Ancient History Lesson 6th grade

11/8/2010

ANCIENT

CHINA

[TANG AND SONG DYNASTY] MARK STIRBENS

[Lesson­6th grade] | ELED 3070 10:20­11:15

Ancient China

Name: Mark Stirbens Date: 11/08/2010 Unit: Tang and Song Achievements, “Ancient China” Topic: Advancements, inventions, and revolutionized government Grade: 6 Long Range Objective: 1.06 Understand the influence of science and technology on the development of culture through time.

Instructional Objectives: 6.2.spi.5. recognize the importance of trade in later civilizations, 6.5.spi.3. identify types of artifacts by pictorial representation (i.e., Egyptian, Roman, Greek, Chinese, Native American, Medieval, and Renaissance), 6.5.spi.5. identify major technological advances (i.e., tools, wheel, irrigation, river dikes, development of farming, advances in weaponry, written language, and printing press).

Materials: I will use the textbook, a handout from the interactive guide; the handout will be an introduction of some key terms and people in the unit along with group discussion of a scenario, and a PowerPoint with a mischief mouse game that I have created.

Set: The students are completing the “beginning of class question” and get into groups of five. The center of the room is the focal point which everyone is facing me.

Instruction: Open the class with the group discussion with following scenario from handout: the Tang dynasty produced some of China’s greatest artists and writers, including Li Po and Du Fu­ the most famous of all Chinese poets­ and the Buddhist painter Wu Daozi. The Song dynasty produces Li Qingzhoa, perhaps China’s greatest female poet. Artists of both dynasties created exquisite objects in clay, particularly porcelain items with a pale green glaze called celadon. Both dynasties had also produced some of the most remarkable inventions in human history. The world’s oldest known printed book used woodblock printing, which was invented by the Chinese. Later the Song dynasty invented movable printing. They eventually invent paper money.

Present question to groups: What printing technology superseded woodblock printing and some of the advantages that came from the technology?

What are some advantages of paper money?

Hit the major points of the section “Tang and Song Achievements” and read pages 416­417 on cities and trade.

Next, proceed to differential instruction as students are still in groups. Ask students to imagine that they are captains of barges on the Grand Canal during the Song dynasty. The barge is set to travel from the countryside to the city and back again. Have groups write three captain’s log entries. The first log will include items that are on your ship and headed to the city. The second log will be a description of the city and its inhabitants. And the third log is a list of items on the journey back to countryside. When groups have finished, give them 10­15 minutes, guide them in discussion through the trade within China. Have each group share their logs.

Finish section by going over inventions and handout mice for assessment review. Review is a fun interactive game with PowerPoint. Each student will be handed their own mouse (computer mouse) and we will go through each question on a slide and all are to answer.

I will keep track of points and the winner or winners will a receive reward from a choice item.

Closure: Finishing the lesson with the mischief mouse game will be nothing more than a review of material and even a few questions from previous material. The interactive game gives direct feedback to who gets material and who still needs a little more work.

Evaluation: The interactive game shows me percentages of how many got it right or wrong. By making it into a game the students are enthusiastic and really pay attention to material during class.

They are aware there are some good prizes.

Assignment: Depending on results, if all results are good ­ no assignment. If results are not to par ­ have students take online quiz open book.

Comments: The lesson hits on many aspects for diverse learners by using handouts for critical thinking, audio from the chapter, and visuals from the PowerPoint game.