Ancient China's Silk Road

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Artist rendering of the discovery of trade between China and India
The beginning of the Silk Road

CA Standards:

Cite the significance of the trans-Eurasian "silk roads" in the period of the Han Dynasty and Roman Empire and their locations.
Describe the diffusion of Buddhism northward to China during the Han Dynasty.

The thing about the Silk Road, is that it is another opportunity for a creative story. It would be fun to turn it into plays written by groups if you have the time in your planning to do so, though I have not so far. I hope to make time in the near future.

Lesson:

Begin with discussion of what the Silk Road is. This is in your textbook. I usually like to use the textbook just to introduce ideas to the students before we do an activity. It's a good opportunity for popcorn reading.

Next, discuss why trade was important and desireable. I like to talk about why they like to trade (buy things). And how some come from another country (like their PS2 comes from Japan).

Students are then shown the map transparency, showing how many different places and cultures traded on the Silk Road (and asian trading routes). Explain how people would stop at markets in cities and trade, not usually making the entire journey in their group. Explain that it was dangerous, and traders had to beware of robbers.

Students are handed the Silk Road handout to refer to for their story, with the requirements listed. Go over your expectations with the students and how it is to be graded.

I personally grade it for fifteen points, and they get points for each thing they include as required correctly. This makes one free point for turning it in, and one point for each stop (6), one point for items in each stop (6), one point for how traders felt and one point for their interesting story. Though, if turned into plays a rubric would be more appropriate as more time would be invested.