a Web Quest
by
Andrew S. Basler
University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
Introduction | Task | Process | Evaluation | Conclusion | Teachers | Credits
The series of Chinese emperors was the longest standing form of government ever, lasting approximately 2,200 years. During that time, ancient China was one of the largest and most powerful civilizations in the world. Amazing works of human engineering and endurance were created: the great wall, and Qin Shihuang's famous terracotta army. In addition, the Chinese people developed advanced agriculture , literature, philosophy, and other many other cultural milestones. However, the true beginning of "China" can be traced to one man: Qin Shihuang. Brilliant as a military leader and ruthless as a king, Qin (pronounced "chin") forged the Chinese people into a single, unified country.
Task:
Your task is to first watch the IMAX dvd "The First Emperor of China." After watching the movie, you will be broken up into groups. Each group will make a time-line, on poster board, of ancient China, ending with the death of Qin. The timeline should include major events such as technological advances, and major Emperors. Also, carefully document the unification of China under Qin's rule. At the bottom of your poster board, you will bullet the major changes brought by Qin's unification of China. In addition to creating the timeline, you must make sure that each group member contributes to the project. Teamwork will be a part of your grade.
Qin Shihuang Qin's Terracotta Army
1. Watch the "First Emperor of China" on dvd. After the movie, your teacher will break you up into groups.
2. Each group will use the following internet links to find information necessary to complete a timeline. Each timeline should have fifteen events, excluding the rise of Qin. The period of the timeline should be about 2000 years, from 2100 B.C. to about 200 B.C. Each group will need to decide which historical events are the most important for a comprehensive understanding of the Chinese empire.
3. Here are the internet links. If you want to do your own searches for history of Ancient China, use the Google Search Engine.
Washington State Ancient China Site
Condensed History of China Site
4. Make sure that you do not exclusively focus on one area. For example, you need to have a mix of military milestones, technology, and religion. Try to balance the timeline as best you can with major dates in a variety of topics.
5. After you have picked the events for your timeline, draw the timeline on a poster board.
6. After making the timeline, at the bottom of the poster, list the major changes in bullet form that Qin Shihuang brought about.
7. You will present your poster to the class, explaining the choices you made for the timeline.
You will be evaluated based on the following rubric:
| Timeline Evaluation Rubric | Possible Points | Self-Assessment | Teacher Assessment |
| Provided depth in coverage of major events. Showed evidence of research. | 40 |
||
| Neat, easily readable poster board, complete with timeline and bullets. | 25 |
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| Class presentation: Showed understanding of changes, and justified the choices made. | 25 |
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| Evidence of Participation, every person had a role. | 10 | ||
| Total Possible Points |
100 |
Notice that the largest portion of your grade is on the depth of your research. This means making good choices about what to include in your timeline. If you need clarification on how you will be evaluated, ask your instructor.
Although the people of China had the longest lasting form of feudal government, It took a great leader to unite them into a single country. The unification of China was a double edged sword: many cultural advances were made, but many other cherished traditions were suppressed by Qin in an effort to dominate. The leadership of Qin Shihuang had a lasting impact on China and the Chinese people, and the remnants of his empire still exist today in the great wall, and Qin's terracotta army.
Grade Band: 9-12, Ancient World History
Tennessee State Curriculum Standards:
1.2 understand how language, art, music, belief systems, traditions, science, technology, values and behaviors contribute to the development and transmission of culture
Level 3 - investigate the cultural and technological achievements of Tang China (e.g., poetry, landscape, painting, pottery, road building, canal implementation);
3.2 understand human geographic interactions and their impact on world historic events
Level 2 - identify how the location and network of canals forever changed life in China.
Preceding and Ensuing Events of Instruction: Before beginning the Web Quest, the teacher should show the IMAX dvd "The First Emperor of China" (40 mins.) After showing the movie, the teacher is responsible for distributing supplies (poster boards, markers, computers) and breaking the students up into groups. After the students have completed the process, it is up to the teacher to evaluate each group's timeline.
Cost of Instruction: After the dvd, the Teacher should allow at least 2 hours to research and complete the timeline. If necessary, this web quest may be completed over several days. In addition, the teacher is responsible for providing the materials necessary. In total, this web quest will take between 3 and 4 hours to complete, and additional time may be needed for class presentation. To cut down on time, simply do not have your students present their timelines in class.
Purpose of Instruction: to promote the understanding of ancient cultures, and the unification of China, to promote the use of the internet as a valuable research tool, to promote critical thinking skills in evaluating historical events and making decisions, to promote group activitiy skills, to promote oral presentation skills.
Asterius.com. (2002). Condensed China. Retrieved 1-22-04 from www.chaos.umd.edu/history/toc.html
Washington State University. (2002). Ancient China and the Middle Kingdom. Retrieved 1-22-04 from www.wsu.edu:8080/~dee/ANCCHINA/ANCCHINA.HTM
University of Maryland. (2003). History of China. Retrieved 1-22-04 from www.chaos.umd.edu/history/toc.html
Slingshot. (2002). The First Emperor of China [dvd]. Toronto: Imax.