Grade 7 Lesson at a Glance: Chapter 8, Lesson 1

Houghton Mifflin Social Studies
Across the Centuries

Lesson at a Glance
Chapter 8, Lesson 1: An Emerging Empire (pp. 192-197)

The Big Idea
Framework Concepts: Conflict and Continuity After the collapse of the Han Dynasty, smaller kingdoms vied with each other for more than 300 years before a new emperor reunified China and created a stable society based on traditions, institutions, and moral systems that were typically Chinese.

Start with an example close to home. Work with students to create a chart or Venn diagram showing the difference between customs, preferences, and beliefs of just your state (e.g., foods, expressions, etc.) versus those of all Americans (e.g., government systems). Ask students what would happen if any of the states strayed too far from what all Americans believed in, or what would happen if there were no federal government to keep the states together. Have them speculate on what actions a ruler could take to pull together separate and contending states. Now have them look at Emperor Wen's accomplishment.

Lesson Outline
Use the Lesson Outline to preview the content of the lesson. You may wish to print it for your students as a guide during reading.

Check for Understanding

Have students create a word puzzle using at least 10 of the proper names, key terms, or key concepts found in the lesson. Puzzles can be created in crossword form or any other appropriate pattern. Students should create clear definitions or identifying information as clues to solving their puzzles. Have students exchange and solve the puzzles.
Ask students to work in small groups to create a poster showing how Emperor Wen's new system of administration worked. Encourage students not to write on the posters, but to design them in such a way that the majority of Chinese (who could not read) would understand their new government.

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