GEOGRAPHY AND ANCIENT CHINA
Seventh Grade, Concord Middle School
The land and people of China created one of the world’s oldest
continuous civilizations. The distinctive features of this civilization
were shaped by both its access to arable land along two river valleys
and its isolation from its neighbors. By applying the five themes of
geography to this part of the world, the movement of people and their
interactions with their environment are revealed as key factors in
influencing their culture.
The five themes of geography provide a pragmatic approach to
studying an immense region with tremendous diversity. China’s
location is a significant factor on its history. China has been
historically cut off from its neighbors to the west by natural features.
As a result, China developed a distinct civilization from South and
Southwest Asia. In due course, its neighbors to the east were
strongly influenced by China. China’s land today can be divided into
several distinctive regions. For the sake of narrowing our focus to
ancient China, we will look at China in terms of four zones: north and
south, east and west. It is imperative that we understand the
geographic features of each zone in order to understand the
interaction of people in China’s early history. Within China, the
people of the north and south competed for land and resources,
creating a history of movement and conflict.
Beginning with a close study of China’s geographic features, students
will describe the attributes of the civilizations that grew along two of
its river valleys. Using the five themes of geography, a framework
and vocabulary familiar to students, they will use a variety of sources
to draw conclusions about the river valley civilizations. Initially we will
study the themes of “location”, “region”, and “place.” As they explore
these civilizations through primary source materials, readings, and
film clips, students will reflect on their conclusions. Using critical
thinking skills, students will be expected to construct support for how
the final two geographic themes of Ancient China: “humanenvironment interaction” and “movement” were key factors in shaping
its history and culture.
Essential Questions
Where is China?
How do maps enable us to learn about history and culture?
What are the characteristics of the land that shaped the Chinese
civilization?
Learning Objectives
1) Identify the absolute and relative locations of China
2) Create big maps of China to identify the following geographic
features and predict their impact on the development of
civilization.
a. Physical
b. Climate
c. Natural Resources
d. Cultural (Ethnic/Language Groups)
e. Early Chinese Civilizations (5000-1700 BC)
3) Locate and describe the origins of Chinese civilization in the
Huang-He Valley during the Shang Dynasty.
Day One: Location
Essential Question
Where is China?
Student Outcome
Identify the absolute and relative locations of China
Materials
•
Six Globes
•
Classroom Wall Map of World (Pacific Rim perspective)
•
Six Nystrom World Atlases
•
30 East Asia map worksheets
•
30 Location worksheets
•
Transparency of Location worksheet
•
Overhead projector
Procedure
1) Arrange desks into six table groups with a globe and atlas for each
table.
2) Location worksheets should be distributed as students enter the
classroom with a reminder to read the directions after filling in their
names.
3) Go over definitions for absolute and relative locations, generating
examples from students.
4) Direct students to locate China on the globes at each table
5) “Which continent is China part of?”
6) “With your table groups, fill in your observations for #2 and
complete the location worksheet”
7) Allow twenty minutes for students to complete worksheet in their
groups.
8) Go over worksheet by having students from each group fill in
transparency on overhead for #2-5.
9) List volunteer student responses for #6.
10) Distribute East Asia map assignment and remind students of
map expectations for class.
China
Absolute and Relative Location
Warm-Up (to be completed as soon as you take your seat)
1.
Define the following terms:
a.
Absolute
__________________________________________________
b.
Relative
__________________________________________________
Relative Location (to be completed as directed by your teacher)
2.
Describe China’s relative position on the globe
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
3.
Shade in the U.S.A. and China below
QuickTime™ and a
TIFF (Uncompressed) decompressor
are needed to see this picture.
Describe China’s relative position to the United States using this map
and the wall map of the world
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
Absolute Location
4.
Using the atlas, identify the farthest absolute location points of
China
North
N
South
N
E
E
East
N
West
N
E
E
5.
What are the absolute locations for each of the following cities
in China?
Beijing
N
E
Shanghai
N
E
Hong Kong
N
E
Drawing Conclusions
6.
What do these coordinates and its relative location tell us about
China?
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
Political Map Assignment
East Asia
Directions: Use the Nystrom Atlas and your textbook to complete the map
1.
Label the following political characteristics with horizontal labels:
China
Japan
North Korea
South Korea
Nepal
India
Mongolia
Russia
Bhutan
Taiwan
Mynamar
Vietnam
Laos
Thailand
Hainan
2.
Color in the labeled nations
3.
Title the map and create a key
Shanghai
Hong Kong
Philippines
Beijing
Tokyo
Nanjing
Xi’an
Zhengzhou
Taipei
KEY
http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/Asiaweb/blankmap.htm
Day Two: Creating Big Maps (Place and Region)
Essential Questions
How do maps enable us to learn about history and culture?
What are the characteristics of the land that shaped the Chinese
civilization?
Student Outcome
Create big maps of China to identify the following geographic features and
predict their impact on the development of civilization.
 Physical
 Climate
 Natural Resources
 Cultural (Ethnic/Language Groups)
 Early Chinese Civilizations (5000-1700 BC)
Materials








