1. 1
Essential Questions:
Who are Asians?
How did early Asian Civilization develop?
Write two things about each of the following: What I know about the question, what I’m thinking, what
question I have.
I see
I think
I wonder
ACCESSING BACKGROUND KNOWLEDGE
2. 2
Map Exploration
Geographical Concept of Asia
Asia makes up the eastern portion of the
Eurasian supercontinent; Europe occupies the western
portion. The border between the two continents is debated.
However, most geographers define Asia’s western border as
an indirect line that follows the Ural Mountains, the Caucasus
Mountains, and the Caspian and Black Seas. Asia
is bordered by the Arctic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans. Look
at the map in the left and below to follow the physical
boundaries.
Political Concept of Asia
There is great confusion in the continental boundaries
between Europe and Asia. Historically, the boundaries have
changed over the centuries. This confusion is reflected in the
term Middle East, which includes some countries in Northern Africa, and Southwest Asian nations as well as
southwest parts of the Asian continent.
Over the centuries, the boundaries have changed. The modern definition of the Eurasian boundary places some
countries into both continents while others entirely in one continent.
In our study, we will concentrate mainly on the eastern portion of the Asian continent.
https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/asia https://pages.ucsd.edu https://www.worldatlas.com/
mapsoftheworld.com
3. 3
Physical Map of Asia and Europe Locate the Ural Mountains, and
the Caucasus Mountains.
According to the reading above
from National Geographic, what
do these mountains serve as?
What do these mountains
separate Asia from?
What bodies of water serve as
the western borders for Asia?
What do they separate Asia
from?
What landforms can you find in
Asia? Define each of them.
4. 4
Political Map of Asia Regions of Asia
Which particular continent on the western side of Asia is
not included in the above map?
Watch the following video about the regions of Asia.
Which of the above regions straddle both Europe and
Asia?
You will be assigned a region
and identify the countries and
some of the land and water
features. You may copy and
use the map on the right.
Add an article about who Asians are (Jov)
5. 5
Finding Out: Early Asian History
Before You Read: Preview pages 185- 199 of Asian History and predict what these pages tell us about.
Previewing is looking at the pictures and their captions, graphs, and other illustrations. What questions may
you have?
Ideas you got from the pictures and figures: Your Predictions or Questions:
1.
2.
3
.
During Reading: Now, read the following pages as you read, answer the following questions
Pages Guided Reading Questions
221
222
223
224
225
7. 7
Close Reading: Early Chinese Civilization Artifacts
Part 1: Watch the video and answer the question anchored on the video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-RrAoL_PVmo
1. How did the Ancient Chinese civilization
begin as a dynasty?
2. How did they develop bronze?
3. How important were the two river systems in
the development of the Chinese civilization?
Part 2: Collaborative Activity--Making Inferences based on pictorial artifacts: Study the pictures of artifacts
carefully, read the description, and answer the questions, providing support from the artifacts in your assigned
groups.
Write the names of those who will do the following:
_______________group leader who will make sure everyone participates in the discussion
_______________reader who will read the handout and the questions
_______________recorder/timer who will write down the notes and answers to the questions and keep tract of
time
_______________group presenter who will present the findings of the group to the whole class
The Longshan culture of North and Northeast China is best known for its thin, hard, black-burnished
pottery. Longshan potters took advantage of the new potter’s wheel technology, well-refined clays, and
high – fire kilns to create one of the most technically accomplished wares of the Neolithic era. Using fast –
turning wheels, potters could create vessels with eggshell-thin walls. The bulbous stem, perforated by slits,
was created on the wheel separately from the cup’s bowl and then attached before firing. Although
typically devoid of painted decoration or clay applique, Longshan wares were fired in a reduction-kiln
atmosphere, which darkened their surfaces.
1. Why do you think that these artifacts were considered rare and desirable?
2. What inferences can you make about their (1) function (2) the skills, (3) technology of the people during the
Shang dynasty? What is in the evidence that make you say that?
8. 8
3. Connection to the Present: Does modern China still create durable, elegant-shaped, and exquisite items
and crafts? What makes you say that?
Finding Out: Early Indian History
Before You Read: Preview pages 207-215 of Asian History and predict what these pages tell us about.
Previewing is looking at the pictures and their captions, graphs, and other illustrations. What questions may
you have?
Ideas you got from the pictures and figures: Your Predictions or Questions:
1.
2.
3
.
