Download Xia - DATAtech

Comic Strip Conversations
Situation 1
The boys at Beth’s table are kidding each other and hitting each other with rulers.
Beth doesn’t think this is fun. She thinks they are continuing to be mean on
purpose.
Situation 2
Frustrated because the task/reading is hard Beth is about to cry. She feels
herself “loosing it.”
Situation 3
Beth doesn’t believe she has anything to offer her group. She doesn’t read well so
she just doesn’t try.
Situation 4
Three members of the group work well together. Beth was up late because she’s
moving again and is tired. She doesn’t feel like doing this work right now.
Situation 5
Beth was sick yesterday. She feels lost and is having trouble keeping up. Instead
of encouraging her, her group is leaving her behind.
Situation 6
Beth is in a bad mood, and she knows it. She is deliberately causing the group
trouble.
Situation 7
The three girls at Beth’s table are good friends. Beth doesn’t want to get them in
trouble because she wants friends, but she knows her mom will be made if she gets
another bad grade.
Situation 8
The task requires singing. Beth is shy. She starts acting up, hoping the teacher
will send her to Mr. Jackson’s office instead.
Situation 9
Beth just broke up with her boyfriend (of 2 days). She is sad, so she can’t focus.
Her friend Kelly is talking to her about it for 15 minutes of group reading time.
Name: ___________
Checklist for China
1. Xia
____ Cornell Notes
____ Copy of the song
____ Prewriting
____ Essay: Response to Literature
6. Qin Part Two
____ Cornell Notes
____ Venn diagram
____ Prewriting
____ Essay:
Compare/Contrast
2. Shang
____ Cornell Notes
____ Prewriting
____ Essay: Summary
7. Han Part One
____ Cornell Notes
____ Prewriting
____ Essay: First
Person Narrative
3. Zhou
____ Cornell Notes
____ Prewriting
____ Essay: Persuasive
8. Han Part Two
____ Cornell Notes
____ Prewriting
____ Essay:
Descriptive
4. Warring States Period
____ Cornell Notes
____ Prewriting
____ Essay: Prose
9. Silk Roads
____ Cornell Notes
____ Prewriting
____ Essay: Third
Person Narrative
5. Qin Part One
____ Cornell Notes
____ Math Work
____ Prewriting
____ Essay: Problem/Solution
Name: ______________
Station Title: _______________
Reciprocal Reading
Group Reading
Everyone must fill out his or her own paper.
Everyone helps.
Everyone gives ideas.
The first thing you should do is read the title, look at the pictures, or read the
topic sentence, if necessary, to make a prediction about the page you are
about to read.
Prediction: _________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
Next you should start to read the page. Whenever you come across an idea
or word you don’t understand, stop and find out what it means.
Clarification: _______________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
When you have read the whole page everyone needs to write a summary. In
three or more sentences, what was the reading about?
Summary: _______________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
After everyone has written a summary each person needs to write a question
below that could only be answered if someone read the same pages you read.
Then ask each other the questions you wrote down. Write down one
response someone told you when you asked him or her the question.
Question: _________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
Response ____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
Stop and ask yourself, “Am I still confused? Can I ask my group about the
page so I understand better? Is there something I can ask the teacher for help
with?” If yes, do something about it!
Xia
“Survival”
Group Time Tasks
As you have learned the first step any society has to go
through is to find water. Finding water is not a problem in the
Southern and Eastern part of China where the Yangtze and Huang
He Rivers are. The legend of Yu the Great that has been passed
down through the generations points to this fact.
 Read about the legend of Yu the Great.
 Think as you read about why the feat Yu the Great was able
to accomplish was so important to the people of the Xia
dynasty.
Step 1 Group Task: Create a chant or a song about Yu the
Great that may have been presented at an agricultural festival. I
am looking for lyrics that are both relevant in content and
interesting. Remember it is because of songs and poems that we
know about the Xia Dynasty; they are important.
