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Ancient Civilizations: China

Written By Rachael Freed

(Image By Dennis Jarvis)

“Teach me knowledge and good judgment, for I believe in your commands.” (Psalm 119:66, NIV)

“The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge, for the ears of the wise seek it out.” (Proverbs 18:15 NIV)

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Welcome!

Welcome to the incredible world of ancient China! Chinese civilization is ancient and

filled with fascinating people, extraordinary discoveries, and exciting adventures! This

unit is designed to be completed by students in grade seven over a six-week period.

Seventh grade students are generally expected to learn about three or more ancient

civilizations over the course of the year. Ancient Chinese culture is truly fascinating. In

this unit your child will learn about the way in which the ancient Chinese lived, their

government, religion, economics, warfare, art, and inventions. Your child will have the

opportunity to conduct research, complete hands-on projects, crafts, writing activities,

presentation activities, a lapbook, and even create their own newspaper!

Please note that many of the books in this unit feature hands-on activities that

require additional materials. I recommend looking ahead one week at a time in order to

make a list of supplies you will need. Please do not feel that you have to completed

every craft or project--choose those projects that you feel will work best for your child’s

learning style. I highly recommend that you complete the research, writing and

presentation activities as they are a critical component of the grade seven social studies

curriculum.

I hope you enjoy your visit to ancient China!

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Provincial Learning Outcomes Met

British Columbia’s curriculum is currently being rewritten. At this time, the Provincial

learning outcomes for this topic are found in the seventh grade curriculum.

Seventh Grade students will know and understand the following concepts

and content:

● analyse the concept of civilization as it applies to selected ancient cultures

● assess how physical environments affected ancient civilizations

● identify the impact of human activity on physical environments in ancient

civilizations

● identify influences and contributions of ancient societies to present-day cultures

● describe various ways ancient peoples exchanged goods and services

● assess ways technological innovations enabled ancient peoples to: adapt to and

modify their environments, satisfy their needs, increase exploration and trade,

develop their cultures

● compare ancient and modern communications media

● describe the evolution and purpose of rules, laws, and government in ancient

civilizations

● assess how ancient systems of laws and government have contributed to current

Canadian political and legal systems

Seventh Grade students will be able to inquire by:

● applying critical thinking skills – including comparing, classifying, inferring,

imagining, verifying, using analogies, identifying relationships, summarizing, and

drawing conclusions – to a range of problems and issues

● compile a body of information from a range of sources

● deliver a formal presentation on a selected issue or inquiry using two or more

forms of representation

● defend a position on a contemporary or historical issue

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Ancient Civilizations: China

Note: you are only able to check out three books at a time. I recommend that you check

out “If I were a Kid in Ancient China,” “Great Ancient China Projects,” and “Ming

Dynasty” first. You will be able to return “Ming Dynasty” after day five at which point you

can check out “Discover Ancient China.” After day eleven you can return “Discover

Ancient China” and check out “The History Detective.” Once you have completed the

readings in “If I Were a Kid…” you will be able to return it and check out “Marco Polo for

Kids.” To learn more about the different types of digital PDF resources, and how

to download them the help page has excellent instructions.

Digital Resources for Use With This Kit:

Discover Ancient China by Neil D. Bramwell

The History Detective Investigates: The Shang Dynasty of Ancient China by Geoffrey

Barker

Great Ancient China Projects You Can Build Yourself by Lance Kramer

Ming Dynasty China by Bonnie Hinman

If I Were a Kid in Ancient China by Lou Waryncia

Marco Polo for Kids by Janis Herbert

Online Resources:

Bible Gateway

Discovery Education

Additional Information:

The books “Great Ancient China Projects You Can Build Yourself” and “Marco Polo for

Kids” both feature many hands-on projects and activities. I have selected and scheduled

many of these activities. Please feel free to pick-and-choose activities based on the

needs of your child. Note, however, that both of these books include interesting and

engaging material that will help your child to gain a richer understanding of ancient

China. I recommend that you read through these books as schedule, even if you choose

not to do the scheduled activity.