During Reading: Now, read the following pages as you read, answer the following questions
Pages Guided Reading Questions
207
208
209
210
211
10. 10
Close Study of Artifacts: Indus Valley Civilization
Part 1: Watch the following video about the Indus Valley civilization and in pairs answer the following
questions:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rlONwxT9Nlc
1. How did Indus Valley Civilization begin?
2. What at their contribution to the world?
3. Why does this civilization vanish?
Part 2: Making Inferences based on pictorial artifacts: Study the pictures of artifacts carefully, read the
description, and answer the questions, providing support from the artifacts in your assigned groups.
Study the following artifacts and readings about the Indus Civilization. Then in groups, answer the questions
about the pictorial artifact and readings.
Write the names of those who will do the following:
_______________group leader who will make sure everyone participates in the discussion
_______________reader who will read the handout and the questions
_______________recorder/timer who will write down the notes and answers to the questions and keep tract of
time
_______________group presenter who will present the findings of the group to the whole class
Stamp seals were used in antiquity as marks of ownership and
badges of status. In the large urban centers of the Harappan
civilization, hundreds of square-shaped stamp seals were found in
excavations. They are engraved with images of wild or domestic
animals, humans, fantastic creatures, and possibly divinities. In this
example, the creature is rendered in the typical strict profile,
standing before what might be an altar. Its shoulder is covered by a
decorated quilt or harness in the shape of an upside-down heart
pattern. Most of the square stamp seals have inscriptions along the
top edge. The Indus script, invented around 2600 B.C., is yet to be
fully deciphered.
How does this stamp tell us about the Indus valley people? What
do these stamps tell us about what the Indus valley people value?
11. 11
Public Bath in Mohenjo-Daro
The city of Mohenjo-daro, a city in the Indus River Valley, from
which it seems to have been protected, in antiquity as today, by
artificial barriers, was laid out with regularity into something like a
dozen blocks or “islands,” each about 1,260 feet from north to south
and 750 feet from east to west. The central block on the western
side was built up artificially to a dominating height of 20 to 40 feet
with mud and mud brick and was fortified to an unascertained
extent by square towers of baked brick.
In the lower town were substantial courtyard houses indicating a
considerable middle class. Most houses had small bathrooms and,
like the streets, were well-provided with drains and sanitation. Brick
stairs indicate at least an upper story or a flat, habitable roof. The
walls were originally plastered with mud, no doubt to reduce
the deleterious effect of the salts that are contained by the bricks and
react destructively to varying heat and humidity.
What does these features of the city of Mohenjo-Daro reveal about
this Indus Valley civilization? About their way of life?
IndusValleyscriptnumerical,notalanguage,claimshistorian
As numerals require symbolic representation, the first attempt at
writing began with numerical forms, as was evident from the basic
script forms on the Indus objects that were used as numerals in the
past. https://www.indiatoday.in/india/north/story/indus-valley-
script-numerical-not-a-language-claims-historian-839258-2015-
05-24
For what purpose, do you think the Indus valley people
developed this inscription on the seals on the left?
12. 12
Collaboration Assessment Rubric (to be completed by the group leader)
1 2 3 4
Communication
Our score ____
Only one communicated
and shared his/her ideas.
A few of us
communicated and
shared our ideas.
Most of us communicated
and shared our ideas.
Everyone communicated
and shared his/her ideas.
Cooperation
Our score____
No one or only one was
focused and attentive.
Some of us were
attentive and focused
some of the time.
Most of us were attentive
and focused some or all
the time.
Everyone was attentive
and focused all the time.
Contribution
Our score ___
No one/Only one
contributed to the
completion of the task
Some of us contributed
to the completion of the
task.
Most of us contributed to
the completion of the
task.
Everyone contributed to
the completion of the
task.
Finding Out: Early Southeast Asian History
Before You Read: Preview pages 221-230 Asian History and predict what these pages tell us about.
Previewing is looking at the pictures and their captions, graphs, and other illustrations. What questions may
you have?
Ideas you got from the pictures and figures: Your Predictions or Questions:
1.
2.
3
.
During Reading: Now, read the following pages as you read, answer the following questions
Pages Guided Reading Questions
221
222
14. 14
Close Study of Artifacts: Southeast Asian Civilizations
Part 1: Watch the following video about the Indus Valley civilization and in pairs answer the following
questions:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GKbdWoZ4G4c
1. How did India and China influence the Southeast
Asia Civilization?
2. How can they cultivate their ability to lead?
3. What is their contribution to the growth of
religion?
