Yr 7 HASS Ancient China
Topic: Inventions
GANAG [Goal]: What were some of the inventions that the Ancient Chinese
created and how do you think those inventions impacted/contributed to the
modern-day world?
Background Information for the Teacher
The Ancient Chinese were famous for their inventions and technology. Many of
their inventions had lasting impact on the entire world. Other inventions led to
great feats of engineering like the Grand Canal and the Great Wall of China.
Here are some of the notable inventions and discoveries made by the engineers
and scientists of Ancient China:
Silk - Silk was a soft and light material much desired by the wealthy throughout
the world. It became such a valuable export that the trade route running from
Europe to China became known as the Silk Road. The Chinese learned how to
make silk from the cocoons of silkworms. They managed to keep the process for
making silk a secret for hundreds of years.
Paper - Paper was invented by the Chinese as well as many interesting uses for
paper like paper money and playing cards. The first paper was invented in the 2nd
century BC and the manufacture later perfected around 105 AD.
Printing - Wood block printing was invented in AD 868 and then moveable type
around 200 years later. This was actually hundreds of years before the invention
of the printing press by Gutenberg in Europe.
The Compass - The Chinese invented the magnetic compass to help determine
the correct direction. They used this in city planning at first, but it became very
important to map makers and for the navigation of ships.
Gunpowder - Gunpowder was invented in the 9th century by chemists trying to
find the Elixir of Immortality. Not long after, engineers figured out how to use
gunpowder for military uses such as bombs, guns, mines, and even rockets. They
also invented fireworks and made great beautiful displays of fireworks for
celebrations.
Boat Rudder - The rudder was invented as a way to steer large ships. This enabled
the Chinese to build huge ships as early as 200 AD, well before they were ever
built in Europe.
Other - Other inventions include the umbrella, porcelain, the wheelbarrow, iron
casting, hot air balloons, seismographs to measure earthquakes, kites, matches,
stirrups for riding horses, and acupuncture.
Fun Facts
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Gunpowder, paper, printing, and the compass are sometimes called the
Four Great Inventions of Ancient China.
Kites were first used as a way for the army to signal warnings.
Umbrellas were invented for protection from the sun as well as the rain.
Chinese doctors knew about certain herbs to help sick people. They also
knew that eating good foods was important to being healthy.
Compasses were often used to make sure that homes were built facing the
correct direction, so they would be in harmony with nature.
The Grand Canal in China is the longest manmade canal or river in the
world. It is over 1,100 miles long and stretches from Beijing to Hangzhou.
They invented the abacus in the 2nd century BC. This was a calculator that
used sliding beads to help compute math problems quickly.
A clear coating called lacquer was made to protect and enhance certain
works of art and furniture.
Paper money was first developed and used in China during the Tang
dynasty (7th century).
Activity
Below are a series of Five cards. Each of the cards is an Ancient Chinese invention.
Either print them out on A4 paper, or display them on the Smart Board and ask
students to consider what each one might be. Allow them a moment to think or
discuss amongst themselves before giving the answer away. N.B** Be sure to
briefly discuss the purpose of each of the items and how they have evolved over
the centuries to become useful objects in the modern-day world.
Answers to the Cards;
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
Seismograph
Playing Cards
Gun
Coins
Paper Money
Year 7 HASS - Ancient China; Inventions Assessment Task
Your task is to research two Ancient Chinese inventions and link it to the
dynasty that was responsible/in power when it was created. This can be
completed individually or with a partner, the presentation must be
digital.
Select Two of the Following Inventions:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
Paper Making
Movable Type Printing
Gunpowder
Compass
Alcohol
Mechanical Clock
Tea Production
Silk
Umbrella
Acupuncture
Iron Smelting
Terracotta Warriors
Great Wall
Porcelain
Rocket
The Kite
The Seed Drill
Paper Money
Your presentation will need to include the following:
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·
·
·
·
A suitable introduction to your topic
A description of the invention
A description of the dynasty in control when the invention was created
Images, diagrams etc… to support your work
A bibliography MUST be included
Presentation Planning Sheet
WHO?
(created it and
which dynasty)
WHAT?
(What is the
invention?)
WHERE?
(location, for
example a
particular
province or
capital)
WHEN?
(approximations
are OK)
WHY?
(What was the
purpose of the
invention, did its
uses change over
time?)
HOW?
(How was it
created? Was it
accidental? How
did the people
made this item?)
2019 - Term 2 - Year 7 Humanities
Dynasty and Key Invention Presentation
Emerging
Developing
Proficient
Broadening
Advanced
You have attempted to
address the topic at
times, though much of
your information is
simplistic or irrelevant.
You have attempted to
address your topic and
answer each section.
Sometimes your
information could have
been elaborated.
You have answered
each section with
accurate information
using relevant
supporting visuals.
You have provided
accurate information in
response to the
assignment including
relevant supporting
details that add
complexity and
demonstrate detailed
understanding of the
topic.
You have provided highly
sophisticated information
in response to each
section, including relevant
supporting details which
add complexity to your
understanding of the
topic.
No bibliography was
included
Bibliography was
included but not
correctly structured.
Bibliography was
included.
Bibliography was
included showing a
variety of sources.
Bibliography was included
showing detailed research.
You have not displayed
an understanding of 12 dynasties and
inventions. You have
not analysed any
sources.
You have displayed a
limited understanding
of 1-2 dynasties and
inventions. You have
analysed one primary
source.
You have displayed
some understanding of
1-2 dynasties and
inventions. You have
analysed one primary
source.
You rarely made eye
contact with your
audience and looked
uncomfortable
throughout the
presentation. Try and
be more prepared next
time and use cue cards
to help with your
confidence.
During some points in
your presentation you
connected with your
audience through
physical cues, such as
eye contact.
Sometimes you looked
at your notes for too
long.
You used eye contact
and alert body
language to engage
your audience most of
what you were
presenting.
*
**
Historical Skills
Historical Knowledge
You have displayed an
adequate understanding
of two dynasties and
inventions. You have
analysed more than one
primary and secondary
source.
You have displayed an indepth understanding of
two dynasties and
inventions. You have
analysed a variety of
important primary sources
and secondary sources.
Presentation
Oral Presentation
You spoke without
needing to look at your
notes very often.
You displayed consistent
ability to maintain your
audience’s engagement
through frequent eye
contact as well as alert
and comfortable body
language and voice.
Your voice and body
language was highly
engaging and you used
frequent eye contact. You
spoke confidently about
your topic and your
accompanying media was
engaging.
You proved to know a lot
about your topic from
memory.
Presentation/visual support.
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