FOCUS QUESTIONS/EXPERIENCES

Focus Question
Experience
Where is China located on a map? What countries border China? What bodies of water surround China?
Students will locate the continent of Asia on a map. Students will label China, surrounding countries and bodies of water on a map.
How did people travel on the Silk Road? What was traded on the Silk Road? Why was the Silk Road important in spreading information about different cultures?
Students will point out the route that Marco Polo and others took along the Silk Road from Rome to China. List items that a merchant from Rome would want to buy from China and list the items that a merchant from China would want to buy from Rome. Students will draw pictures of camel caravans.
Why was the Great Wall of China built? Where is it located? How was it built?
Look at pictures of the great wall. Locate Great Wall on map. Discuss dimensions and why it was built. Class will build Great Wall using empty milk cartons.
How is China's New Year celebrated?
Students will learn how China celebrates the New Year and make craft projects of different items used in the celebrations, such as, latterns and tangram puzzles.
When and by whom was origami created? How do you make origami?
Students will learn about the history of origami. Even though, it began in China, it became popular in Japan. Students will learn to make different types of origami.
How are Chinese numbers different from American numbers.
Students will contrast Chinese numbers with American numbers by making a counting book.
How are dragons used in Chinese folk tales?
Students will demonstrate creative writing by constructing individual folk tales.
Did China have a revolution like the United States?
Students will understand the differences in American History and Chinese History by writing a compare and contrast essay.
What is the weather like in China? How is it the same and/or different from the weather here in the U.S?
Students will study and learn about the climate and weather patterns in China, and compare and contrast that to the weather in the U.S. using a Venn Diagram.
What are Laws of Motion?
Students will learn the basics of Laws of Motion, and understand it's chinese origin. Students will create drawings demonstrating comprehension of how the Laws of Motion work.
What inventions originated in China?
Students will learn about inventions that came from China such as the compass and kite. Students will construct their own compass and kite in an art project.