Year 6R

Learning Task #1

Orientation to comparison between Australia and China.

Using the CIA World Factbook website, https://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/index.html
students prepare a Venn diagram of the similarities and differences they can find between Australia and China. These must include at least of example of; history, culture, governance, language, currency, imports and exports and festivals.

Learning Task #2 

     Students take part in a ‘Global Quiz’ (see China and Australia 
    Quiz.doc)  which tests their knowledge of the similarities and
    differences between Australia and China. The quiz focuses on
    significant events in history, landmarks, governance etc.

Learning Task #3

See, Think, Wonder Thinking Routine:
‘Made in China: Our Man in China’
http://www.theatlantic.com/slideshows/fallows-china/

Learning Task #4

Internet Based Treasure Hunt:
‘The Treasure of China’ webquest
(looks at the big picture, ‘What is the truth about China today?)

Learning Task #5

The Dalai Lama of Tibet: http://www.tibet.com/DL/discovery.html
Girls read through the description of how the current Dalai Lama was discovered. Identify 5 points make in the article and describe in writing your beliefs concerning this discovery. 

Learning Task #6

Headless Tao: http://www.kn.att.com/wired/China/sampler.html
Girls skim through the passages until they find one that makes sense to them. They then copy the passage/ poem down, and rewrite the passage’s meaning in their own words.

Learning Tasks #7 

The Splendors of Imperial China: http://www.asianart.com/splendors/index.html
Girls browse through the exhibit presented by the Asian Art Museum in San Francisco and select the image that you like the best. After looking closely at the image, describe how the details of the piece you selected make it a special work of art.

Learning Task #8

Using the Chinese Timeline on page 20 of ‘Exploring North- East Asia’, answer the following questions:
1. When did China first have contact with Europe?
2.What evidence can you find of China’s imperialist activities?
3. Who was responsible for the establishment of the People’s Republic of China?
4. List some of the inventions of the Song dynasty.
5. According to archaeological evidence, when was the first human settlement in China?
6. When did Buddhism first reach China?
Learning Tasks #9

Chinese Beliefs: Read about the two beliefs China holds about the creation of the world. ‘Pan Gu Creates The World’ and ‘Yin and Yang’. See ‘Exploring North- East Asia’ pages 33-34.

Learning Task #10 

Endangered Species: (see Endangered Species.doc)
This activity involves comparing the number of endangered and extinct species in Asia and Oceania by generating a bar graph. It also has a series of questions that allow students to learn more about specific Asian and Oceanic species.

Learning Task #11

Chinese Symbols: Research 4 Chinese symbols (sun, moon, earth, water etc). Write all of them, including the translation, into workbook. Discuss the way that such characters have evolved over time from early pictograph symbols of the Shang Dynasty to the characters are they are today.

Learning Task #12 

The First Emperor of China:
Discuss the notion of ‘Ancient China’. Read ‘How The ‘First Emperor’ Changed China’ (p.86). Complete a PMI chart about the positive and negative things that Emperor Shi Huang Di did. 

Learning Task #13

Webquest:
http://www.kn.att.com/wired/China/ChinaQuest.html

Learning Task #14

Thinking Skills:
Tony Ryan Mindlink Thinking Cards

Learning Task #15

China Thinker’s Key (complete given set and develop own)
Learning Task #16

Webquest:
Using the website below, students complete a webquest about Chinese traditions and celebrations.
http://teacher.scholastic.com/lessonrepro/reproducibles/instructor/cyberhunt/0001/index.htm

Learning Task #17

Text: ‘Shanyi Goes To China’. Make informed predictions about the experience that Shanyi will have when going to China for the first time. What do we know about life in China? Read text. Was there anything new that we did not know about?

Learning Task #18 

China and Australia Comparative project (see attachment)

Learning Task #19

China: Where is she going? What should we do?
Webquest:
http://www.kn.att.com/wired/fil/pages/webchinadm.html
Learning Task #20

What changes do you think we will occur in Australia and China over the next 10 year? 50 Years? 100 Years?
Learning Task #21

Unit reflection and self assessment of learning: students prepare a reflection about the unit using Inspiration. This acts as a summary of their learning.