I CAN statements
- I CAN describe the geography of ancient China, including its location.
- I CAN identify similarities between the geography of ancient China and other ancient civilizations.
- I CAN describe how the geography of ancient China shaped the culture and society of ancient China (in each region).
- I CAN define the word region.
- I CAN identify and describe the two regions of China.
Geography of Ancient China
What is a region?
Use the Prezi below to get a short introduction to the concepts of a geographical region (left) and human region (right).
Altering the Landscape
Ancient Chinese people adapted to their geography, but they also CHANGED the natural landscape to fit their needs, and help their civilization thrive.
Use the links below to learn about 2 ways the Chinese people altered the landscape.
I CAN STATEMENTS:
- I CAN explain two ways in which China altered their geography.
Method 1: Terrace Farming
How did the Chinese adapt to farming in hilly areas?
The ancient Chinese also adapted the landscape to meet their farming needs. Study the picture to the right. These are known as rice terraces, and were used to grow rice, which is one of the most important crops in China, and formed a large part of ancient Chinese diets.
Click on the links below to learn more about terrace farming.
Link 1
Link 2
How did the Chinese adapt to farming in hilly areas?
The ancient Chinese also adapted the landscape to meet their farming needs. Study the picture to the right. These are known as rice terraces, and were used to grow rice, which is one of the most important crops in China, and formed a large part of ancient Chinese diets.
Click on the links below to learn more about terrace farming.
Link 1
Link 2
METHOD 2: The Grand Canal
How did the Chinese connect such a large country?
Study the map of China to the left. As you know, people in ancient times often used rivers to travel and to transport goods, because it was difficult to transport heavy loads over land.
The ancient Chinese also used rivers to travel from place to place. However, they were limited in their ability to travel from one place to another because of the way the rivers flowed. Both of the major rivers in China started on the Tibetan Plateau in the West, and flowed towards the East. Therefore, the Chinese could travel East to West, but not North to South.
Link 1
Link 2
How did the Chinese connect such a large country?
Study the map of China to the left. As you know, people in ancient times often used rivers to travel and to transport goods, because it was difficult to transport heavy loads over land.
The ancient Chinese also used rivers to travel from place to place. However, they were limited in their ability to travel from one place to another because of the way the rivers flowed. Both of the major rivers in China started on the Tibetan Plateau in the West, and flowed towards the East. Therefore, the Chinese could travel East to West, but not North to South.
Link 1
Link 2
Click the picture to the left to see modern pictures of China's Grand Canal.
History of Ancient China - Government & Dynasties
I CAN Statements:
- I CAN describe the government of ancient China, including: dynasties, the Mandate of Heaven, and the civil service exam.
Today, your goal is to do research on the set up of the government in ancient China. Follow the steps on this website, and take notes in your notebook.
PART ONE Title your notes: Government of Ancient China For the first section, take notes on the definition of DYNASTY, and give names of 3 Chinese dynasties. |
Early settlers began to settle in the Yellow River basin of China in 3500 B.C.E., however, they did not begin to become a unified civilization until about 2200 B.C.E. China was ruled at first by small, local kings, and then was unified by the emperor Qin Shi Huangdi in 220 B.C.E.
From 220 B.C.E. to 1908 C.E. (the modern era) a series of dynasties ruled China. A dynasty was a family of rulers, in which power is passed from father to son over many generations. |
PART TWO
Now, get a Kids Discover Magazine, and read pages 4-5. Take notes on the civil servants, including how a person became a civil servant, and their place (level) in society.
PART THREE
WATCH THE VIDEO BELOW to learn about the Mandate of Heaven.
Take notes:
1. What is the Mandate of Heaven?
2. How does this belief affect Chinese rulers?
Now, get a Kids Discover Magazine, and read pages 4-5. Take notes on the civil servants, including how a person became a civil servant, and their place (level) in society.
PART THREE
WATCH THE VIDEO BELOW to learn about the Mandate of Heaven.
Take notes:
1. What is the Mandate of Heaven?
2. How does this belief affect Chinese rulers?
Culture of Ancient China
I CAN Statements:
- I CAN describe the culture of ancient China.
- I CAN evaluate how the culture of ancient China connects to its culture today.
The REAL Story of Mulan
Ever wonder how Disney came up with this story? It is actually based on an ancient Chinese legend of a real woman who disguised herself as a man to fight. Click on the picture to the left to learn the real story of Fa Mulan.
Ever wonder how Disney came up with this story? It is actually based on an ancient Chinese legend of a real woman who disguised herself as a man to fight. Click on the picture to the left to learn the real story of Fa Mulan.