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Unit Overview

Day Discover Ancient China

The History Detective

Great Ancient China Projects

Ming Dynasty China

If I Were a Kid in Ancient

China

Marco Polo for Kids

Day 1 Timeline & Pages 1-3 (Introduction)

Chapter One: Welcome to Peking

Page 4

(Introduction)

Day 2 Pages 4-7 (A Civilization Like None Other)

Chapter Two: My Home in Hutong

Page 5 (The

World of China)

Day 3 Pages 8-15 (Cities and Architecture): Build a Mini Yurt (Page 12)

Chapter Three: The Forbidden City

Page 6 (Made

in China)

Day 4 Pages 16-21 (Paper): Make Your Own Paper (Page 19)

Chapter Four: Working for the Government & The Great Wall

Page 8 (Life in

Ancient China)

Day 5 Pages 22-29

(Writing and

Education):

Make Your

Own Moveable

Type (Page 26)

Chapter Five: Temples and Ships

Page 10

(Dressed for

Success)

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Day Discover Ancient China

The History Detective

Great Ancient China Projects

Ming Dynasty China

If I Were a Kid in Ancient

China

Marco Polo for Kids

Day 6 Chapter 1 (An Army Protects the First Emperor)

Make Your Own Ink (Page 28)

Page 12

(Pottery Pigs &

Papier-Mache)

Day 7 Chapter 2 (History)

Pages 30-42 (Warriors and Weapons): Make Your Own Animated Terracotta Army (Page 36) OR Make An Actual Terracotta Army (Page 39)

Page 14 (Lotus

Feet)

Day 8 Chapter 3 (Land, People, and Religion)

Make Your Own Kite (Page 40)

Page 16 (At

School with

Confucius)

Day 9 Chapter 4 (Family Life: Education, Food, Clothing and Shelter)

Pages 43-47 (Jade and Silk): Make Your Own Jade Jewelry (Page 47)

Page 18

(Bamboo

Books and

Word Pictures)

Day 10

Chapter 5 (Arts and Cultural Contribution

Pages 48-57

(Merchants and

Trade): Make

Your Own

Suspension

Bridge (Page

54)

Page 20 (A

Visit to

Chang’an)

Day 11

Chapter 6 Government

Make Your Own Relief Map (Page 56)

Page 22

(Dynasties)

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Day Discover Ancient China

The History Detective

Great Ancient China Projects

Ming Dynasty China

If I Were a Kid in Ancient

China

Marco Polo for Kids

Day 12

Page 4-5 (Who Were the Shang)

Pages 58-65 (Explorers and Sailing): Make Your Own Compass (Page 63)

Page 24 (Along

the Silk Road)

Day 13

Pages 6-7 (What did the Shang Kings Do?)

Make Your Own Ancient Chinese Junk (Page 64)

Page 26

(Religion Along

the Road)

Day 14

Pages 8-9 (How did the Shang Wage War?)

Pages 66-78

(Healers and

Medicine):

Learn T’ai Ch’i

Moves (Page

71)

Day 15

Pages 10-11 (What did Ordinary People Do?)

Page 72-79

(Farming):

Make Your

Own Bronze

Foundry (Page

78)

Day 16

Pages 12-13 (What Were Shang Cities Like?)

Pages 80-90

(Food): Make

Your Own

Moon Cakes

(Page 85)

Day 17

Pages 14-15 (What were ‘dragon bones’?)

Your Own

Chinese Egg

Noodles (Page

86)

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Day Discover Ancient China

The History Detective

Great Ancient China Projects

Ming Dynasty China

If I Were a Kid in Ancient

China

Marco Polo for Kids

Day 18

Pages 16-17 (What did the bones show?)

Brew Your Own

Chinese Style

Tea (Page 88)

Day 19

Pages 18-19 (Who were the Shang gods?)

Make Your

Own Ice Cream

(Page 90)

Day 20

Pages 20-21 (Did the Shang Sacrifice People?)

Pages 91-96

(Time and

Space)

Day 21

Pages 22-23 (Who Was the Lady Fu Hao?)

Pages 97-103

(Music): Make

Your Own

Chinese String

Instrument

(Page 101)

Day 22

Pages 24-25 (What Art did the Shang Make?)

Make Your

Own Chinese

Puppet (Page

102)

Day 23

Pages 26-27 (What’s So Special About Shang Bronze-Work?

Pages 104-107

(Chang Hengs

Seismograph):

Make Your

Own Model

Seismograph

(Page 107)

Beginning on Page 1 (A Journey From East to West)

Day 24

Pages 28-29 (Your Project)

Page 108-114:

Make Your

Own Abacus

(Page 111)

Page 4 (Make a Mythical Map)

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Day Discover Ancient China

The History Detective

Great Ancient China Projects

Ming Dynasty China

If I Were a Kid in Ancient

China

Marco Polo for Kids

Day 25

Make Your

Own Tangrams

(Page 112)

Page 6 (Weave a Wall Hanging)

Day 26

Make Your

Own Paper

Snowflake

(Page 114)

Page 22 (Make a Mosaic)

Day 27

Beginning on Page 25 (In the Realm of Kublai Khan)

Day 28

Beginning on Page 43 (Dragons and Dynasties): Page 58 (Make a Dragon Mask)

Day 29

Page 76 (Chinese Style Painting)

Day 30

Page 82 (Make a Paper Lantern)

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Day Plans

Day One:

If I Were a Kid in Ancient China Page 4 (Introduction)

Great Ancient China Projects You Can Build Yourself Timeline & Pages 1-3

(Introduction)

Ming Dynasty China Chapter One: Welcome to Peking

Possible Activities:

Watch Ancient Civilizations Starter Collection: China from Discovery Education.

