Worksheet
Curated OER

Sailing West: Admiral Zheng He's Voyages

For Students 4th - 6th
In this Zheng He worksheet, students read about the famous Chinese explorer Zheng He and answer fill in the blanks and short answer questions about him. Students complete 22 questions total.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Trade in the Indian Ocean: Should China End Zheng He's Treasure Voyages?

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students examine the amount of trade that occurs in the Indian Ocean. Using China as an example, they discuss the reasons why it ended its treasure voyages in the area and predict what would have happened if the voyages continued. They...
PPT
Curated OER

The Age of Early European Explorations & Conquests

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Your students' world will literally take shape in this presentation, which chronicles the growing edges of the (flat) earth during European Exploration of New Worlds. Dias, da Gama, Magellean, and Columbus are key players in this game of...
PPT
Curated OER

Imperial China: Qin to Ming Dynasties

For Teachers 7th - 10th
Looking for a way to supplement a unit on ancient China or world cultures? Look no further than this presentation, which combines rich information with entertaining pictures of Chinese artifacts. China's glorious dynasties provide a...
Handout
The History Cat

The History Cat: The Voyages of Zheng He

For Students 9th - 10th
Read about the Chinese explorer, Zheng He, who lived from 1371 to 1433. He commanded massive fleets and made seven voyages, traveling to East Africa, India, and Arabia, making stops in other regions along the way. He even brought a...
Website
PBS

Pbs Learning Media: The Voyage of Zheng He I

For Students 9th - 10th
This video segment adapted from 1421: The Year the Chinese Discovered America? introduces the theory that the Chinese discovered America prior to Columbus.
Handout
PBS

Pbs Nova: Ancient Chinese Explorers

For Students 9th - 10th
Discusses the different voyages of Zheng He and their significance in Chinese history. Includes good historical background and pictures.
Handout
Khan Academy

Khan Academy: Activity: An Age of Adventure

For Students 9th - 10th
A website detailing the biographies of Ibn Battuta, Marco Polo, and Zheng Hehis. Learn about their inspiration for their voyages here.