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 Medieval China unit! The following resources are activities I personally use in my Medieval China unit.
Medieval China Bell Ringers
I kick off my Medieval 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.
Tang Dynasty Report Card Reading Activity
Song Dynasty Report Card Reading Activity
Yuan Dynasty Report Card Reading Activity
Ming 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 medieval 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 medieval 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!
Kublai Khan 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 Khan’s legacy. I often use this activity to develop writing skills, and do a collaborative poster activity!
Decline and Fall of the Ming Dynasty Simulation
As a social studies teacher, I want my students to develop an understanding of cause and effect. Part of that is understanding how empires rise and fall. In the Decline and Fall of the Ming Dynasty Simulation, students explore the complexities of empire decline with our interactive simulation. Students experience the forces that contribute to the decline of the Ming Dynasty. And they do this while working to prevent the collapse of their simulated empire. This simulation fosters critical thinking and historical empathy, leaving a lasting impact on student learning.
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 medieval 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.
Medieval 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 Medieval China Test, use this assessment covering China’s geography, Sui, Tang, Song, Yuan and Ming Dynasties. There is a regular and modified version, a study guide and writing tests.
The Medieval 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 Medieval 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!