-

-
|
- The
Topic:
- Ancient
China
|

- Easier - China
is located in Asia. It has the oldest surviving
civilization in the world. Ancient China began between
500,000 and 5000 years ago. The first villages were
built about 5000 years ago. No single date marks the
end of Ancient China.
-
- The Chinese have many ancient traditions and
celebrations. The dragon is a sign of good luck.
-
- Harder - The
early China civilization was ruled by a series of
emperors from different dynasties. These dynasties
were royal families. Shih Haung Ti established the
Ch'in Dynasty, united the Chinese kingdom known as the
Warring States, became the first emperor (221 B.C.),
and began building the Great Wall of China. Thousands
of terra-cotta clay statues were placed to guard his
tomb. The Han Dynasty (206 B.C.-220 A.D.) was a
peaceful time when paper and ink were invented and
schools built. The Tang Dynasty (618 A.D.-906 A.D.)
was known for their public systems, art including
pottery, sculpture, and painting, as well as their
gunpowder.
-
- The "Three Teachings" including Confucianism,
Taoism, and Buddhism greatly influenced the Chinese.
Confucius (551-479 B.C.) taught people about the
importance of being loyal, unselfish, and courteous.
The roots of Taoism go back to prehistoric times but
were described around 600 B.C. by Lao Zi. He explained
the "path" to contentment. Buddha (563 B.C.) who was
born in India focused on achieving absolute peace
through a "Eightfold Path" including rightness of
views, intention, speech, action, livelihood, effort,
mindfulness, and concentration.
-
- Early China was very isolated from the rest of the
world. This isolation is reflected in the creation of
the Great Wall. This wall is 2,150 miles long. This
isolationism extended to the interior of the country.
For example, the Ming dynasty lived in a palace called
the Forbidden City. Ordinary people were prohibited
from entering. The Silk Road was used to open trade
between Ancient China and Rome. This 7,000 mile route
was owned by China but traveled by merchants who
traded products such as silk.
-
- The Ancient Chinese are known for their many
inventions and technological advancements including
the development of writing, a calendar, gunpowder,
printing, silk, paper, and the compass. The earliest
book was printed in 868 A.D.
-
- As you explore online resources you'll notice
conflicting names and titles. In 1957, a new system
for translating Chinese into Roman letters resulted in
many language changes. For example, the first
emperor's name changed from Ch'in Shih Huang to Qin
Shi Huangdi. Although some historians changed to the
new system, others continue to use the original
translations.
-

- China
the Beautiful
- http://www.chinapage.com/china.html
- This website contains information and resources on
all aspects of China both past and present.
- Pages Within this Site:
- 2) Dragons in Ancient China HTTP://www.chinapage.com/dragon1.html
- 3) Calligraphy HTTP://www.chinapage.com/callig1.html
- 4) Paintings HTTP://www.chinapage.com/paint1.html
-
- Daily
Life in Ancient China
- http://members.aol.com/Donnclass/Chinalife.html
- Donn's website provides excellent resources for
teachers and middle school students. Learn about
Taoism with Winnie-the-Pooh. Explore daily life in
four different Chinese dynasties. Meet strange
emperors like Hu the Tiger. Read things written in
B.C. times!
- Other Teacher Websites on Ancient
China:
- 2) Ancient China http://www.fcps.k12.va.us/FoxMillES/china.html
- 3) Ms Hos-McGrane's Grade 6 Social Studies
Class
- http://www.internet-at-work.com/hos_mcgrane/china/eg_china_intro.html
- 4) Electronic Passport to Chinese History
http://www.mrdowling.com/613chinesehistory.html
-
- Discovery
Online: Secrets of the Great Wall
- http://tlc.discovery.com/tlcpages/greatwall/greatwall.html
- This website is basd on a Discovery program on the
Great Wall.
