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Terracotta Warriors
Target Level: Kindergarten
(Can be enhanced for older grades)
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During a discovery unit on Ancient China, we like to do this lesson after
we talk about Emperor Qin and his building of the first section of the
Great Wall of China.
Objectives:
 Students will listen to the story “The Emperor’s Silent Army: Terracotta
Warriors of Ancient China.”
 Recall Emperor Qin Shi Huangdi as the first Emperor of China
 Recall Emperor Qin as building the beginning section of the Great
Wall of China
 State what a discovery is
 State what an archeologist does
 Use simple tools to uncover clay warriors
 Use graphs to show where warriors were found
 Tell findings of their graph to the class
 Work cooperatively in small groups
PA State Standards:
Subject Area- Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening
Standard Area-1.2 Reading and Analyzing and Interpreting Text
1.2.K.B- Identifying facts from informational text.
1.2.K.C- Identify important information within an informative text, with
teacher guidance.
Subject Area – Mathematics
Standard Area- 2.6 Statistics and Data Analysis
2.6.K.A- Gather data in response to questions posed to learners.
2.6.K.C- Answer questioned based on data shown on graphs or charts.
Subject Area- Science
Standard Area- Science and Technology and Engineering Education
3.3.K.B3- Use simple equipment (tools and other technologies) to
gather data and understand that this allows scientists to collect more
information than relying only on their senses to gather information.
Lesson plan created for the Center for Global Studies by Jennifer Lee Vanada
Integrated Arts Kindergarten at Penn State Bennett Family Center
Methods of Assessment:
1. Children will discuss prior knowledge of the inventions and great
structures discussed in previous talks on China.
Children will look at charts and graphs previously done in the
classroom, and discuss what information they share. (eg. weather
charts, temperature graphing, eye color charts…)
2. Teacher will guide and assist when necessary during the “Dig” to
graph/plot their findings
3. Students will complete their graphs/charts. Answer questions from
looking at their findings and share their information with the class.
How to Carry Out the Lesson
1. Prior to lesson, teacher reads “The Emperor’s Silent Army: Terracotta
Warriors of Ancient China.”
2. Teacher will ask “Who can recall the first Emperor of China?
What do we already know about him?” List answers.
3. Ahh! There’s something else that we don’t know about him!
Another great discovery about Ancient China that happened not
so long ago. Give time for predictions
4. What exactly does that mean? Great discovery?
5. Read story.
6. Discuss role of archeology and what it means to be an archeologist.
7. Explain that the children will now become archeologists too! Go
over the paper grid charts and actual “dig” site. Show how they
match. Give them an example of how their dig would work (tools
and graphs). Divide class into small groups (or you may have one
group at a time dig. Up to you. Each group will have to work
together cooperatively with tools to uncover warriors in their “plot of
land,” chart their data, answer questions on sheet, and share with
the class.
Lesson plan created for the Center for Global Studies by Jennifer Lee Vanada
Integrated Arts Kindergarten at Penn State Bennett Family Center
Materials:
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Clip boards with paper grid for plotting, and sheet of questions to
be answered after the dig.
Dig site- sand table or low plastic containers filled with dirt.
Use string to grid off your “dig site.” Run stings horizontally and
vertically while taping them at the ends of your “dig site.” You will
make squares while doing this. Less for big squares, more for smaller
spaces. Then take papers to label columns and rows ABCDE and
12345 (more if you like or less. You know the group you are working
with best) Now your students will be able to plot where they found
their warriors eg. E4 would be a plotted spot.
Clay Warriors – make ahead of time out of self drying clay or you
can purchase figuring’s of the actual warriors.
Old paint brushes and plastic forks and spoons to brush off figures
and gently dig
Differentiated Instruction
Group students heterogeneously to enhance peer help and
instruction. Teacher will also assist with groups when need be.
Technology
YouTube:
 Terra-Cotta Warriors – National Geographic
Great clip explaining the story and actual visuals of the site
 Qin shi huang tomb hum101ccp
Another good visual clip
The book and some other extension books found here:
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&fieldkeywords=terracotta+warriors+books+for+kids
Figurines for purchase here, if you choose not to make your own:
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&fieldkeywords=terracotta+warriors++figurines&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Aterracotta+warriors++figur
ines
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Lesson Analysis
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What went well?
Planning reflection
Teaching reflection
Improvements to be made
Lesson plan created for the Center for Global Studies by Jennifer Lee Vanada
Integrated Arts Kindergarten at Penn State Bennett Family Center