1. Lesson 3: Zheng He and the Ming Dynasty Lesson Question: Who was Zheng He and what does his life tell us about the Ming Dynasty? Lesson Objective: The students will understand how the voyages of Zheng He reflect the circumstances of the early Ming Dynasty, and especially its need to assert Chinese power and identity abroad. Skill Objective: The students will learn how to participate productively in a small group discussion of a significant historical issue.

3. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pzFq0Ivwz 9g http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pzFq0Ivwz 9g

4. Article Section Discussion Question: How does your section help answer the lesson question: Who was Zheng He and what does his life tell us about the Ming Dynasty?

5. Discussion Question 1: Should historians consider Zheng He and his expeditions a success or failure?

6. Discussion Question 2: Given your assessment of Zheng Hes expeditions, how should historians view the expeditions of the Chinese admirals virtual contemporary, Christopher Columbus?

7. Discussion Question 3: According to your assessment of Zheng He and Christopher Columbus, who do you consider successful today? Give an example.

8. Meta-cognition: How did you learn this information? How did the video contribute to your learning? How did the article and discussion contribute to your learning? Did one medium or practice help you learn from the other?

9. Extension Question: Was the Ming decision to end their maritime expeditions as historically significant as Columbus discovery of the New World?