Day Two:

If I Were a Kid in Ancient China Page 5 (The World of China)

Great Ancient China Projects You Can Build Yourself Pages 4-7 (A Civilization Like

None Other)

Ming Dynasty China Chapter Two: My Home in Hutong

Possible Activities:

Watch Asia’s Expansion: Treasure and Travels from Discovery Education.

Day Three:

If I Were a Kid in Ancient China Page 6 (Made in China)

Great Ancient China Projects You Can Build Yourself Pages 8-15 (Cities and

Architecture): Build a Mini Yurt (Page 12)

Ming Dynasty China Chapter Three: The Forbidden City

Possible Activities:

Watch Project 500: China’s Cultural Monuments from Discovery Education.

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Day Four:

If I Were a Kid in Ancient China Page 8 (Life in Ancient China)

Great Ancient China Projects You Can Build Yourself Pages 16-21 (Paper): Make Your

Own Paper (Page 19)

Ming Dynasty China Chapter Four: Working for the Government & The Great Wall

Possible Activities:

Take a virtual tour of the Great Wall of China.

Watch a video about the Great Wall of China from National Geographic.

Day Five:

If I Were a Kid in Ancient China Page 10 (Dressed for Success)

Great Ancient China Projects You Can Build Yourself Pages 22-29 (Writing and

Education): Make Your Own Moveable Type (Page 26)

Ming Dynasty China Chapter Five: Temples and Ships

Possible Activities:

Watch From China: Past to Present: Life in the Ancient Capital Cities from Discovery

Education. Further your understanding of the video using the materials found here.

Read more kid-friendly information about Ancient China.

Day Six:

If I Were a Kid in Ancient China Page 12 (Pottery Pigs & Papier-Mache)

Great Ancient China Projects You Can Build Yourself Make Your Own Ink (Page 28)

Discover Ancient China Chapter 1 (An Army Protects the First Emperor)

Possible Activities:

Visit History for Kids to learn even more about Ancient China.

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Day Seven:

If I Were a Kid in Ancient China Page 14 (Lotus Feet)

Great Ancient China Projects You Can Build Yourself Pages 30-42 (Warriors and

Weapons): Make Your Own Animated Terracotta Army (Page 36) OR Make An Actual

Terracotta Army (Page 39)

Discover Ancient China Chapter 2 (History)

Possible Activities:

Explore Ancient Chinese Artefacts courtesy of the British Museum. This site has a lot of

very interesting features, investigate by clicking on the various links and pictures.

Day Eight:

If I Were a Kid in Ancient China Page 16 (At School with Confucius)

Great Ancient China Projects You Can Build Yourself Make Your Own Kite (Page 40)

Discover Ancient China Chapter 3 (Land, People, and Religion)

Possible Activities:

Watch a video about China.

Day Nine:

If I Were a Kid in Ancient China Page 18 (Bamboo Books and Word Pictures)

Great Ancient China Projects You Can Build Yourself Pages 43-47 (Jade and Silk):

Make Your Own Jade Jewelry (Page 47)

Discover Ancient China Chapter 4 (Family Life: Education, Food, Clothing and Shelter)

Possible Activities:

This fun video lesson covers 2000 years of Chinese history!

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Day Ten:

If I Were a Kid in Ancient China Page 20 (A Visit to Chang’an)

Great Ancient China Projects You Can Build Yourself Pages 48-57 (Merchants and

Trade): Make Your Own Suspension Bridge (Page 54)

Discover Ancient China Chapter 5 (Arts and Cultural Contributions)

Possible Activities:

Watch Ancient Civilizations Starter Collection: China from Discovery Education.

Day Eleven:

If I Were a Kid in Ancient China Page 22 (Dynasties)

Great Ancient China Projects You Can Build Yourself Make Your Own Relief Map (Page

56)

Discover Ancient China Chapter 6 (Government)

Possible Activities:

Watch Part One of the Ancient Chinese Inventions.

