THEMATIC UNIT. Ancient China. Written by Michelle Breyer, M.A.

Transcription

1 THEMATIC UNIT Ancient China Written by Michelle Breyer, M.A. Teacher Created Resources, Inc Industry Way Westminster, CA ISBN: Teacher Created Resources, Inc. Reprinted, 2010 Made in U.S.A. Illustrated by Bruce Hedges Edited by Marsha Kearns The classroom teacher may reproduce copies of materials in this book for classroom use only. The reproduction of any part for an entire school or school system is strictly prohibited. No part of this publication may be transmitted, stored, or recorded in any form without written permission from the publisher.

2 Table of Contents Introduction The Ancient Chinese by Hazel Mary Martell (New Discovery Books, 1993) (Available from Simon & Schuster Children s Press, USA; Distican, Canada; Simon & Schuster, UK; Prentice Hall, Australia) Summary Sample Lesson Plans Vocabulary Lists Overview of Activities Vocabulary Activities Dig Up Facts About Ancient China Ancient Chinese Food Groups Translating Confucius Confucius Says Ancient Chinese Burials Compare Chinese Beliefs The Spread of Buddhism Silk The Great Wall of China Between the Dragon and the Eagle by Mical Schneider (First Avenue Editions, 1997) (Available from Riverwood Publications, Canada; Turnaround, UK; Stafford Books, Australia) Summary Sample Lesson Plans Vocabulary Lists Overview of Activities Ancient World Time Line Character Chart Travel Log Symbols of a Nation Simile Poem The Big Choice, an Autobiographical Incident Pacorus and You Facts and Foreshadowing Old World Latin Egyptian Mystery Write a New Ending Across the Curriculum Language Arts Social Studies Science Math Fine Arts Life in Ancient China Preparing for a Journey Surviving the Elements Chinese Farmer s Diary Write a Chinese Parable Chinese Writing To Change or Not to Change? Geography of Ancient China Ancient China Time Line Compare the Dynasties The Ancient Chinese Feudal System Design a Shang City Qin Shi Huangdi The Role of Women Classroom Barter Market Social Order, a Debate Match the Invention Load That Barge Herbal Medicines and Ancient Cures Chinese Tangrams Magic Squares Chinese Watercolor Silhouettes Make a Three-Legged Pot Make a Yin-Yang Kite The Emperor s New Robe Create a Chinese Painting Culminating Activities A Day in Ancient China Make a Chinese Wheel of Fortune Unit Management Organizational Folders Silk Road Map Answer Key Bibliography of Related Reading #578 Thematic Unit Ancient China Teacher Created Resources, Inc.

3 by Hazel Mary Martell Summary This nonfiction book explores the story of China from its earliest humans through the reign of the Sung dynasty. The book s sections discuss how we learn about China s past, the early hunters and farmers of China, the reigns of the dynasties, government and social order, daily life, faiths and festivals, trade and transportation, and the arts and other astonishing achievements of ancient China. This outline suggests a plan for using the various activities presented in this unit. Each lesson can take from one to several days to complete. Adapt these ideas to fit your classroom situation. Include a vocabulary activity (page 8) in each lesson. Sample Lesson Plans Lesson 1 Make a bulletin board map of ancient China and the silk road, pages Make organizational folders, page 76. Make a geography map of ancient China, page 44. Lesson 2 Read pages 4 11 of The Ancient Chinese. Complete the Dig Up Facts About Ancient China activity, page 9. Make a Three-Legged Pot, page 66. Lesson 3 Read pages Compare the Dynasties, page 48. Make a time line of ancient China, pages Design The Emperor s New Robe, pages Lesson 4 Read pages Examine the Ancient Chinese Feudal System, page 49. Research Qin Shi Huangdi, page 51. Debate social order, page 56. Lesson 5 Read pages Describe Life in Ancient China, page 37. Design a Shang City, page 50. Write a Chinese Farmer s Diary, page 40. Investigate the Role of Women, pages Sort Ancient Chinese Food Groups, page 10. Lesson 6 Read pages Learn about Confucius, pages Compare Chinese Beliefs, page 15. Map the Spread of Buddhism in China, pages Learn about Ancient Chinese Burials, page 14. Make a Yin-Yang Kite, page 67. Lesson 7 Read pages Calculate how to Load That Barge, pages Create a Classroom Barter Market, pages Write about Surviving the Elements, page 39. Research the Great Wall of China, page 20. Lesson 8 Read pages Learn more about Chinese inventions, page 57. Practice Chinese Writing, page 42. Complete a magic square, page 64. Work with Chinese Tangrams, pages Create a Chinese Painting, page 70. Write a Chinese parable, page 41. Learn about Silk, pages Investigate Herbal Medicines and Ancient Cures, pages Lesson 9 Read pages Discuss To Change or Not to Change?, page 43. Complete one or both Culminating Activities, pages Teacher Created Resources, Inc. 5 #578 Thematic Unit Ancient China

