Dover Sherborn Middle School Curriculum Road Maps

 

 

Course Title:     World Geography                                          Grade:  7th Grade

 

Unit:  China

 

Month Presented:  April/May                                      Unit Length:  5 weeks

 

Essential Question (s):

·        How has China been able to remain the world’s longest continuous civilization?

·        How does the “Middle Kingdom” concept shape China’s past and present?

·        In what ways is China similar and different from the U.S.?

·        How does ancient China compare to modern China in regard to religion, family, government, education system, role of women?

·        Why is China important in today’s world?

 

Learning Objectives:

1)      Locate and label on a map China’s major physical features, cities, and bordering countries.

2)      Explain how China’s physical geography has influenced its human geography (settlement patterns, cultural values, history).

3)      Identify 4 major ways China’s physical geography is similar to that of the U. S.

4)      Compare and contrast China’s human geography with that of the U.S.

5)      Explain some of the impacts and ramifications of having a population of 1.3 billion.

6)      Compare ancient and modern Chinese culture (language, arts, philosophies, societal values).

7)      Compare and contrast Confucianism, Daoism and Buddhism, and explain their influence on Chinese culture.

8)      Identify and explain the reasons why China has been able to remain the world’s longest continuous civilization.

 9) Identify and explain the factors which make China important in today’s world.

 

Skills:

  • Making inferences
  • Finding information in an almanac
  • Drawing and interpreting maps
  • Using supporting evidence to prove a thesis
  • Writing a 5-paragraph essay

 

Instructional Strategies and  Activities:

  • China map project, map generalizations, physical regions comparisons with U.S.
  • U.S./China almanac comparisons, inferences
  • China chairs population activity
  • Evolution of Chinese writing – from pictographs to characters
  • Ethics and Chinese thought: Analects of Confucius comics, ethical dilemma based on the Five Relationships, Daodejing /Dao of Pooh group activity
  • Confucius, Laozi, Buddha role play; Confucianism/Daoism/Buddhism graphic organizer, character collages
  • Yin & Yang, Feng Shui house drawing
  • Introduction to Legalism; review of first 4 dynasties, (especially Qin)
  • Overviews of Communist Revolution, Cultural Revolution as background for novels read in English class
  • Simulation – “Choices: Economic Freedom without Civil Liberties”
  • Debate/Writing Assignment: “Why didn’t the Chinese civilization fall?”
  • Cultural activities (Chinese New Year, food, poetry, Tai chi, school simulation)

 

 

Materials Utilized:

  • Print: The Sayings of Confucius, The Tao Speaks, The Dao of Pooh, Feng Shui
  • Video/Multimedia:

Day in Life video

China travel slides

Legacy video: “China – Mandate of Heaven” (Michael Wood)

“Searching for China” webquest

 

 

Assessment Strategies:

·        Key Questions 5-paragraph essay

·        Feng Shui house drawing