Day Twelve:

If I Were a Kid in Ancient China Page 24 (Along the Silk Road)

Great Ancient China Projects You Can Build Yourself Pages 58-65 (Explorers and

Sailing): Make Your Own Compass (Page 63)

The History Detectives Investigate the Shang Dynasty Page 4-5 (Who Were the Shang)

Possible Activities:

Watch Part Two of Ancient Chinese Inventions.

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Day Thirteen:

If I Were a Kid in Ancient China Page 26 (Religion Along the Road)

Great Ancient China Projects You Can Build Yourself Make Your Own Ancient Chinese

Junk (Page 64)

The History Detectives Investigate the Shang Dynasty Pages 6-7 (What did the Shang

Kings Do?)

Possible Activities:

Watch Part Three of Ancient Chinese Inventions.

Learn about the silk road and ancient trade routes in this engaging video lesson.

Day Fourteen:

Great Ancient China Projects You Can Build Yourself Pages 66-78 (Healers and

Medicine): Learn T’ai Ch’i Moves (Page 71)

The History Detectives Investigate the Shang Dynasty Pages 8-9 (How did the Shang

Wage War?)

Possible Activities:

Use long sheets of paper, sharpies, and a rule to create a visual timeline of the different

CHinese dynasties and when they ruled. This website has terrific information to follow.

Decorate your timeline with symbols, images, and printed pictures from the internet.

Day Fifteen:

Great Ancient China Projects You Can Build Yourself Page 72-79 (Farming): Make Your

Own Bronze Foundry (Page 78)

The History Detectives Investigate the Shang Dynasty Pages 10-11 (What did Ordinary

People Do?)

Possible Activities:

Ancient China Research Project. The Ancient Chinese are responsible for many

inventions (wikipedia also has a detailed list of inventions that came out of China) we

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still use today. Have your child choose an invention in which they are most interested to

research and create a presentation on. Your child should answer the following

questions in their presentation:

● What is the invention?

● Who created it? When did they create it?

● Who did/does it benefit?

● What is the purpose of the invention?

● How do we use this invention, or something like it, today?

● Why was the invention so influential?

Your child may wish to present their project in a different way. At this grade level,

children are generally enthusiastic about presenting information they have learned.

They may wish to choose a unique way to present the information they gather. For

example:

● a poster

● a written report

● a videotaped oral report.

● a diorama, scene or model

● A video or machinima

● Use of software to incorporate learning such as Powerpoint, Popplet, or Digital

Storytelling tools to be found here.

It is, however, important that the project includes a written element. A writing project

based in what they are currently studying is a wonderful and practical opportunity for

your child to practice their writing skills. Make a plan for the project prior to beginning

work on it to avoid your child taking on an overwhelming amount of work. Use Canadian

Student Research Centre from EBSCOhost to find articles and information. Canadian

Student Research Centre is a fantastic tool that will enable your child to conduct age-

appropriate research. NOTE: you will need to contact your child’s teacher order to get

the login information for EBSCOhost. Once you have logged in you will be able to

choose from a range of search options including Canadian Student Research Centre for

grades 4-9.To discover how to go about doing the research process check this page.

Remember to brainstorm essential questions related to your topic as you prepare your

project and contact your teacher librarian if you have difficulties deciding how to conduct

your research or find resources.

Day Sixteen:

Great Ancient China Projects You Can Build Yourself Pages 80-90 (Food): Make Your

Own Moon Cakes (Page 85)

The History Detectives Investigate the Shang Dynasty Pages 12-13 (What Were Shang

Cities Like?)

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Possible Activities:

Watch China From Past to Present: Geography, Traditional Religions, and Beliefs from

Discovery Education.

Continue work on your Ancient Chinese Inventions project.

Day Seventeen:

Great Ancient China Projects You Can Build Yourself Make Your Own Chinese Egg

Noodles (Page 86)

The History Detectives Investigate the Shang Dynasty Pages 14-15 (What were ‘dragon

bones’?)

Possible Activities:

Watch this interesting video about Ancient Chinese architecture.

Continue work on your Ancient Chinese Inventions project.

Construct your very own Great Wall of China using foam bricks! Supplies: FloraCraft

Styrofoam Bricks, White Craft Glue, foam poster board, fake greenery, cardboard (for

the floor of the wall), toothpicks (to secure stairs on ends of Wall).

(Image From Here)

Day Eighteen:

Great Ancient China Projects You Can Build Yourself Brew Your Own Chinese Style

Tea (Page 88)

The History Detectives Investigate the Shang Dynasty Pages 16-17 (What did the

bones show?)