Xia Text
Originally from Chinese myth, Retold by Beth Harris
Chinese civilization started around 10,000 BC, when a group called the
Yangshao settled near the Huang He River. Archaeologists have uncovered
many Yangshao villages in northern China. In one village, they found the
remains of farmhouses, built partly underground, with plaster floors, and roofs
held up with wooden posts. There are no written records. Our knowledge of
their life comes mostly from ancient stories and legends. About 3,000 BC,
another farming group appeared the Lungshan people. The Lungshan were
very advanced for their time. They harvested silk, and used it to weave fine
fabrics. They used the potter’s wheel. They baked strong bricks in ovens, and
used them to build their homes. They worked together on flood control and
irrigation projects. They had great engineering skills. Legend has it that their
"Great Engineer", Yu, founded the Xia Dynasty in about 2,000 BC. This is his
story:
“A monstrous flood, worse than any seen before or since, swept across the
Huang He Valley. It inundated the river and devastated what little shelter the
people were able to build. It covered the hills so that the people of the area
could find no food. King Shun ordered his son Yu to tame this river that was
destroying the land and people. Yu did not want to do what people of the past
had done. Before Yu, his father had controlled the river through building dykes
on the river banks to over-come the high water. He felt that the people would
just patch the problem with the dyke and not really solve it. It was evident now
that this accepted method was not working. Yu organized all of the princes
from his and surrounding villages. He told them to cut channels through the
river. This clearing of the river removed the excess silt and sediment. In
essence Yu dealt with the source of the river’s problem, the extra dirt, not the
necessary water that flowed in the river bringing life to Yu and all of the
villages in ancient China. Yu worked, with out stopping, for 13 years on the
project to tame the great river. At the start of the 13 years Yu was betrothed to
marry Nu Jiao, described as quiet and beautiful. While Yu was away taming
the river Nu Jiao sent her servant daily down the hill from their village to the
road to wait for him to pass by, but he did not. He was so dedicated to his work
that in the 13 years he worked on the flood he passed by her house three times,
but did not stop. Nu wrote a song, that was sung for many years after:
“Waiting for you the time seems so long…” Finally Yu came home and they
were married. But four days later he left again to continue his great
engineering project.
Xia
“Survival”
Individual Writing Assessment: Response to Literature
Introduction:
1. Attention grabber
 Question, quote, or important back ground information
2. Include title, author
3. Write a main idea statement (thesis) that tells the theme
Body paragraphs (aim for 3):
Each body paragraph must have:
1. Main idea (character, setting, plot) that shows the reader the
theme
2. Specific evidence from the text that proves the main idea
3. Elaboration on what the evidence from the text means
Conclusion:
1. Reflect on the main idea
2. Clincher statement
 Quote with elaboration of meaning
 Question
Revise to be sure your essay makes sense and includes creative words.
Edit to be sure your grammar and spelling are up to minimal standards.
Publish your work in a way that looks clean and complete.
Shang
“Think and question”
Group Time Tasks
Once they were able to have some control on water and
could get enough food to keep themselves alive, societies began
to question things around them. This was true of the Shang
Dynasty. There is a great deal of archeological evidence of the
Shang Dynasty’s quest to connect with a higher power. This
evidence comes in the form of the oracle bones.
 Read to discover how the Shang dynasty used the oracle
bones to answer their questions about life and its origin.
 Pay close attention to the type of questions the people of
the Shang Dynasty were asking through the oracle bones.
Step 1 Group Task: Individually consider a question that
you have right now that is like one of the questions the people
of the Shang Dynasty asked. Using symbols (Chinese characters
were formed from the Shang Dynasty using symbols to represent
their questions.) Write a rough draft of your question. Once you
have practiced, write the question on the bone provided (toilet
paper roll.) If the Shang also wrote the answers on the oracle
bones, make up an answer and write it on your bone also.
Shang Text
“Daily Life During the Shang Dynasty”
http://members.aol.com/Donnclass/Chinalife.html#CHOU
Ancestor worship was very important to the early Shang kings and nobles. It
was a way of life. When a man died, the ancient Chinese believed his spirit
lived on in the afterworld. They believed their ancestors had magical powers
that could punish them or could help them make wise decisions. To keep their
ancestors happy, they brought gifts of food and wine to special places or
temples. They held many celebrations to honor their ancestors.
To communicate with their ancestors, the Shang kings used oracle bones.
(Sometimes called dragon bones). Here's how it worked: The king or emperor
would ask a question, for example, will it rain tomorrow? The diviner or priest
would carve the king's question on an oracle bone, which was just an animal
bone or turtle shell. (Will it rain tomorrow?) Then, the priest would heat a
bronze pin and hold the hot pin to the bone. This created a pattern of cracks
over the bone. The priest (who was usually a woman) would study the cracks to
find the answer to the question.
Archaeologists have found over 100,000 oracle bones. Since many questions
were asked about daily life, we know something about this civilization. The
thing is, they didn't exactly ask "Will it rain tomorrow?" Oracle bones say
things like: "If we sacrifice 10 men or 5 oxen, will it rain tomorrow?"
