Internet East Asia History Sourcebook
The Internet History Sourcebooks are wonderful collections of public domain and copy-permitted historical texts for educational use by Paul Halsall. The site and its documents are well organized and the breadth of materials is impressive. The Sourcebooks include an Ancient History Sourcebook, a Medieval Sourcebook, and a Modern History Sourcebook. The Internet East Asia History Sourcebook is a subset of texts derived from the three major online Sourcebooks, along with added texts and web site indicators.
Fairbank Chinese History Virtual Library
The Fairbank Chinese History Virtual Library was founded to facilitate easy access to sources of modern Chinese historical information on the internet. It covers the Qing Dynasty to the present and features outlines, articles, pictures, and more. Some links are broken.
Ask Asia
This site features resources, cultural information, activities, links, and guides for educators and students alike.
Mr. Dowling’s Electronic Passport: Chinese History
Mr. Dowling’s Electronic Passport helps kids browse the world in his virtual classroom. He introduces you to many civilizations with clear explanations, engaging graphics for kids, and “cool links”. His study guides, homework assignments, and exams are free and available for you to print or to edit.
Takla Makan Mummies: Mysterious Mummies of China
In the late 1980’s, perfectly preserved 3000-year-old mummies began appearing in a remote Chinese desert. They had long reddish-blond hair, European features, and didn’t appear to be the ancestors of modern-day Chinese people. Archaeologists now think they may have been the citizens of an ancient civilization that existed at the crossroads between China and Europe. PBS NOVA Online presentation.
BuddhaNet
An interesting and broad site that includes Qs and As, historical background, vivid images, and more. BuddhaNet is a Buddhist information service and a communication link for Buddhists. It operates Australia’s first and only Buddhist bulletin board system (BBS).
Asian Studies WWW Virtual Library
A good gateway to resources on Asia
Academic Info: Chinese History
A helpful gateway to resources on Chinese history
China the Beautiful
A large site on China, it includes art, music, literature, and history.
Encyclopedia of the Orient
The encyclopedia covers North Africa as well as the Middle East and includes several hundred topics in brief encyclopedia style. It also contains some useful teaching-level images and maps.
History of China
Brief overviews of Chinese dynasties and historical periods with links and color maps
Lesson Plans, Teacher Guides, Activities and more
Asia for Educators
This site from Columbia University offers an on-line curriculum about East Asia including lectures, discussion questions, handouts and supplementary materials. Some excellent teaching resources to be found here. I suggest you explore the teaching units under “history to 1800” and “history, 1800 to present.”
Mr. Donn’s Ancient History Page: Ancient and Modern China
Don Donn of the Corkran (Maryland) Middle School provides a complete unit with 17 daily lesson plans and unit test for sixth graders. There are also links to multiple K12 lesson plans and activities.
Course Models: Chinese Culture and Society
Part of the California History-Social Science content standards and annotated course that includes background information, focus questions, pupil activities and handouts, an assessment, and references to books, articles, web sites, literature, audio-video programs, and a historic site. Grade 7.
Course Models: Ancient China
Part of the California History-Social Science content standards and annotated course which includes background information, focus questions, pupil activities and handouts, an assessment, and references to books, articles, web sites, literature, audio-video programs, and a historic site. Grade 6.
In Celebration of the Silk Road
As a member of the Council of National Treasures, you have been selected to travel to the province of Xinjiang, China, to represent your country at the First International Celebration of the Silk Road. Once you have drawn or been assigned the name of the country your team will represent, you need to start making preparations for your trip, display, and press conference. For full credit, the display should be eye-catching, historically accurate, and must follow guidelines.
Searching for China (WebQuest)
This WebQuest combines an understanding of Chinese History with current Sino-American relations. Students must research China and make policy recommendations to the U.S. government.
Six Paths to China (WebQuest)
Produced by a former high school teacher, this Web Quest includes role-playing activities, teacher aids, photos, and definitions. Geared for a young audience.
Discovering China: The Middle Kingdom (ThinkQuest)
This activity oriented, student-produced site offers a compact history of China, with special focus on the Cultural Revolution.
The Mongols (WebQuest)
You may have heard about Genghis Khan, the Forbidden City, the Taj Mahal or Xanadu. These are all related to the Mongols. Your job will be to learn about their culture and their effect on other cultures.
Women and Confucianism
Students examine sayings by Confucius and evaluate the implications of Confucian ideas about women on the cultures of China, Japan, Korea, and Vietnam.
Ethics and Chinese Thought
How do the Analects embody the ethical framework of Confucian thought? How do you know what is “right” and “wrong” behavior?
Mandate of Heaven
Brief Zho-era document with questions for analysis. Middle School level.
Legalist Policies of the Qin
Brief primary source with questions for analysis. Middle School level.
Banpo Village: Gone, But Not Forgotten
As a renowned scholar of neolithic society, you have received the exciting opportunity through the Chinese Ministry of Culture to compete in the Battle of the Scholars in discovering the mysteries of one of the most important finds of the late 20th century. You will be using your skills to explain the meaning behind the cultural artifacts and physical remains found at Banpo neolithic village site near Xi’an, China.
The Three Doctrines & Legalism
Lesson from teacher Don Donn. Give each student a handout (included) that lists seven questions. Direct students to write down how they feel an individual would answer these questions if they were, in turn, a Buddhist, a Taoist, a follower of Confucianism, or a loyal citizen governed by Legalism.
Ideas for Projects – Ancient China
From historyforkids.org, this site is produced by Dr. Karen Carr who is an associate professor of History at Portland State University. The site provides suggestions for lesson plans, scavenger hunts, and hands-on crafts.
Brief Review in Global History and Geography: Document Based Essays and Practice Tests
PHSchool’s Brief Review in Global History and Geography Web site provides multiple-choice questions from actual Regents exams. You can also practice your test-taking skills on document-based essay questions (DBQs), with the option of e-mailing answers directly to your teacher for review.