Medieval China Stations

Student
Centered
& common
Core
9 Chinese Dynasties
Reading Stations with
Activity Options & Common Core
Questions
Student
Centered
& common
Core
Includes: 9 Reading Stations,

Printable Common Core,
Questions, Station Signs &
Teacher Instructions
Student
Centered
& common
Core
Includes: 9 Reading Stations,

Printable Common Core,
Questions, Station Signs &
Teacher Instructions
Medieval China Stations Teacher Notes
This activity is designed for students to investigate different aspects of Medieval Chinese
Dynasties—Sui, Tang, Song, Yuan and Ming —by reading and extracting important
information. Students answer questions on the bottom of each station reading on their own
paper. Consider instructing the students to write the name of the station at the top of each
question set for quick reference.
Some ideas for setting up stations or alternative reading activities:
1. Stations Option - Arrange desks into nine stations. Place resources on each station (you
may want to make enough copies, so each student has a page). Students read and
answer questions in groups at the rate of about six minutes per station. Students
switch stations after six minutes. It helps to pre-determine the order of station
progression, so there is an even amount of students at each station, and so there is less
confusion when students are told to switch stations. Consider if skipping ahead is
acceptable (I often do not allow it, so it is less competitive to finish).
2. Task Card Option - Copy several copies of each station and place the resources at a
central spot in your room. Students use resources one at a time as needed until all
stations have been completed.
3. Jigsaw Groups of Four Option - Assign each group member a reading. Students read his/
her assigned reading and share with his/her group. Students answer questions together.
4. The Medieval China two page notes graphic organizer that comes with the bundle can
also be used during this activity for a fill in the blank option.
5. On the last few pages of this bundle, a foldable option was added for a more creative, yet
Common Core twist (see explanation there).
Sui Dynasty 589-618 C.E.
Key concepts you will learn about at this station:
Leadership/Government - How a civilization creates an organized way of leadership.
Achievements - The lasting contributions of a civilization.
Decline - How each kingdom lost strength and regional influence.
Reunification of china
The last ancient Chinese civilization, the Han Dynasty,
collapsed in 220 C.E. due to a breakdown of bureaucracy,
their highly organized government system with multiple levels
of appointed officials. Corruption and disloyalty, as well as
unrest of the heavily taxed farming class broke all of China
into multiple dynasties ruled by military leaders. During this
369 years of disunion, or time of disorder when China wasn’t unified, clans were competing for resources.
Chinese culture blended with the nomadic clans who settled in the
north and Asian cultures to the south. Styles of dress, art, and music
were all affected.
Despite these adaptations, one northern Chinese leader wanted to

reunify the Chinese people. In 589, Yang Jian conquered Southern
China and set up a centralized (ruled from one location) government.
Thus, began the Sui (pronounced SWAY) Dynasty.
One of the Sui Dynasty’s greatest achievements was the planning and
initial construction of the Grand Canal. This waterway would eventually
connect northern and southern China and improve trade and allow
Emperor Yang Jian of the Sui Dynasty
southern grown agricultural goods to be transported to the north.
Under this new leader, taxes were kept high for lower classes and this again created social problems. After
only 29 years of control, the Sui Dynasty was overthrown by an ambitious government official and a new
dynasty began.
1. List three (3) ways the disunion affected the Chinese culture.
2. Why is the Grand Canal considered one of the Sui Dynasty’s greatest achievements?
Copyright © 2015 Instructomania

Grand Canal of the Sui and Yang Dynasties
Tang Dynasty 618-907
Leadership/Government- How a civilization creates an organized way of leadership.
Continuing work of an earlier dynasty
Sui dynasty military general Li Yuan lead the rebellion that eventually lead
to the Sui downfall. He seized power in 618 and started the new Tang
Dynasty. The Tang dynasty lasted almost 300 years, and this period of
time is sometimes alluded to as China’s Golden Age by historians. The
Tang Dynasty continued the work of the previous dynasty in many ways.
They expanded the reach of the Grand Canal, conquered Northeast and
Southwest Asian lands, and kept the centralized (ruled in one area)
government style.
In dynasties before the Tang, bureaucracy (government appointments)

had been faulty. The Tang attempted to rectify this by opening up the Civil
Service Exam to all people in all classes. Despite their good intentions, only In Yellow: The Expanded Tang Dynasty.
the wealthy could afford the time to study and books to pass these
rigorous tests and become scholar officials, that is a government official who earned their right to hold their position
by these exams.
Great Tang Leaders and their influence

