NAME:_________________________
Ancient China: Oral Presentation, Written Assignment and Olympic Torch Design
Task: Convince your audience why they should pick your Ancient Chinese Torch Design for the Olympics.
Format: In-class assignment. Students work in Pairs. Partner’s Name____________________
Assessment:
 Classmates individually evaluate the torch design, after each presentation, based on the attached rubric.
 An overall group mark will be given by Mrs. Norman and Mr. O’Brien to evaluate: Oral Presentation, Written
Presentation and Torch Model. See the attached rubric.
 The student team with the highest collective evaluation wins the Olympic Torch Design contest. Winning
torch designers get 10 ‘caught-ya’ tickets each and their torch displayed in prominent place.
Requirements: 1. Torch Model 2.Written Presentation 3.Oral Presentation
1. Torch Model: DUE: TUESDAY APRIL 13, 2010
A. A runner must be able to safely hold your torch.
B. Your torch must have a ‘flame’ (flame example – yellow, orange and red tissue )
C. Each of the 4 categories of the civilization of Ancient China must be represented in your torch design: The
Environment, Economic Life, Social Life and Political Life.
 The Environment (Choose a minimum of one characteristic below to represent on your torch)
o Landforms
o Bodies of Water
o Climate
o Vegetation
o Animal Life
o Natural Resources
 Economic Life (Choose a minimum of one characteristic below to represent on your torch)
o Food
o Homes
o Clothing
o Health
o Occupations
o Technology
o Trade
 Social Life (Choose a minimum of one characteristic below to represent on your torch)
o Social Structure
o Family
o Language
o Education
o Religion
o Arts
o Sports/Recreation
 Political Life (Choose a minimum of one characteristic below to represent on your torch)
o Political Structure
o Government and Citizenship
o The legal system
o Defence and War
2.Written Assignment: FINAL COPY DUE: TUESDAY APRIL 20, 2010
A. Torch Design Plan – A sketch of your torch design with a list of materials used to build it.
B. A persuasive argument explaining the characteristics of Ancient China that your torch represents and why
it should be chosen as the winning Olympic torch design.
o Title: Ancient Chinese Olympic Torch Design by ___Student Names___
o Introduction: “Mr. O’Brien, Mrs. Norman and fellow classmates: ….”
o Supporting argument (4 paragraphs): Each paragraph explains a characteristic from each
category of Ancient China’s civilization that is represented in the torch design and how it links to
modern life: P1)The Environment, P2)Economic Life, P3)Social Life and P4)Political Life
o Conclusion: “We think that you should choose our torch design because...”
CHECK:
o Does your opening statement (introduction) include the BIG IDEAS of your torch design?
o Did you explain the importance of the symbols in your design and why they are still important today?
AND/OR Why did the symbols interest you?
o Does your closing statement (conclusion) make your audience want to choose your design?
3. Oral Presentation (2-4 minutes in length): PRESENTATIONS START MONDAY APRIL 27, 2010.
A. Pairs present their torch and persuasive argument to the class. Each student must equally contribute to the
oral presentation.
Planning and Preparation:
1. Research the four categories of the civilization of Ancient China. Resources: In-class notes, Social
Studies text book, library books and the internet.
2. Select the characteristics of Ancient China that you would like to represent on your torch. Think about
how to represent them in your design (ie.shape, size & colour of your torch; drawings, symbols, pictures &
materials used to create your torch)
3. Make jot notes about each of the characteristics you are representing on your torch.
a. What makes this characteristic of Ancient China interesting and perhaps unique.
b. Make connections between your chosen characteristics of Ancient China and modern life.
4. Design how your torch will look. Draw a sketch of what you think your torch will look like.
5. Gather materials to make your torch. (See Materials sheet)
6. Build your torch.
Organize your presentation:
 Plan an interesting opening.
 Write at least 4 convincing explanations of the importance of each of your symbols and how they relate to
modern life.
 Plan a summary of why your audience should choose your torch. This is where you summarize what you have
said in your argument to help your audience to remember why they should choose your torch.
 Plan how to present your torch. Will you dress in athletic clothes or clothing that is representative of Ancient
China?
 Rehearse your presentation. Make cue cards to use while you are presenting.
During your oral presentation:
 Make eye contact with your audience.
 Speak at a reasonable pace and volume.
 Use expression (in your voice, face or gestures) to emphasize important ideas.
Final Mark
/64
Peer Assessment
Torch Model Design
Persuasive Argument
& Torch Design Plan
(Written)
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Level 4
Mode: Peer Assessment
Mode: Peer Assessment
-2 or less of the 4
categories of Ancient
Chinese civilization are
represented.