Questions asked by the diviners concerned such matters as sacrifices, weather,
war, hunting, travel, and luck. The Shang kings sacrificed a great number of
people to talk to their ancestors. Some of those sacrificed were enemies,
captured in war. Some were slaves or people who were sick or deformed. Some
were merchants, craftsmen, or farmers who had upset the nobles. Some were
nobles who had upset the king.
Shang
“Think and question”
Individual Writing Assessment: Summary
1. Make a list of the important facts you need to include and
combine them into three main categories.
2. Write a great thesis sentence in three easy steps:
 Identify what you are summarizing
 Use a word like tells, describes, gives, informs,
explains, shows, etc.
 Finish the sentence with a statement that answers the
question “What is the big, main, most important idea of
the text?”
 Example: The book Tusk and Stone shows the life of a
young man struggling to fulfill his dreams while doing
his duty.
3. In the body paragraphs (aim for three)
 List the important details in a topic sentence and follow
it with further facts related to that idea.
 Remember to use your own words
 If you write something exactly from the text it must be
in “quotation marks”
4. In your conclusion finish off by restating the big idea from
the text and how it relates to the overall topic of ancient
China.
Revise to be sure your essay makes sense and includes creative words.
Edit to be sure your grammar and spelling are up to minimal standards.
Publish your work in a way that looks clean and complete.
Zhou
“Finding ways to make things better”
Group Time Tasks
The Zhou really started to exert themselves. They had just
conquered the Shang Dynasty. The problem they faced is one
that all conquering nations face: How can the Zhou convince the
Shang people that they should be in charge? If the Zhou can’t
convince them, the two dynasties would be at war forever. It
would be easier if the Zhou could find a way to convince the
Shang to live peacefully under Zhou rule. The idea the Zhou came
up with is called “the Mandate of Heaven.”
 Read to find out why the idea of the Mandate of Heaven
would convince someone that the current ruler is the one
that should rule and how people could tell if someone had
the Mandate of Heaven.
Step 1 Group Task: Discuss the following questions:
1.) What gave someone the Mandate during the Zhou dynasty?
2.) What were some things that could prove you had the Mandate
in ancient China?
3.) What standards do people look for in rulers today?
Step 2: Choose a ruler in the world today. Make a campaign
poster that would highlight the person’s virtues that would show
that they had the Mandate of Heaven.
“The right to rule: This becomes the most important meaning of the ‘Mandate of Heaven.’ Knowing the
moral order of the universe and actually observing it make one a worthy ruler. Otherwise one has no
business, and no right, being in power.” From the analects of Confucius.
Zhou Text
Text paraphrased from: http://wsu.edu/~dee/GLOSSARY/TIENMING.HTM
T’ien ming: The Mandate of Heaven
When the Zhou defeated the Shang in 1115 B.C. and began one of the
longest dynasties in Chinese history (1115 – 221 B.C.), they were faced with
the problem most usurpers faced when instituting a new government: how
do you convince people that you are the people who should be in charge?
What gives you the right to kick out their old rulers and now rule? How do
you have the right to be in charge of them?
This problem of legitimation is made worse by the fact that you became the
ruler through concurring them in war. The Zhou came up with a theory to
explain why they had the right to be in charge called t’ien ming, or “the
Mandate of Heaven.”
Early on the theory basically said that Heaven, T’ien, was concerned about
the well being of people on Earth. For that reason they established
governments who took on the responsibility of taking care of people. It said
that certain people could be in charge as long as they ruled fairly, justly, and
wisely. Heaven decided that certain people should be in charge. If a
government or ruler stopped ruling fairly or started to be concerned only
with them, then Heaven would remove the mandate and pass it on to
someone else.
How do you know who then has the mandate? Well, they will win wars.
Along with this idea came the ming or destiny, which said that Heaven
controlled earthquakes, famine, drought, sickness, and all other parts of the
physical world. They thought that disasters, disease, as well as good fortune
were given out as a sign of a government’s mandate. It was a way for
Heaven to show who was living justly, fairly, and wisely and who should be
in charge of the government.
Zhou
“Finding ways to make things better”
Individual Writing Assessment: Persuasive Essay
The purpose of a persuasive essay is to convince your reader
something. During the Zhou Dynasty the Zhou people had to
convince the Shang people to not be mad at them for going to war
and defeating the Shang. The Zhou told the Shang that the gods
wanted them to rule over all the people. You read about how they
told the Shang that their favor with the gods was obvious due to all of
the great things that were happening to the people, the bounty of
good things that nature was providing, the fact that the Zhou won the
war, and what kind, virtuous people they were. Your task is to write
a persuasive essay to convince someone that you have the
mandate of heaven and should rule our school.
