University of California
Silk Roads
We take for granted globalization today, but its roots run deep within China centuries ago. Using texts from ancient Chinese historians and photographs of items showing growing Eurasian trade, scholars look at the traces of...
National Endowment for the Humanities
Lu Shih — The Couplets of T’ang
Writing poetry in ancient China was the modern equivalent of sending a greeting card. Scholars learn about the ancient Chinese poetic form called the lu shih. They read about the context of poetry during the T'ang Dynasty and complete a...
American Documentary
Confucianism in a Changing Society
The Last Train Home, a 2009 documentary about China's migrant factory workers, provides viewers with an opportunity to explore how China's emergence as a global manufacturing force is challenging Chinese traditional values like filial...
Reading Vine
Confucius: The Most Famous Teacher in China
Introduce young philosophers to the wisdom of China's most famous thinkers with a short bio. The reading comprehension passage includes an answer key.
Women in World History Curriculum
Women and Confucianism
Young historians consider the far-reaching effects of traditional teachings on the debates about the current attitudes toward women in society. The discussion begins with a list of New-Confucian sayings and expands to a global perspective.
State of Victoria Department of Education and Early Childhood Development
The Long Wall of China
While some aspects of the Great Wall of China are known, other parts of its story are obscured by time. A research lesson asks scholars to consider what we know and don't understand about this wonder of the world. The class then compiles...
State of Victoria Department of Education and Early Childhood Development
The Great Wall of China
The Great Wall of China is a wonder of the world. Learners explore the history and construction of the incredible feat using both non-fiction and fictional works. The resource includes multi-day lesson plans that contains ideas for...
Council for Economic Education
The Silk Road
The Silk Road connected the European, Middle Eastern, and Asian worlds. It also helped create the modern trade world. An analysis activity makes the importance of this Chinese innovation clear by asking participants to evaluate trades...
Curated OER
Lesson: From the Horse's Mouth
Kids turn a critical eye on a wooden horse that was carved in ancient China. They analyze the horse as far as its purpose, historical significance, and artistic style, then write a story from the horse's perspective.
Curated OER
Writing Exercise: Ancient China
Three questions focused on the development of ancient China, its culture, and civilization await your social studies class. This worksheet in intended to accompany or test learners as they read material related to the formation of...
Curated OER
Ancient River Valley Civilizations
Ziggurats, cuneiform writing, the Tower of Babel, hieroglyphics, pyramids, the Great Wall. Launch a unit on ancient cultures, with a presentation that introduces viewers to ancient Mesopotamia, Babylonia, Sumer, Egypt, Indus, and China....
Curated OER
China is Unique
Sixth graders study the culture of China by comparing it to that of the United States. They write all questions and notes in a journal. The students access the internet to obtain the information and internet sites are suggested in the...
Curated OER
Sima Qian: Records of the Grand Historian
Print this resource and activate prior knowledge about Ancient China. This page includes a quote from Sima Qian and two critical thinking questions related to the dynastic system in China.
Curated OER
Mapping Perceptions
Students create and read maps. In this map skills lesson, students draw a map of their neighborhood, then use skills acquired during map-making to interpret a classmates map and a map of the Ming Dynasty.
Curated OER
Ancient China Test
In this geography and history test worksheet, students respond to 25 short answer and multiple choice questions about the history and geography of ancient China.
Curated OER
Ancient China: Student Created Word Search Puzzles
Sixth graders classify and organize information about ancient China. In this Chinese history activity, 6th graders create word search puzzles and record the processes they used to create them.
Curated OER
Travel Agent to the Ancient World
Students persuade others to visit ancient times. In this ancient civilizations lesson, students participate in a webquest that requires them to encourage others to visit ancient Greece, ancient Israel, Ancient Rome, ancient China,...
Curated OER
CyberHunt: Ancient China
Students participate in various web based activities about ancient China in order to discover the accomplishments of this extraordinary culture. In this history lesson, students explore the Chinese paper making recipes, and the special...
Curated OER
Ancient China Project
Seventh graders examine and research the political, social, and cultural aspects of China. They conduct Internet research and write and develop a research paper.
Curated OER
Ch'in (Qin) Dynasty Debate on Censorship
Sixth graders learn team building, fair play, keeping an open mind towards others' opinions, U.S. government policies, and a better understanding of the meaning of censorship as they debate the merits of censorship.
Curated OER
Trade along the Silk Roads
Students explore the Silk Road. In this Asian history and culture lesson, students read a book about the silk Road, then create pictures of the products and landscapes found along the Silk Road.
Curated OER
What Death Brings to Life - English Component
Learners are introduced to the characteristics of ancient Indian, Chinese and Aztec cultures. They consider what was valued by these cultures and compare the cultures' values to their own. They write an essay on their reflections.
Curated OER
The Three Doctrines & Legalism
Sixth graders imagine themselves to be, in turn, a follower of Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism, and Legalism. They are given a handout that lists seven questions. Direct students to write down how they feel an individual would answer...
PBS
Pbs Nova: Secrets of Lost Empires
NOVA ferrets out long-forgotten secrets of architects and engineers of the early civilizations. Content focuses on the trebuchets of medieval Europe, the pharaoh's obelisks of ancient Egypt, the moai statues of Easter Island, the...