Unit 1: From Prehistory to Early Civilizations
Chapter 4: Ancient China
Section I: Early Civilization in China
Pages 72-79
1. There’s a SQR Chart in your textbooks on page 73 (“Get Organized”). Survey the chapter for
a moment and write down something specific that you notice.
2. Next, write down a question you may have about what you surveyed.
3. And, write down something you read in that section that might answer question 2.
4. What’s’ one of the geographical features that isolated China from other countries?
(How do groups determine unity and separation?)
5. From the feature you put in number 4, how might China be different if that wasn’t there?
6. What’s 1 benefit the Chinese gained from developing a civilization near a river?
7. Written language in China used symbols. How might symbols help people communicate with
each other?
8. What might be one sign or symbol you’d see as you walk around school?
9. Why was the development of a Chinese writing system so important?
Go to your book (Page 79) for the rest / (Using Tables and Charts)
Read the top half of page 79 an answer the questions below:
10. Tables and charts are tools that ______________________ information into categories.
11. Tables and charts are usually broken down into ________________ and _______________.
12. Why are tables and charts useful?
Much of this can be found on page 77 in your textbook
Unit 1: From Prehistory to Early Civilizations
Chapter 4: Ancient China
Section II: The Zhou, Qin, and Han Dynasties
Pages 80-84
1. How did the Zhou win the Mandate of Heaven?
2. The Chinese had some different types of governments. How do you think our school’s
government is organized?
3. What contributed to the expansion of trade during the Zhou period?
4. How was Zheng’s government different from other Chinese governments?
5. Was Qin Shi Huangdi (Zheng) a good ruler? Why?
6. Why was Zheng’s Qin Dynasty only around for a short time?
7. How did “the Silk Road” get its name?
8. From the map on page 83 of your textbook, what body of water marked the end of the
southern route of the Silk Road?
9. What might be one geographical feature that could affect people traveling on the Silk Road?
(What is the best way to make and distribute things we need?)
11. What’s one important advance in technology during the Han Dynasty?
Unit 1: From Prehistory to Early Civilizations
Pages 85-89
Chapter 4: Ancient China
Section III: Religions, and Beliefs in Ancient China
1. According to Confucius, what are the five relationships that govern society?
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
2. Which one of the above is most important to you – and why?
3. Some of China’s religions and beliefs helped people to get along peacefully. What’s’ one
rule we/you have around school which affects how people get along with each other?
4. What’s the importance of Yin and Yang to the Daoists?
5. How would you describe Legalism (in your own words)?
6. What might be an advantage of living under Legalism.
(How is power gained, used, and justified?)
7. What might be a disadvantage of living under Legalism?
8. Would you like to be living under a Legalist emperor? Why or why not?
9. Why do you think Buddhism become popular in China?
Unit 1: From Prehistory to Early Civilizations
Chapter 4: Ancient China
Section IV: Ancient Chinese Life and Culture
Pages 90-93
1. Do you think family life would have been good or bad in ancient China – and why?
2. Ancient Chinese believed people needed to concentrate on having certain qualities. In order
to be a good American today, what’s a quality you feel you should be concentrating on?
3. Why did Chinese parents want large families?
4. Why would Chinese parents prefer to have sons over daughters?
5. How much opportunity do you think a woman had to develop interests of her own?
6. How was being a wealthy merchant in China different from being a wealthy merchant in other
parts of the world?
7. In your opinion, in what areas was Chinese science most advanced?
8. What was the most important influence on the culture of ancient China – and how?
(What forces cause change?)
9. Technological advances made big changes in the lives of people in ancient China. What
technological advance in science, communication, or medicine has had the greatest impact on
your life?
Artisans
Who's The Most Important?
There were a lot of different civilizations in the ancient world which were important.
We've learned a little about some of them. There are a lot we haven't gotten to yet. Now
YOU have to make a decision: deciding which one was the most important. There's not
a right or wrong answer. But, you do have to back up what you decide, and base your
decision on facts (not opinions) and support your facts with evidence.
Here are your steps:
1. Scan through Unit 1 of our book (or the index in the front)
2. Decide which ancient civilization you feel is most important.
3. Make a claim and use 2 or more sources to explain (in an outline) support for your
idea. One source can be our textbook. You'll need one more – from another book,
or from technology resources. If you use technology, you should use our library
databases.
Be thinking about whether you want primary or secondary
sources.
4. Use a 5 paragraph planning sheet to fill in an outline of your ideas and your
"argument."
Everyone's topic sentence will be:
The ____________________ people were the most advanced civilization in the ancient
world.
Some options (you may choose one not on this list):
Mesopotamians
(India)
Aryans
Cro-Magnons
Civilizations
Sumerians
Hindus
Hebrews
Buddhists
The Egyptians
Indus Valley
The Ancient Chinese
The Fertile Crescent
Paragraph 1
Introduction
Attention Getter:
Part A:
Part B:
Part C:
Detail 1:
Detail 2:
Detail 3:
Paragraph 3
(Part B)
Main Idea:
Detail 1:
Detail 2:
Detail 3:
Paragraph 4
(Part C)
Main Idea:
Detail 1:
Detail 2:
Detail 3:
Concluding Thoughts (including parts A/B/C):
Paragraph 5
Conclusion
Thesis Statement (Main idea)
Paragraph 2
(Part A)
Main Idea:
“Big Finish”: