Objectives (5 - 7 minutes)

1. Students will be able to identify key periods in Ancient Chinese history, such as the Xia, Shang, Zhou, Qin, Han, and Tang dynasties, and their significant contributions to Chinese civilization.
2. Students will understand the basic principles of Confucianism, Daoism, and Legalism, and how these philosophies shaped Chinese society, culture, and governance.
3. Students will be able to explain the significance of the Great Wall of China, the Terracotta Army, and the Silk Road in Ancient Chinese history.
   • Secondary Objective: Encourage students to think critically about the long-term effects of these historical periods and events on contemporary China.

Introduction (10 - 12 minutes)

1. The teacher begins by reminding students of their previous lessons on world history, particularly those related to ancient civilizations in other parts of the world. This serves as a foundation for the new topic of Ancient China. The teacher prompts the students to recall key elements of these civilizations and encourages them to draw comparisons with what they will learn about Ancient China.

2. The teacher then presents two problem situations to the students:

   • "Imagine you are a ruler of an ancient Chinese kingdom. How would you maintain your power and control over such a vast territory and diverse population?"
   • "Picture yourself as a common citizen in Ancient China. What are the most important aspects of your day-to-day life, and how are they influenced by the ruling philosophy?"

3. The teacher contextualizes the importance of studying Ancient China by explaining its enduring influence on the modern world. For instance, the teacher can mention that China's system of writing, one of the oldest in the world, is still in use today. The teacher can also highlight the fact that many of China's cultural and philosophical traditions, such as Confucianism and Daoism, continue to shape Chinese society and have influenced other parts of the world.

4. To grab the students' attention, the teacher shares two intriguing facts or stories about Ancient China:

   • "Did you know that the Great Wall of China, which was built over 2,000 years ago, is so long that it could circle the Earth at the equator more than twice?"
   • "In Ancient China, people believed that the emperor was the 'Son of Heaven' and had the divine right to rule. This belief was so strong that if a dynasty was overthrown, it was often seen as a sign that the emperor had lost the 'Mandate of Heaven'."

5. The teacher concludes the introduction by telling the students that by the end of the lesson, they will have a deeper understanding of the rich and complex history of Ancient China, its influential philosophies, and its enduring architectural and cultural achievements.

Development (20 - 25 minutes)

Activity 1: The Dynasty Timeline Game (10 - 12 minutes)

1. The teacher divides the class into groups of 4 or 5 and provides each group with a large piece of paper, markers, and a list of the major Chinese dynasties (Xia, Shang, Zhou, Qin, Han, and Tang).

2. The teacher explains the rules of the game: Each group has to create a timeline on the paper, placing the dynasties in the correct chronological order. They must also write down key developments or contributions from each dynasty.

3. The teacher sets a time limit of 8 minutes for the activity and encourages students to work together, discussing and justifying their choices.

4. When the time is up, each group presents their timeline and explains the importance of each dynasty they included. The teacher provides feedback and corrects any inaccuracies.

5. Finally, the teacher facilitates a discussion about the overall progression of Chinese civilization as depicted in the timelines.

Activity 2: Philosophy Debate (8 - 10 minutes)

1. The teacher now introduces the three major philosophical schools of Ancient China: Confucianism, Daoism, and Legalism. The teacher briefly explains the main tenets of each school and how it influenced Chinese society.

2. The teacher reorganizes the groups into new ones, ensuring that each group has at least one member who has studied each of the three philosophies.

3. The teacher assigns each group one of the following statements to debate:

   • "Confucianism was the most beneficial philosophy for Ancient Chinese society."
   • "Daoism's emphasis on harmony with nature was the most enlightened philosophy."
   • "Legalism's strict laws and punishments were necessary for maintaining order in Ancient China."

4. Each group has 5 minutes to prepare their arguments. The teacher encourages students to draw on their knowledge of the philosophies, as well as their understanding of the historical and social contexts in which they developed.

5. The teacher then facilitates a debate, allowing each group to present their case and respond to counterarguments. The teacher emphasizes the importance of respectful and reasoned argumentation.

6. After the debate, the teacher leads a reflection and discussion on the merits and limitations of each philosophy, encouraging students to think critically about their own conclusions.

Activity 3: Constructing the Wall (5 - 7 minutes)

1. In this hands-on activity, the teacher asks the students to work together as a class to build a "Great Wall of China" out of cardboard bricks.