- Related Websites:
- 2) The Great Wall of China http://www.newton.mec.edu/Angier/DimSum/Great%20Wall%20Background.html
- 3) Great Wall of China (Photograph) http://pasture.ecn.purdue.edu/~agenhtml/agenmc/china/images/scenery/gw
- 4) The Great Wall of China (Photographs) http://www.newton.mec.edu/Angier/DimSum/Great%20Wall%20Pix.html
- 5) Great Wall Of China
- http://www.randolph.pvt.k12.al.us/homepages/1995-96/hunter/hunter.html
- 6) A Great Wall/A Guarded Tomb
- http://www.easc.indiana.edu/pages/easc/curriculum/china/1996/EACPWorkBook/trad
. . .
- 7) The Great Wall (easy to read) http://www.EnchantedLearning.com/subjects/greatwall/
-
- Historic
Legends and Tales
- http://www.sh.com/culture/legend/legend.htm
- Read over a dozen historic legends and tales of
China.
- Other Myths, Tales, and Stories of Ancient
China Websites:
- 2) Chinese Folktales http://www.interlog.com/~fccs/culture.htm
- 3) Chinese Folktales Archives http://www.germantownacademy.org/academics/ls/5th/chinfolk/archive.htm
- 4) Chinese Myths and Fantasies http://www.chinavista.com/experience/myth/myth.html
- 5) Chinese Stories http://www.chinavista.com/experience/story/story.html
- 6) Folktales from China http://www.pitt.edu/~dash/china.html
- 7) Stories and Pictures Books-China from Stories,
Legends and Folktales from Around the World http://www.unc.edu/~rwilkers/resource-china.htm
- 8) Tales from China http://members.nbci.com/darsie/tales/china.html
- 9) Historic Legends & Tales http://www.sh.com/culture/legend/legend.htm
-

- Using the websites, complete the
following activities:
-
- Explore Ancient Inventions.
Start with the Ancient
Chinese Technology page. Read the
article Age
of Invention. Explore a Chinese
accomplishment, invention,
or creation such as paper
making, printing, gunpowder, compass,
and the Great Wall. Explore other Ancient
Chinese inventions at Chinese
Invention, and Impressive
Inventions. Create a class invention
database or series of web pages. Which
invention do you think was the most
critical to world history? Why?
-
- Trace the History of Gunpowder.
Chinese is the center of gunpower,
firecrackers, and other explosives. Learn
about the history of firecrackers.
Why was the invention of gunpowder so
important? How would history be different
without explosives?
-
- Make a Silk Road Mural. What's
silk? What's the silk road? Was it really
made of silk? Read about the Silk
Road and Silk
Road. What role did the silk road play
in the history of trade between China and
the rest of the world? Create the silk
road as a mural on a wall. Include all the
products that may have been traded.
-
- Create a Chinese Calligraphy
Banner. Try some Chinese Calligraphy.
See some examples at Chinese
Calligraphy, Chinese
Calligraphy, Traditional
Culture Calligraphy, Chinese
Calligraphy, and Calligraphy.
Create a banner using calligraphy.
-
- Create a Chinese Banquet. China
is known for its food. Learn about all the
different forms of chinese
foods. Hold a class Chinese
banquet.
-
- Write a Chinese Myth. Like the
Greeks and Romans, the Ancient Chinese had
a world filled with mythology. Read about
the history of Chinese
Mythology. Read Historic
Legends and Tales. Read about the
Chinese
myths, then compare them to myths
in other parts of the world. Write
your own myth set in a particular time
period of Ancient China. Mix facts with
your fiction story.
-
- Design an Umbrella. China is
the home of umbrellas. Read about the
history
of umbrellas. Create your own umbrella
design.
-
- Create a Chinese Folktale
Mural. Read a piece of classic Chinese
literature. Try Chinese
Folktales, Chinese
Literature Classics, Classic
Chinese Poetry (real audio), Chinese
Stories, and Chinese
Stories. Read Headless
Tao. Create a wall mural illustrating
your favorite Chinese stories. Explore
folktale murals.
-
- Explore the Three Teachings.
Learn more about the "Three
Teachings" including Confucianism,
Taoism
and Buddhism.
Print out and read the basics of Confucianism,
Taoism,
and Buddhism.
Compare these teaching to the Six
Pillars of Character many schools use
today in Character Education.
