Curated OER
Ancient River Valley Civilizations
Ziggurats, cuneiform writing, the Tower of Babel, hieroglyphics, pyramids, the Great Wall. Launch a unit on ancient cultures, with a presentation that introduces viewers to ancient Mesopotamia, Babylonia, Sumer, Egypt, Indus, and China....
Curated OER
Maurya & Gupta India
Art, power, and commerce are often the hallmarks of a mighty empire - and the ancient world of India is no exception. The presentation explores the Maurya, Asoka, and Gupta Empires, detailing the territorial and artistic changes that...
Curated OER
East Meets West: Effects of the Crusades
Seventh graders investigate how the Crusades allowed for the spread of cultural practices, products and perspectives between Europe and the Middle East. This lesson contains a brainstorming activity for the pre-assessment, a graphic...
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The Hunters and the Hunted: The Search for China's Past
Students discover the history of Ancient China, specifically the period beginning with the Qin Dynasty and ending with the fall of the Ming Dynasty. They study the building of the Great Wall and the defeat of the Great Khans.
Curated OER
The Travels of Marco Polo
For this social studies reading comprehension worksheet, learners read a page long detailed biography of Marco Polo. Students complete 12 multiple choice questions and one essay.
Curated OER
Oral History: Interviewing Elders
Sixth graders examine oral history traditions. They interview family members about their childhoods and compare them to their own. Students use the collected information to make posters, letters, essays, or poems about their research.
Curated OER
Let's Spice It With Pepper
Students identify and locate the areas in which pepper and spices orginated. On a map, they locate the areas and write the name of the spice that is found there. They use historical events to trace its route to the Americas. They...
Curated OER
Chinese Dynasties
Students explore several Chinese dynasties and research various topics including papermaking, calligraphy, and Lu Hou. They also demonstrate how to use an abacus and create several math problems to solve with it. Choosing a dynasty,...
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Treasure Hunt - Geography and Cultural Diversity along the Journey to the West
Students work in groups and use treasure cards and maps to go on a treasure hunt to several regions in China. They prepare a presentation on the geography and culture of the area that they are assigned to.
Curated OER
A Study of Cross-Cultural Connections
Ninth graders analyze connections between Asia and Europe in the pre-Renaissance period. They identify and analyze elements of Japanese and Chinese culture similiar to that of feudal Europe.
Curated OER
A Common Thread
Sixth graders explore the Renaissance. In this Renaissance lesson plan, 6th graders study the culture and society of the middle ages. Students research the geography and climate of the times and discover how these affected agriculture.