If you’re a social studies teacher looking to enhance your curriculum or searching for supplementary resources, you’ve found the right place. I want to help every teacher be their best when teaching your Ancient China unit! The following resources are activities I personally use in my Ancient China unit.
Ancient China Bell Ringers
I kick off my Ancient China unit with dynamic, no-prep, skill-based bell ringers. Each bell ringer engages students by reviewing content and practicing crucial reading and writing skills such as subject/verb identification, citation, and sentence writing, with fun drawing prompts included. This approach not only prepares students for the day’s lesson but helps with classroom management, establishing routines and maintaining student expectations.
China Map & Reading Activities
I start every ancient or medieval world history unit with an immersive map activity. This China Map & Reading Activities provides students with a hands-on approach to understanding China’s geography and its impact. Each lesson includes interactive map labeling, coloring tasks, followed by a short reading passage and writing activity on geographic influences, as well as a Google Classroom or printable quiz.
Dynasty Report Card Reading Activities
When I plan a reading comprehension activity, I want to make it interesting for students. In the Chinese Dynasty Report Card Reading Activities, I transform my students into teacher-historians as they study the Shang, Zhou, Qin and Han Dynasties. Students read GRAPES thematic reading passages about the , answer questions based on each theme, then grade each theme. Finally, they calculate the empire’s GPA and write teacher comments.
Shang Dynasty Report Card Reading Activity
Zhou Dynasty Report Card Reading Activity
Qin Dynasty Report Card Reading Activity
Han Dynasty Report Card Reading Activity
Hexagonal Thinking Activities
When I teach writing, I begin with organization. I use one of the four Hexagonal Thinking Activities for ancient China. These are a great way for students to visualize what key terms they will use and how their paragraph will be organized.
Silk Road Simulation
It can be hard to bring historic concepts and events into ancient and world history courses. So when we finally get the chance to teach the Silk Road, social studies teachers want to make it an amazing lesson our students will remember.
I teach the Silk Road through an immersive Silk Road Simulation. Students have time traveled back to the time of ancient or medieval China. They must work together to travel from the Mediterranean to Chang ‘an via the Silk Road in order to return home. Along their journey, they will experience the climate & geography of the Silk Road. They will make decisions that will affect their life and wealth.They will explore historical sites such as Xi’an. And they meet helpful & dangerous people along the way.
Simulations are powerful tools for engaging students and making classroom management easier. This activity is excellent for both introducing and reviewing content, ensuring that students grasp key concepts effectively. Students never forget simulations—they’ll be talking about this all year!
Shi Huangdi History Hero or Villain Reading Activity
When I plan a reading comprehension activity, I want to make it interesting for students. In the Kublai Khan History Hero or Villain Reading Activity, students delve into the good, bad and ugly of historical figures, answering Common Core-aligned questions that develop critical thinking skills. A Google Poll vote concludes the activity, promoting thoughtful discussions on Kublai’s legacy. I often use this activity to develop writing skills, and do a collaborative poster activity!
Netflix Empire Games China Documentary
Documentaries provide a great opportunity for students to learn or review using visual mediums. I tell my students that documentaries are like virtual field trips because we get to hear from historians and archaeologists, and see the actual sites students have studied. I also like to mix it up! Documentaries are a nice change of pace for classes, and they are great for sub plans too! In episode one of Origins in the Netflix Empire Games China Documentary, This incredible documentary handout is perfect for an Ancient China unit. It covers the Shang, Zhou, Qin Dynasty and Shi Huangdi!
Ancient China Monuments & Sculpture Play Doh Activity
Explore an exciting free teacher-led activity designed for social studies classes! Teachers will guide students through short lectures and texts on monuments and sculptures from the Shang, Zhou, Qin and Han Dynasties. After each segment, students will pause to recreate these monuments, fostering hands-on learning. In the web-quest, students will research significant monuments, sculptures, and achievements, recording their findings, inserting images, and recreating accomplishments. Finally, they will upload their work into a shared Google Doc. This interactive lesson is perfect for engaging students in the fascinating history of ancient civilizations.
Ancient China GRAPES Puppet Project
We’ve all had classes that just won’t participate. Whether it’s personalities or just how kids are these days, sometimes it is hard to get a good discussion going in class. The way I promote active participation is by using Gen Z and Alpha slang in the Ancient China GRAPES Puppet Project. Students use slang and key terms to write a script bragging about ancient Chinese. They then translate their slang into academic language. Finally, they talk with other students or perform a puppet show about Chinese history.
Chinese Palace Project
Engage students with a hands-on 3D project where they construct a Chinese Palace Project. This culminating activity integrates key terms and historical events, encouraging collaborative learning and creative expression. A detailed checklist and rubric ensure project quality and classroom decoration.
Ancient China Test
I used to dread making tests for my ancient and world history units. If you need help writing your unit test for the Ancient China Test, use this assessment covering China’s geography, Shang, Zhou, Qin and Han Dynasties. There is a regular and modified version, a study guide and writing tests.
The Ancient China unit is designed with teachers in mind. It is full of time-saving activities. You will get more student buy-in with interactive simulations, hands-on projects, and insightful discussions on historical figures. Designed for flexibility, the Ancient China unit helps teachers be their best!
Be sure to listen to the Middle Ages Podcast for more awesome ideas ancient and world history teachers!