Dynasties of China Web Quest- World Studies
Mrs. Desaulniers
Your Assignment
Your local museum has received funding to add a new wing to their museum that would be dedicated
to study of the history of China. There are many dynasties that the museum would like to focus on:
the Shang, Qin, Tang, Ming, Manchu, and Han.
Your job is to research one of the dynasties, and propose an exhibit that would teach young people
about the dynasty that you studied. Make your proposal clear, in order to impress the directors of the
museum. Show them that you are an expert on the topic; and that your exhibit would best help young
people learn about the dynasty. Provide as many visual examples as you can in your proposal.
China was ruled by a string of various dynasties for over four thousand years. In this Web Quest you
will be exploring three of those dynasties; and preparing information to present, demonstrating your
expertise on the subject. Read through the steps carefully, and organize your information. Prepare a
final product that will best demonstrate your understanding of one of these three Chinese dynasties.
Process
Step One:
Select a dynasty that you would like to study by drawing from the hat.
Step Two:
Research your dynasty.
1. Shang dynasty
The Shang dynasty ruled along the Huang River in China for over 500 years. Find information about
the dynasty in the web sites listed below. Use the questions and suggestions as a guide in developing
your display. Feel free to include other information that you find interesting as you research the
Shang dynasty.
* Include a visual that shows the area that was ruled by the Shang dynasty.
http://emuseum.mnsu.edu/prehistory/china/ancient_china/shang.html
*How did priests in the Shang dynasty use tortoise shells to predict the future?
http://www.travelchinaguide.com/intro/history/shang/oracle.htm
* What else can you find out about religion during the Shang dynasty?
Scroll down to the Religion section on this web site and read:
http://www.wsu.edu/~dee/ANCCHINA/SHANG.HTM
* What social classes existed in the Shang dynasty, and what was the daily life of different people in
the Shang dynasty like?
http://members.aol.com/Donnclass/Chinalife.html#CHOU
http://www.penncharter.com/Student/china/soc/index.html
http://www.penncharter.com/Student/china/daily/index.html
* Write a short biography about Fu Hao.
http://www.staceysworld2000.co.uk/fuhao.htm
* Include visuals from the following sites. You are documenting artifacts from the Shang dynasty.
http://www.chinatoday.com/art/rel/b.htm
http://www.yutopian.com/arts/shang/arts.html
http://www.sxu.edu/~rabe/asia/china/shang.html
Scroll down to the bottom of this list of links and find pictures of artifacts from the Shang dynasty:
http://www.think2learn.com/museum/pages/shang_dynasty_links.htm
Remember, include any other interesting information that you might have found about the Shang
dynasty in your proposal for your exhibit.
2. Qin dynasty
A great general named Shihuangdi led the way for the Qin dynasty to take control along the Huang
River. Find information about the dynasty in the web sites listed below. Use the questions, and
suggestions as a guide in developing your display. Feel free to include other information that you find
interesting as you research the Qin dynasty.
* Include a map of the area that the Qin dynasty ruled over.
http://www.unc.edu/courses/hist033/qin_dynasty_map.htm
* Who was Qin Shihuangdi?
http://www.EnchantedLearning.com/subjects/greatwall/Emperor.html
* How did the Qin dynasty help build the Great Wall of China?
http://www.chinavista.com/travel/greatwall/greatwall.html
* What were the Terra cotta Warriors? Include pictures, and a brief description of what they were.
http://gallery.muzi.com/guide.shtml?l=english&code=10229&d=P
* Use the links below to search for more artifacts, or interesting information about the Qin dynasty.
http://www.think2learn.com/museum/pages/qin_dynasty_links.htm
http://www.cgan.com.hk/china-art/www/history/qin.html
http://zinnia.umfacad.maine.edu/~mshea/China/great.html
Remember, include any other interesting information that you might have found about the Qin
dynasty in your proposal for your exhibit.
3. The Han dynasty
In 206 B.C. the Qin dynasty was overthrown by rebel armies led by a farmer-turned general called
Han Gaozu. His family began the Han dynasty. Find information about the dynasty in the web sites
listed below. Use the questions and suggestions as a guide in developing your display. Feel free to
include other information that you find interesting as you research the Han dynasty.
* Include a map of the area that the Han dynasty ruled over.
http://www.unc.edu/courses/hist033/han_map.htm
* Write a short biography about Emperor Wu Ti.
http://campus.northpark.edu/history/WebChron/China/WuTi.html
* What was daily life during the Han dynasty like?
http://www.unc.edu/courses/hist033/han_map.htm
* It is said that government during the Han dynasty began to turn back to the ways of Confucianism.
