Videos about Japan
* indicates available in the Primary Source Library
OP indicates out of print; may be available in public or school libraries
ES-Elementary; MS-Middle School; HS-High School
Resources for Educators
*Ancient China in Illustration and Art: A Teacher’s Resource Booklet. Fort Atkinson, WI: Highsmith, 2001. 1575960974
Lesson plans and accompanying transparencies on Ancient China, the land and the people; Gods, ancestors and ethics; the Qin unification; and the Han Empire.
*Ancient World History Activity Sampler. Palo Alto, CA: Teachers’ Curriculum Institute, 1999. 1583710205
Six activities including "Examining the Reign of Qin Shi Huang Di."
*Art, Suzanne Strauss. The Story of Ancient China. Lincoln, MA: Pemblewick Press, 2001. 0965655784
A straightforward introduction, ideal for teachers who want to quickly learn the subject matter, but also could work as a useful textbook for middle school classes.
*Barrett, G.W. Ancient China. London: Longmans, 1969. 0582204534
Relatively simple, plain text, and quite well-illustrated
*Beshore, George. Science in Ancient China. New York: F. Watts, 1998. 0531113345
Surveys the achievements of the ancient Chinese in science, medicine, astronomy, and cosmology and describes such innovations as rockets, wells, the compass, water wheels, and movable type.
*Birrell, Anne. Chinese Mythology: An Introduction. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press, 1993. 0801861837
The author, a Chinese literature professor at the University of Cambridge, presents some 300 representative narratives from over 100 classical texts with literary, historical, and comparative commentary. A good companion to the next title.
*Birrell, Anne. Chinese Myths. London: British Museum Press, 2000. 0292708793
A brief look at a some of the myths that make up China’s mythology tradition, with notes, comments and analysis.
*Birrell, Anne. The Classic of Mountains and Seas. London: Penguin Books, 1999. 0140447199
Regarded as a "major source of Chinese mythology from the third century BC to the second century AD".
*Chan, Adrian. The Concept of Order in Ancient China: a Curriculum Unit for History and Social Studies, Grades 6-9. Stanford, CA: Stanford University Press, 1995.
*Cotterell, Arthur. Ancient China. New York: Knopf, 1994. 067986167X
China’s historical culture is shown in photographs of artifacts and art objects, with accompanying text.
*Cotterell, Arthur. The First Emperor of China: the Greatest Archeological Find of Our Time. New York: Holt, Rinehart, and Winston, 1981. 0030598893
Account of the unearthing of the great warrior tombs associated with the Qin dynasty.
*Debaine-Francfort, Corinne. The Search for Ancient China. NY: Harry N. Abrams, 1999. 0810928507
*Dube, Clayton. Early Chinese History: The Hundred Schools Period; a Unit of Study for Grades 9-12. Los Angeles: National Center for History in the Schools, 1992.
*Giskin. Howard. Chinese Folktales. Lincolnwood, IL: NTC Publishing Company, 1997. 0844259276
Over 100 folktales are presented in themes ranging from Dragon Tales and Love to History and Human Nature; accompanied by a separate Teacher's Guide.
*Guide for Teaching Ancient China, for Teachers of Grades 3-8. Watertown, MA: Primary Source, 2002.
Designed as a guide to introducing China to 4th graders, this guide is readily adaptable for other grades as well. It includes readings, activities, maps, a pronunciation guide to Chinese and an extensive bibliography.
*Hay, John. Ancient China. New York: H.Z. Walck, 1974.
Discusses the development of archaeology as a discipline in China and the remarkable facts it has revealed about ancient Chinese civilizations and ways of life.
*Kiu, K.L. 100 Judicial Cases from Ancient China. Beijing: China: Foreign Translation Publication Co., 1996. 7500103379
Detective stories from Chinese legal/judicial case books.
*Knapp, Ronald G. China’s Walled Cities. New York: Oxford University Press, 2000. 0195906055
A close look at China’s wall building tradition and the various forms it takes through different periods of history.
