1. China Geography Challenge Mrs. Wheeler

2. Bellringer Copy the objective: I will be able to make hypotheses regarding the influence of geographic features on China’s history. Look at the map of China on page 137 in your Ancient World textbook. What geographical features do you notice about ancient China? Where do you think Chinese civilization might have begun? Explain.

3. Objectives Students will compare the areas controlled by various Chinese dynasties. Students will identify the length of time it took China to expand to near its present- day boundaries. Students will make hypotheses regarding the influence of geographic features on China’s history.

4. Materials China map blank sheet China questions sheet Ancient World Text Geography challenge question cards Colored pencils

5. Introduction In the China Geography Challenge, students will compare the areas of China that various dynasties controlled during the country’s early history. This activity will also give students a background for the China unit, in which they will learn about the early rulers of China, Chinese accomplishments, and China’s relationship with the rest of the world.

6. Directions You will be working in groups to complete the challenge Each group will start out with one challenge card You will read the question on the card and answer in complete sentence then you will follow the directions for labeling or coloring your map When you are finished with the card you have you may return the card to the card station and pick up a new one. Continue until you have completed all questions.

8. Discussion What do you now know about China that you didn’t know before? What information from this map do you think will be most important in our study of China? What questions about China did this activity raise? In other words, what questions were left unanswered by the map you studied? What hypothesis can you make about the influence of geographic features on China’s history.