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...
Curated OER
Chapter 9: A Surprising Day and A Little Bit About China
Fifth graders complete activities with Chapter 9 of the book The Fastest Pig in the West by Randi Hacker. In this literature lesson, 5th graders discuss the concept of saving face and how it affects the main character's decisions....
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Social Studies: Ancient China
Seventh graders examine the contributions and influences of dynasties on Chinese history. They role-play as citizens during selected dynasties and write daily autobiographical entries. Students complete projects on the geography,...
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Tantalizing Tangrams
Young scholars identify polygons and develop spatial and fractional relationships and geometric concepts by using ancient Chinese puzzle of tangrams. They develop an appreciation of the folktale by identifying its elements and then...
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Chinese Puzzle Story
Students study the Chinese form of tangrams. They read the story, "Grandfather Tang's Story," by Ann Tompert and discuss how tangrams are used to tell the story. Using paper and scissors, they create animal tangrams and write stories...
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The Year of the Rabbit
Pupils explore a portion of the Chinese Zodiac with projects centered around the year of the rabbit. Students research types of rabbits, actual and fictional. Working in groups, they create a written or multimedia presentation.
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Natural Enemies
Fourth graders engage in the reading of an ancient Chinese fairy tale. The goal of the lesson is for them to become creative in the use of writing. The story creates a context for student's writing and ideas for future drafts.
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Global News: The Changing Face of Reading
A current and engaging informational text with some superb scaffolding activities, this six paragraph article discusses the release of the iPad from Apple, eBooks, and the history of reading and writing materials. After reading the...
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Writing & Language
Students examine Chinese and East Asian writing characters. They discuss how their writing systems differ from others found in the world. They practice reading and pronouncing Chinese and Japanese names and words.
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Breaking News English: Map Shows Chinese Discovered America
In this English worksheet, students read "Map Shows Chinese Discovered America," and then respond to 47 fill in the blank, 7 short answer, 20 matching, and 8 true or false questions about the selection.
Curated OER
Science in History Part I: the Abacus To the Modern Computer
In this math information worksheet, students read one page factual accounts of the early math inventions of the abacus, the calculator and early computers. There are 40 questions to answer about the reading.
Curated OER
It's Written in the Stars!
Children create narrative accounts about their character traits, illustrate the constellation of each sign of the Zodiac, and write and illustrate their own creative myths about an original "Zodiac Sign". They use the computer as a...
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The Three Perfections
Young scholars discover the various styles, form, beauty, and grace of Chinese calligraphy by examining works of art from different eras in China's history. This lesson includes two possible enrichment activities.
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Voices From Your Heart
Students create individual representations of Chinese calligraphy symbols in this cross-curricular lesson for the elementary Language Arts or Art classroom. One enrichment activity is included.
Curated OER
Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test- 4th Grade Reading
In this reading worksheet, students prepare for the Florida Comprehensive Assessment test in 4th grade reading by completing this 15 page sample test.
The British Museum
The British Museum: Ancient China: Writing
Learn about the origins of the Chinese writing system. Includes Chinese stories and learning activities.
Read Works
Read Works: Ancient China: Travel Journal Part 3
[Free Registration/Login Required] This passage contains a journal that recounts travel observations of ancient Chinese warrior terracotta statues in Xi'an, China. This passage is a stand-alone curricular piece that reinforces essential...