1. Introduction paragraph
 Give background information
 State that you think you should rule our school
2. Body paragraphs (aim for 2)
 Give one reason why you think you have the mandate
 Include evidence to support the reason
3. Opposing arguments
 Think about what someone might say to argue with you and
what he/she would say about why you do not have the
mandate
 Present these ideas and argue against them
4. Conclusion
 State again that you should rule our school and why
*Use strong words like: it is definitely true that, no one can argue
about, it is clear that, etc.
Revise to be sure your essay makes sense and includes creative words.
Edit to be sure your grammar and spelling are up to minimal standards.
Publish your work in a way that looks clean and complete.
The Warring States Period
“Fighting for control”
Group Time Tasks
Around 481 BC the Zhou started to loose control of the people
they ruled. The Warring States Period began. In this time seven
separate extended families in China fought huge wars. War is never
pleasant, but the weapons that this period produced are incredible
signs of technology. When people have a need to protect themselves,
and sadly when driven by war, they often rise to a higher level of
technology.
The Art of War, a book written during this period by Sun Tzu, is
another marvel that came from the Warring States Period. It is the
greatest military tactics book ever written. It is still looked to today
by the world’s great generals.
 Read the passage from The Art of War. Pay close attention to
the frame of mind required when facing an enemy.
 Look at the pictures of the weapons created during the Warring
States Period.
Step 1 Group Task: Imagine
You are one of the families in the middle of the Warring States Period. You
are standing on the Plateau of Tibet with your back to the Himalayas; in
essence you are trapped. The army you are facing has 100,000 soldiers, well
armed. They will be upon you in 3 days. You are a well-equipped army of
150,000 soldiers. The problem you are facing is that you have enough food,
if you stay put, for 4 days. If you travel you only have enough food for 2
days and your enemy is on its way. Given these supplies, and the fact that
you want to survive: create a battle or escape plan. This can be presented in
writing or drawing. Use the ideas in The Art of War to guide your decisions.
Also include the weapons you would use, as shown in the pictures you looked
at.
The Warring States Period Text
The Art of War by Sun Tzu
Laying Plans
The art of war is of vital importance to the State. It is a matter of life and death, a
road either to safety or to ruin. Hence it is a subject of inquiry which can on no
account be neglected. The art of war, then, is governed by five constant factors, to
be taken into account in one's deliberations, when seeking to determine the conditions
obtaining in the field. These are: (1) The Moral Law; (2) Heaven; (3) Earth; (4)
The Commander; (5) Method and discipline. The Moral Law causes the people to
be in complete accord with their ruler, so that they will follow him regardless of their
lives, undismayed by any danger. Heaven signifies night and day, cold and heat,
times and seasons. Earth comprises distances, great and small; danger and security;
open ground and narrow passes; the chances of life and death. The Commander
stands for the virtues of wisdom, sincerely, benevolence, courage and strictness. By
method and discipline are to be understood the marshaling of the army in its proper
subdivisions, the graduations of rank among the officers, the maintenance of roads by
which supplies may reach the army, and the control of military expenditure. These
five heads should be familiar to every general: he who knows them will be victorious;
he who knows them not will fail. Therefore, in your deliberations, when seeking to
determine the military conditions, let them be made the basis of a comparison, in this
way: (1) Which of the two sovereigns is imbued with the Moral law? (2) Which of
the two generals has most ability? (3) With whom lie the advantages derived from
Heaven and Earth? (4) On which side is discipline most rigorously enforced? (5)
Which army is stronger? (6) On which side are officers and men more highly trained?
(7) In which army is there the greater constancy both in reward and punishment? By
means of these seven considerations I can forecast victory or defeat.
While heading the profit of my counsel, avail yourself also of any helpful
circumstances over and beyond the ordinary rules. According as circumstances are
favorable, one should modify one's plans. All warfare is based on deception.
Hence, when able to attack, we must seem unable; when using our forces, we must
seem inactive; when we are near, we must make the enemy believe we are far away;
when far away, we must make him believe we are near. Hold out baits to entice the
enemy. Feign disorder, and crush him. If he is secure at all points, be prepared for
him. If he is in superior strength, evade him. If your opponent is of choleric temper,
seek to irritate him. Pretend to be weak, that he may grow arrogant. If he is taking his
ease, give him no rest. If his forces are united, separate them. Attack him where he is
unprepared, appear where you are not expected. These military devices, leading to
victory, must not be divulged beforehand.
Now the general who wins a battle makes many calculations in his temple ere the
battle is fought. The general who loses a battle makes but few calculations
beforehand. Thus do many calculations lead to victory, and few calculations to defeat:
how much more no calculation at all! It is by attention to this point that I can foresee
who is likely to win or lose.
