You are a reporter who has been asked to write a special edition of the SAES Gazette. Your boss would like for you to create an entire issue devoted to ancient China. In order to do this, you will need to research important events and people from China’s ancient history.

Task

Research ancient China and write a special edition of the 6E Gazette to reflect what you learn.

Process

STEP 1:

For each step of your research, record your findings on this chart.

STEP 2:

China’s Geography

Find out how China’s geographic features kept its people isolated in ancient times. To do this, read pages 414-417 in your textbook and visit the following website:

http://www.historyforkids.org/learn/china/environment/

STEP 3:

The Shang Dynasty (1776 BC- 1122 BC)

Learn about the earliest writing system used in China. Find out what “oracle bones” were and how people used these to try to see the future. Read page 424, then visit these two sites:

http://www.historyforkids.org/learn/china/literature/index.htm

http://china.mrdonn.org/oraclebones.html

STEP 4:

The Zhou Dynasty (1122 BC- 256 BC)

Read about feudalism and how it affected social structure in ancient China. This information can be found on pages 424-425 in your textbook. Then find out who Confucius was and how his ideas impacted people in ancient China. To do this, read pages 427-429 and visit this site:

http://www.kidspast.com/world-history/0139-confucianism.php

STEP 5:

The Qin Dynasty (221 BC- 206 BC)

Research how Emperor Qin Shi Huangdi used legalism to govern his people. You will also learn about why he began construction on the Great Wall and why he ordered the Terra Cotta army to be built. Read pages 432-439 in your textbook and visit these sites:

http://china.mrdonn.org/qin.html

http://www.smithsonianmag.com/multimedia/photos/?c=y&articleID=48071972&page=2

http://china.mrdonn.org/greatwall.html

STEP 6:

The Han Dynasty (202 BC- AD 220)

Read about how the Hans combined ideas from Confucianism and legalism to govern their people. Learn how trade along the Silk Road routes resulted in the cross-cultural exchange of ideas and information. Read pages 443-446 in your textbook and visit these websites:

http://www.ducksters.com/history/china/silk_road.php

http://china.mrdonn.org/han.html

http://www.ducksters.com/history/china/han_dynasty.php

http://china.mrdonn.org/silkroad.html

STEP 7:

Print out a blank copy of the SAES Gazette: Ancient China

Summarize and present what you have learned by writing an article for each section of the newspaper.

Evaluation

Your newspaper will be evaluated using the rubric linked here: Grading Rubric

Conclusion

The history of ancient China is divided into various dynasties. There are many important people, events, and achievements associated with each dynasty.

Resources

http://www.mrdonn.org/

http://www.ducksters.com/history/

http://www.smithsonianmag.com/

http://www.kidspast.com/

Credits

All sites included on this page were used as resources in creating this webquest.