Welcome to - Journey to Medieval China - A Unit for 7th Grade
California State Content Standards
This unit covers a course of study on medieval China in accordance with 7th grade California State Standards.
7.3 Students analyze the geographic, political, economic, religious, and social structures of the civilizations of China in the Middle Ages.
7.3 Students analyze the geographic, political, economic, religious, and social structures of the civilizations of China in the Middle Ages.
- Describe the reunification of China under the Tang Dynasty and reasons for the spread of Buddhism in Tang China, Korea, and Japan.
- Describe agricultural, technological, and commercial developments during the Tang and Sung periods.
- Analyze the influences of Confucianism and changes in Confucian thought during the Sung and Mongol periods.
- Understand the importance of both overland trade and maritime expeditions between China and other civilizations in the Mongol Ascendancy and Ming Dynasty.
- Trace the historic influence of such discoveries as tea, the manufacture of paper, wood-block printing, the compass, and gunpowder.
- Describe the development of the imperial state and the scholar-official class.
Common Core State Standards
Reading
Writing
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RH.6-8.1 Cite specific textual evidence to support analysis of primary and secondary sources.
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RH.6-8.2 Determine the central ideas or information of a primary or secondary source; provide an accurate summary of the source distinct from prior knowledge or opinions.
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RH.6-8.7 Integrate visual information (e.g., in charts, graphs, photographs, videos, or maps) with other information in print and digital texts.
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RH.6-8.9 Analyze the relationship between a primary and secondary source on the same topic.
Writing
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.WHST.6-8.1b Support claim(s) with logical reasoning and relevant, accurate data and evidence that demonstrate an understanding of the topic or text, using credible sources.
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.WHST.6-8.1c Use words, phrases, and clauses to create cohesion and clarify the relationships among claim(s), counterclaims, reasons, and evidence.
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.WHST.6-8.7 Conduct short research projects to answer a question (including a self-generated question), drawing on several sources and generating additional related, focused questions that allow for multiple avenues of exploration.
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.WHST.6-8.8 Gather relevant information from multiple print and digital sources, using search terms effectively; assess the credibility and accuracy of each source; and quote or paraphrase the data and conclusions of others while avoiding plagiarism and following a standard format for citation.
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.WHST.6-8.9 Draw evidence from informational texts to support analysis reflection, and research.
Essential Historical Questions
The unit seeks to inform the following essential historical questions:
What systems of rule existed in medieval China, and how did these change over time?
What aspects of Chinese thought and culture are revealed in Chinese art, innovations and government?
In what ways did the geography of China shape its political and belief systems?
What impact did trade and military expeditions have on the culture, politics and economy of medieval China?
What systems of rule existed in medieval China, and how did these change over time?
What aspects of Chinese thought and culture are revealed in Chinese art, innovations and government?
In what ways did the geography of China shape its political and belief systems?
What impact did trade and military expeditions have on the culture, politics and economy of medieval China?
Big Ideas
The unit will focus on the following big ideas:
- China's diverse geography influenced how the ruling class protected its borders and ruled its people
- China's system of government changed several times depending on the goals of the emperor
- The rise, height and fall of middle age dynasties followed the same basic pattern, known as the dynastic cycle
- The Chinese were responsible for many inventions and innovations that have benefit civilization
- Chinese philosophies (Confucianism, Buddhism and Daoism) influenced daily life as well as political life
Assessment Plan
Some assessments to target the Big Ideas include:
- Written analysis of the relationship between China's geography and governance
- Graphic explanation of the dynastic cycle
- Analysis of Chinese philosophies using primary sources
- Research and presentation of Chinese inventions and their impact on the medieval and modern worlds
- Culminating Project - Medieval China Newspaper or Website (Publication)