The Warring States Period
“Fighting for control”
Individual Writing Assessment: Prose
Poetry was a form of entertainment up until even 100 years ago.
Most people knew at least one poem they could recite at a party. Not
all poetry is about happiness, love, and kisses. Much poetry is moody
and thoughtful. Some poetry is even dark. Imagine you are a general
taking a break from reading The Art of War to write a poem about
your experiences.
1. Your poem must be roughly about something a soldier would
write about
2. Your poem must be at least ten lines
3. Your poem should have some recognizable rhythm. There are
many ways to accomplish this:
 make most of your lines have the same number of
syllables, or follow some pattern of the number of
syllables
 Either repeat a word or group of words at the start of a
few lines, or at the end
 Make your poem rhyme
4. Your poem must include at least one type of figurative
language
5. Each line of your poem must have a capitol letter, and end with
a comma or a period
I know poetry is hard,
I know I am not a bard.
I know poetry can be fun,
You’ll see what I mean when you’re done.
Revise to be sure your essay makes sense and includes creative words.
Edit to be sure your grammar and spelling are up to minimal standards.
Publish your work in a way that looks clean and complete.
Qin 1
“Law, unity, and the abuse of power”
Group Time Task
The Qin Dynasty is amazing. They ruled only 14 years, yet there
is more physical evidence of their existence than any of the other
early dynasties. They built the Great Wall, were the fathers of
legalism and, as you will read created an army of clay soldiers, buried
up to ten feet under ground. Their story provides us with an
important lesson. People can only take so much before they rise
against oppression. We relearn this lesson continually.
 Read about the Terra Cotta Soldiers.
 Take some time to study the pictures of the soldiers. Look
carefully at the incredible details in their hair, faces, and dress.
Step 1: As a group decide on a plan to create one terra cotta
soldier on butcher paper. You may only make one. It should be the
actual size the soldier in Qin Shihuangdi’s tomb were. I will also be
looking for special details you notice about the soldiers that you add to
your paper soldier. A complete soldier is colored.
Step 2: Look at the time when you start and finish. You will
need to know how long it takes you to make one soldier.
Step 3:Multiply the number you got from step 2 times the
number of soldiers found in the grave. (Get this fact from the
reading.)
Step 6 Divide that number by 60 to get how many hours it would
take you. Then divide that number by 24 to get how many days it would
take your group of 4 to make all the terra cotta soldiers, just out of
paper.
Qin 1
“Law, unity and the abuse of power”
Individual Writing Assessment: Problem/Solution Essay
In a problem/solution essay the writer presents a problem followed by
either their opinion of how it should be solved, or if it happened in the
past, the way it was solved. Your task is to write a problem/solution
essay where the problem is that Qin Shihuangdi was obsessed
and worried about his death. The solutions he devised come from
your reading.
1. Introduction: Outline the problem
 Give details about the problem and the context of the
problem
2.
Body paragraphs (aim for three): Solutions
 List the solutions Qin put into place
 Include your own justifications that explain either what
you know or what you think about why it is a solution
3. Conclusion: Results
 Give details about what the results of these solutions
were
 It is ok to include some commentary on the solutions and
other ideas that could have been tried
Revise to be sure your essay makes sense and includes creative words.
Edit to be sure your grammar and spelling are up to minimal standards.
Publish your work in a way that looks clean and complete.
Qin 2
“Law, unity, and the abuse of power”
Group Task Time
During the Qin Dynasty the rulers took control of the
people by making very strict laws. This system was called
Legalism. Confucius, a very famous Chinese philosopher, who was
born during the Zhou Dynasty, thought that people should learn
to love and control themselves. These two theories are
opposites. The Qin ruled with aggression, where Confucius was
passive.
 Carefully read about Legalism and Confucianism. While
reading, consider whom each way of life serves the best. If
you were a commoner which way would you want to follow?
Step 1 Individual Task: Individually, fill out the Venn
diagram. It is fine to talk about it together, but each person
needs to fill it out. As a group, pick Legalism or Confucianism.
Pick not only the one you understand, but also the one you can see
why someone would want to live by.
Step 2 Group Task: Make a commercial for that view. I am
looking for good slogans that really sell the watcher on the idea.
I’d also like the commercial to be informational.
Qin 2 Text Legalism
http://www.wsu.edu:8080/~dee/CHPHIL/LEGALISM.HTM
Legalism:
The basic starting point for the early Confucianists was that human beings were fundamentally good.
