Made in China

Objectives: 

1. Identify major contributions of the Chinese civilizations (inventions/discoveries).

2. Explain how these inventions/discoveries have changed the world.

3. Create a PowerPoint Presentation on a Chinese invention/discovery.

Key Words:

• innovation

• invention

Timeline:

5 hours

Materials:

Microsoft PowerPoint, On-line Resources, invention worksheet.

Procedures:

1. Inform the students that many common objects and devices that are used today have their origin from the Ancient Chinese civilization.
2. Display for the students some everyday products (paper, silk, tea, etc) as examples of Chinese innovations/discoveries .
3. Explain to the students that they will be researching the origins and the impact these inventions and discoveries have had on the world and modern life.
4. Each student will select or be assign a Chinese invention or discovery.
5. Students will work in groups of two or individually, using on-line research skills to gather information to complete their Chinese Invention worksheet.
6. Based on their research, students will create a 6 slide PowerPoint presentation on their ancient Chinese invention/discovery.

7. Review with students the following presentation requirements:

   a) 6 slides ( title slide, 4 information slides, bibliography slide)

   b) picture of the invention/discovery.

   c) history of the invention/discovery.

   d) explanation of how it works.

   e) how this invention/discovery has changed the world.

8. Students will showcase their completed presentation to the class.

Assessment:

PowerPoint Rubric

Extension Activities:

Have the students create a display museum of Chinese inventions and products.

Have the students prepare a commercial advertising their invention/discovery.

Have students make their own paper or abacus.

Web Links:

Inventors Hall of Fame: http://invent.org/index.asp learn about the many inventions of China

Who Invented It: http://askasia.org/for_educators/fe_frame.htm a rich site about inventors

Chinese Inventions: http://sln.fi.edu/tfi/info/current/inventions.html more information about Chinese inventions

Chinese Inventions and Remedies: http://castalinks.com/chinainventions.html learn fun facts about Chinese inventions and remedies

Virtual Museum on Medieval Chinese Inventions: http://sdcoe.k12.ca.us/score/chinin/chininsg3.htm take a virtual fieldtrip to a museum to learn about ancient Chinese inventions