What is Confucianism, and how would a government use it?
http://members.aol.com/Donnclass/Chinalife.html#CONFU
http://www.cohums.ohio-state.edu/deall/jin.3/c231/handouts/h5.htm
* What was the Silk Road?
http://encarta.msn.com/index/conciseindex/6F/06F75000.htm?z=1&;pg=2&br=1
http://sunsite.nus.edu.sg/mw/iss04/silk.html
* Find some interesting visuals that connect with the Han dynasty.
http://www.collectibles-museum.com/htm_original/jadepg43.htm
http://home.scs.brisnet.org.au/~jade/
http://mail.franceantiq.fr/sna/zen/default.htm
Remember, include any other interesting information that you might have found about the Han
dynasty in your proposal for your exhibit.
4. Tang dynasty
The Tang dynasty (A.D. 618-907), with its capital at Chang'an ( ), is regarded by historians as a high
point in Chinese civilization--equal, or even superior, to the Han period. Its territory, acquired through
the military exploits of its early rulers, was greater than that of the Han.
http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?id=monsoon-climate-change-chinese
http://www.mnsu.edu/emuseum/prehistory/china/classical_imperial_china/tang.html
http://www.travelchinaguide.com/intro/history/tang/
http://www.shen-nong.com/eng/history/suitang.html
Include a map of the area that the Han dynasty ruled over.
Write a short biography about an Emperor
How did Buddhism come to China?
How was contact with other lands reflected in Chinese culture?
What was daily life during the Tang dynasty like?
Find some interesting visuals that connect with the Tang dynasty.
What kind of clothing did people wear at this time?
5. Song dynasty
The founders of the Song dynasty built an effective centralized bureaucracy staffed with civilian
scholar-officials. Regional military governors and their supporters were replaced by centrally
appointed officials. This system of civilian rule led to a greater concentration of power in the emperor
and his palace bureaucracy than had been achieved in the previous dynasties.
http://www.travelchinaguide.com/intro/history/song/
http://afe.easia.columbia.edu/song/
http://china.mrdonn.org/song.html
Include a map of the area that the Song dynasty ruled over.
Write a short biography about an Emperor
What was daily life during the Song dynasty like?
Find some interesting visuals that connect with the Song dynasty.
What kind of clothing did people wear at this time?
What is the Song idea of a universal man?
How did Zhu Xi affect this time period?
6. Manchu or Yuan dynasty
Although the Manchus were not Han Chinese and were strongly resisted, especially in the south, they
had assimilated a great deal of Chinese culture before conquering China Proper. Realizing that to
dominate the empire they would have to do things the Chinese way, the Manchus retained many
institutions of Ming and earlier Chinese derivation. They continued the Confucian court practices and
temple rituals, over which the emperors had traditionally presided.
http://library.thinkquest.org/16325/c-man.html
http://66.111.36.90/pages/culture/history/manchu.html
http://www.dynastiesofasia.com/asian-history-references/qing-dynasty-period-in-chinese-history.htm
http://departments.kings.edu/womens_history/tzuhsi.html
Include a map of the area that the Yuan dynasty ruled over.
Write a short biography about the last Emperor and the last Empress
What was daily life during the Yuan dynasty like?
What was the Neo-Confucian philosophy?
Find some interesting visuals that connect with the Yuan dynasty.
How did China deal with foreign interventions?
Who were the Boxers?
What kind of clothing did people wear at this time?
The following web sites are also good to use:
http://lcweb2.loc.gov/frd/cs/cntoc.html
http://www-chaos.umd.edu/history/toc.html
http://www.worldwideschool.org/library/books/socl/customsetiquettefolklore/CourtLifeinChina/toc.html
http://www.kn.pacbell.com/wired/fil/pages/listancientms36.html
http://emuseum.mnsu.edu/prehistory/china/timeline.html
http://www.penncharter.com/Student/china/index.html
http://www.time.com/time/daily/special/newschina/
http://www.china10k.com/english/history/1/13/13.htm
http://www.chinapage.com/emperor.html
http://www.stockton.edu/~gilmorew/consorti/1heasia.htm
Step 3:
Use the research that you’ve done to make a visual and oral proposal that will sound like a great idea
to the people in charge at the museum. Remember, your idea should be something that teaches
young people about the dynasty that you researched. Make it clear, to the people that you will be
presenting to, exactly what you are going to do with your exhibit. Be creative, including all the
important research that you did on your topic.
Task:
* Use a tri-board poster to:
A. display pictures of artifacts that you found and write summaries of information to display on the
poster board.
B. display visuals of and biography of your main character of that dynasty
C. Include examples of daily costume and life with short synopsis of both
D. Include description and visuals of the main religions and/or philosophers
E. Include main accomplishments and visuals
F. Include at least 2 historic events and map of the dynasties land area.
G. Make a three dimensional model to include in your display that signifies your dynasty’s
accomplishments
H. Anything else that helps you make your case to the Museum Board
Evaluation
Now that you’ve completed all three steps, go through this evaluation process and decide on ways
that you could improve your presentation. Just follow the list step by step.