In addition to Li Yuan, several other prominent leaders of
the Tang Dynasty added to the Medieval Chinese culture.
Taizong is remembered for many government programs,
including military funding, as well as a code of laws and land
reform. Another Tang leader leaned more toward the arts.
Xuanzong helped to build Tang Dynasty Era culture, and
during his rule many of the great Chinese poets wrote their
craft. The only female ruler of China in Medieval history also
Spring Outing of the Tang Court, by Zhang Xuan
claimed part of the Tang Dynasty. Empress Wu is noted for
vicious and intelligent decisions to quell (stop) rebellion as head of her country.
Similar Government, Similar Fall
Just as the Tang mimicked the Sui Dynasty’s style of government, the Golden Age of China had a similar destruction.
Lower class rebellion and military leaders hungry for power toppled the dynasty. Chaos and divided kingdoms
reclaimed China. This short 53-year period is sometimes called the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms.
1. Support with Evidence from the Text: Support the following sentence with evidence in the form of a direct
quote from the text: The Tang Dynasty continued the work of the one before it in many ways. Make sure to place
the sentence chosen in quotes when you write it down.
2. How did wealth limit the lower class from becoming scholar officials of the Tang government?

Song Dynasty 960-1279
Part 1 of 2 Stations
Social Classes – How a civilization is divided into classes that have different roles, responsibilities, and privileges.
Religion-A belief system that influences the development of a civilization.
Near Perfection of Civil Service process

The Song Dynasty greatly improved the difficult tests called Civil Service Exams given to gain the status of
scholar official during earlier dynasties. Not only did they allow anyone in society to take it, but they also
took precautions against cheating by making the hopefuls take the test from inside a small room. The exam
guaranteed that men of the highest moral fabric as well as versed in the Confucius ideas being embraced by
Scholar-Official
Chinese government ended up in power. Only a handful of the exam-
takers succeeded, but they had plenty of incentive, or reasons, to do
well. Not only did his new social status grant him power, but also
respect, reduced consequences for any crimes he may commit, and
wealth in the form of gifts from those seeking his wisdom and guidance.
Once an exam was passed, a scholar-official had to wait several years
before being assigned a position away from his home region. This
placement ensured that he didn’t allow bias to interfere with his job.
The Reformation of Confucianism

Confucius teachings that had originated in India had made their way to China before the Han Dynasty.
Traditional Chinese religion, Daoism, and the introduction of a new religion, Buddhism, pushed Confucianism
out of Chinese society during the time of Discord following it. At the end of the Tang Dynasty, Confucius’s
two key dogmas, Ren (concern for others) and Li (appropriate behavior) returned and morphed with
religions to form Neo-Confucianism. These teachings became central to the Song Dynasty government.
1. What were four incentives for Civil Service test takers to pass their difficult exam?
2. What two religions blended with Confucianism to create Neo-Confucianism?

Song Dynasty 960-1279

Economy - How a Civilization makes money by the buying and selling of goods and services.
Social Classes - How a civilization is divided into classes that have different roles, responsibilities, and privileges.
Achievements-The lasting contributions of a civilization.
Geography - Physical environment and how it influenced economy and culture.
Rise of Wealth
During the Song Dynasty, the agricultural foundation of China boomed. Advances in irrigation and a new specie of
faster growing/ripening rice, as well as improvement in the growing of other crops such as cotton created a
surplus of wealth. This wealth paid taxes and increase quality of life for the Chinese people. Since rice only grew
in the southern areas of China, many of the farmers in the north abandoned their wheat and barley crops for the
more productive crop. The increased food supported a growing population, and soon all that wealth translated
into urbanization, or the development of cities. The Song Dynasty saw a surge in populace from 60 million to 100
million. Trade and commerce increased, and the merchant class developed with the demands for foreign and
luxurious items. The world’s first paper money was created for carrying and trade convenience. The major
Chinese trade city Chang’an became a hub of philosophical and religious thought and practice.
Inventions that changed the world
The wealth of the Song Dynasty offered time for developing many products and gadgets of earlier dynasties. A
smooth type of pottery, porcelain, became a Chinese specialty during the Tang Dynasty and was improved upon
during the Song Dynasty. Literature, poetry, and art all increased with the wealth of China. Woodblock printing, a
process of carving into a solid block of wood and using it as a stamp on paper, aided the spread of literature and
ideologies. Gunpowder, a powder mixture used in weapons, found innovative uses such as fireworks and
continued to affect war outcomes world wide. Travel and trade also
benefited from the development of the magnetic compass, a device
that showed direction based on the earth’s magnetic fields.
1. Evaluate impact: List the six bolded inventions above in order

from most impactful and long-lasting to least.
2. Categorize: Create a four tier, social class pyramid on your

paper with the people who had the most power at the top and
those with the least power at the bottom.