-
- Hold a Festival. Read about
Traditional
Chinese Festivals and Traditional
Festivals in China. Celebrate a
Chinese holiday. Go to the Chinese
Festival and Chinese
New Year page for ideas. Learn about
the Chinese
New Year, Moon
Festival, Moon
Festival, and Lantern
Festival. Create your own class
festival.
-
- Celebrate Tea. China is known
as the home of tea.
Learn about the history of tea.
Read about the Art
of Drinking Tea. Hold a class tea
celebration.
-
- Build a Chinese History
Timeline. Use the China
Chronology, Ancient
China Timeline, EAWC
Timeline, History
Timeline, Chinese
Dynasties, and History
of China website for ideas. Use Tom
Snyder's Timeliner software to
create your timeline or create a class
timeline down the hallway.
-
- Create Paper. Learn about
Chinese
Papermaking and explore 42explore:
Papermaking for ideas on how to make
paper. Create your own paper and ink! Do
some calligraphy on your paper.
-
- Make a Map. Explore Maps
of Ancient and Modern China. Explore
the map of the Han
Dynasty and the C'hang-An
in the Sui and T'ang Dynasty. Use the
map
outline to create your own map for a
particular time period. Compare this to
the present day country and cities.
-
- Compare East and West Medicine.
Learn about Medicine,
Chinese
Medicine, Chinese
Medicine, and Chinese
Medical History. How are eastern and
western medicine merging?
What aspects of Chinese medicine do you
like and dislike? What would you like
western doctors to know about Chinese
medicine? Use Inspiration software or
create a chart of paper showing your
comparison.
-
- Create a Proverb Mobile. Learn
about Chinese
Proverbs. Write the proverb on the
mobile and create illustrations that
relate to the proverb.
-
- Trace the Tibetans. The plight
of the Tibetan people is in the news
today. Learn about the history and
location of Tibet.
Take a stand on the current situation
related to the Tibetan people.
-
- Recreate the Great Wall. Learn
more about this marvel at the Great
Wall of China (easy), Discovery
Online: Secrets of the Great Wall ,
Great
Wall and the Great
Wall page. Draw the wall on a map or
use the map
outline. Create the a
three-dimensional wall and part of a
village.
-
- Create a Work of Chinese Art.
Check out the Picture
of the Month on Ancient China. Study a
piece of artwork from Ancient China such
as The
Art of China, Painting,
Splendors
of Imperial China, Tales
of the Land of the Dragon, and
World
Art Treasures. Discuss some of the
techniques used in the artwork. Try to
replicate some of these ideas in a piece
of artwork. Write a paragraph describing
the techniques you used.
-
- Make Some Music. Read about the
Music
of Ancient China. Listen to Ancient
Chinese Melodies and Chinese
Music. Look at photos of Traditional
Chinese Instruments.
-
- Cut some Paper. Papercutting is
an ancient Chinese craft. Read about
papercutting
and the Art
of Chinese Papercut. Try some
papercutting.
-
- Explore Numbers. Numbers
have great importance in Chinese history.
Learn about the abacus.
Check out the Chinese
Mathematics, History
of Mathematics, and Mathematics
page to learn about the important
contributions of the Chinese to
Mathematics. Write an article for a
pretend journal called Math Mania.
-
- Explore the World of I Ching.
Have you ever heard of I Ching? Some
people believe it's the oldest book ever
written. It mixes elements of Taoist and
Confucian philosophy. Learn more about
I
Ching. Share your findings with a
friend.
-
- Design a Room. Feng
Shui is the ancient art of placement.
It involves bringing balance to one's home
through the careful placement of objects.
Check out Feng
Shui for Children. Redesign a room in
your house or a room you invent using Feng
Shui principles.
-
- Draw a Dragon. Dragons play an
important role in Ancient Chinese history.
Read about dragons at Dragons
of Ancient China, Dragon
and Phoenix, and Chinese
Dragon. Create a project that includes
a dragon. It could be a song, poster,
skit, or animation. Check out some
dragon
clipart.
-
- Write About An Emperor.
Emperors played an important role in
the history of China. Check out the
Portraits
of Chinese Emperors and select an
emperor. Write about a day in the life of
this emperor.
