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Topic: Development of Ancient China
October 18, 2013
Objectives:
 I can determine how geographic factors influenced the people of China.
 I can describe the importance of the Huang He in the development of China.
Essential Questions:
 What are the geographic factors of China? How did they influence the development of ancient China?
 What are the characteristics of a river valley? How was the Huang He River valley important in the
development of the ancient Chinese civilization?
Questions:
Notes:
1. What are
1. The geography of Ancient China shaped the way the civilization and culture developed.
the
The large land was isolated from much of the rest of the world by dry deserts to the
geograph
north and west, the Pacific Ocean to the east, and impassable mountains to the south.
ic factors
This enabled the Chinese to develop independently from other world civilizations
of China?
2. Not all of China's geography acted as barriers. Some of their natural features provided
2. What
fertile soil and safe drinking water. China has two major river systems - the Huang He
Rivers
(Yellow) River and the Yangtze River.
Run
 The Huang He (Yellow River) It also floods each year and leaves fertile soil along
Through
the banks. The banks along the Huang He River are low. Civilization in ancient China
China?
began along the Yellow River about 5000 years ago.
3. How Did
 The Yangtze is the third longest river in the world. It is about 4000 miles long. The
Ancient
Yangtze River also floods each year. It has high banks, which keeps homes safe
China
from the annual flooding.
Develop?
3. Ancient Chinese civilization developed around the Huang He River Valley. Similar to
4. How did
Egypt, the flooding of the river banks provided fertile soil for the Chinese people to use
Huang He
for farming. As China developed, it was safe from invaders because of it’s natural
River
barriers:
Impact
 Chinese Sea
China?
 Yellow Sea
 Himalayan Mountains
 Gobi Desert
4. The Huang He River is often called the "cradle of Chinese civilization". It was along the
banks of this river where the Chinese civilization first formed. The Huang He is the sixth
longest river in the world. It is also called the Yellow River. Early Chinese farmers built
small villages along the Huang He. The rich yellow colored soil was good for growing a
grain called millet. The farmers of this area also raised sheep and cattle.
Summary: (Big Ideas)
• Geographic factors affected how and where _____________ developed.
• The _____________ River valley provided needed resources for the development of the ancient Chinese
civilization.
Bellwork
 What is something new you learned about China? Why does that interest you?
Topic: Ancient Chinese Advancements
October 21, 2013
Objectives:
 I can describe scientific and cultural advancements in China
o Silk, Gun Powder, Fireworks, Compass
Essential Questions:
 What scientific and cultural contributions did the ancient Chinese make?
 How are these important to modern civilizations?
Questions:
5. What
Invention
s were
created
in China?
Notes:
5. The Ancient Chinese people were very innovative and came up with many inventions
that we still use today!
 Silk – A thin, strong fiber that can be woven into a soft, smooth fabric. It was
extremely valuable in China and wanted by many outside of China.
 Gun Powder – Even though it was created accidentally, gun powder became an
important invention for the Chinese. They were able to use it for entertainment
(fireworks) and in battle.
 Fireworks – Were first created to fend off evil spirits and ghosts that were
thought to be frightened by the loud bangs of the firecrackers. They are still
used today in celebration.
 Compass –The first compass was a ladle-like magnet on a plate with the handle
of the ladle pointing to the south. Eventually it turned into the needle point
compass we know today.
 Honorable Mention
o Paper
o Ink
o Printing
o Matches
o Medicines
o Abacus
Summary: (Big Ideas)
• ______ , ___________, __________, and the ________ were major contributions of Ancient ______ and
are all still in use today.
Bellwork
 What is a natural barrier?
 Name one of China’s natural barriers.
Topic: Development of Ancient China
October 18, 2013
Objectives:
 I can determine how geographic factors influenced the people of China.
 I can describe the importance of the Huang He in the development of China.
Essential Questions:
 What are the geographic factors of China? How did they influence the development of ancient China?
 What are the characteristics of a river valley? How was the Huang He River valley important in the
development of the ancient Chinese civilization?
Questions:
Notes:
6. What are
6. The geography of Ancient China shaped the way the civilization and culture developed.
the
The large land was isolated from much of the rest of the world by dry deserts to the
geograph
north and west, the Pacific Ocean to the east, and impassable mountains to the south.
ic factors
This enabled the Chinese to develop independently from other world civilizations
of China?
7. Not all of China's geography acted as barriers. Some of their natural features provided
7. What
fertile soil and safe drinking water. China has two major river systems - the Huang He
Rivers
(Yellow) River and the Yangtze River.
Run
 The Huang He (Yellow River) It also floods each year and leaves fertile soil along
Through
the banks. The banks along the Huang He River are low. Civilization in ancient China
China?
began along the Yellow River about 5000 years ago.
8. How Did
 The Yangtze is the third longest river in the world. It is about 4000 miles long. The
Ancient
Yangtze River also floods each year. It has high banks, which keeps homes safe
China
from the annual flooding.
Develop?
8. Ancient Chinese civilization developed around the Huang He River Valley. Similar to
9. How did
Egypt, the flooding of the river banks provided fertile soil for the Chinese people to use
Huang He
for farming. As China developed, it was safe from invaders because of it’s natural
River
barriers:
Impact
 Chinese Sea
China?
 Yellow Sea
 Himalayan Mountains
 Gobi Desert
9. The Huang He River is often called the "cradle of Chinese civilization". It was along the
banks of this river where the Chinese civilization first formed. The Huang He is the sixth
longest river in the world. It is also called the Yellow River. Early Chinese farmers built
small villages along the Huang He. The rich yellow colored soil was good for growing a
grain called millet. The farmers of this area also raised sheep and cattle.
Summary: (Big Ideas)
• Geographic factors affected how and where _____________ developed.
• The _____________ River valley provided needed resources for the development of the ancient Chinese
civilization.
Bellwork