Yuan Dynasty 1279-1368

Economy - How a Civilization makes money by the buying and selling of goods and services.
Social Classes - How a civilization is divided into classes that have different roles, responsibilities, and privileges.
Geography - Physical environment and how it influenced economy and culture.
The mongrel ascendency
Toward the end of the Song Dynasty, a new threat emerged from
the north. The nomadic Mongol tribes had gathered into an army
under Genghis Khan and conquered much of western Asia, the
Middle East, and Eastern Europe. Now, they eyed China and its
wealth. In 1211, the Mongols started attacking Northern China.
Their brutal tactics decimated whole villages, including farmland
and their crops. All of Northern China was under his control when
he died in 1260. His grandson Kublai Khan, completed the
conquest of China, and named himself Emperor in 1279. This was
the beginning of the Yuan Dynasty.
The Mongols threw out the Confucius–based government system and banned
it to keep Confucius leaders from holding any power, and appointed clan
members in powerful places. Since they couldn’t read or write, they hired
foreigners to take prominent government positions as well. The Chinese were
only allowed to be common clerks, though a few managed to gain trust and
hold a higher government office.
Despite their forceful reinventing of the Chinese government, the Mongols

allowed their Chinese population to keep their own culture. The Mongols spoke a different language, dressed
and looked different, and had a different religious system. Rather than forcing the Chinese to alter their ways,
the Mongols appointed soldiers to every town or city to keep their Chinese populace in line. The Chinese were
also taxed heavily, and this oppression eventually lead to the Yuan Dynasty’s downfall.
1. In what ways did the Mongols keep control of their Chinese subjects?
2. Why was it necessary for the Mongols to put foreigners in high government positons?
3. How was the Yuan Dynasty’s social system different from that of the Song Dynasty?

Yuan Dynasty (Mongols) 1279-1368
Economy – How a Civilization makes money by the buying and selling of goods and services.
Achievements - The lasting contributions of a civilization.
Trade flourishes under Mongol rule
Despite the general belief that the Mongols were ruthless,

barbaric conquerors, they highly valued trade and
commerce. This preference lead them to plan and expand
public works. The Grand Canal was widened and lengthened
for better commerce exchange. The Silk Road and other
routes throughout their vast land were improved. Stations
were also constructed about every 20 miles along those routes so merchants could rest and eat on their way
to China to trade. Soldiers patrolled these roads as well to ensure safety for travelers from thieves. These
improvements also positively influenced the mail, so communication between Asia and Europe increased.
Palaces and a new capitol city of Dadu near modern day Beijing. All of
these projects were constructed on the backs of the Chinese people.
The Mongols were a maritime society, and their fine skills helped
increase trade to southern Asian and India. Foreign traders, such as
the famous Italian Marco Polo, were welcomed as honored guests
and many spent privileged time in the Yuan Courts.
Mongols collapse under failure
The Mongols success in China made them want even more, so they turned their attention to Japan. Despite
good maritime skills, three unsuccessful attempts to cross the sea and conquer the Japanese people greatly
reduced their army and wealth. Unrest among the Chinese people stirred rebellion, and eventually the
Chinese people retook their country.
1. How did the Mongols improve the infrastructure of their empire?
2. What do you think made the Chinese people unhappy enough to fight the Mongols for their country?
3. What skill of the Mongols increased trade but eventually destroyed their rule?

