THE CHINA SEMINAR
Karen
Cheramie, teacher
Academy of American Studies
TOPIC 1: CHINA'S TREASURES
If you have photographs or slides of places in China like the Temple
of Heaven, the Forbidden City, Xi'an's Terra-cotta Warriors and the
Great Wall of China, there are two books that would be a great addition
to your lesson.
1. The Great Wall of China, A Close-Up Guide
2. The Terra-cotta Army of the First Emperor of China, A Close-Up
Guide
Both books were photographed and edited by William Lindsey, Odyssey
Publications Ltd., Hong Kong. 1998
TOPIC 2: CHINA'S LANGUAGE
This topic offers a reading, handouts and website links that give students
background and general information on China's written and spoken language.
Students can be given a mini-lesson using pictographs.
Websites:
READING | HANDOUT1
| HANDOUT 2
TOPIC 3: FENG SHUI
This topic requires students to draw a picture of their bedroom. Using
information from websites and a reading students can learn about Feng
Shui and evaluate their living accommodations according to the information
learned.
Websites:
READING
TOPIC 4: CHINESE ASTROLOGY
Through a reading, websites and handouts, students can learn about Chinese
astrology and determine which sign they were born. They can further
the fun in this activity by attempting to see what their "future"
holds.
Websites:
HANDOUT1 | HANDOUT2
TOPIC 5: WOMEN IN TRADITIONAL CHINA
This offers a selection from the book Through Chinese Eyes by Peter
J. Seymour, which addresses the roles and expectations of women in traditional
China. Some of the topics covered in this reading are humility, husband
and wife relations, womanly qualifications, devotion, obedience, female
infanticide and foot binding.
READINGS
TOPIC 6: FOCUS ON TIBET
If the movie Kudan is available a complement showing it to students
so that they may learn about the story behind the current Dali Lama,
would be to allow them to visit the website offered. Read the article
and handout supplied.
Website:
READING
TOPIC 7: CHINESE PHILOSOPHY
This topic offers three separate lesson plans for teaching about Chinese
philosophy. It offers handouts and worksheets.
Website:
LESSON HANDOUTS
TAOISM | CONFUCIANISM
| COMPARISON
TOPIC 8: HUMAN RIGHTS
Through the information provided in three readings and one handout students
can learn about China-US relations, Tiananmen Square, Family Planning
and Women's Issues.
LESSON READINGS
HUMAN RIGHTS REFORMS | WOMEN'S
RIGHTS | FAMILY PLANNING
LESSON HANDOUT
LESSON ON TIANANMEN
TOPIC 9: HOT TOPICS
Stimulating students' interest in current events can definitely be augmented
under this topic. China's relations with Taiwan, Most-Favored-Nation-Status,
China's status as a nuclear power are addressed in three separate readings.
To get to these articles on China as a superpower, pleas go to the articles
of the Time magazine:
READING
TOPIC 10: CHINESE CULTURE
This topic is well covered by information in different websites. They
address aspects of Chinese culture, and students can learn about Jade,
Dragon Boat Festival, Dragon Culture, Clothing, Mid-Autumn Festival,
Moon Cakes, and Wedding Traditions.
Websites:
|