American Museum of Natural History
Make Your Own Paper
Paper, paper everywhere. Paper is so prolific that few think about where the idea for it originated and how it is made. Introduce young readers to the paper-making process with an activity that lets them create their own.
American Museum of Natural History
A Walk Through the Ruins of Petra
Walking through the ancient Nabataean city of Petra can be a challenge. A tour begins with a 20-minute walk down a rocky slope through the narrow Siq to get to the famous Treasury known to Indiana Jones fans. But that is just the...
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Trading in the Silk Road Cities
Students explore elements of trade along the Silk Roads by examining the products of various locations along the route.
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Belief Systems Along the Silk Roads
Students reflect on similarities and differences among belief systems. Using excerpts of translated religious texts, they organize these quotations into broad themes. The quotations will be posted on a Silk Roads map as reminders of how...
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The Silk Road
Students research the geography of Asia from Xian to Istanbul. They explore the intricacies of ancient trade, including trade goods and policies. They study minorities within and outside of various Chinese and other Asian empires.
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A Caravan Of Camels
Fourth graders discuss the role the Silk Road had in trade and commerce practices in China during different Chinese dynasties. The lesson evaluation consists of individual student writing assignments.
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Geography of the Silk Road And the Tokaido Road
Students examine the geographical features of the Silk Road and the Tokaido Road in this introductory lesson on Chinese geography. Small group learning is emphasized and encouraged.
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Treasure of the Silk Roads
Students generate world maps that act as creative writing prompts. The prompts reflect on the cultures and history of the past through their own experiences. Students create an original writing sample.
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On the Road with Marco Polo: From Venice to Hormuz
Students take virtual trip with Marco Polo from Venice to China. They explore terrain of Iran.
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Ancient River Valley Civilizations
Ziggurats, cuneiform writing, the Tower of Babel, hieroglyphics, pyramids, the Great Wall. Launch a unit on ancient cultures, with a presentation that introduces viewers to ancient Mesopotamia, Babylonia, Sumer, Egypt, Indus, and China....
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"Medieval Travels, The Mongols and the Silk Road Across Asia"
Eleventh graders are able to take information obtained from the various readings of primary and secondary sources and classroom discussions directed by the instructor and relate it to the student's curretn real life experiences. They...
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I'm Dreaming of a Sustainable Christmas
Students examine global trade. In this global economics lesson, students visit websites to learn about trade with China and the environmental damage of global trade.
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Sharing Beliefs and Ideas
Eleventh graders examine the roles of trading and pilgrimage in promoting exchange of goods and ideas. They appreciate the roles played by Xuan Zang and Marco Polo in the material and cultural exchange among the peoples of the Silk Road.
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Should the Ming End the Treasure Voyages?
During the first century of Chinese Ming dynasty (1368-1644), the government sent out a total of seven voyages into the Indian Ocean. Young historians will discuss, explain, role play, and compare the decisions made by rulers during the...
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The Golden Rule of Reciprocity
Students explore The Golden Rule of Reciprocity from various religions. In this religious beliefs lesson, students examine various religious quotes and summarize the idea of The Golden Rule in a sentence.
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Sharing Beliefs and Ideas
Eleventh graders examine how cultural ideas and thought were exchanged as travelers and traders of the Silk Road met, interacted, and traded with different peoples from different regions and cultures along the Silk Road.
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Monsoon Winds to the "Land of Gold"
Students recognize environmental factors that influenced maritime trade routes and the establishment of major trading centers in classical times. They evaluate perceptions of the ancient world through ancient maps and primary source...
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Let's Spice It With Pepper
Students identify and locate the areas in which pepper and spices orginated. On a map, they locate the areas and write the name of the spice that is found there. They use historical events to trace its route to the Americas. They...
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Treasure Hunt - Geography and Cultural Diversity along the Journey to the West
Students work in groups and use treasure cards and maps to go on a treasure hunt to several regions in China. They prepare a presentation on the geography and culture of the area that they are assigned to.
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Maurya & Gupta India
Art, power, and commerce are often the hallmarks of a mighty empire - and the ancient world of India is no exception. The presentation explores the Maurya, Asoka, and Gupta Empires, detailing the territorial and artistic changes that...
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The Hunters and the Hunted: The Search for China's Past
Students discover the history of Ancient China, specifically the period beginning with the Qin Dynasty and ending with the fall of the Ming Dynasty. They study the building of the Great Wall and the defeat of the Great Khans.
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The Travels of Marco Polo
For this social studies reading comprehension worksheet, learners read a page long detailed biography of Marco Polo. Students complete 12 multiple choice questions and one essay.
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Oral History: Interviewing Elders
Sixth graders examine oral history traditions. They interview family members about their childhoods and compare them to their own. Students use the collected information to make posters, letters, essays, or poems about their research.
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Chinese Dynasties
Students explore several Chinese dynasties and research various topics including papermaking, calligraphy, and Lu Hou. They also demonstrate how to use an abacus and create several math problems to solve with it. Choosing a dynasty,...