Possible Activities:

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Watch Chinese Empire and learn about the Great Wall of China, The Qin, Han, and

Ming Dynasties.

Continue work on your Ancient Chinese Inventions project.

Day Nineteen:

Great Ancient China Projects You Can Build Yourself Make Your Own Ice Cream (Page

90)

The History Detectives Investigate the Shang Dynasty Pages 18-19 (Who were the

Shang gods?)

Possible Activities:

Begin work on a fabulous ancient China lapbook from Homeschool Share.

Continue work on your Ancient Chinese Inventions project.

Day Twenty:

Great Ancient China Projects You Can Build Yourself Pages 91-96 (Time and Space)

The History Detectives Investigate the Shang Dynasty Pages 20-21 (Did the Shang

Sacrifice People?)

Possible Activities:

Continue working on your lapbook and continue work on your Ancient Chinese

Inventions project.

Day Twenty-One:

Great Ancient China Projects You Can Build Yourself Pages 97-103 (Music): Make Your

Own Chinese String Instrument (Page 101)

The History Detectives Investigate the Shang Dynasty Pages 22-23 (Who Was the Lady

Fu Hao?)

Possible Activities:

Continue working on your lapbook.

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Continue work on your Ancient Chinese Inventions project.

Day Twenty-Two:

Great Ancient China Projects You Can Build Yourself Make Your Own Chinese Puppet

(Page 102)

The History Detectives Investigate the Shang Dynasty Pages 24-25 (What Art did the

Shang Make?)

Possible Activities:

Continue working on your lapbook.

Complete your Ancient Chinese Inventions project. Your child will be presenting their

project on day thirty.

Day Twenty-Three:

Great Ancient China Projects You Can Build Yourself Pages 104-107 (Chang Hengs

Seismograph): Make Your Own Model Seismograph (Page 107)

The History Detectives Investigate the Shang Dynasty Pages 26-27 (What’s So Special

About Shang Bronze-Work?)

Marco Polo for Kids Beginning on Page 1 (A Journey From East to West)

Possible Activities:

Learn the Horrible History of Marco Polo from Discovery Education.

Finish your ancient China lapbook.

Day Twenty-Four:

Great Ancient China Projects You Can Build Yourself Page 108-114 (Numbers): Make

Your Own Abacus (Page 111)

The History Detectives Investigate the Shang Dynasty Pages 28-29 (Your Project)

Marco Polo for Kids Page 4 (Make a Mythical Map)

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Possible Activities:

The Ancient Chinese News Project: Your child has been learning a great deal about

Ancient China. Have your child create the a newspaper that talks about Ancient China.

Your newspaper should include titles, articles, pictures, and an advertisement. Be

creative! You can use the fabulous printing press courtesy of Read-Write-Think.

Day Twenty-Five:

Great Ancient China Projects You Can Build Yourself Make Your Own Tangrams (Page

112)

Marco Polo for Kids Page 6 (Weave a Wall Hanging)

Possible Activities:

Learn to write Chinese characters.

Watch Discovery Atlas: China Revealed from Discovery Education. This video explores

China’s ancient roots while examining its current situation.

Day Twenty-Six:

Great Ancient China Projects You Can Build Yourself Make Your Own Paper Snowflake

(Page 114)

Marco Polo for Kids Page 22 (Make a Mosaic)

Possible Activities:

Learn how to make a Chinese Scroll. Supplies: eyedropper, ink, straw.

Day Twenty-Seven:

Marco Polo for Kids Beginning on Page 25 (In the Realm of Kublai Khan)

Possible Activities:

Make a Chinese slat book. Supplies: 5 or 6 popsicle sticks, black permanent marker

string.

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Day Twenty-Eight:

Marco Polo for Kids Beginning on Page 43 (Dragons and Dynasties): Page 58 (Make a

Dragon Mask)

Possible Activities:

Watch What the Ancients Knew: The Chinese from Discovery Education.

Day Twenty-Nine:

Marco Polo for Kids Page 76 (Chinese Style Painting)

Possible Activities:

Watch China: People and Places from Discovery Education.

Day Thirty:

Marco Polo for Kids Page 82 (Make a Paper Lantern)

Possible Activities:

Have your child present what they learned about Ancient Chinese inventions to friends

and/or family.

(Image By Dennis Jarvis)

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Bibliography

"China Craft ~ The Great Wall." Confessions of a Homeschooler. Web. 12 Nov. 2014.

<http://www.confessionsofahomeschooler.com/blog/2010/09/china-craft-great-

wall.html>.