*Loewe, Michael and Edward L. Shaughnessy. The Cambridge History of Ancient China:From the Origins of Civilization to 221 BC. [New York]: Cambridge University Press, 1999. 0521470307
*Michaelson, Carol. Ancient China. Alexandria, VA: Time-Life Books, 1996. 0809492482
An informative account of the more than 7,000-year-old civilization of China including insights into the individuals who helped to shape this country.
*Michaud, Roland. The Great Wall of China. NY: Abbeville Press Publishers, 2001. 0789207362
This coffee-table style book has stunning photographs, but also a useful narrative about the origins and building of the wall.
*Perfect-Miller, Suzanne. Dynasties of Ancient China/Peoples of Ancient China: Two How-to Handbooks in One. East Windsor, CT: Synergetics, 1999.
Suggests hands-on activities, games, and fact sheets on inventions, costumes, and recipes that are useful to teachers at any level.
*Religions and Philosophies in China: Confucianism, Daoism, and Buddhism. Developed by Waka Takahashi Brown. Stanford, CA: SPICE, 2002.
Unit introduction, individual lesson plans with handouts that may be copied, artifacts and visuals. Useful for middle and high school teachers who wish to design or supplement a unit.
*Ross, Frank. Oracle Bones, Stars and Wheelbarrows: Ancient Chinese Science and Technology. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1982. 0395549671
Reviews the achievements of the ancient Chinese in astronomy, medicine, science and engineering, as well as such influential Chinese inventions as paper, printing, gunpowder and the compass.
*Scarpari, Maurizio. Ancient China: Chinese Civilization from the Origins to the Tang Dynasty. New York: Barnes and Noble Books, 2000. 0760722064
Color photographs of art objects from ancient China, with accompanying text.
*Simpson, Judith. Ancient China. New York: Time-Life Books, 1996. 0804992482
Photographs, color illustrations, bits of text provide a browsing history of China from the Neolithic period to the Tang Dynasty.
*Waley, Arthur. Three Ways of Thought in Ancient China. Stanford, CA: Stanford University Press, 1982. 0804711690
Extracts from Chuang Tzu (Zhuangzi) and Han Fei Tzu (Hanfeizi)
*Yangling Mausoleum of Emperor Jingdi of the Western Han Dynasty. Chongqing Shi: Chongqing chu ban she, 2001. 7536654030
A trilingual catalog to accompany the excavations of the mausoleum of Emperor Jingdi (mid second century BCE). The objects unearthed are now installed in a nearby museum, and provide a wealth of information about early Han culture. Well illustrated with a useful introduction.
Resources for Students
*Fisher, Leonard Everett. Gods and Goddesses of Ancient China. New York: Holiday House, 2003. (ES/MS) 0823416941
See also this author’s book on The Great Wall of China.
*Freedman, Russell. Confucius: the Golden Rule. New York: Arthur A. Levine Books, 2002. (ES/MS) 0439139570
Russell Freedman, award-winning young adult biographer and author (e.g., Lincoln, FDR, Crazy Horse) turns his attention to making the Chinese sage accessible to modern audiences, and the result is a beautiful picture book for older students.
*Fu, Shelley. Ho Yi the Archer and other Classic Chinese Tales. North Haven, CT: Linnet Books, 2001. (ES/MS) 0208024875
*Gilchrist, Cherry. Stories from the Silk Road. New York: Barefoot Books, 1999.
*Hall, Eleanor J. Ancient Chinese Dynasties. San Diego: Lucent Books, 2000. (ES/MS) 1560066245
Discusses the history, culture, material artifacts and society of six ancient Chinese dynasties from about 2000 BCE to 221 CE.
*Immell, Myra. The Han Dynasty. San Diego: Lucent Boks, 2003. (ES/MS) 1590180968
From a new series aimed at grades 4 or 5 to 9, this book covers the historical, agricultural and social structure of the era.
