Inventions of Ancient China

Introduction

SS:CV::8:3:2: Analyze environmental, economic, and technological developments and their impact on society. 
I am able to explain how innovations, ideas, and inventions transform societies and civilizations.  I will research inventions from Ancient China’s civilization to gain a deeper understanding how ancient ideas and innovations continue to impact my life today.

You and your team of colleagues have been selected to identify and discuss which ancient Chinese invention you believe has most affected the people of past and present civilizations.  Your team will present digital images, meaningful details and facts, and a persuasive argument why the invention you selected is the most valuable and influential invention of Ancient China.

 

Task

While navigating through your WebQuest journey, as a team you will explore information through research and gain new insights about the people and inventions of Ancient China.  Your task is to unanimously select the one invention you feel was most valuable and influential to Ancient China’s civilization and is still evidenced in the world today.  You will develop a PowerPoint presentation that includes a persuasive argument, facts about the invention that detail the reasons why your selection is correct, and digital visual representation(s) of the invention.

ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS:

1.         Which ancient Chinese invention do you believe most affected change and continues to impact the world today?

2.         What elements of an invention do you feel must exist in order for that invention to impact a civilization?

3.         Why are some periods of history viewed as periods of achievement?

4.         How does geographic location affect human ingenuity and innovation?

Process

 

Step 1: You are ready to begin to select, research, and discover many significant Ancient Chinese inventions.  To help narrow your focus for this project, you will select one of the inventions listed below.  After reviewing the list, decide as a group which invention you will begin researching.  Keep in mind that you are tasked with persuading your audience with the reasons “how” your selected invention affected Ancient China and continues to do so in today’s world.  Please make sure you cite your resources! 

Paper

Gun Powder

Compass

Wheelbarrow

The Great Wall

Silk

Printing

Acupuncture 

Step 2: Once your group has unanimously selected an invention, you are ready to begin using your fact gathering guidelines worksheet (which is located on the Teacher's Page) - and - to begin your research. The following website links are your identified electronic resources:

 ThinkQuest.com:  http://library.thinkquest.org/23062/index.html

Wikipedia.com:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Chinese_inventions

Franklin Institute:  http://sln.fi.edu/tfi/info/current/inventions.html

Cultural China.com:  http://www.cultural-china.com/chinaWH/features/chinaoverview/index.html       

British Museum:  http://www.ancientcivilisations.co.uk/home_set.html

Baltimore County Public Schools:  http://www.bcps.org/offices/lis/models/chinahist/dynasties.html

The Origins & History of Acupuncture:  http://www.drmanik.com/chap1.htm

Step 3: When researching your digital material, you should also begin gathering electronic images to use for your group presentation, but you must cite your sources.

Step 4: Use your fact gathering guidelines worksheet to help you organize your facts and formulate your persuasive argument as you create your PowerPoint projects.  Your PowerPoint projects also need to include visual representation(s) of the invention you are discussing.  Be certain you have correctly cited your online sources.

Step 5:  Share your project with the class as a team.

Evaluation

You will receive a printed copy of the Project Rubric.

Conclusion

After completing this project you will have gained a broader understanding how the invention you chose to research not only impacted the people of Ancient China but also continues to touch the lives of people in our world today.  You will also be able to link that inventions have tremendous value because they spark future innovations… and as we continually adapt and evolve as humans, we are impacted by them today not only in our geographic regions but also as global citizens.

Credits

Created by J Ahlberg

9Feb14

Teacher Page

Fact Gathering Guidelines

1. Try to find the answers to all of the questions noted below.

2. Reflect and discuss in your group about how valuable this invention was.  Do you have enough information to begin formulating your persuasive argument?

3. Begin organizing your facts and persuasive argument to address why this invention is the most valuable of all of Ancient China’s inventions. 

***   WHO?  ***

Who invented it?

Who used it in Ancient China?

Who uses it today?

***   WHAT?   ***     

What is the name of the invention?

What was it made out of?

What does it do?

What was it used for in Ancient China?

What is it used for today?

***   WHERE?   ***

Where was this invention used in Ancient China?                

Where is it used today?

***   WHY?   ***

Why did the people of Ancient China allow this invention to impact their lives?

Why do people today still use this invention?  Why is it relevant?

***   WHEN?   ***

When was this invention created?

***   HOW?   ***

How did this invention affect people’s lives in Ancient China?

How does this invention impact people’s lives today?

How has it sparked new ideas and innovations?

How do you envision this invention’s technology will change in the future?