Aim: What are some important facts about China?

Instructional Objectives: 

Students will recall important facts about China.

Students will learn the symbolism of China's flag.

Students will use the Internet to find information on China.

Time Required: 

Two 45 minute class periods

Advance Preparation:

Prepare the Star Template on poster board, I make 2 of each star for each row of students I have.  (Remember to reduce the size of the stars, and use the medium and small ones to trace.)

Materials:

One piece of 18X24 red construction paper for each student.

One piece of 9X12 yellow construction paper for each student.

One piece of small spelling test paper for each student.

One copy of China Connection and China Quiz for each student.

Vocabulary:  symbolism, emperor, crop, province, population, subarctic, temple, imperial, Communist

                                                                                                  

Activity:

    Children go to All About China, Background Information on China, and China's Flag to learn more information on the country.  Each student will take notes listing 10 important facts that the found.

   After we gather our facts, students then create their own flags of China.  Some teachers may prefer to just print out reproducible flags and have the children color them in.  Reproducible flags can be found at Flags: China and China's Flag.

    For teachers who prefer a more hands-on approach please follow the following directions:

· Show a picture of the Chinese flag so students can have a guide to work from.
· Take a piece of red construction paper (18X24) and fold it in half long ways.  This creates a landscape card.  Keep sealed end  at the top.

· Have students trace and cut out stars from yellow construction paper (9X12).  I copy and reduce the size of the  Star Template beforehand.  Then I make several tracers (using the medium and small star) on stiff poster board and have the students share the tracers. 

· When their stars are completed, students paste the yellow stars correctly on the red construction paper.

· Have students copy their facts neatly onto spelling test paper.  Open the flags and paste or tape their sheets in the crease. 

This makes a great display!
 

Extension: 

      Have students go on an Internet Hunt to find the answers to China Connection by visiting the following sites: Background Information on China, Forbidden City, Great Teacher (This website maybe above the reading level for most average third graders.  However, this provides them with a good experience of scanning material.  You can also read the page aloud to your students.)

*China Connection Answer Key

Name: China Connection What are the only two countries larger than China?   What is the name of the tallest mountain in the world?   What are China's two major rivers?   What is the capital city of China?   Where is the Forbidden City?   Who used to live in the Forbidden City?   How long is the Great Wall of China?  Why was it built?   What crop do most Chinese farmers grow?   What mode of transportation is the most popular in China?   Who is the famous teacher that many Chinese people follow?

           

Homework:  Print out China Quiz for each student.  See how many answers they are able to find on their own through all of their research.  There are several questions that students will have to use the Little Explorers Dictionary.

 

Evaluation:  Were students able to follow directions and make the flag?  Did they include enough relevant facts about China?  Were students able to successfully complete the Internet Hunt?  How many answers were students able to find on their own for The China Quiz?