Hsün Tzu (298-238 B.C.), believed exactly the opposite, that all human beings were born fundamentally
depraved, selfish, greedy, and lustful. However, this was not an entirely dark and pessimistic view of
humanity, for Hsün Tzu believed that humans could be made good through being exposed to culture and
education.
His pupil, Han Fei Tzu, began from the same starting point, but determined that humans are made good
by state laws. The only way to check human selfishness and depravity was to establish laws that
bountifully rewarded actions that benefit others and the state and ruthlessly punish all actions that
harmed others or the state. For Confucius, power was something to be wielded for the benefit of the
people, but for Han Fei, the benefit of the people lay in the ruthless control of individual selfishness.
Since even the emperor cannot be counted on to behave in the interests of the people, that is, since even
the emperor can be selfish, it is necessary that the laws be supreme over even the emperor. Ideally, if
the laws are written well enough and enforced aggressively, there is no need of individual leadership, for
the laws alone are sufficient to govern a state.
When the Ch'in gained imperial power after decades of civil war, they adopted the ideas of the
Legalists as their political theory. In practice, under legalists such as Li Ssu (208 B.C.) and Chao Kao,
the Legalism of the Ch'in dynasty (221-207) involved a uniform totalitarianism. People were
conscripted to labor for long periods of time on state projects, such as irrigation projects or the series of
defensive walls in northern China which we know as the Great Wall; all disagreement with the
government was made a capital crime; all alternative ways of thinking, which the Legalists saw as
encouraging the natural fractiousness of humanity, were banned. The policies eventually led to the
downfall of the dynasty itself after only fourteen years in power. Local peoples began to revolt and the
government did nothing about it, for local officials feared to bring these revolts to the attention of the
authorities since the reports themselves might be construed as a criticism of the government and so
result in their executions. The emperor's court did not discover these revolts until it was far too late, and
the Ch'in and the policies they pursued were discredited for the rest of Chinese history.
Qin 2 Text Confucianism
http://www.gasi.org/diversity/religion/confucian.htm
General beliefs
Confucianism is a philosophy of living rather than a religion and may guide
one's life while one practices other religions without contradiction.
Confucius was a Chinese scholar and statesman who lived during feudal
times (over 2000 years ago). He established an ethical and moral system
that governs all relationships.
.....Confucianism views the family as the basic unit of society. Certain
reciprocal relationships and responsibilities must be observed to preserve
harmony. The relationships exist between ruler and subjects, husband and
wife, father and son, elder brother and younger brother, and friends. A
specific hierarchy is observed that places highest importance on rank and
age in all interactions. Saving face (not being publicly embarrassed) and
not causing shame to another are important. Since the family is the core
unit, all actions of an individual reflect on the family and on all members of
the family. Life is most valued when the virtues of kindness,
righteousness, propriety, intelligence, and faithfulness are observed.
.....Confucianism is usually practiced in conjunction with other religious
beliefs. Since it originated in Asia, the most common followers are
Buddhist.
http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/confucius/#2
While Confucius believes that people live their lives within parameters firmly established
by Heaven he argues that men are responsible for their actions and especially for their
treatment of others. We can do little or nothing to alter our fated span of existence but we
determine what we accomplish and what we are remembered for. Confucius' social
philosophy largely revolves around the concept of ren, “compassion” or “loving others.”
Cultivating or practicing such concern for others involved lowering oneself. This meant
being sure to avoid fancy speech or anything that would make one seem especially grand.
Those who have cultivated ren are, on the contrary, “simple in manner and slow of
speech.” (Lunyu 13.27). For Confucius, such concern for others is demonstrated through
the practice of forms of the Golden Rule: “What you do not wish for yourself, do not do
to others. Since you yourself desire standing then help others achieve it, since you
yourself desire success then help others attain it.” (Lunyu 12.2, 6.30). He regards
devotion to parents and older siblings as the most basic form of promoting the interests of
others before one's own and teaches that such altruism can be accomplished only by those
who have learned self-discipline.
Qin 2
“Law, unity and the abuse of power”
Individual Writing Assessment: Compare/Contrast Essay
In a compare/contrast essay the writer shows how two concepts are
alike or how they are different. The Qin Dynasty ruled with legalism
driving them. The Han Dynasty, who followed the Qin, ruled with
Confucianism. Compare and contrast these two ways of ruling.
1. Introduction: Define both items being compared and write a
thesis sentence using one of the following words: alike, in
common, opposite, differ, resemble, etc.
 For example: The main character in The Golden Goblet
has a great deal in common with the main character in
Tusk and Stone.
