Introduction
Ancient China: Self-directed learning
This term we will be looking at some aspects of Ancient China. Beginning in about
2200 BCE, China established Asia's greatest civilisation. Its rich and complex history, shaped by both war and by philosophy, was full of contrasts.
Our key inquiry questions are:
1. How and where did the civilisation of Ancient China develop?
2. What archaeological discoveries and types of evidence have enabled historians to understand Ancient Chinese society?
3. Who, and which philosophies, shaped the nature of Ancient Chinese society?
4. What technological discoveries did the Ancient Chinese make and how did these influence other civilisations?
Each week you will need to complete a learning task, which will be due at the end of the lesson. Each task will be assessed and graded. If you do not hand a task in at the end of the lesson, you will need to submit it by the following day. If you do not submit this work, you will not receive any marks and this will affect your overall grade for this semester.
I encourage you to work to capacity during class time - be ready to start work immediately and have all your equipment ready.
Part of your assessment includes three homework tasks - the first is due in week 2; the second in week 4 and the last one in week 6. Use the Bloom's Taxonomy sheet to select three learning tasks that you are interested in. Refer to the assessment rubric so you can see where and how you'll be assessed.
Make this term a successful one by taking ownership of your learning and producing work that you can be proud of :)
Task
LESSON ONE: Introduction to Ancient China
1. Fill in the KWHL chart. Think / pair / share.
2. Map of Ancient China.
3. Timeline: construct a timeline using the information given. Check and glue into your book.
4. Think about your first homework task: this is due in week 2.
LESSON TWO: The Early Dynasties of Xia, and Shang
1. Homework is due!
2. Today you need to research using the websites below and the printed material in class. Complete all work in your History book. Use headings.
3.Xia dynasty: locate information about the following:
a) How was the Xia dynasty founded?
b) What are the Confucian classics, or Five Classics? What is the importance of these?
c) When were the ruins of Anyang discovered and what was found there?
4. Shang dynasty: locate information about the following:
a) What is a Shang bronze?
b) Describe what an oracle bone is. What do they tell us about the Shang dunasty?
Use the clay provided to make your own oracle bone. Use a match stick to carve some Chinese characters into the bone.
Homework task 2 is due in week 4.
LESSON THREE: The Zhou Dynasty:
1. Read for information: 256-258. Use this information to complete the following:
a) What is the Mandate of Heaven?
b) Why was the King of Zhou forced to give land to other Zhou nobles and allies to rule on his behalf?
c) Draw a cartoon strip of a Zhou noble participating in the 'ceremony of investiture".
d) Design a bronze coin - see source 4.4.
LESSON FOUR: Emperor Shi Huangdi and the Qin dynasty:
a) Who was Emperor Shi Huangdi?
b) How did he reform the Empire? What was the Code of Qin?
c) Choose either The Great Wall of China OR the Terracotta Warriors. Design a travel brochure which tells tourists the history and origin of the Wall / Warriors. Include pictures.
Homework task 2 is now due.
LESSON FIVE: Philosophy and Religion during the Qin Dynasty:
a) Select TWO of the following topics to research:
- Legalism and the Code of Qin
- Confucianism
- Mencius
- Daoism and Laozi
- Cosmology and the forces of Yin and Yang
Present your work in a report.
Homework task 3 is due in week 6.
LESSON SIX: Daily Life in Ancient China during the Han Dynasty:
Read for information: Pgs 270 -275 to answer the following questions:
a) Who established the Han dynasty and how many years did it last?
b) Draw the social structure pyramid (source 7.3) labelling each section. Why do you think peasants were ranked higher than craftspeople and merchants?
c) Why were farmers important? Give three reasons.
d) What is the Silk Road? Where did it start and finish? (see source 7.7)
e) Describe the role of women in Han society. Read source 7.8.
f) Why were the merchants considered the lowest of the four classes?
Homework task 3 is now due.
LESSON SEVEN: Legacies and Connections to Technology in Ancient China:
Choose one of the following Chinese inventions to research. Include sketches, diagrams and/or pictures.
- the compass
- the crossbow
- the invention of paper
Process
Use the following websites to assist you when researching. Remember to read information carefully, ask questions if you don't understand the content, and try to write information in your own words.
quatr.us/china
www.ducksters.com/history/china/ancient_china
www.historyfor kids.net/ancient.china
Library resources
You must include a reference at the end of each lesson/topic.
Evaluation
Each lesson topic is worth 10% = 70% for lesson content, book work and participation.
3 homework tasks = 10% each = 30% in total.
If you are absent for a lesson, you can still work on your History as you have the link to this webquest or you can collect a paper copy IF you do NOT have access to the internet at home. It will be your responsibility to complete the work.
If you have any problems, it is your responsibility to catch up with me so that I can help you.
Conclusion
At the end of this unit, you should be able to give responses to the key inquiry questions posed at the start of the unit.
Fill in the final section of the KWHL chart.
Credits
Pearson 7 History