Ming dynasty 1368-1644
Leadership/ Government- How a civilization creates an organized way of leadership.
Achievements -The lasting contributions of a civilization.
China Reigns Again

In 1368, former monk Zhu Yuanzhang lead the Chinese rebellion against the Mongol oppressors, and declared himself
Emperor of China under the Ming Dynasty. This 300 year time period offered China more stability and wealth than it
had ever had. Though Yuanzhang re-established the scholar-official exam system of previous Chinese dynasties, he
also took an active approach in most of the state affairs. Civil Service exams were also used to fill a new position, called
a censor. This official was responsible to regularly judge the morals of leadership as well as the quality of schools and
institutions. This control approach to government was meant to establish a secure country with limited foreign control,
and probably stemmed from the resentment of the past Mongol’s rule.
Two Major Ming Achievements

Under the Ming Dynast, the Chinese became great sailors and built huge fleets of bigger, better ships. A particular
sailor Zheng He used his massive fleet of more than 60 ships to go on trade and treaty trips to East Africa, the middle
east, and all of the Asian seas. With each stop, he presented foreign leaders with presents and encouraged them to do
the same to the Chinese Emperor. He also
brought many of them back to see the power and
unique culture of China.
The early wealth of the Ming Dynasty lended

itself to several building projects. The Forbidden
City was erected as a symbol of China’s power
and prestige. This palace held homes for
leadership, government buildings, and religious
temples, as many as 9,000 rooms! Its name came
from the fact that lower social classes weren’t allowed in. Another building project of the Ming Dynasty was the
reconstruction of the crumbling Great Wall. Not only did this give them a 2,000 mile long wonder of the world to brag
about, but it also kept the northern tribes from invading again with its 25 foot high and 12 foot thick structure.
1. Compare and contrast the scholar-official exam system of the Song and Ming Dynasties.
2. What new position did the Ming Dynasty create in the government and what were its responsibilities?
3. Would you rather visit the Forbidden City or the Great Wall? Explain you answer.

Ming dynasty 1368-1644
It takes progress to sustain a nation

Upon the return of Chinese explorer Zheng He, the Chinese were unimpressed with the outside world and decided to
close its doors to any foreign influence or interaction. In the 1434, the newest Ming Emperor Zheng He broke down the
Chinese fleet and cut off foreign relations. No Chinese
were allowed to leave the country, and any
communication or contact with the rest of the world
had to specifically approved by the Chinese
government. This period of isolationism, or policy of
avoiding contact with others, was meant to keep the
Chinese people safe but had dire consequences for
China. They missed out on technologies of Western
countries, and eventually China became vulnerable as
Westerners took over bits and pieces of the empire.
A Map of the Great Wall of China.
The rigid government couldn’t adapt to its countries needs.
China couldn’t resist foreign invasion or peasant revolts, and soon lost its power and glory. Furthermore, the decision
to deny foreign contact resulted in a loss of the exchange of ideas hence, China fell behind technologically.
A Ming Dynasty Empress

A Woodprint of Zheng He’s fleet
1. If China hadn’t isolated itself during this time period, how do you think the country would have evolved?
2. In what three ways did the Ming Dynasty’s limited foreign policy eventually decline the empire?
Copyright © 2015 Instructoma-

Religion’s Effects on Medieval china
Religion-A belief system that influences the development of a civilization.
Buddhism on the move
In ancient China before the period of disunion, Daoism and Confucianism were the two prominent belief systems. The
religion of Daoism emphasized living in harmony with all of creation. It stressed to live simply through observing and
learning from nature and its natural balance of both good and bad. The philosophy of Confucianism focused more on
morals and how one should behave in personal, professional, and authority based relationships. Confucius asserted
that people should be loyal, honest and obedient in five relationships: sibling, parent/child, leader/subject, friendship
and marriage. But during the dark years of the disunion, the Chinese turned to a new belief system that gave them a
way to cope.
Buddhism came northeast from India during the Han Dynasty, but it relayed teachings on comfort and peace,
offering relief from the suffering of disunion. Buddha and Buddhists around the world believe that people are
reincarnated (re-born on earth) back to earth until they have reached inner peace. The Four Noble Truths are
central to Buddhism: that life is painful and full of suffering; that desire is the cause of pain; that a person can
overcome desire; and that following the Eightfold Path will end suffering caused by desire. According to Buddha,
following an Eightfold Path by conducting a life of discipline, mindfulness and meditation will lead a person to a
state void of desire. This path is a process of facing reality and leads to enlightenment, a state of inner peace.
Buddhists believe that nirvana is the highest state that someone can attain, meaning a person’s individual desires
and suffering go away. At this point, they will no longer be reincarnated to earthly suffering.
When the disunion was finally resolved, Buddhism started to flourish in China. The rich classes donated funds for lavish
Buddhist temples to be built with massive statues of Buddha. Chinese missionaries continued to spread the Buddhist
religion to such places as Japan, Korea and other Asian lands.
Law and Religion blur