2. Body paragraphs (aim for three): Write a topic sentence that
tells HOW they are alike or different (depending on what you
stated in your thesis sentence.)
 Be sure to provide reasons, details and facts that support
your ideas.
3. Conclusion: restate the ideas you mentioned in your body
paragraphs and end with a strong restating of your thesis
sentence.
Han 1
“The power of peasants”
Group Time Task
The man who overthrew the Qin Dynasty and became the
emperor of the Han Dynasty was not of royal blood. He and his
descendents were common people. Though he was not of royal
blood, he had an amazing mind. He saw his own weakness and
asked for help. He created the civil service, a governmental
system that was in place for 2,000 years.
 Read about the civil service. Be sure to read all the
captions around the pictures because they contain a lot of
important information.
 While you read consider the benefits of the civil service
and the work required to get into the service.
Step 1 Group Task: Discuss the following questions with your
group:
1.) What was the civil service?
2.) How did a person would get into it?
3.) What did people in it do?
4.) What agency or group in America is like the Han civil
service?
Step 2 Imagine you became President of the United States
and wanted to create a new civil service system. Decide as a
group what kind of group you would create and what your group
would do.
Step 3: Look at the patch that was worn by people who
were member of the Han civil service. Create a patch that would
be worn by the civil service you made up.
Han 1
“The power of Peasants”
Individual Writing Assessment: First Person Narrative
The Han dynasty began with a man who was a peasant. It is a
bit like Cinderella becoming the princess. Imagine you are Gaozu on
the eve of the final battle against the Qin. Write a narrative
chronicling what you have been through in your past and what you
hope to do in the future for China.
Your narrative must include all elements of fiction:
1. Characters
 Gaozu: you (include the character traits you must have had
to accomplish all that you did.)
2. Plot
 Beginning (My life in the past)
 Middle (How I got where I am now)
 End (What I hope to do to better China)
3. Setting
4. Theme (Think about the Cinderella comment made before.)
***Try to use figurative language to spice up your narrative.
***If there are things you don’t know exactly you can embellish, but don’t
go out of control making crazy stuff up.
Revise to be sure your essay makes sense and includes creative words.
Edit to be sure your grammar and spelling are up to minimal standards.
Publish your work in a way that looks clean and complete.
Han 2
“The power of peasants”
Group Time Task
Even before the feudal system in ancient China, before the
dynasties as well, China had many enemies. Whether these
enemies were fellow Chinese people, the Mongols from the North,
or Japan, China has had to defend itself. One of China’s major
means of protection has been to build walls. The most famous
wall is the Great Wall, but all over China this defense system is
evident.
The Han were no acceptation. In fact enjoying the success
of their new reign, the Han built the greatest city ever seen
before in China. It is a testament to the innovation and ability
the ancient Chinese possessed.
 Read about the Han city. Imagine the human power, time
and natural resources necessary to create such a place.
 Discuss with your group how the Han may have gone about
building this city after they defeated the Qin because the
people were worked too hard for too long with no reward.
Step 1 Group Task: Using the information in the reading,
draw the blue prints for the city and its surrounding areas on the
paper provided.
Step 2 Task continued: On the back, list all of the natural
resources that would have been required to make and run the
city. Also, list the professions that might have existed in the
city given the information provided.
Han 2
“The power of Peasants”
Individual Writing Assessment: Descriptive Essay
It is incredible how China was completely separate from the rest of
the world and yet it shares many similarities with other ancient
civilizations. One way that is true is in the great cities built by the
Han. They bare a striking resemblance to the cities of ancient India.
Write a descriptive essay that would so clearly describe the Han city
and life in ancient China that the reader will feel like they are living
during the time.
1. Introduction
 Set the stage for what you are going to describe by putting it
in context with what was happening in China at the time and
how cities got built.
2. Body Paragraphs (aim for 3)
 For each body paragraph chose one part of the city to
describe. Imagine you are standing there looking at it.
Describe how it smells, looks, and sounds using figurative
language whenever possible.
3. Conclusion
 In your final paragraph relate the Han cities to the cities of
another ancient civilization (such as Mohenjo-Daro or
Alexandria.)
Revise to be sure your essay makes sense and includes creative words.
Edit to be sure your grammar and spelling are up to minimal standards.
Publish your work in a way that looks clean and complete.
The Silk Road
“China meets the rest of the world”
Group Time Task
Liu Pang (Gazou), the peasant turned emperor, became the
head of China at a very exciting time. “During this dynasty China
officially became a Confucian state, prospered domestically, and
extended its political and cultural influence over Vietnam, Central
Asia, Mongolia, and Korea…” (Ohio State.) Liu Pang was the first
emperor to allow other government officials to make policy
decisions. It was the start of a government that was similar to a
democracy. An interesting fact: In AD 23 they outlawed slaves.
