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Barclay College Elementary Lesson Plan

Course
Social studies Methods

Activity Title
Mandate of Heaven and Confucius

Teacher
Mrs. Katrina Vanderploeg

Date
September 25, 2017

Grade Level
5​th - ​6th

Unit Name
Ancient China

Time Needed:
70 minutes

Topic
Eastern Philosophy and thought, Confucianism

Core Academic Standards

6.1.4 6.5.1 (Social studies standards covering Ancient China.)

Small group
Reading article
Brainstorming start of final project

Whole group
Mandate of Heaven Activity

Individual
Exploring google earth

Content Area(s):
Social studies, Speaking and presenting, Writing, Reading,
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Barclay College Elementary Lesson Plan

SMART Goal(s): The learner will

Apply the meaning of the Mandate of heaven and demonstrate a thorough understanding
through application of an activity.

Informal Pre-Assessment
KWL chart, Students fill in the first two columns

Materials:
IPad (Google Earth preloaded on)
KWL sheets (printed)
Cards of fate (printed)
YouTube video Prepped and loaded
*optional* (3) Toy crowns For rulers during mandate of heaven game.

Hook for Activating Prior Knowledge (5 minutes)

● Ask students to pull out their iPad, pull up google earth and find China. One everyone
has found china ask students to find and explore the forbidden city. Allow students​ 5
minutes​ just to explore.

Main Activities during centers (each step of project):

1. KWL (3 minutes)
a. Hand out Printed KWL Sheets and ask student to think about what they already
know and what they want to learn and write those down. ​They have to write
something in the first two categories! ​When they are finished students will place
them in their to be graded folder.

2. Mandate of Heaven (40 minutes)

a. Separate students into groups of 3 or 4 and each group will take turns being the
ruling dynasty. The rest of the class are citizens of china.
i. Draw three cards of fate. (​Printed out)
ii. For each card, they will have 1 minute to plan a response to the event. If it
is a bad event, they should come up with solutions to the problem in an
attempt to justify their continued rule and dynasty. If it is a good event,
they should explain how this shows their illustrious rule and perhaps how
they will capitalize on their good fortune. While ruling Dynasty is planning,
the rest of the class should discuss with a partner how they would
respond.
iii. At the end of a minute a spokesperson for the ruling dynasty will explain
their plan to the class they have 2 minutes to make their explanation and
if time permits take questions.
iv. At the conclusion of the dynasties explanation the class/nation votes on
whether they think the rulers still have the mandate of heaven.
v. When the ruling dynasty has gone through 3 cards, if they have a majority
of positive votes they have proven to be effective rulers. If they have a
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Barclay College Elementary Lesson Plan

majority of negative votes they’ve lost the mandate of heaven. Either way,
switch to a new group.
vi. Once every group has gotten to be ruler ask students two reflection
questions and discuss:
1. What is the hardest part about being a leader?
2. How did the Mandate of Heaven affect the chinese political
system- Do you think it was beneficial or not? Why?

b. Read article aloud to students and have students highlight and write down words
they don’t understand or that are new on a separate sheet of paper. For me to
add to word wall after school.

c. Watch video to help better explain the Mandate of heaven.

https://youtu.be/eRBYICtcgag

3. Explanation of final project (5 minutes)

a. Students will break into groups of 3 and will create a newspaper, flier, or 4 minute
(max) video to describe a person, place, event or invention of the ancient
chinese. These can be on a anything the students want and must email the
teacher their group project topic by tomorrow night.

4. Write letter to pen pals (10 minutes)

a. Using rice steaming basket have student reach in and pull out a paper with a
name and email address to student in china.
b. Explain who their pen pals are,​ students who are learning and practicing learning
English. ​Explain that the pen pal is a way for them to learn about what it's like
living in China, and for them to learn about us. ​Ask students to collectively
think of a question they all want to ask their pen pal.
c. Student will using their school email address or WeChat account (still need
permission from principal/superintendent) send a message to their pen pal.
d. Students will introduce themselves, and share what it's like living in Kansas.
Write at least 3 sentences. (who do you live with? Describe your home? Describe
what Kansas is like? What is your favorite time of year?)
e. Students will ask 1 question in their email and send it when finished

How did/would you differentiate instruction for various developmental needs

Gifted: Give the gifted student a more advanced article to read. Have them type for Ell
student.
ELL: Type email for student, or use a dictation program​.

Concluding Activity for closure

Writing and sending the letter to pen pal.
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Barclay College Elementary Lesson Plan

Homework or continuation of project

Students begin to think about what they want their topic to be for final project. Topics need to be
cleared by teacher.

Reflections: