 years ago, the Chinese created the ancient and scientific time system of the 24 solar terms by observing the movement of the sun. In the international meteorological community, the 24 solar terms are known as the "fifth invention of China". In 2016, the 24 solar terms were officially included in the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity of UNESCO.

本次中英绘本阅读课以“二十四节气”为主题，面向的是来自苏州实验小学和英国苗苗中文学校的中英两地小学生。课堂以线上形式展开，围绕“阅读、分享、交流”三个关键词设计，既有语言的输入输出，也有文化的体验与思考。在苗苗中文课的李老师的带领下，同学们在朗读绘本之前先各自进行了自我介绍，中国与英国的小学生们迅速通过这一环节彼此熟悉起来。在绘本阅读的过程中，同学们不仅了解到了不同节气的名称来源，同时也更具体地学习到了不同节气时的不同习俗。比如，立春时吃春饼，清明扫墓踏青，立秋时贴秋膘，冬至吃饺子等等。

This bilingual picture book reading session, themed around the 24 Solar Terms, brought together primary school pupils from Suzhou Experimental Primary School in China and MM Chinese School in the UK. Held online, the lesson was designed around three key concepts: reading, sharing, and cultural exchange. It aimed not only to support language input and output, but also to offer a meaningful experience of cultural learning and reflection. Led by Ms Li from MM Chinese School, the session began with a round of self-introductions. Before diving into the picture book, pupils from both China and the UK took turns introducing themselves, which helped break the ice and quickly foster a sense of connection between them. During the bilingual reading, the children not only learned about the origins and names of each solar term, but also gained insight into the traditional customs associated with different times of the year — for example, eating spring pancakes during Beginning of Spring, tomb-sweeping and spring outings during Qingming, eating nourishing food during Beginning of Autumn, and enjoying dumplings during the Winter Solstice.

之后，同学们依次分享了自己所最喜欢的节气，并且说明了原因。

有的同学喜欢小暑，因为这个时候可以游泳、吃冰激凌、享受暑假生活；

有的同学喜欢夏至，因为这个时候他能够拥有更长时间的白昼；

有的同学喜欢冬至，因为这个时候可以吃饺子；

有的同学喜欢大雪，因为这个时候不仅可以打雪仗、堆雪人，还可以期待即将到来的农历新年……

After the reading, the pupils took turns to share their favourite solar term and explain why they liked it.

Some said they liked Minor Heat (Xiǎoshǔ) because it’s the time for swimming, eating ice cream, and enjoying the summer holidays.

Others chose Summer Solstice (Xiàzhì), appreciating the long daylight hours it brings.

Some favoured Winter Solstice (Dōngzhì) because it’s when they get to eat dumplings, a comforting seasonal tradition.

And a few said they loved Major Snow (Dàxuě) — not just because of the chance to have snowball fights and build snowmen, but also because it means the Lunar New Year is just around the corner...

在中国的节气里，4月20日正好是“谷雨”。“谷雨”是春天的最后一个节气，意思是春天的雨水能帮助庄稼快快长大，是非常有生命力的时节。春天快结束了，夏天就要来了。

而在英国，今天也是一个非常重要的节日——Easter Sunday（复活节星期天），是象征重生和希望的节日。所以我们在这样一个中西方都充满意义的日子里，一起读一本讲“二十四节气”的中英文绘本，不但能学到语言，还能了解彼此的文化，意义非凡。

In the traditional Chinese calendar, 20th April marks the solar term “Grain Rain” (Guyu). It is the last solar term of spring, symbolising the nourishing spring rains that help crops grow swiftly — a time full of vitality. Spring is drawing to a close, and summer is just around the corner.

Meanwhile, here in the UK, today is also a very special day — Easter Sunday, a festival that symbolises rebirth and hope.

So, on this meaningful day celebrated by both Chinese and Western cultures, we’re reading a bilingual picture book about the Twenty-Four Solar Terms. It’s a wonderful opportunity not only to learn language but also to explore and appreciate each other’s cultures — truly a lesson with depth and significance.

接下来，在六月，我们还将推出双语绘本阅读的第四期内容，敬请期待！

Coming up in June, we will be launching the fourth session of our bilingual picture book reading series—stay tuned!