-Less than 4
characteristics of
Ancient Chinese
civilization are
represented.
-The chosen materials
contribute to the
presentation of the idea
or image. The project
is not complete.
-3 of the 4 categories of
Ancient Chinese
civilization are
represented.
-Characteristics from 3
categories of Ancient
Chinese civilization are
represented.
Mode: Peer Assessment
-Torch is constructed in a
unique way so that it can be
held upright by a runner.
Torch includes a ‘flame’.
-All of the 4 categories of
Ancient Chinese civilization
are represented.
-The chosen materials
contribute to a
satisfactory presentation
of the idea or image.
Effort and attention to
detail are lacking in the
completed project.
Mode: Peer Assessment
-Torch is constructed so
that it can be held
upright by a runner.
Torch includes a ‘flame’.
-All of the 4 categories of
Ancient Chinese
civilization are
represented.
-One characteristic from
each of the 4 categories
of Ancient Chinese
civilization are
represented.
-The chosen materials
contribute to an effective
presentation of the idea
or image. Effort and
attention to detail is
evident the completed
project.
-Introduction,
supporting details and
summary are not
convincing. The
writer’s opinion is
unclear.
-Writers explain how
the symbols of Ancient
Chinese Civilization
relate to modern life
with limited
effectiveness.
-Editing is needed in
order to read and
understand the writing.
-Introduction,
supporting details and
summary are somewhat
convincing and support
the writer’s opinion.
-Introduction,
supporting details and
summary are convincing
and support the writer’s
opinion.
-Introduction, supporting
details and summary are
highly convincing and support
the writer’s opinion.
-Writers explain how the
symbols of Ancient
Chinese Civilization
relate to modern life with
some effectiveness.
-Writers explain how the
symbols of Ancient
Chinese Civilization
relate to modern life with
considerable
effectiveness.
-Writing has few errors
in capitalization,
punctuation, spelling and
grammar.
-Torch Design Plan
resembles model. Most
of the materials used to
build the torch are listed.
-Writers explain how the
symbols of Ancient Chinese
Civilization relate to modern
life with a high degree of
effectiveness.
-Presentation was less
than 1 minute long.
-Presentation was 1
minute long.
-Presentation was 1-3 minutes
long.
-One student
participated in the
presentation more than
the other.
-Presents ideas and
information in an
understandable way with
some clarity and fluency.
-Uses non-verbal cues
such as facial expression,
gestures and eye contact
appropriately with some
effectiveness.
-Each student equally
participated in the
presentation.
-Presents ideas and
information in an
understandable way with
considerable clarity and
fluency.
-Uses non-verbal cues
such as facial expression,
gestures and eye contact
appropriately with
considerable
effectiveness.
-Both students actively
participated throughout the
entire presentation
-Communicates in a clear,
coherent manner, presenting
ideas and information in an
understandable way with a
high degree of clarity and
fluency.
-Uses non-verbal cues such as
facial expression, props,
gestures and eye contact
appropriately with a high
degree of effectiveness.
-Torch Design Plan
does not resemble the
model. Few materials
used to build the torch
are listed.
Oral Presentation
-Presentation is less
than 1 minute or longer
than 3 minutes.
-Only one student
participated in the
presentation.
-Presents ideas and
information with
limited clarity and
fluency.
-Uses non-verbal cues
such as facial
expression, gestures and
eye contact
appropriately with
limited effectiveness.
-Writing has many
errors in capitalization,
punctuation, spelling and
grammar. Editing is
needed
-Torch Design Plan
resembles model. Some
materials used to build
the torch are listed.
-More than one characteristic
from each of the 4 categories
of Ancient Chinese civilization
are represented.
-The chosen materials
contribute to an effective
presentation of the idea or
image. Effort and attention to
detail enhance the completed
project.
-Writing has no errors in
capitalization, punctuation,
spelling and grammar.
-Torch Design Plan closely
resembles model. All
materials used to build the
torch are listed.
In-Class Materials to Build Torch
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Paper towel roll
Wrapping paper roll
Cardboard
Bristol Board
Glitter Glue
Hot Glue
Glue sticks
Drawings
Salt
Gold ribbon
Red ribbon
String (kite)
Paint
Markers
Coloured Pencils
Scissors
Suggestions of Materials (From Home)
(Must be provided by you OR pre-arranged with
Mrs.Norman)
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Bamboo
Fabric (silk or representation of silk)
Pottery
Photos
Spices
Chopsticks
Sand (desert)
Rocks (mountains)
Artificial flowers
Pennies (copper)
Origami (paper)
Aluminum foil
Kleenex box (structure)
Other