*Jiang, Wei. The Legend of Mulan: a Heroine of Ancient China. Monterey, CA: Victory Press, 1992. (ES/MS) 1878217003
Bilingual folktale, based on a poem from the Song Dynasty, in which a young girl disguises herself as a man and leads the army of China to victory.
*Krasno, Rena. CloudWeavers: Ancient Chinese Legends. Berkeley, CA: Pacific View Press, 2002. (ES/MS) 1881896269
*Liu, Siya. A Thousand Peaks: Poems from China. Berkeley, CA: Pacific View Press, 2002. (ES/MS) 1881896242
Bilingual introduction to classical Chinese poetry for children. Each poem is translated and includes background information on the poem and the poet.
*McCaughrean, Geraldine. The Kite Rider: a Novel. New York: HarperCollins, 2002. (MS) 0066238749
Set in 13th century China, a young boy has a life changing adventure when he takes to the sky as a circus kite rider. A great new novel for middle school students.
*Maples in the Mist: Children’s Poems from the Tang Dynasty. New York: Lothrop, Lee and Shepard, 1996. (ES/MS) 068812044x
*Matthews, Rupert. Myths and Civilization of the Ancient Chinese. Columbus, OH: Peter Bedrick Books, 2001. (ES/MS) 0872265927
A detailed look at nine classic Chinese myths, followed by information that reviews aspects of Chinese culture and society related to the myth.
*Monkey's Conversion. Beijing: Foreign Language Press, 1985. 0835114511
A famous episode from the Ming dynasty novel, Journey to the West, adapted for elementary students.
*Nicholson, Robert. Ancient China: Facts, Stories, Activities. New York: Chelsea Juniors, 1994. (ES/MS) 0791027260
A basic introduction to many aspects of life in ancient China.
*O’Connor, Jane. The Emperor’s Silent Army: Terracotta Warriors of Ancient China. New York: Viking, 2002. (ES/MS) 0670035122
Begins with the 1974 discovery and works backwards to review fact and fiction surrounding the archaeological find.
*Porte, Barbara A. Hearsay: Strange Tales from the Middle Kingdom. New York: Greenwillow Books, 1998.
*Shepard, Aaron. Lady White Snake: a Tale from the Chinese Opera. Illustrated by Song Nan Zhang. Union City, CA: Pan Asian Publications, 2001. (ES/MS) 1572270721
This lavishly illustrated retelling of a classic Chinese legend is presented as an opera. The setting is West Lake in Hangzhou.
*Teague, Ken. Growing Up in Ancient China. Mahwah, NJ: Troll Associates, 1994. (ES/MS) 0816727163
Describes daily life in ancient China, discussing life in the country, life in the city, schools, festivals, and other aspects.
*Williams Brian. See Through History: Ancient China. New York: Viking, 1996. (ES/MS) 0670871575
Describes daily life in ancient China, discussing life in the country, life in the city, schools, festivals, and other aspects.
*Williams, Suzanne. Made in China. Berkeley, CA: Pacific View Press, 1996. (MS) 1881896145
Ideas and inventions from ancient China. Includes time line.
*Yep, Laurence. Lady of Ch'iao Kuo, Warrior of the South. NY: Scholastic Books, 2001. (MS) 0439164834
Part of the Royal Diaries series for students in Grades 4-8, this book is set in 531 A.D. A fifteen year old princess of the Hsien tribe in southern China keeps a diary which describes her role as liaison between her own people and the local Chinese colonists.
*Young, Ed. Monkey King. NY: HarperCollins, 2001. (ES/MS) 0060279192
An elegant and deceptively simple version of the well-known Chinese myth. In piquant phrases and minimalist collages, the author/illustrator summarizes the antics of the Monkey King, a trickster hero.
*Zhu, Kang. Architecture of Ancient China. Beijing: Dolphin Books, 1996. 7800514072
Structures covered: pagodas and Yu Hao; bridges of ancient China; story of the Great Wall.
