1. Painting and Poetry
1.1. Students will investigate the Daoist influence on Chinese painting and poetry and analyze the use and purpose of color, size and perspective in the paintings
1.1.1. Assessment: Students analyze a Chinese landscape painting and describe the influence of Daoism and the choice of color and perspective on the mood - use Voicethread (Rubric needed)
1.1.1.1. Teacher gives lecture on the elements of Chinese landscape painting
1.1.1.2. Students match Chinese poems with paintings
1.1.1.3. Students work in pairs to identify Daoist characteristics in paintings and poems
1.1.2. Assessment: Students write a poem employing the principles of Daoism (Rubric needed)
2. Innovations
2.1. Students will explain Chinese innovations and inventions, and evaluate their impact on modern society
2.1.1. Assessment: Students write a short essay on the modern influence of Chinese inventions
2.1.1.1. Students read and answer questions about 12 medieval Chinese inventions
2.1.1.2. Students rank the importance of the inventions from most to least influential
2.1.1.3. Students collaborate on a digital presentation of the Chinese inventions
3. Geography
3.1. Students will analyze the impact of China's geography on government, culture and economics
3.1.1. Assessment: Students create a presentation (brochure/poster/infographic) that explains key geographic features and describes impact - use Glogster (rubric needed)
3.1.1.1. Teacher gives lecture presentation on China's geography
3.1.1.2. Students complete mapping exercise & review
3.1.1.3. Students discuss and answer critical-thinking questions on impact of geography on government, culture and economics
4. Philosophy
4.1. Students will identify and describe the belief systems of Confucius, Buddha and Laozi
4.1.1. Assessment: Students take a Quiz that differentiates between the beliefs of Confucius, Buddha and Laozi - use Quia
4.1.1.1. Teacher gives lecture on belief systems of Confucius, Buddha and Laozi
4.1.1.2. Students identify quotes that belong to each philosopher - use Socrative
4.1.2. Assessment: Students interpret quotes from Confucius, Buddha and Laozi
4.1.2.1. Students complete double-entry journal on quotes from philosophers
5. Government
5.1. Students will identify, analyze and evaluate the characteristics of nepotism and meritocracy in medieval Chinese systems of rule.
5.1.1. Assessment: Students write a letter to emperor discussing the pros and cons of each form of governmental rule (nepotism, aristocratic, meritocracy) and implores the emperor to choose the best one
5.1.1.1. Teacher lectures on the characteristics of a bureaucracy and the attributes of nepotism, aristocratic rule and meritocracy
5.1.1.2. Students read and respond to document from emperor explaining choice of government officials
5.1.1.3. Students choose the system of rule they think is best and explain why - value line
6. Dynasties
6.1. Students will identify the elements of the dynastic cycle (rise/height/fall) in 5 medieval dynasties and will describe cultural accomplishments and impact of philosophy on government
6.1.1. Assessment: Students create a poster that identifies characteristics of dynastic cycle for one medieval dynasty - use Popplet (rubric needed).
6.1.1.1. Teacher gives presentation on dynastic cycle
6.1.1.2. Students read about dynasties, identify elements of dynastic cycle, and create poster
6.1.1.3. Students analyze other posters/dynasties and complete matrix of dynastic cycle characteristics
6.1.2. Assessment: Students complete a Venn Diagram comparing two or more medieval dynasties - use Visual.ly
6.1.2.1. Students meet in mixed pairs (assigned different dynasties) and compare and contrast characteristics of both dynasties