2013 Chinese Dynasties Lesson Plan
Dates:
Essential and Guiding Questions:
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Why is it important to develop an appreciation of other cultures?
How does religion affect the development of cultures?
What contributions did this culture make to world history?
What are the causes and effects of imperialism?
How has the process of modernization affected East Asia?
How do the cultures of East impact the global community?
How has Buddhism affected the development of culture in East Asia?
What events, figures, and processes have impacted East Asia?
What issues currently affect East Asia?
What internal conflicts have shaped the development of East Asia?
What factors influence East Asia’s position in the global community
Lesson:
Day One:
1. Quiet Question: Type Two Prompt-Reader’s Theatre---We are going to do another Role Play Skit but now for
the start of the Chinese Civilization. However, you will be using your notes on Ancient Japan to help you
complete today’s Type Two Prompt as part of this requires comparing and contrasting.
In China, the empires were known as Dynasties. And the Chinese people embraced the belief of the Mandate of
Heaven. The Mandate of Heaven was claimed by the Chinese kings of the Zhou Dynasty that the kings receive
their power and the direct authority to rule from the heavens, and this power was to keep order in the universe.
In Europe, the kings called this belief Divine Right. However, the Mandate of Heaven would seem to imply that
since the kings or emperors are given their powers by the Gods, they should not make mistakes, which of
course, every emperor did. So along with the Mandate of Heaven, the belief in the Dynastic Cycle developed.
This is seen below in the two different flowcharts:
We are now going to begin to examine the Chinese Dynasties. The first dynasty was the Shang Dynasty and is
the setting for our Role Play Skit. The Reader’s Theatre is a CLASS SET. So DO NOT WRITE ON IT OR MARK IT.
Make notes on the Post-its. I will need volunteers for the different roles.
Volunteers for:
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Kao-A Nobleman of the Xia
Tang-Future First King of the Shang Dynasty
Chun-A Noblemen of the Xia
Wo-A Royal Shang Official
Jiang-A Shang Noblewoman
Zeng-A Shang Nobleman
Li-A Shang Royal Writer
Hui-A Shang Teacher of Chinese Writing
Soong-An Overseer of the Shang Royal Bronze Foundry
Type Two Prompt----Using your Japanese History Notes and the Skit, answer the following questions with your
partner.
a) What actions did King Jie take that the Chinese people believed violated the Mandate of Heaven? Provide a
minimum of TWO DIFFERENT EXAMPLES with explanations and historical evidence.
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b) What achievements is the Shang Dynasty known for? Provide a minimum of TWO DIFFERENT EXAMPLES
with explanations and historical evidence.
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c) What are some similarities and differences that can be seen when you compare the actions and patterns of
Japan’s Kingdoms to that of the Shang Dynasty and Chinese belief in the Mandate of Heaven?
Similarities
Differences
2. Class: As we can see from the Role Play, the Shang Dynasty was the first of the Chinese Dynasties that
followed the Dynastic Cycle. With this lesson, we are going to be examining the development of Early China.
You will have the rest of the class to read and take notes from the Textbook Pages.
The information for the graphic organizer notes will come from three sources:
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Textbook Pages identified below
Ms. Barben’s Individual Powerpoints on the Dynasties on her Teacher Page
A Journey to Ancient China DVD we will be watching tomorrow in class
Definitions of Categories:
Political: Refers to government, heads of state like emperors, kings, presidents, making of laws, legal court
system, military, wars, political rebellions, rights, and violations of rights
Economic: Refers to budget, taxes, trade, industry, agriculture, transportation, unemployment, colonies
Social: Refers to religious minorities, gender roles for men and women, family units, social classes like the caste
system, nobles, clergy, middle class, tradespeople, peasants, serfs and slaves, and ethnic minorities
Cultural: Refers to the religious majority, the arts: paintings, sculptures, architecture, gardens, music and
dance, communication systems like newspapers, language, books, telegraph, telephones, internet, education,
healthcare, fashion, and diet
Textbook Pages:
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Shang Dynasty-pages 86-87
Zhou Dynasty-pages 87-90
Qin Dynasty-pages 94-97
Han Dynasty-pages 98-99
Three Dynasties of Sui, Tang, and Song-pages 264-269, 274-275
Mongols or Yuan Dynasty-pages 270-272, 276-277
Ming Dynasty-pages 510-512, 519
Qing Dynasty-pages 513—518, 724-731
3. Homework: You are to finish reading the Textbook Pages through Ming Dynasty and taking notes. This will
make it easier to follow the DVD and add to your notes.
Day Two: Block Day
4. Individual: You will have the first half of the class to finish reading the Textbook Pages on the Qing Dynasty
and taking notes. You will also use the CLASS SET COPIES of the Sui, Tang, Song, and Yuan Dynasty Powerpoints
to add to your textbook notes.
5. Rest of Block: We are going to watch the DVD A Journey to Ancient China, and you should be adding to your
notes.
6. Homework: Answer the Study Guide Questions on the Chinese Dynasties.