Ancient China: Student Created Word Search Puzzles

Designed by: Nancy Pierce Little    School: Heyward Gibbes Middle

Grade Level: 6     Subject: Social Studies

Core Curriculum Objectives(s): 

Examine the ancient civilizations which developed along the Nile, Indus, Huang Go, and Tigris-Euphrates Rivers (6WH3-1) 

Locate each civilization on map(s). (6WH3-2) 

Define: the term, civilization, and explain its components: the interaction of communication, cooperation, a form of law or government, and specialization of tasks; the phrase "cradle of civilization"; the term culture. (6WH3-3) 

Explain the following aspects of each river civilization: important terms, government, religion(s), economy, inventions and contributions, communication, natural resources, evolution of the civilization, its place within a time reference, primary peopl...

(Textbook: World, Adventures in Time and Place, McGraw Hill, Chapter 7: Ancient China, pp. 160-183)

Overview: Students will use application and analysis higher order thinking skills to classify and organize information learned while studying ancient China. Students will select an information category that will include ten terms related to the history or geography of ancient China. Examples of categories are emperors, cities, or bodies of water. (A list of suggested categories is located at the end of this lesson.) Students will use research skills to complete their list of ten related terms. Each student will use logical thinking skills to create and publish a word search puzzle incorporating their ten terms. The puzzles will be compiled into a giant word search puzzle book. This puzzle creation process includes peer and teacher review and approval steps.

Focus/Essential Question: How can information be effectively organized?

Time Frame: 1 - 45 minute class period, plus additional computer time to create and publish word search puzzles.

Resources/Materials: Computer access 3.5" discs Computer publishing software Puzzle grid sheets with "The Process" directions and approval check- off copied on the reverse side (one for each student) Reference resources (various library books) and internet access

Suggested internet sites: 

http://www.penncharter.com/Student/china/index.html

http://emuseum.mankato.msus.edu/prehistory/china/

http://members.aol.com/Donnclass/Chinalife.html

http://www-chaos.umd.edu/history/toc.html

Culminating Assessment: Successful publication of student created word search puzzle. Include category information on the chapter test.

Instructional Activities 

Brain storm: the different kinds of information learned while studying ancient China. Write the categories on the blackboard. (See a list of possible categories at the end of this lesson.) Each student will select a different category and must find ten words relating to that category to include in their word search puzzle. Students may need to use additional references (library resources and internet sites) to come up with ten words that fit their selected category. Follow "The Process" on the reverse side of the word search puzzle hand out. The teacher will need to create a grid pattern on the computer for the students to use to publish their puzzles. Use a table format for the grid.

Ancient China Word Search Puzzle 

Created by:__________________________________________________

Category: ___________________________________________________

1.___________________________ 6._________________________ 

2.___________________________ 7._________________________ 

3.___________________________ 8._________________________ 

4.___________________________ 9._________________________ 

5.___________________________ 10._________________________ 

The Process

1) Select a category:__________________________________________

Teacher's signature of approval: _________________________________

2) Select 10 (ten) words in your category and write in the spaces below the puzzle grid. You will need to research your category to come up with ten related terms.

3) Spell Check. Get another student to check your spelling.

Spell checker's signature of approval: ____________________________

4) Write your words in the puzzle grid.

5) Quality Assurance. Have another student check to make sure you have inserted all your words and that the words are spelled correctly in the puzzle grid.

Signature of approval: ________________________________________

6) Teacher's approval:________________________________________

7) Sign up for computer time.

8) Insert your words into the computer grid. Select a font, make sure it is the correct size and that the letters are centered in each block of the puzzle grid.

9) Print a copy. This will be the answer key for your puzzle. Save the answer key on a teacher supplied disc. [A: (insert student name) key]

10) Fill in the rest of the puzzle with random letters. Save your puzzle in a differently named file. [A: (insert student name)]

11) Publish your puzzle. 12) Add your puzzle to the class's Ancient China: Giant Word Search Puzzle Book

Some Possible Categories