The Han Dynasty and the Silk Road

 Today's Learning Objective  * Detail the political contributions of the Han Dynasty to the development and expansion of the empire. 

Warm-Up: Ancient China Quiz  Show me what you've learned this past week about the Zhou Dynasty, the Warring States Period, Confucius, and Shi Huangdi and the Qin Dyansty by taking the online quiz here.  

The Han Dynasty: Jigsaw Reading Activity  Today we will be learning about the achievements of the Han, the dynasty that ends up replacing the Qin. However, due to limited time we are going to do a "jigsaw reading" of the passage about the Jigsaw Dynasty. Each group will be assigned one passage from the text, become experts on one particular topic, and then report out to the class about what they learned. You can find the Han Dynasty passage here. Please wait for your assignment before beginning to read.  

The Silk Road: EDpuzzle Video  One of the greatest achievements of the Han Dynasty was the innovation of the "Silk Road." Learn more about it by interacting with an EDpuzzle video today. After you log in, locate the video entitled "The Silk Road and Ancient Trade." Watch the video carefully and answer the five questions. What you don't finish in class becomes homework.   

Homework  Finish your "Silk Road" EDpuzzle video and answer the questions.

The Tomb of the First Emperor Meets Main Idea and Details

 Today's Learning Objective  * List the policies and achievements of the emperor Shi Huangdi in unifying northern China under the Qin Dynasty. * Determine central ideas of a text and summarize the key supporting details and ideas.  

The First Emperor: Main Idea and Details  Today you will be reading about the tomb of Shi Huangdi ("The First Emperor") from an excerpt in your Language of Literature textbooks. Yes, you will be reading from a book today with actual pages. No groaning! "The First Emperor" is an example of informative nonfiction as it provides factual information about a historical figure-the first emperor of China.  

Your objective as you read today is to identify the main idea and details of selected passages (as well as learn more amazing information about Mr. Shi Huangdi). If you need a refresher on main idea and supporting details, check out the image below.  

The passage "The First Emperor" begins on page 729 of your Language of Literature textbook. Use the document "The First Emperor" Main Idea and Details, which can be found in your Social Studies folders to record the main idea and details of selected passages. 

Homework  Complete "The First Emperor" Main Idea and Details assignment.   

The Incredibly True and Sometimes Strange Story of Shi Huangdi

Shi Huangdi, "First Emperor" 

 Today's Learning Objective  * List the policies and achievements of the emperor Shi Huangdi in unifying northern China under the Qin Dynasty. 

Reading and Writing Warm-Up  Read about the life, achievements, and 'dark side' of ancient China's "First Emperor" Shi Huangdi here. Next, answer questions about what your read here.  

Video: 'First Emperor of China'  Today we will watch a short film about Shi Huangdi and his impact on China. Pay attention to several of the film's areas of focus: the dragon motif, Qin Dynasty warfare, Chinese writing, Qin's Code of Law, and the Great Wall of China. Take notes on how each of these subjects are depicted using the document First Emperor of China - Notes, which can be found in your Social Studies folder. If for some reason you would like to pay $2.99 you can access the film below. Otherwise, I'll be showing the video on the big screen for free in class.   

Homework (1.) Finish your First Emperor of China - Notes and Shi Huandi 'Warm-Up' questions. (2.) Complete your Confucius EDpuzzle and the assignment Cause and Effect: The Zhou Dynasty and the Warring States Era, both of which are due tomorrow, Friday, March 27.  

What Does Confucius Say?

Chinese philosopher Confucius

 Today's Learning Objective  * Identify the political and cultural problems prevalent in the time of Confucius and how he sought to solve them.

Confucius Warm-Up  Read about the life and work of Confucius, one of the world's most famous philosophers, here. Then, head over to your Padlet wall (Period 4 and Period 6) and share one thing you learned about his life and one thing you learned about his ideas.

EDpuzzle Video: Confucius  Put your developing understanding of Confucius to the test by interacting with an EDpuzzle video about the famous Chinese philosopher. Login, watch the video "Confucius" carefully, and answer the five questions.

Homework  Complete the "Confucius" EDpuzzle assignment.  

The Zhou Dynasty and the Era of the Warring States

Ancient China during the Warring States Period 

 Today's Learning Objective  * Identify the political and cultural problems prevalent in the time of Confucius and how he sought to solve them.

Warm-Up Video  Watch the informative video below that a group of high school students made about today's topic of study:  the Zhou Dynasty and the Era of the Warring States. 

Cause and Effect:  The Zhou Dynasty and the Era Of the Warring States Cause is what makes something happen. Effect is what happens as a result. Practice identifying cause and effect while reading about the Zhou Dynasty and the Era of the Warring States using the assignment Cause and Effect: The Zhou Dynasty and the Warring States Era, which can be found in your Social Studies folder. 

Homework  Complete the assignment Cause and Effect: The Zhou Dynasty and the Warring States Era, which will be due on Friday, March 27. 

The Mandate of Heaven

Warm Up Quiz  Show me what you learned about the Shang Dynasty by taking the quiz here.  
Crash Course Video:  Ancient China  Let the team at Crash Course review and introduce some key ideas related to Ancient China.  Watch the video below.  

The Mandate of Heaven  Learn about this important belief held by many in Ancient China regarding how the right to rule was determined. You can read about it here and here.  Can you synthesize the information from the three written sources (and the Crash Course Video) and describe in your own words what the Mandate of Heaven was and how it worked? Try doing so here.  

Homework  (1.) Complete your description of the Mandate of Heaven. Complete the Shang Dynasty Webquest, which is due on Friday, March 20. (2.) Complete the Shang Dynasty Webquest, the Dynasty Concept Map, and Ancient China Dynasty Timeline, which are all due tomorrow, Friday, March 20. 

Ancestor Worship and Oracle Bones

 Today's Learning Objective  * Locate and describe the origins of Chinese civilization during the Shang Dynasty.

  

Writing Warm Up  What's the most important thing you learned about the Shang Dynasty during your Webquest? Explain here.  

Key Concepts: Ancestor Worship and Oracle Bones  Today we are learning about two key concepts related to the history and culture of Ancient China. Read about 'Ancestor Worship' and 'Oracle Bones' from the website here. Next, read about Chinese writing as it relates to oracle bones from an excerpt form your textbook here. Finally, complete the Ancestor Worship & Oracle Bones - Study Guide, which can be found in your Social Studies folder. 

Homework  Complete the Ancestor Worship & Oracle Bones - Study Guide, which is due on Friday, March 20.