2. The teacher divides the class into groups and assigns each group a section of the "wall" to build. The teacher provides each group with cardboard bricks and glue.

3. The teacher then explains that each brick should represent an important event or development in Ancient China. The groups should write or draw a representation of the event on the brick before adding it to the "wall".

4. As the groups work, the teacher circulates the room, offering assistance and asking probing questions about the events to ensure understanding.

5. After the wall is complete, the teacher leads a discussion about the importance of each event and the overall significance of the Great Wall in Chinese history. The teacher also highlights the collaborative effort involved in building the wall, connecting it to the theme of unity and collective achievement in Ancient China.

Feedback (8 - 10 minutes)

1. The teacher begins the feedback session by facilitating a group discussion. Each group is given up to 3 minutes to present their solutions or conclusions from the activities. This time limit ensures that all groups have a chance to share their thoughts and ideas. The teacher encourages all students to actively listen and ask questions to promote a deeper understanding of the topics.

2. The teacher then assesses the connections made by the students between the theoretical knowledge presented in the lesson and the practical activities they engaged in. The teacher highlights how the Dynasty Timeline Game helped students to visualize the chronological progression of Chinese civilization and its major contributors. The teacher also emphasizes how the Philosophy Debate challenged students to think critically about the different schools of thought and their implications on society.

3. The teacher uses a variety of feedback techniques to assess students' learning, such as:

   • Asking probing questions to gauge students' understanding of the material and the activities.
   • Observing the students as they participate in the activities, noting their level of engagement and collaboration.
   • Reviewing the timelines and philosophical arguments created by the students, looking for accurate information and well-reasoned arguments.
   • Encouraging students to reflect on their own learning and share their thoughts and insights.

4. The teacher then takes a moment to reflect on the lesson and asks the students to do the same. The teacher prompts the students to consider the following questions:

   • "What was the most important concept you learned today?"
   • "Which questions do you still have about Ancient China?"

5. The teacher encourages the students to share their reflections and questions. This open discussion allows the teacher to address any lingering doubts or misconceptions and provides valuable feedback for future lessons.

6. Finally, the teacher wraps up the lesson by summarizing the key points and reminding the students of the relevance of Ancient China to their understanding of world history and civilization. The teacher also provides a preview of the next lesson, if applicable, to maintain the students' interest and curiosity about the subject.

Conclusion (5 - 7 minutes)

1. The teacher begins the conclusion by summarizing the main points of the lesson. They recapture the key periods in Ancient Chinese history, the principles of Confucianism, Daoism, and Legalism, and the significance of the Great Wall of China, the Terracotta Army, and the Silk Road. The teacher also revisits the problem situations and intriguing facts shared at the start of the lesson, reinforcing the students' understanding of these crucial aspects of Ancient China.

2. The teacher then explains how the lesson connected theory, practice, and applications. They highlight how the Dynasty Timeline Game allowed students to apply their theoretical knowledge of Chinese dynasties in a practical context, while the Philosophy Debate encouraged them to critically analyze the impact of different philosophical schools. The teacher also underscores how the Constructing the Wall activity helped students to visualize the historical events and developments in Ancient China, reinforcing their understanding of the topic.

3. Next, the teacher suggests additional materials for students to further explore the topic and enhance their understanding. These could include:

   • Books: "The Story of Civilization: The Age of Faith" by Will Durant, which provides a comprehensive overview of Ancient China.
   • Documentaries: "The Art of China" by the BBC, which offers an in-depth exploration of Chinese art and culture throughout history.
   • Websites: The British Museum's online exhibition "Ancient China", which features interactive maps, videos, and resources for students.

4. The teacher concludes the lesson by emphasizing the importance of the topic to everyday life and society. They explain that the rich history and profound philosophies of Ancient China have not only shaped the Chinese society and culture but have also influenced the world in various ways. For instance, the teacher could mention how the principles of Confucianism, such as respect for elders and emphasis on education, have permeated many East Asian societies. The teacher could also highlight how China's long-standing influence on trade, exemplified by the Silk Road, has played a significant role in the development of global commerce.

5. Finally, the teacher encourages the students to continue exploring and learning about Ancient China, reminding them that understanding the past is crucial for comprehending the present and shaping the future. The teacher thanks the students for their active participation and curiosity, and concludes the lesson on a positive note.