4 Vocabulary Lists The following words are found in The Ancient Chinese on the pages indicated and correspond to the Sample Lesson Plans. ancestors nomads bronze dynasty emperor archaeologists excavating artifacts Lesson 2 (pages 4 11) Homo sapiens tributaries inscriptions oracle bones pictograms jade bamboo banners legends scrolls loess cultivate millet plowshares cultures serfs sacrifices steppes Lesson 3 (pages 50 57) barbarians conscripts Lesson 4 (pages 12 15) Lesson 5 (pages 16 27) peasant feudal system shi nong gong shang merchants mandate ministers lacquer foot-binding census conscripted barges wards hemp flails granaries Lesson 6 (pages 28 33) Lesson 7 (pages 34 39) temples yin and yang descendants potion Elixir of Life chariots suspension bridges Cowrie shells spices irrigation Great Wall of China Lesson 8 (pages 40 49) seismograph lodestone maritime abacus Neolithic porcelain kaolin oxidizes brine cocoons brocade #578 Thematic Unit Ancient China Teacher Created Resources, Inc.

5 Overview of Activities Setting the Stage 1. Assemble the Ancient China Bulletin Board and Silk Road Map (pages 76 77) to use throughout the unit. Make organizational folders (page 76). 2. Introduce students to ancient China by reading aloud the vocabulary lists on page 6. On the chalkboard, list what students already know about China, including the meanings of any of the vocabulary words. Tell students they will learn more about the history of China from the time of its earliest inhabitants up through the reigns of the dynasties. Enjoying the Book 1. Assign pages for reading each day. See the Sample Lesson Plans on page 5 for suggestions. Review the vocabulary for each reading section, and complete a related vocabulary activity (page 8). 2. Have students research archaeological finds in China and record what they learned on the Dig Up Facts About Ancient China chart (page 9). Discuss the early Chinese hunters and farmers and how they compare to other early humans around the world who developed civilizations along major rivers. 3. Have students make three-legged clay pots (page 66) like those of the early Chinese civilizations. Extending the Book 1. Have students research and debate China s preference for isolationism and whether or not it has been beneficial for its people and its culture. 2. Have students complete their organizational folders, including making a title page and table of contents. Bind the folders with brads. Mount The Emperor s New Robe (pages 68 69) on construction paper for the cover. 3. Have students record the major achievements of ancient China by making a Chinese wheel of fortune, pages Plan and participate in A Day in Ancient China (pages 71 73) in which students eat, dress, and celebrate like the ancient Chinese. Teacher Created Resources, Inc. 7 #578 Thematic Unit Ancient China

6 Vocabulary Activities Have students complete one or more of these activities as you read the book. 1. Write each vocabulary word in your journal. Find each word in the book and see how it is used. Look up each word s definition in a dictionary and write the definition that matches how the word is used in the story. 2. Work in groups to make vocabulary flashcards. Write the sentence from the book that contains the vocabulary word on one side of an index card and the meaning of the word on the other side. Quiz yourself and/or each other on the words. 3. Make an illustrated vocabulary dictionary. On large index cards put the word, its definition, and an illustration. As words are added, rearrange the cards into alphabetical order. At the end, punch holes in the cards and bind them together with yarn. 4. Make a synonym/antonym chart in your journal. Write the vocabulary word and the sentence from the book. Then write a synonym for the vocabulary word. Choose a synonym that can be used in the sentence without changing its meaning. Then write an antonym that changes the meaning of the sentence when substituted for the vocabulary word. Share your sentences with the class. 5. Use the vocabulary words to write a poem or a summary about the reading section. Highlight the vocabulary words and display your work in the classroom. 6. Work in partners to make a vocabulary crossword puzzle using graph paper. 7. Write new sentences using the vocabulary words. Then rewrite each sentence and substitute the word China for the vocabulary words. Trade papers with a partner to see whether you/they can match the sentences to the proper vocabulary words. Examples: The first family, or dynasty, to rule over a large area was the Xia family. The first family, or China, to rule over a large family was the Xia family. 8. Have a vocabulary bee. A moderator reads the sentence from the book and says the vocabulary word. Individuals or teams spell the word and give its proper definition. 9. Play vocabulary hide-and-seek. Work in groups to write the sentences from the book with the vocabulary words on one index card and their definitions on another index card. Have one group of students hide all the cards for the rest of the class to find. Students match the words with their definitions. 10. Play vocabulary pictionary or charades by drawing or acting out each vocabulary word. #578 Thematic Unit Ancient China 8 Teacher Created Resources, Inc.