The expansion of the Han Dynasty lead to the Chinese
establishing a firm contact with the outside world for the first
time. “The expansion [of the Han Dynasty] also lead to trade with
the people of Inner Asia. The Silk Road was developed. The Silk
Road actually consisted of more than one possible way through
the mountains that the traders followed,” (Minnesota State.)
The Silk Road opened China up to the influence of the
western world. It also gave the west a taste of all the riches
China had to offer. This will later come back to haunt China,
because the west will get greedy and go to war with them.
 Read about the Silk Road. Think about what it would be like
to see silk and other riches from China, for the first time.
 Discuss with your group what a trip along the Silk Road must
have been like. What were the dangers? What were the
payoffs?
Step 1 Group Task: Using the information in the reading
and your atlas draw a map of the Silk Road with all of the major
outposts. (*Need help getting started? Come see your teacher.)
The Silk Road
“China meets the rest of the world”
Individual Writing Assessment: Third Person Narrative
Write a narrative chronicling what someone on a caravan on
the Silk Road may have gone through. This is the kind of fiction that
begins, “Once upon a time…”
Your narrative must include all elements of fiction:
1. Characters
 A person on the road, a dacoit waiting to ambush the
caravan, a silk worm riding in the caravan on the way to
Europe, etc.
2. Plot
a. Beginning: Establish the context, usually the setting
b. Middle: Problem
c. End: Solution
3. Setting
***Try to use figurative language to spice up your narrative.
***If there are things you don’t know exactly you can embellish, but don’t
go out of control making crazy stuff up.
Revise to be sure your essay makes sense and includes creative words.
Edit to be sure your grammar and spelling are up to minimal standards.
Publish your work in a way that looks clean and complete.
Xia Quiz
1.)
Why is the title of the Xia bin “Survival”?
2.)
How do we know about the Xia dynasty?
3.)
Explain why Yu the Great’s girlfriend wrote in her song,
“Waiting for you time seems so long…”
Bonus Question:
Sketch an outline of China. Draw and label the important river/s.
Shang Quiz
1.)
Why is the title of the Shang bin “Think and Question”?
2.)
Why did the Shang want to talk with their ancestors?
3.)
What is the big idea of the Shang dynasty?
Bonus question:
If a character from the book you are currently reading believed
in oracle bones what would he/she have asked her ancestors?
Zhou Quiz
1.)
Why is the title of the Zhou bin “Finding Ways to Make
Things Better”?
2.)
Why did the Zhou have to come up with the idea of the
mandate of heaven?
3.)
What signs would someone in ancient China look for to
know they were supporting the right ruler?
Bonus question:
Why does or does not Barack Obama have the mandate of
heaven?
Warring States Period Quiz
1.)
Why is the title of the Warring States Period bin
“Fighting for Control”?
2.)
What did Sun Tzu believe in?
3.)
Give an example of one weapon that was invented during
the Warring States Period.
Bonus Question:
Why would rich, successful business leaders TODAY read The
Art of War?
Qin 1 Quiz
1.)
Why is the Qin 1 bin titled “Law, Unity, and the Abuse of
Power”?
2.)
What are 3 amazing things about the terra cotta
soldiers?
3.)
Why was the terra cotta army built?
Bonus question:
What affect did Shi Huandi’s projects have on China?
Qin 2 Quiz
1.)
Why is the Qin 2 bin titled, “Law, Unity, and the Abuse
of Power”?
2.)
What are the two handles of Legalism?
3.)
Are Confucianism and Legalism religions? Why or why not.
Bonus Question:
Explain how America’s government follows either more Legalists
or Conficianist ways.
Han 1 Quiz
1.)
Why is the Han 1 bin titled “The Power of Peasants”?
2.)
What is a civil service?
3.)
How did a person get into the civil service?
Bonus Question:
How was Gaozu different from previous rulers?
Han 2 Quiz
1.)
Why in the Han 2 bin titled “The Power of Peasants”?
2.)
Based on what the city was like how can you tell that
learning was important to the Han dynasty?
3.)
How are the Han cities like ancient cities in India?
Bonus Question:
What famous invention was created in the Han city you read
about?
Silk Road Quiz
1.) Why is the Silk Road bin titled “China Meets the Rest of
the World”?
2.)
What was the most significant thing carried along the
Silk Road? Why?
3.)
Where does the Silk Road start and finish?
Bonus Question:
Why is the title “Silk Road” not a true statement?