As mentioned above, Confucius beliefs were ancient and consisted of guidelines on how to behave in given
relationships and circumstances. Confucianism lead to law creation early in Medieval China. At the end of the Tang
Dynasty and through the Song Dynasty, the two main Confucius creeds blended with Daoism and Buddhism thought to
form what was known as Neo-Confucianism. These teachings became core to the later Song Dynasty government.
1. Define: Write the name and describe the difference of the three belief systems in this reading.
2. Create a timeline with each dynasty’s existence dates and one major event that took place. Below the date,
indicate which dynasty the event relates to. Below that, briefly describe the event with at least one key detail.
Include five events on the timeline, one for each dynasty.
Date: 598 —____________
Dynasty: ______________
Event: ________________
Copyright © 2015 Instructomania Pavlovich

Tang Dynasty Buddha statues in Longmen Grottos
Henan Province, China
Medieval China Questions
Page 1 of 4
Sui Dynasty
1. List three (3) ways the disunion affected the Chinese culture. __________________________________
2. Why is the Grand Canal considered one of the Sui Dynasty’s greatest achievements?
________________________________________________________________________________________
Tang Dynasty
3. Support with evidence from the Text: Support the following sentence with evidence in the form of a
direct quote from the text: The Tang Dynasty continued the work of the one before it in many ways.
Make sure to place the sentence chosen in quotes when you write it down. ______________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
4. How did wealth limit the middle class from becoming scholar officials of the Tang government?
________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
Song Dynasty
5. What were four incentives for civil service test takers to pass their difficult exam? _________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
6. What two religions blended with Confucianism to create Neo-Confucianism? _____________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
7. Evaluate impact: List the six bolded inventions in the reading in order from most impactful and long-
lasting to least.
_________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Page 2 of 4
Achievements
8. Categorize: Create a four tier, social class
pyramid for the Song Dynasty time period
on your paper with the people who had the
most power at the top and those with the
least power at the bottom.
Yuan Dynasty
9. In what ways did the Mongols keep control of their Chinese subjects? ____________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
10. Why was it necessary for the Mongols to put foreigners in high government positons?______________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
11. How was the Yuan Dynasty’s social system different from that of the Song Dynasty? _______________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
12. How did the Mongols improve the infrastructure of their empire? _______________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Page 3 of 4
Yuan Dynasty, continued

________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
14. What skill of the Mongols increased trade but eventually destroyed their rule? ____________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
Ming Dynasty
15. Compare and contrast the scholar-official exam system of the Song and Ming Dynasties. ____________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
17. Would you rather visit the Forbidden City or the Great Wall? Offer one fact from the text to tell why
you chose it.
________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
18. If China hadn’t isolated itself during the Ming Dynasty, how do you think the country would have
evolved?
_________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
Page 4 of 4
Ming dynasty, continued

19. In what three ways did the Ming Dynasty’s limited foreign policy eventually decline the empire?
_________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
Religion
20. Define: Write the name and description of the four religions in this study. Also note which dynasty(ies)
they were prominent in.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
Medieval China Timeline

Create a timeline with each dynasty’s existence dates and one major event that took place. Below the date, indicate
which dynasty the event relates to. Below that, briefly describe the event with at least one key detail. Include five
events on the timeline, one for each dynasty.
Date: ___________ Date: ___________ Date: ___________ Date: ___________ Date: ___________
Dynasty: ________ Dynasty: ________ Dynasty: ________ Dynasty: ________ Dynasty: ________
Event: Event: Event: Event: Event:
________________ ________________ ________________ ________________ ________________
________________ ________________ ________________ ________________ ________________
________________ ________________ ________________ ________________ ________________
________________ ________________ ________________ ________________ ________________
________________ ________________ ________________ ________________ ________________
________________ ________________ ________________ ________________ ________________
________________ ________________ ________________ ________________ ________________