What is something new you learned about China? Why does that interest you?
Topic: Ancient Chinese Culture
October 22, 2013
Objectives:
 I can determine how farming methods, the domestication of animals, and the division of labor influenced
the people of China.
Essential Questions:
 What is a surplus, and the farming and domestication of animals? How did these things affect people living
in China?
 How did China change as a result of surplus food supplies?
Questions:
Notes:
1. How did
1.
farming
and
domestic
ation
2.
impact
china?
2. How did
3.
surplus
food
4.
impact
China?
3. What is
the Silk
Road?
4. How did
the
Division
of Labor
impact
China?
Summary: (Big Ideas)
•
•
Because the two major rivers (Huang He and Yangtze) in China flooded annually, China
had a great farming economy. The crops the Chinese grew included: Rice, Millet, Tea,
and Wheat. The Chinese people also domesticated many animals, mostly for use as
food. Some of the animals they domesticated include: Chicken, Pigs, Sheep, Cattle
Because of their surplus in food as well as in other materials that only they knew how
to make (like _____), the Chinese had a thriving trade system and grew wealthy from
their exports.
The Silk Road - the name given to any route that led across the 4000 miles from China
to Rome. The Silk Road was not an actual road. It wasn’t even a single route.
Class Structure:
A. Farmers - Most of the people in China were farmers. Their life was hard. They did
not own the land they farmed, so they had to pay the noblemen a part of the food
they grew.
B. Nobles - The rich lived in large homes and palaces. They wore elaborate gowns
made of silk and were surrounded by lavish items in their homes.
C. Emperors - The emperors were highly respected in China, often called ‘The North
Star.’ They were the highest authority and governed the Chinese people
D. Merchants and Craftsmen - Because they did not produce food and were not
nobility, they were outside the class structure. Like slaves, they were hardly
considered men.
__________ and _________ of animals allowed ________ ________ to develop.
Farmers provided _______ food, freeing others to perform needed tasks.
Bellwork


What is one of Ancient China’s inventions?
Why do you think that invention was important?
Topic: Ancient Chinese Culture – Part 2
October 23, 2013
Objectives:
 I can describe the religious traditions of China
Essential Questions:
 What is a religious tradition? How did the ancient Chinese practice their religion?
Questions:
Notes:
5. What is a
5.
Dynasty?
6. How did
the
Ancient
6.
Chinese
live their
daily
7.
lives?
7. How did
8.
the
Chinese
Practice
their
religion?
8. What is
Ancestor
Worship?
Summary: (Big Ideas)

Dynasty – When one family rules a country or region over a long period of time. When
a new family takes control, the new dynasty begins. China’s government was made up
of the succession of many dynasties. Each dynasty added their own impact to Chinese
culture.
Family – for both rich and poor, family was all important. The oldest male was the head
of the family. Honor – was an important part of Ancient Chinese culture, if one person
in a family did something wrong, the entire family was disgraced.
Because of the importance of family, ancestor worship was very important to Ancient
Chinese people. It was not just a tradition, it was a way of life.
When a man died, the Ancient Chinese believed that his spirit lived on in the
afterworld and had magical powers. These powers allowed them to help or punish
them.
Ancient Chinese _________ was centered around __________ worship.
Bellwork

What is the Silk Road? Why was it important to China?