Geography of the Silk Road And the Tokaido Road

This sample task contains a set of primary and authentic sources about the impact of geography on the development of civilization in Ancient Egypt.

Students examine how goods and ideas moved along an ancient trade route between China and Europe. They make charts of items, ideas, etc. that were transported along the Silk Route.

Known as The Spice Island, Grenada is second-largest producer of nutmeg in the world. Visitors report smelling the fragrance throughout the small Caribbean nation. However, the country has found itself swept up in world events, including...

Kuwait is the third largest oil producer in the world, but it is a global leader in water processing. The surprising characteristic is a result of the nation's desalination efforts, which started in the 1950s. A video resource showcases...

While Jordan is home to a rich history, it lacks the oil of its neighbors. Instead, tourism is its oil and a major source of income. The Middle Eastern nation, however, has had to take on many refugees, thanks to brewing crisis points in...

Haiti is a small country that has made a huge impact on global history. It was once the pearl of the Caribbean. However, its successful revolt of enslaved people and independence came at a large price that has left the country vulnerable...

Students determine how the geographic features of the Silk Road trade route contributed to the economic development and diffusion of culture in both Eastern and Western Civilizations.

Young explorers may not be able to travel the Silk Road but they can listen to music that was played on instruments of the time and create their own songs with the help of an interesting interactive resource. 

Young explorers examine the route that Marco Polo and his father traveled to reach China. They examine online maps of the Silk Road and harsh terrain of Afghanistan to determine challenges that may have been encountered during travel.

Students take a virtual trip down the Silk Road. Using a map, they trace the location of the trade route and others that were developed later. They use different spices and goods to trace how they came to the Americas. They answer...