Medieval China Answer Key
Sui Dynasty
1. List three (3) ways the disunion affected the Chinese culture. Style of Dress, Art, and Music
2. Why is the Grand Canal considered one of the Sui Dynasty’s greatest achievements? It’s the only major
project they undertook, and it would help with trade and commerce between north and south China.
Tang Dynasty
3. Support with Evidence from the Text: Support the following sentence with evidence in the form of a
direct quote from the text: The Tang Dynasty continued the work of the one before it in many ways.
Make sure to place the sentence chosen in quotes when you write it down. “They expanded the reach
of the Grand Canal, conquered Northeast and Southwest Asian lands, and kept the centralized
government style.”
4. How did wealth limit the lower class from becoming scholar officials of the Tang government? The
lower class didn’t have the time or money to study and pass the exam to become a scholar official.
Song Dynasty
5. What were four incentives for civil service test takers to pass their difficult exam? Powerful position in
Chinese government, respect, easier punishments for any crimes they commit, wealth in the form of
gifts from those who needed their wisdom.
6. What two religions blended with Confucianism to create Neo-Confucianism? Daoism and Buddhism
7. List the inventions from most impactful and

long-lasting to least. Answers will vary.
Emperor
8. Categorize: Create a four tier, social
class pyramid on your paper with
Scholar Officials
the people who had the most power
at the top and those with the least
power at the bottom. Merchants/Tradesmen
Farmers/ Peasants

Medieval China Answer Key
Yuan dynasty
9. In what ways did the Mongols keep control of their Chinese subjects?
The Mongols removed the Chinese from any powerful positions, banned their Confucius ideals, posted
soldiers throughout China, and heavily taxed the Chinese people.
10. Why was it necessary for the Mongols to put foreigners in high government positons?
The Mongols couldn’t read or write and they didn’t trust any Chinese in government positions.
11. How was the Yuan Dynasty’s social system different from that of the Song Dynasty?
The Mongols put foreigners and their family in powerful positions, while the Song Dynasty allowed smart,
moral men to take exams and try to become a part of the government. The difference was an earned
position rather than an appointed one.
12. How did the Mongols improve the infrastructure of their empire?
They improved the silk road and other routes throughout the empire, placing stations for travelers, soldiers
for protection. They also expanded the Grand Canal and traveled by sea to increase commerce and trade.
The conquering of their land, heavy taxes, made laborers on all the public works, had no say in government.
14. What skill of the Mongols increased trade but eventually destroyed their rule? Maritime skills
Ming dynasty
15. Compare and contrast the scholar-official government of the Song and Ming Dynasties.
The Song Dynasty was run by scholar-officials who could come from any class and structured to prevent bias. The
Ming Dynasty also had the scholar-officials running the government, but the Emperors had a more active hand in
running things, and the government as a whole was more rigid and isolated.
The censor position was created, and they were responsible for making sure government officials were morally
upright, and that schools and institutions were being run efficiently.
17. Would you rather visit the Forbidden City or the Great Wall? Offer one fact from the text to tell why.
Answers will vary but should mention one fact about whichever location they choose.
Medieval China Answer key
Ming Dynasty, continued
18. If China hadn’t isolated itself during the Ming Dynasty, how do you think the country would have evolved?
Answers will vary but should elude to creating new technology, growing in wealth, or visiting more of the world
by ship.
19. In what three ways did the Ming Dynasty’s limited foreign policy eventually decline the empire? Missed out on
technological advances, lost land to foreigners, and government was too rigid to adapt to its agriculture needs.
Religion
1. Define: Write the name and describe the difference of the three belief systems in this reading.
Daoism, centered around harmonizing with all living things, was prominent before the Disunion.
Confucianism offered dogmas on personal, professional, and authority based relationships, and influenced the
governments of the Sui and Tang Dynasties.
Buddhism, teachings of peace and comfort during suffering, was prominent from the Sui to Tang dynasty.
Neo-Confucianism: A blend of Daoism, Confucianism, and Buddhism that was major in Song and Ming Dynasties.
Medieval China TimeLine

Create a timeline with each dynasty’s existence dates and one major event that took place. Below the date, indicate
which dynasty the event relates to. Below that, briefly describe the event with at least one key detail. Include five
events on the timeline, one for each dynasty.
Date: 589–618 Date: 618—901 Date: 901—1279 Date: 1279– 1369 Date: 1369—1644
Dynasty: Sui Kingdom: Tang Kingdom: Song Kingdom: Yuan Kingdom: Ming
Answers will vary Answers will vary Answers will vary Answers will vary Answers will vary

