Empires of Asia Activities
Objective: Students will investigate how China and Japan developed after the fall of the Han
Dynasty with a shared culture. Students will use a learning menu to explore the
China and Japan.
Essential Questions: How has China changed after the Han Dynasty? How did
the Japanese blend borrowed customs and native tradition to create a
unique culture?
Standards: 6.2A.8.4.b, Compare and contrast the Japanese and European systems of feudalism
and the effectiveness of each in promoting social, economic, and political order.
6.2B.8.4.a, Explain how geography influenced the development of the political, economic, and
cultural centers of each empire and well as the empires relationships with other parts of the
world.
6.2B.8.4.f, Explain how the geographies of China and Japan influenced their development and their
relationship with one another.
6.2D.8.4.g, Analyze the immediate and long-term impact on China and Europe of the open
exchange between Europe and the Yuan (Mongol) Dynasty.
06-08.RH.01, Cite specific textual evidence to support analysis of primary and secondary sources.
06-08.RH.03, Identify key steps in a text's description of a process related to history/social
studies (e.g., how a bill becomes law, how interest rates are raised or lowered).
06-08.RH.10, By end of grade 8, read and comprehend history/social studies texts in the grades
6-8 text complexity band independently and proficiently.
07.W.01.B, Support claim(s) with logical reasoning and relevant evidence, using accurate, credible
sources and demonstrating an understanding of the topic or text.
Directions: You have two summative grades within this unit. Part One allows you the option of
choosing different tasks within the menu to guide your learning without repeating the same
task. Part Two every student must complete. Completion of each part will require that students
have a total of 100 points. It is due on December
8th. You will be responsible for keeping a neat, organized notebook or Google Docs of your
progress.
Part One Section Review = 40 points
Test Review
= 60 points
total
=100 points
Section Options: Must choose one for each section!
(40 pts) You can only use each task once! For example, if you choose the
interactive notebook for section 14.2, you can’t do the same for section 15.1
Critical Thinking Sec. Assessment Question: Students can answer the critical thinking
section assessment question for a section. Chapter 14.1-Identifying Cause and Effect of
Empress Wu Page 412 What effect did her “Iron Fist” have on China?
Chapter 14.4 Compare & Contrast Page 430 # 4
Chapter 15.3-Summarizing- samurai pg. 459 #6
Interactive Notebook: Choose 5-7 concepts from your notes and to the left of the margin in
your notebook draw a picture or symbol that represents the key terms, people, and/or events
that you chose.
Double Journal: complete a “Double Journal” citing two pieces of text that supports the Big
Idea with an explanation of the text in your own words in the second column on the T-chart.
Timeline: Choose 5-7 concepts from your notes and include in a timeline with a picture or
symbol that represents the key terms, people, and/or events that you chose.
Review for test Options: You must choose one that will include the study
guide questions for the entire unit! (60 pts)
Flash Cards: Flash cards can be created using the key terms and people within the chapter.
One side should only have the key term and on the other the textbook definition, a
paraphrased definition and a visual representation of the key term.
Crossword Puzzle: Create a crossword puzzle using the vocabulary words from the chapter
guide. Make sure to make an answer key as well.
Part Two Religion Bulletin
Mural of Agricultural Advances
Advertisement of Inventions
Samurai or Japanese Poem
----TOTAL ----
= 25 points
= 25 points
= 25 points
= 25 points
=100 points
Chapter Project Options: (100 pts )
Section Options: Must complete each section! (25
pts each) You must complete Religion Bulletin, Chinese
inventions, agriculture mural for China, and the
Samurai or Poem for Japan.
Religion Bulletin –Compare and contrast the two major
religious beliefs, Buddhism and Confucianism. Use the
bar code to go to prescribed websites or use the
copies from the sites and refer to the grading guide.
Exemplary
Content
Artwork
Presentation
Mechanics
Score
http://www.bbc.co.uk/relig
ion/religions/buddhism/at
aglance/glance.shtml
http://ancienthistory.mrdo
nn.org/Buddhism.html
Completely and clearly sites
at least 5 facts about each
philosophy including who
began them and how they
affected China and Japan
25
4-6 Highly appealing artwork
that coordinates with the
subject and is neat
10
Clearly presents assignment
to class/peer without notes
and makes eye contact
5
All grammar and spelling are
correct
Information can be
found in textbook or
the following
websites
5
http://ancienthistory.mrdo
nn.org/Confucius.html
http://www.kidspast.com/
world-history/0139confucianism.php
Create Mural of Agricultural Advances – A mural of
how the advancements in technology aided the Song
Dynasty Must be colorful with a written
description/captions explaining advancements.
google images of terrace
farming in china, dragon
backbone pump, ...
Exemplary
Content
Artwork
Presentation
Mural includes terrace landscape,
dragon backbone pump, ox and
plow
Score
15
Exceptional creativity in the
description of required elements
20
Clearly presents assignment to
class/peer without notes and
makes eye contact
5
An Advertisement of Inventions –Research on of the
many inventions of China and give us some facts and
how it is helpful to our lives today. Use guideline to
help you, but it must be colorful with a drawing of the
invention.
Exemplary
Score
Content
Project includes all
information relevant to the
invention you chose in an
organized, creative and
historically accurate
manner
20
Artwork
Exceptional creativity in
the description of required
elements for your
advertisement
15
Presentation
Clearly presents assignment
to class/peer without notes
and makes eye contact
5
Mechanics
All grammar and spelling
are correct
5
http://www.ducksters.com
/history/china/inventions_
technology.php
http://www.mikids.com/C
hineseNewYear/ChineseI
nventions.htm
Samurai – you may draw a picture of a samurai and
write at least 5 facts about samurai on a base and
make your samurai stand or you may choose to make a
samurai helmet with facts on a base as well. You may
use the links to go to the website or use the hard copy
as a guideline. Again base must have facts about the
life of a Samurai
Exemplary
Content
Artwork
Presentation
Project includes all
information relevant to a
samurai in an organized,
creative and historically
accurate manner
15
Exceptional creativity of
required elements for your
samurai helmet or figure
20
Clearly presents assignment to
class/peer without notes and
makes eye contact
Score
Poem follows haiku or tanka
syllable pattern. Format is
very attractive and easy to
read. Must include vivid
imagery.
20
Artwork
Artwork enhances the poem
10
Presentation
Clearly presents assignment to
class/peer without notes and
makes eye contact
5
All grammar and spelling are
correct
http://samuraikids.com.au
/funstuff%20mask.html
5
Exemplary
Mechanics
http://origami.wonderhowt
o.com/how-to/make-3dorigami-samurai-hat-forbeginners-390288/
http://keittoodles.com/blo
g/?p=7
Japanese Poem- must be based on nature and
spirits. Poem needs to be 3 to 4 lines and reflect
Japanese culture. Must have correct punctuation and
spelling and include a drawing.
Content
http://www.wikihow.com/
Make-an-OrigamiSamurai-Helmet
5
http://www.wikihow.com/
Write-a-Nature-Haiku
http://www.poetry4kids.co
m/blog/news/how-towrite-a-tanka-poem/
http://www.wikihow.com/
Write-a-Tanka-Poem
Score
Enjoy your travel through the
Empires of Asia. If you have any
questions along your journey please
do not hesitate to ask for
assistance. Remember you must take
responsibility for your work and stay
on task. Your adventure will end on
Tuesday, December 8th.