Environmental Roots and the Tree of Modern China
Grades 9-12, Beliefs/Religion, Environment/Nature, History Lesson or Unit PlanThis lesson will introduce students to environmental issues in contemporary China and have them approach and analyze these issues from the perspective of three different philosophies in China–Buddhism, Confucianism, and Daoism. Students will practice researching a topic, constructing and supporting an argument with factual evidence, and presenting their opinion both orally and in writing. By the end of class, students will better understand the impact of mankind on the global environment, the various schools of thought in China, and the power of past traditions to influence future decision-making.
Title: | Environmental Roots and the Tree of Modern China |
Author: | Eric Katz |
Subject Area: | Global History |
Grade Level: | 9-12 |
Time Required: | Three 45-minute periods |
Standards: |
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Keywords/Vocabulary: | Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism, Dongba, sustainability |
Essential Question(s): |
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Learning Objectives/Goals/Aims: |
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Introduction: | Our students will live in a world that is to a large extent shaped by what happens in China. With the world’s largest population of 1. 4 billion, China is a nation that is undergoing rapid development. Growing wealth, materialism, energy use, and industrialization in China have the potential for enormous environmental impacts. Will a rise in the standard of living of Chinese people cause the same kind of environmental destruction that has accompanied these trends in other parts of the world in the past? Is there anything within traditional Chinese belief systems that might impact the path of development in the near future?
This lesson will begin to address these critical issues that have the potential to, as Jonathan Watts has said in his book When a Billion Chinese Jump, “save or destroy mankind.” Through engaging in analysis and synthesis of materials related to Chinese belief systems, the environment, and modern development, students will make their own judgments about our yet undetermined fate. |
Procedure/Pedagogical Technique/Instructional Strategy: |
1. Students will begin class with the following simple, easy to answer, warm-up motivator: What are ways in which you influence the environment? Write down 5 ways. 2. In whole-class discussion, students will brainstorm ideas and the teacher can quickly write the ideas down on the Smartboard. 3. Students will look at a graph that shows the population trends and answer several questions about population growth, China and the rest of the world. This will bring out the key idea that given its population, China’s development path will have a major impact on the world. This 5-minute exercise will lead into the main activity for the remainder of class. 4. Students will look at a number of documents, analyze them, and begin to answer questions about each document.
1. Students will continue to answer the document questions, synthesize the information and create a thesis statement based upon the documents. 2. Students will prepare an outline or planning page for their essay.
1. Students will write a DBQ essay using evidence from the documents. |
Discussion Points/ GroupInteraction: |
As an alternative to the essay, students can discuss the following questions in pairs, small groups or whole class discussion.
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Assessment: |
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Closure: | The teacher can wrap up the activity after the essays are written (or the discussion takes place) by reaffirming the key points that can be drawn from the activity documents. Briefly summarized here:
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Instructional Resources/ Materials: |
This lesson requires some preparation beforehand. A Smartboard or PowerPoint presentation with the initial warm-up question and population graph should be prepared.
In addition, students will each need a copy of the documents and the DBQ rubric (if an essay is to be included as part of this assignment). Graph can be found at here. Additional sources of documents include:
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Extending the Lesson / Follow-up Activity: | 1. Students can do additional independent investigation and prepare arguments on alternate sides of a related debate such as one of the following topics:
2. A second activity that might be a very worthwhile follow-up to this lesson is a screening and discussion of the film, Manufactured Landscapes, based on the photographs of Edward Burtynsky |
Caterogy: Grades 9-12, Beliefs/Religion, Environment/Nature, History Lesson or Unit Plan
Author
Teach China Team
Teach China is a comprehensive professional development program offered by China Institute to provide a wealth of opportunities for K-12 educators to enhance their knowledge of China, past and present. We take an interdisciplinary approach consistent with national and state-mandated standards in order to help educators incorporate the teaching of China into all subjects and grade levels, including Mandarin language learning, the humanities, social studies, and the arts. Teach China promotes cross-cultural understanding through the use and creation of authentic materials, the presentation of balanced perspectives, and the fostering of enduring connections between educators around the world.