Grade 7 Lesson at a Glance: Chapter 9, Lesson 2

Houghton Mifflin Social Studies
Across the Centuries

Lesson at a Glance
Chapter 9, Lesson 2: A Developing National Culture (pp. 227-230)

The Big Idea
Framework Concept: Culture When the emperor moved his capital to Kyoto, a new court culture flourished -- a way of life that became quite different from life in the provinces.

Write this sentence on the chalkboard: "The rulers are out of touch with the people." Invite students to comment, then build a two-column chart with these column headings: "Washington, D.C." and "Heian." Ask students to suggest ways in which life at these capitals might be similar (e.g., single ruler with group of advisers, beautiful monuments, parks, and buildings, not a lot going on there except for government, etc.). Then ask how these two capitals might be dissimilar. Discuss how rich and powerful courtiers might develop a culture that is different from that of ordinary taxpayers. Ask students what problems government officials might have communicating with areas outside the capital.

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

Japanese courtiers composed short poems for any occasion. Ask students to compose a poem in which a noble contrasts life in the provinces to life at court.
Work as a whole class or in small groups to create a Japanese-style mural showing life at court versus life in the provinces. Use the picture on page 229 as a guide, but be sure to show the contrast in lifestyles.

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