Sui
Dynasty
Station
Tang
dynasty
Station
Song
dynasty
Station 1
Song
dynasty
Station 2
Yuan
dynasty
Station 1
Yuan
dynasty
Station 2
Ming
Dynasty
Station 1
Ming
Dynasty
Station 2
Religion
Station
Blank for instructor to write in if a station is added.
3 Word Billboard or # Hashtag Summary Dynasty Title:
Draw 2 details that show your understanding of this section.
Sui
Tang
Song
Yuan
Ming
Religion
Main Idea 2-3 Supporting Facts
1.
____________________________________
____________________________________
2.
____________________________________
3.
1.
____________________________________ 2.
____________________________________
____________________________________
3.
1.
____________________________________ 2.
____________________________________
____________________________________
3.
1.
____________________________________ 2.
____________________________________
____________________________________
3.
1.
____________________________________ 2.
____________________________________
____________________________________
3.
1.
____________________________________ 2.
____________________________________
____________________________________
3.
China Folding Graphic Organizer
The Chinese Dynasty Graphic Organizer was created to add more creative versatility with the notes and/or station work in this
bundle. Templates are provided if you would rather copy the pages for students to fold in half and complete (sometimes I copy the
first page and have students write in the middle pages, or page 2 of template). If you prefer to have students fold the paper instead
of copying the graphic organizer here’s how:
1. Students fold paper lengthwise (model).
2. Students fold paper into thirds (model). Key wording that works in my class, “Fold the paper so that the part that you are folding
is about the same size as the part that is remaining.” I fee like a broken record with this statement. Also, I issue a table or row
expert that can assist the folding challenged students.
3. Students fold paper one more time lengthwise, so they will end up with 6 total sections when unfolded. Optional: As a further
step, students can cut the top page so the page has flaps.
4. Students title, and label big ideas on front. They can make picture boxes if desired. See template for clarification.
Big Idea Folding Graphic Organizer
5. Students label middle sections. Left side of open paper is main idea and right side is 2-3 supporting facts (that support main
idea). See template to further clarify.
6. Students label back. I like to have them write a #hashtag summary or create a 3 word billboard that summarizes the reading. It’s
a fun twist on a simple task.
7. Option: Make it easy and cut copying in half by copying page 1 of the template provided. Then, students can write in the middle
labels (see step 5).
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Medieval China Stations

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Includes: 9 Reading Stations,

Includes: 9 Reading Stations,

Some ideas for setting up stations or alternative reading activities:

Despite these adaptations, one northern Chinese leader wanted to

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Continuing work of an earlier dynasty

In dynasties before the Tang, bureaucracy (government appointments)

Great Tang Leaders and their influence

Similar Government, Similar Fall

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Near Perfection of Civil Service process

The Reformation of Confucianism

2. What two religions blended with Confucianism to create Neo-Confucianism?

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Key concepts you will learn about at this station:

Inventions that changed the world

1. Evaluate impact: List the six bolded inventions above in order

2. Categorize: Create a four tier, social class pyramid on your

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Key concepts you will learn about at this station:

The mongrel ascendency

Despite their forceful reinventing of the Chinese government, the Mongols

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Trade flourishes under Mongol rule

Despite the general belief that the Mongols were ruthless,

Mongols collapse under failure

1. How did the Mongols improve the infrastructure of their empire?

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China Reigns Again

Two Major Ming Achievements

The early wealth of the Ming Dynasty lended

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It takes progress to sustain a nation

A Ming Dynasty Empress

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Buddhism on the move

Law and Religion blur

Date: 598 —____________

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6. What two religions blended with Confucianism to create Neo-Confucianism? _____________________

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pyramid for the Song Dynasty time period

on your paper with the people who had the

most power at the top and those with the

least power at the bottom.

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Yuan Dynasty, continued

Ming dynasty, continued

Medieval China Timeline

________________ ________________ ________________ ________________ ________________

________________ ________________ ________________ ________________ ________________

________________ ________________ ________________ ________________ ________________

________________ ________________ ________________ ________________ ________________

________________ ________________ ________________ ________________ ________________

________________ ________________ ________________ ________________ ________________

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7. List the inventions from most impactful and

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Medieval China TimeLine

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1. Students fold paper lengthwise (model).

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