2 Overhead projectors
2 transparencies of blank outline map of China
6 black permanent markers (thick)
5 large sheets of butcher paper (3’ x 4’)
2 large foam core boards
25 copies of blank map (8.5”x11”)
Laptops with internet access
Primary Source geography information packet
Procedure
1) Before students arrive in class, tape one piece of butcher paper to your
whiteboard and hang one piece of foam board on a bulletin board.
2) Position the overhead projectors so the overhead transparency of the
blank China map is projected onto each. Trace the corners of the
transparency (to keep the alignment accurate). Both projectors should
be positioned away from high traffic areas of the classroom.
3) Students are divided into five groups. They may be divided as follows –
a. By ability level with map topics pre-selected by teacher
OR
b. heterogeneous groups may select map topics by interest
4) The “physical features” map group is assigned to the foam board
projection and another group is assigned to the other projection.
5) The rest of the class is directed to exchange maps of East Asia and
correct each other’s work.
6) The tracing groups should take turns so that each member has a chance
to trace the projection.
7) Each group should begin the worksheet for their topic as the tracings
continue.
8) Teacher checks in with groups as they brainstorm approaches to
completing the Big Map.
PHYSICAL FEATURES
What are topographical or elevated maps?
Use the Nystrom Atlas, your textbook, and these sites: relief map, national
geographic as research sources.
In this table, list the physical features of China you will include on your big
map:
Mountains
Highlands
Plains
Rivers
Deserts
With your group, brainstorm approaches to creating a map that reflects
varied elevations. Be prepared to discuss your ideas with your teacher.
CLIMATE
Define climate
Use the Nystrom Atlas, your textbook, and relief /climate map, as research
sources.
Describe the climates of the following regions in China
Northeast
North
South
Southeast
Southwest
Northwest
With your group, brainstorm approaches to creating a map that reflects the
varied climates. Be prepared to discuss your ideas with your teacher.
NATURAL RESOURCES
What are natural resources?
Use the Nystrom Atlas and your textbook as research sources.
List the natural resources your group will be identifying on your map:
What is the percentage of arable land in China? __________%
With your group, brainstorm approaches to creative representations of
different resources. Be prepared to discuss your ideas with your teacher.
CULTURAL
What is an ethnic group?
How many language and ethnic groups are there in China? List them in
the table below along with their percentage of the whole population.
With your group, brainstorm approaches to representing these different
groups on a map. Be prepared to discuss your ideas with your teacher.
EARLY CHINESE CIVILIZATIONS
Use the Nystrom World History Atlas, your textbook, and Metropolitan
Museum of Art: Timeline of History, China, 8000-2000 BCE as resources.
Where did the Yangshao and Longshan civilizations settle? Why?
Your map should include descriptive information for each civilization. Your
group must determine how to represent the locations and achievements of
these civilizations. Be prepared to discuss your ideas with your teacher.
Days Three and Four: Creating Big Maps (Place and Region)
Essential Questions
How do maps enable us to learn about history and culture?
What are the characteristics of the land that shaped the Chinese
civilization?
Student Outcome
Create big maps of China to identify the following geographic features and
predict their impact on the development of civilization.
 Physical
 Climate
 Natural Resources
 Cultural (Ethnic/Language Groups)
 Early Chinese Civilizations (5000-1700 BC)
Materials

Cardboard

Old newspapers

Paint

Colored plasticene or clay

Markers (including blue and black permanent)

Glue

Sponges
Procedure
Students work in groups to complete big maps
Day Five: Presenting Big Maps (Human-Environment Interaction and
Movement)
Essential Questions
What are the characteristics of the land that shaped the Chinese
civilization?
Student Outcome
Create big maps of China to identify geographic features and predict their
impact on the development of civilization
Materials

25 copies “Drawing Conclusions”
Procedure
1.
Set up desks into five tables to display Big Maps to simulate a
museum exhibit.
2.
Distribute “Drawing Conclusions” to students
3.
Direct students to rotate to each table and fill in sheets with 2-3
facts per category.
4.
When students finish gathering facts, have them sit on the floor
in the center of the room in a semi-circle facing the projector screen.
5.
Project image of Basin (Gansu province) from Yangshao period
6.
“Take a few minutes to study the features of this basin. It was
found in Northern China and dates from 3200-2700 BC. What are its
features? What is it made from? What was it used for? Based on
what you know about the geographic features of Northern China,
what can you tell me about the culture that created this basin?”
7.
Direct students to fill in center box titled “People of the North”
8.
Project image of ritual object (bi), Neolithic period, Liangzhu
culture, ca. 2700–2500 B.C.
9.
“Again, let’s take a few minutes to study this image closely.
This object dates from 2700-2500 BC and was found in Jiangsu or
Zhejiang Province, China. What are its features? What is it made
from? What was it used for? Based on what you know about the
geographic features of Southern China, what can you tell me about
the culture that created this object?”
10.
Direct students to fill in center box titled “People of the South”
11. Read the instructions on the back of the sheet aloud to
students.
12.
Respond to any questions.
Drawing Conclusions: Gathering Facts from Big Maps
List 2-3 facts from each map for features of the north and south
NORTH
SOUTH
WRITING TASK
You are a museum curator that must create a description to introduce an
exhibit titled “Ancient Civilizations of China: Geographic Influences.” In
your description, you must include four to five details from the front of this
sheet to support your claim of how geography shaped the ancient
civilizations of China. The description will be reviewed by colleagues at
the museum before its display on a large sign at the start of the exhibit.