-
- Compare the Person and Movie.
Watch the movie Mulan and read about
her
life. Compare the movie and
person.
-
- Take a Tour. Take a Virtual
China Tour and explore some ancient
areas of China such as Forbidden
City, Great
Wall, Summer
Palace, Temple
of Heaven, Beihai
Park, Ming
Tombs, Terracotta
Warriors, Yuan
Ming Yuan, Dunhuang,
Jiuhua
Mountain, and Yongding.
-
- Try a Hunt. Try an Ancient
China hunt such as Daily
Life in Ancient China.
-
- Complete a Ancient China
WebQuest. Explore one of the webquests
below:
- 1) Ancient China (Primary Grades)
http://taylorschool.tripod.com/chinaquestindex.html
- 2) Ancient China (Grade 6) http://www.central.k12.ca.us/akers/china_webquest.html
- 3) Ancient and Medieval China Webquest
(Grade 6) http://members.aol.com/gretchenle/chinawebquest2.html#Webquest
- 4) Searching for China http://www.kn.pacbell.com/wired/China/ChinaQuest.html
- 5) Two Dynasties of Ancient China
(Grade 6) http://lily.edcoe.k12.ca.us/pbl/china.html
- 6) What will it be? Rome or China
http://people.ne.mediaone.net/jmcm/Rome_and_China.html
|

- Websites By Kids For Kids
- Ancient
China
- http://members.tripod.com/~civilizations/ancient_china.htm
- Learn about The Great Wall Of China, dynasties,
religion, food, family life, medicine and healing, art
and painting, clothing and jewelry, literature, and
life and death.
-
- Ancient
China Webpage
- http://www1.enloe.wake.k12.nc.us/enloe/johnson/China5/chinamain.htm
- This page provides information about the
religions, culture, dynasties, geography, and much
more about ancient China.
-
- Ancient
Chinese Technology
- http://library.thinkquest.org/23062/
- This ThinkQuest project focuses on the technology
of ancient China including agriculture, engineering,
domestic and industrial technology, mathematics,
physics, warfare, transportation and nature
discovery.
-
- China
at Mysteries of the Ancient East
- http://library.thinkquest.org/11576/chincont.html
- This section teaches about the inventions, customs
and beliefs, games, and history of ancient China.
-
- China:
An Inner Realm
- http://library.thinkquest.org/20443/home.html
- China, an Inner Realm is where one can explore
fascinating facts pertaining to the land, culture, and
language of the vast and diverse nation.
-
- Chinese
Calligraphy
- http://tqjunior.thinkquest.org/3614/
- Learn about the history of Chinese
calligraphy.
-
- Chinese
Inventions
- http://library.thinkquest.org/15618/
- Explore the inventions of the Chinese.
-
- The
Chinese Odyssey
- http://library.thinkquest.org/10662/
- This site covers the different dynasties, Chinese
superstitions, life in ancient China, Chinese
inventions, Chinese literary works and writers, and
art and architecture.
-
- Development
of Technology in China
- http://library.thinkquest.org/27895/
- Explore the development of technology in China
including agriculture, astronomy, geography,
gunpowder, papermaking, and printing. This student
project also include a quiz and timeline.
-
- Empires
Past: China
- http://library.thinkquest.org/16325/c-main.html
- Explore Chinese history including Qin dynasty, Han
dynasty and Era of Disunity, Restoration and Tang
dynasty, Song dynasty, Mongol rule, Ming dynasty,
Manchu/Qing dynasty, and list of rulers.
-
- Four
Chinese Philosophies
- http://www.cmi.k12.il.us/Urbana/projects/AncientCiv/china_philos/philos.html
- This web page contains posters made by sixth
graders on the four Chinese philosophies.
-
- The
Imperial Era
- http://library.thinkquest.org/27409/
- Here you can visit sections for information about
a particular dynasty.
-
- Library
of Chinese Religion, History and Culture
- http://library.thinkquest.org/12255/indlist.html
- This site introduces learners to Chinese beliefs
and practices including Feng Shui, Buddhism,
Confucianism, Taoism, herbal medicine, and
acupuncture, martial arts and more. There is also
information on Chinese dynastic history and
mythology.