*Zhu, Kang. Four Inventions in Ancient China. Beijing: Dolphin Books, 1996. 7800514153
The inventions covered: papermaking, movable printing, magic compass, Taoist priest and gun powder; comic book format.
*Zhu, Kang. Distinguished Doctors of Ancient China. Beijing: Dolphin Books, 1996. 7800518701
Comic book format, concerning four doctors: Biao Que, Hua Juo, Wang Weiji, and Li Shizhen. Stories of the doctors and their contributions to Chinese medicine.
*Zhu, Kang. Stories of Scientists in Ancient China. Beijing: Dolphin Books, 1996. 7800517748
Four stories covered: Zhang Heng counted stars; Zu Congzhi and the Value of pi Yi Xing and revised calendars; Traveler Xu Xiake. Comic book format.
Primary Source Teacher Created Curriculum Units
*Carroll, Alicia. Learning About Ancient China Through Archaeology. Watertown, MA: Primary Source, 1999. (ES)
Simulating an archaeological dig with a class of early elementary school students, the author demonstrates value of interdisciplinary approaches to learning, as well as the wealth of topics one can cover in a unit on China. Students use writing, reading, drawing, and mapping skills. They "discover" oracle bones from the Shang Dynasty and create their own bones, using pictographs, which opens the door to the study of Chinese calligraphy. Through examining (photographs of) relics excavated from ancient Chinese tombs, the students are exposed to the belief systems and burial practices of a distant culture. At the same time, the relics introduce students to the field of archaeology. The unit provides detailed, narrative lesson plans, magazine articles, photographs of ancient artifacts and art (including the Terra Cotta Warriors), time lines, a list of useful websites, a bibliography, and even a basic pronunciation guide.
*Costello, Susan. Chinese Folk Art. Watertown, MA: Primary Source, 1999. (ES/MS)
This unit aims to expose students and teachers alike to the "inspired craftsmanship" and "joyous works" of the Chinese peasant class over the course of Chinese history. Students explore and recreate works that have been virtually unknown outside of China, including door gods, paper cuts, shadow puppets, and embroidery. Lesson plans include complete procedures, and the unit provides the following items to help teachers teach effectively: background information about each art form, support materials (reproductions of original folk art), bibliographies, web pages and web links, a chronology of Chinese dynasties, a reference map of China, and transparencies.
*Ferland, H. Rebecca. Modern Mathematical Connections to Ancient China. Watertown, MA: Primary Source, 2001. (HS)
Lesson plans on Chinese math history, magic squares, linear equations, right triangles and "the Rule of Three" provide an introduction to mathematics from ancient China.
*Fitanides, Ellen. An Ancient China Unit for 7th Grade Social Studies. Watertown, MA: Primary Source, 2001. (MS)
The goal of this 4 - 6 week unit is to provide basic background from the Xia (1900 BCE) to Han (220 CE) dynasties, focusing on ways in which the ancient Chinese were both isolated and unified as a people. For a culminating project, students are asked to create an accordion booklet that answers the question: What factors promoted and discouraged unity in Ancient China? Opportunities to incorporate mathematics, health, science, language arts, and especially fine arts lessons appear throughout.
*Hamilton, Amy. Ancient China: A Fourth Grade Social Studies Unit. Watertown, MA: Primary Source, 2001. (ES)
Designed to fit into a year-long study of ancient civilizations, this unit's 16 lessons focus on geography, history and culture, economics, civics, and government. Students exchange letters with Chinese pen pals (students of English) and participate in a culminating activity. Other activities include drawing maps, discussing stereotypes, and studying and performing folktales.
*Hanley, Carol. The Great Wall of China and Qin Shi Huangdi, the First Emperor. Watertown, MA: Primary Source, 2001. (ES)
Lessons are designed to "focus the students’ attention and thinking on how the idea of the Great Wall came to be, what it took in resources and human endeavor to build it and what a vast monument it is". Incorporates background information and includes preparations (script, instructions) for producing a puppet show about the Great Wall.