1. Am I comfortable with the dynasty that I picked for my presentation?
- If yes, go on to the next question.
- If no, you do have the option to talk to Miss D
2. Do I have enough information on my dynasty to make an educational display for the museum?
- If yes, go on to the next question.
- If no, return to Step 2 in the Process section of the Web Quest, and find more information about the
dynasty that you selected. Use the web sites given to find any information that would be interesting,
and educational to the students who might see your display.
3. Have I put together a presentation that best shows what I know about the dynasty I chose to work
on?
- If yes, you have completed the project! Good luck on your presentation!
- If no, talk with peers about how you could present the information in a more interesting way.
COMPLETING THE QUEST IN GROUPS
This Web Quest is a great opportunity to group students in teams and have them work together to
gather, and present information. Different group roles could include; but are not limited to:
One Proposal Leader: and Secretary A student to report to Miss D, and update her on the progress of
the group. The secretary can keep any group suggestions organized and be in charge of any
paperwork that they will have. They make up the grand out line of the poster
One Visual Director: Somebody to put in charge of gathering any pictures; or visuals for the
presentation.
One Summaries Leader: Person to make sure all visuals have a written summary
Everyone is a Research Person: It’s important that everybody research; but in groups you can decide
to divide some of the research up. Each could take on part of the tri poster board to develop.
Museum Board: The rest of the class serves as the Museum Board during the presentations, not to
judge the students; but to evaluate the information that the other groups gathered.
Things to remember:
Make sure throughout the activity that you are reporting to me what they have found. Continue to
remind each other about how you will present the information when you are through with the
research. Each team member will talk during the oral presentation and present one third of the
information presented
Rubric:
Making a Poster and Oral Presentation: China's Dynasties
CATEGORY
10
8
7
6
Used time well
during each class
period. Focused
on getting the
project done.
Never distracted
others.
Used time well
during each class
period. Usually
focused on
getting the
project done and
never distracted
others.
Used some of the
time well during
each class period.
There was some
focus on getting
the project done
but occasionally
distracted others.
Did not use class
time to focus on
the project OR
often distracted
others.
Graphics –Clarity Graphics are all
Neatness and
in focus and the
Positioning,
content easily
viewed and
identified from 6
ft. away.
Most graphics
are in focus and
the content easily
viewed and
identified from 6
ft. away.
Most graphics
are in focus and
the content is
easily viewed
and identified
from 4 ft. away.
Many graphics
are not clear or
are too small.
Graphics Relevance
All graphics are
related to the
topic and make it
easier to
understand. All
borrowed
graphics have a
source citation.
All graphics are
related to the
topic and most
make it easier to
understand. All
borrowed
graphics have a
source citation.
All graphics
relate to the
topic. Most
borrowed
graphics have a
source citation.
Graphics do not
relate to the topic
OR several
borrowed
graphics do not
have a source
citation.
Required
Elements
The poster
includes all
required
elements as well
as additional
information.
All required
elements are
included on the
poster.
All but 1 of the
required
elements are
included on the
poster.
Several required
elements were
missing.
Content Accuracy
At least 6
5 accurate facts 4 accurate facts
accurate facts are are displayed on are displayed on
displayed on the the poster.
the poster.
poster.
Use of Class
Time
Less than 3
accurate facts are
displayed on the
poster.
Grammar
There are no
grammatical
mistakes on the
poster.
There is 1
grammatical
mistake on the
poster.
There are 2
grammatical
mistakes on the
poster.
There are more
than 2
grammatical
mistakes on the
poster.
Presentation
Presentation is
given in a loud,
clear voice; eye
contact is made
with everyone
Presentation is
given in a loud,
clear voice; eye
contact is made
with some people
Presentation
needs to be
clearer and eye
contact needs to
be improved
Presentation is
barely audible
and little to no
eye contact is
made
Time-Limit
Presentation is
Presentation is
15 to 20 minutes 10 - 14 minutes
long.
long.
Presentation is 6 Presentation is
-9 minutes long. less than 6
minutes OR
more than 20
minutes.
Creativity
The group has
displayed a high
level of creativity
in their approach
to the topic. It is
obvious that
"outside of the
box" thinking is
occurring.
The group
displayed a high
level of creativity
in the creative
process, although
they may have
recycled ideas
from the past.
The group has
displayed an
adequate level of
creativity,
exploring new
ideas and
methods, but not
necessarily
implementing
them effectively.
Prop
Student uses one
prop that shows
considerable
work/creativity
and which make
the presentation
better.
Student uses 1
Student uses 1
prop which make prop
the presentation
better.
The group
recycled ideas
from the past,
focusing on tried
and tested
methods rather
than taking a
risk.
The student uses
no props OR the
prop chosen
detracts from the
presentation.
.Summary Evaluation exercise will follow after all presentations are completed. Each student will be
expected to know basic information about each of the 6 dynasties.