-
- Loogootee
Studies China
- http://www.fi.edu/fellows/fellow1/apr99/index.html
- This third grade project includes the ABC's of
China, a quiz, a papermaking project, a number
activity, and information about the Chinese
calendar.
-
- The
Secrets of the Lost Chinese Empire
- http://www.internet-at-work.com/hos_mcgrane/china/eg_china_menu1.html
- This excellent project provides information about
Buddhism in China, The Great Wall of China, The Story
of Tea, Impressive Inventions,Terra Cotta Soldiers
Everywhere, Social Structure, and Bibliography.
-
- Additional Websites About Ancient
China
- Amazing
Chinese Accomplishments
- http://www.educ.uvic.ca/faculty/mroth/438/CHINA/CHINA-PAGE.html
- This website links to information about
papermaking, printing, gunpowder, the compass, and
other Chinese innovations.
- Related Inventions Websites:
- 2) Chinese Inventions - Can You Name Them?
http://www.easc.indiana.edu/pages/easc/curriculum/china/1996/EACPWorkBook/trad/ch
- _inv.htm
- 3) Chinese Inventions at the Franklin
Institute http://sln.fi.edu/tfi/info/current/inventions.html
- 4) Chinese Crafts at the Franklin Institute
http://sln.fi.edu/tfi/info/current/crafts.html
-
- Ancient
China at Exploring Ancient World
Cultures (University of Evansville)
- http://eawc.evansville.edu/chpage.htm
- Despite their cloudy and distant origins, the
poems of ancient China make many statements that may
sound curiously familiar to contemporary Americans.
Explore these poems as well as links to other
historical and cultural resources about Ancient
China.
-
- Ancient
China
- http://www.wsu.edu:8080/~dee/ANCCHINA/ANCCHINA.HTM
- This website contains information about The Yellow
River Valley, The Shang (1766-1050 BC), and The Chou
(1050-256 BC). It also has information about ancient
philosophies such as Pre-Confucian China and the Five
Classics, Confucius, Mencius, Lao Tzu and Taoism,
MoTzu, and The Legalists. Finally, you'll find
Anthology of Chinese Readings, Glossary of Chinese
Culture and History, Historical Atlas, and links to
other resources.
- Other Informational Sites on Ancient
China:
- 2) Ancient China http://www.crystalinks.com/china.html
- 3) Chinese Culture Handouts http://www.cohums.ohio-state.edu/deall/jin.3/c231/handouts/default.htm
- 4) Condensed China http://asterius.com/china/
- 5) Traditional Chinese Culture http://www.roc-taiwan.org/info/culture/culture.html
-
- Ancient
China from Mrs. Wahl
- http://www.central.k12.ca.us/akers/cwahl/china.html
- This links site provides lots of website resources
for learning about Ancient China.
- Other Links Sites:
- 2) Ancient History: Asia http://ancienthistory.about.com/homework/ancienthistory/cs/asia1/index.htm
- 3) Chinese Culture http://chineseculture.about.com/culture/chineseculture/
- 4) Guide to Ancient China on the Web http://www.cmi.k12.il.us/~kempeja/Anewchina.html
- 5) Websites for Teaching and Learning about China
http://www.ss.uno.edu/ss/ahist/TeachChinaLinks.html
-
- China
at EMuseum
- http://emuseum.mankato.msus.edu/prehistory/china/index.shtml
- From ancient China to the various imperial
dynasties, you get lots of details, pictures, and a
cool timeline here.
- Sections Within the Website:
- 2) Neolithic China http://emuseum.mankato.msus.edu/prehistory/china/ancient_china/neolithic.html
- 3) Early Imperial China http://emuseum.mankato.msus.edu/prehistory/china/early_imperial_china/qin.html
-
- The
Fossil Evidence for Human Evolution in
China
- http://www.cruzio.com/~cscp/index.htm
- This page introduces the fossil evidence for human
evolution in China.
-
- Mathematics
in China at History of
Mathematics
- http://aleph0.clarku.edu/~djoyce/mathhist/china.html
- This site provides a brief outline of the history
of mathematics in China.
-
- More
Soldiers in the Terra Cotta Army at
Harcourt School Publishers
- http://www.hbschool.com/newsbreak/terra.html
- Here is a short article about the discovery of
more famous terra cotta soldiers at the grave site of
the first emperor of the Qin dynasty in the ancient
Chinese city of Xian.
-
- Mysterious
Mummies of China
- http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/chinamum/
- Explore this NOVA special about how mummies in
China have been preserved through history.
-
- Secrets
of Lost Empires from PBS NOVA
- http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/lostempires/china/
- This website supports a NOVA special where people
try to design and build a Chinese bridge known only
from an ancient painting.
-
- The
Shang Dynasty:1523-1027 BC
- http://campus.northpark.edu/history/WebChron/China/Shang.html
- The Shang is the earliest Chinese dynasty for
which we have written evidence.
- Similar Website:
- 2) The Shang http://www.wsu.edu:8080/%7Edee/ANCCHINA/YELLOW.HTM
- Related Website:
- 3) The Zhou Dynasty:1027-777 BC http://campus.northpark.edu/history/WebChron/China/Zhou.html
-
- The
Story of the Hakkas by L.M. Lock
- http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/Harbor/6896/index.html
- The website discusses migrations of Hakka or guest
people to China and eyebrows as clues to the origins
of modern Chinese.
-
- Websites For Teachers
- Ancient
China (Grade 6, Oakland Unified School
District.,CA)
- http://webtest.ousd.k12.ca.us/cvf/curric_library/china/china_index.html
- Here are web-based curriculum resources which can
be used to supplement and extend a unit on Ancient
China.
-
- Ancient
China from Mr. Donn
- http://members.aol.com/Donnpages/Ideas.html#CHINA
- Here are several lesson plan ideas for ancient
China.
-
- Chinese
Celebrations Lesson Plans
- http://www.kqed.org/ednet/school/socialstudies/golden/celebr.html
- This lesson focuses on chinese celebrations.
-
- Imperial
Tombs Curriculum Guide
- http://www.ucf.edu/~oma/tablcon.htm
- Explore images, lessons, and other materials
related to Ancient Chinese art and culture.
-
- Mini-Unit
Topic: Chinese Folktales
- http://www.ed.uiuc.edu/YLP/Units/Mini_Units/94-95/Kresin.Chinese/
- This Grade 3/4 unit explores the folktales of
China.
-
- Selected Readings on Chinese History (China
Teaching Workbook, Columbia University)
- Here are student handouts and teachers'
background notes supporting a unit on ancient Chinese
history.
- 1) The Great Bronze Age of China http://www.easc.indiana.edu/pages/easc/curriculum/china/1996/EACPWor
. . .
- 2) Soldiers of the Qin http://www.easc.indiana.edu/pages/easc/curriculum/china/1996/EACP
. . .
- 3) China's Gifts to the West http://www.easc.indiana.edu/pages/easc/curriculum/china/1996/EACPWor
. . .
- 4) Marco Polo in China http://www.easc.indiana.edu/pages/easc/curriculum/china/1996/EACPWor
. . .
- 5) Rituals and Legends of The Chinese New Year
http://www.easc.indiana.edu/pages/easc/curriculum/china/1996/EACPWor
. . .
-
- Six
Paths to China
- http://www.kn.pacbell.com/wired/China/
- This website provides six different kinds of
activities you can use related to Ancient China
including Hotlist, Scrapbook, Treasure Hunt, Subject
Sampler, and WebQuest.
-
- Who
Invented It? When? Chinese Inventions
- http://www.askasia.org/frclasrm/lessplan/l000019.htm
- A common stereotype is that the Chinese
traditionally lack scientific and technological
ability, although, somehow, they stumbled upon
papermaking, printing, gunpowder, and the mariner's
compass. This activity might be an 'icebreaker' for an
ancient China unit?
-

-

-
- Created by
Annette
Lamb and
Larry
Johnson,
04/01.
|