Introduction to Ancient China
Essential Questions: How does the geography influence the development
of ancient civilizations? How do ancient cultures influence our world
today?
Day 2: The Great Wall of China
Connection: Yesterday we learned that the early people of ancient
China settled along the Yellow and Yangtze Rivers. We also learned that
the Himalayan Mountains and the Great Wall acted as a barrier to keep
their enemies away. Today we will learn more about the Great Wall of
China.
Teaching Point: The first emperor of ancient China needed another
boundary to protect the people of his land. He recognized that the
Himalayan Mountains acted as a natural boundary on the west side of
the country. He requested that a huge wall be built to protect the east
side of the country from being invaded by the people of Mongolia.
Active Engagement:
[Students will discuss the definition and purpose of walls. Teacher will list
student responses on board or chart. Teacher will guide students in
discussing the following:
a. What is a wall?
b. List different kinds of walls:
1) Wall of a building or room
2) Fire walls
3) Tsunami
4) Hail
5) Wall cloud
6) Wall Street (actual walled street in pre-Revolutionary New York City
7) Walls lining the intestines
8) Land forms such as mountains, rivers, oceans, etc.
9) Ideas (prejudice)
10) Feelings (anger, disappointment, fear)]
[Introduce the term dynasty: a succession of rulers from the same family
- Explain who was the emperor that began the building of the Great Wall
of China (Qin Shihuangdi, first emperor, begins construction of Great
Wall)]
Take out your maps that you created yesterday.
 Turn to your partner and point out the two boundaries that
protected the people of China from their enemies. Be sure to name
them both.
 Identify which was a natural boundary and which men created.
Link: Today we learned that that a huge wall was built to protect the east
side of the country from being invaded by the people of Mongolia. This
was called the Great Wall of China. Tomorrow we will continue to learn
more about the building of the Great Wall.