UKS2 Topic: Earliest Civilisations: The Shang Dynasty of Ancient China Block C: Writing and the Shang calendar
If you love problem solving, brain teasers and languages you will love this block about the writing and
calendar of the Shang Dynasty. Learn how Chinese writing works and investigate Shang texts and
calendars as you build towards a presentation.
Block C: Writing and
the Shang calendar
[5 Sessions]
By the end of this
block you will have
achieved the following
outcomes:
Session 1: History and
English
Chinese characters
Learn how Chinese
writing works; write
your name in Chinese;
say your name in
Mandarin Chinese.
Session 2: History and
English
Shang writing
Address research
questions about
writing and oracle
bones in the past;
research some Shang
characters found on
oracle bones; work out
the meaning of Shang
characters.
Session 3: History and
Maths
Shang calendar
Learn how and why
people in the Shang
Dynasty made
calendars; make your
own Shang cyclical
calendar.
Main outcome: History
Other outcomes: English and Maths

Pupils should continue to develop a chronologically secure knowledge and understanding of
British, local and world history, establishing clear narratives within and across the periods
they study.
 Undertake an in-depth study of The Shang Dynasty of Ancient China.
 Retrieve, record and present information from non-fiction.
 Extend pupils’ confidence, enjoyment and mastery of language through public speaking,
performance and debate.
 Pupils divide numbers mentally drawing upon known facts; draw given angles, and measure
them in degrees.
Children will:
 Explain how Chinese writing works.
 Write their name in Chinese.
 Say their name in Mandarin Chinese.
Children will:
 Address research questions about writing and oracle bones in the past.
 Research some Shang characters found on oracle bones.
 Work out the meaning of Shang characters.
Children will:
 Explain how the Shang calendar worked.
 Divide a three digit number by a two digit number.
 Draw angles, measuring them in degrees.
© Original resource copyright Hamilton Trust, who give permission for it to be adapted as wished by individual users.
The links to the websites and the contents of the web pages associated with such links specified on this list (hereafter collectively referred to as the ‘Links’)
have been checked by Hamilton Trust (being the operating name of the registered charity, William Rowan Hamilton Trust) and to the best of Hamilton
Trust’s knowledge, are correct and accurate at the time of publication. Notwithstanding the foregoing or any other terms and conditions on the Hamilton
Trust website, you acknowledge that Hamilton Trust has no control over such Links and indeed, the owners of such Links may have removed such Links,
changed such Links and/or contents associated with such Links. Therefore, it is your sole responsibility to verify any of the Links which you wish you use.
Hamilton Trust excludes all responsibility and liability for any loss or damage arising from the use of any Links.
UKS2 Topic: Earliest Civilisations: The Shang Dynasty of Ancient China Block C: Writing and the Shang calendar
Session 4: History and
English
Translating an
inscription
Translate a Shang text
and explain what the
oracle bones tell us
about the Shang
Dynasty.
Session 5: History and
English
Make your own oracle
bones
Make replica oracle
bones from wood,
plastic or bone;
inscribe with your own
Shang inscription;
make a display of all
your Shang writing
creations.
Children will:
 Use a number of different strategies to solve a problem.
 Translate a Shang text.
 Explain what the oracle bones tell us about the Shang Dynasty.
Children will:
 Plan a question about the future.
 Translate it into modern or Shang Chinese characters.
 Choose which of their pieces of work they want to put on display.
Resources
Session 1
Provided: Introduction to Chinese writing; Common Chinese characters for words and syllables with
pronunciation guide.
You will need: Access to the internet.
Session 2
Provided: Information sheet about Shang writing and oracle bones, Examples of characters found on
oracle bones; How Chinese characters have changed from the Shang era to the present day.
You will need: Access to the internet.
Session 3
Provided: Explanation of the sexagenary cycle and names of the stems and branches; How to make a
Shang Cyclical Calendar.
You will need: Compasses, pencils, paper, protractors, split pins.
Session 4
Provided: Transcription of an oracle bone with a translation template; PowerPoint translation of the
text on an oracle bone; sheet showing the stems and branches of the dates.
You will need: Access to the internet.
Session 5
Provided: Inscription template; How to make an oracle bone guide.
You will need: Lamb shoulder blades or alternatively pieces of plastic or wood shaped into a
bone/tortoise shell shape; Inscribing tools, e.g. blunt pencils.
© Original resource copyright Hamilton Trust, who give permission for it to be adapted as wished by individual users.
The links to the websites and the contents of the web pages associated with such links specified on this list (hereafter collectively referred to as the ‘Links’)
have been checked by Hamilton Trust (being the operating name of the registered charity, William Rowan Hamilton Trust) and to the best of Hamilton
Trust’s knowledge, are correct and accurate at the time of publication. Notwithstanding the foregoing or any other terms and conditions on the Hamilton
Trust website, you acknowledge that Hamilton Trust has no control over such Links and indeed, the owners of such Links may have removed such Links,
changed such Links and/or contents associated with such Links. Therefore, it is your sole responsibility to verify any of the Links which you wish you use.
Hamilton Trust excludes all responsibility and liability for any loss or damage arising from the use of any Links.