*Lundy, Jada L. An Introduction to Daily Life in Ancient China Through Forms of Chinese Art. Watertown, MA: Primary Source, 1999. (ES/MS)
A month long unit for grades 3-6, introducing several forms of Chinese art as a way of learning about daily life in China from the Shang to the Ming dynasties.
*Mills-Norrie Anne. Journey into the Middle Kingdom. Watertown, MA: Primary Source, 1998. (ES/MS)
Including essential questions to guide a fourth-grade class through a study of China, and a rationale for introducing young students to China, this unit entices both teachers and students to explore one of the most important countries of the contemporary era. The activity-packed units are designed to meet the guidelines for the Massachusetts Department of Education’s history and social science frameworks for grade four, and incorporates topics in mathematics, science, music, art, dance, language arts, geography, and history.
*Nardi, Robin. Confucianism Then and Now. Watertown, MA: Primary Source, 2001. (MS/HS)
Lessons for high school and upper middle, involving about 15 class periods, dealing with Confucianism in ancient China and themes from that period which have carried into the present.
*Simpson, Kathy. Inventions and Technology of the Ancient Chinese. Watertown, MA: Primary Source, 2001. (ES)
This unit contains 12 lessons for students on ancient Chinese inventions such as the compass, wheelbarrow and kite, and suggests other topics such as the decimal system, seismograph, lacquer ware, rockets, and silk. An Invention Fair as a culminating activity is presented. There is a rubric for assessment.
*Walcott, Joanne. Finding Evidence of Ancient China in Boston’s Chinatown. Watertown, MA: Primary Source, 2001. (ES/MS)
This two week unit presumes that students have already studied Ancient China and takes them on a 'virtual', then actual, field trip to Chinatown to find physical evidence of ancient Chinese culture. Students look at maps and plan their trip by developing questions and a procedure for collecting data. While in Boston, children will take photos and make field notes. Upon their return they are given activities that encourage them to reflect on what they have seen.
*Wu, Elsie. Ancient China. Watertown, MA: Primary Source, 2000. (ES)
A 14-lesson unit that introduces Ancient China to elementary students, covering as many fields as history, geography, philosophy, arts, and inventions. Each lesson is an independent lesson plan with clear objectives, well-defined procedures, and an abundance of materials.
Videos
Ancient China. Schlessinger Media, 1998. (23 min.) (ES/MS)
A look at ancient China from the Shang through the Han dynasties (1700 BCE-220 AD) that focuses on contributions of the Chinese (calligraphy, writing, silk, bronze, etc.) the unification of China, the Great Wall and the Silk Road.
*Ancient China. Films for the Humanities and Sciences, 1999. (47 min.)
This program traces Chinese history from the creation legend of Pan Gu to the demise of the Han Dynasty, and explores the roots of contemporary Chinese culture.
*China Bridge. WGBH Video, 2000. (60 min.) (ES/MS/HS)
Archaelogists and engineers attempt to duplicate ancient solutions to engineering problems. In this case, the problem, solved during the Song dynasty, was creating an arched, single-span bridge from straight timbers.
*China: Mandate of Heaven. Ambrose Video Publishing, 1991. (57 minutes)
Part 3 of the Legacy series which explores the influence of ancient cultures on contemporary issues.
*Confucius: Words of Wisdom. A&E Video, 1996. (50 min.) (MS/HS)
A biography of the ancient Chinese teacher.
*The Immortal Emperor Shihuangdi. Films for the Humanities and Sciences, (46 min.) (MS/HS)
This BBC video recreates the life of the First Emperor, starting with the Terra Cotta army. Contains fascinating details about the bronze figures, real footage and computer simulation. The focus is on the emperor’s search for ‘immortality’. (MS/HS)
*Lost Civilizations: China. Time Life Video, 1995. (48 min.) (MS)
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