Part 2. Study the following pictures of artifacts and readings about the SEA early Civilization. Then in groups,
answer the questions about the pictorial artifact and readings:
Write the names of those who will do the following:
______________ group leader who will make sure everyone participates in the discussion,
______________ reader who will read the hand out and the questions,
_______________recorder who will write down the notes and answers to the questions.
_______________group presenter who will present the findings of the group to the whole class.
The Dong Son Drum (or Dongson Drum) is the most famous artifact of the Southeast Asian Dongson culture,
a complex society of farmers and sailors who lived in what is today northern Vietnam, and made bronze and
iron objects between about 600 BC and AD 200. The drums, which are found throughout southeast Asia, can
be enormous--a typical drum is 70 centimeters (27 inches) in diameter--with a flat top, bulbous rim, straight
sides, and a splayed foot.
Designs on the highly ornamented Dong Son drums reflect a sea-oriented society. Some have elaborate friezes
of figured scenes, featuring boats and warriors wearing elaborate feather head-dresses. Other common watery
designs include bird-motifs, small three-dimensional animals (frogs or toads?), long boats, fish, and geometric
symbols of clouds and thunder. Human figures, long-tailed flying birds and stylized depictions of boats are
typical on the bulging upper part of the drums.
15. 15
One iconic image found on the top of all Dongson drums is a classic "starburst", with a various number of
spikes radiating out from a center. This image is immediately recognizable to westerners as a representation of
a sun or a star. Whether that was what the makers had in mind is something of a puzzle.
https://www.thoughtco.com/dong-son-drums-bronze-age-169896
1. What can you say about the skill and technology of the people during that time?
2. What inference can you make about the purpose/function of these drums?
3. What are the present-day Vietnamese artisans known for?
Group 4: Study the following pictures of artifacts and readings about the Pre-colonial Philippine Civilization.
Then in groups, answer the questions about the pictorial artifact and readings:
Write the names of those who will do the following:
______________ group leader who will make sure everyone participates in the discussion,
______________ reader who will read the handout and the questions,
______________ recorder who will write down the notes and answers to the questions.
______________ group presenter who will present the findings of the group to the whole class.
Mannungul Jar Neolithic Period, about 890-710B.C.
This cultural treasure found in the early 196-s in Mannunggul Cave, Palawan is a secondary burial, in which
the bones of the dead are reburied. The upper portion of the jar, as well as the cover is incised with curvilinear
scroll designs, which some archaeologist claims to be the precursor of Baybayin, the script of ancient Filipinos.
On top of the jar cover or lid is a boat with two human figures representing two souls on a voyage to the
afterlife. The boatman is seated behind a figure whose hands are crossed on the chest. The position of the
hands is a traditional Filipino practice observed when arranging the corpse.
16. 16
1. Why is the Mannunggul jar a significant artifact?
2. What can be inferred from the jar about the early people’s religious beliefs and skills.
3. What might the boat symbolize?
Do the following assessment guide to evaluate your group’s performance in the collaborative
work above.
1 2 3 4
Communication
Our score ____
Only one communicated
and shared his/her ideas.
A few of us communicated
and shared our ideas.
Most of us communicated
and shared our ideas.
Everyone communicated
and shared his/her ideas.
Cooperation
Our score____
No one or only one was
focused and attentive.
Some of us were attentive
and focused some of the
time.
Most of us were attentive
and focused some or all the
time.
Everyone was attentive and
focused all the time.
Contribution
Our score ___
No one/Only one
contributed to the
completion of the task
Some of us contributed to
the completion of the task.
Most of us contributed to
the completion of the task.
Everyone contributed to the
completion of the task.
17. 17
Sorting Out: Comparing the Three Civilizations
In groups, compare the three civilizations in terms of their early development,
social classes, and government. To accomplish this activity, you will need to go
back to your readings to compare the three civilizations.
Again, assign a group leader or facilitator, timer, recorder, and presenter.
Points of
Comparison
Chinese Indian SEA
Where the
civilizations
started
How the people
were divided
How they were
governed
the Three Civilizations
18. 18
Going Further: Trying out the Early Writing Scripts
Enrichment Activity
Part 1: Writing your own name using characters or scripts:
Choose either the Chinese characters, the Indian or the Filipino Baybayin script in writing your name. Each
student will present their output in front.
Early Chinese
writing is
pictorial-based or
pictographs and
has evolved to the
word-based
characters.
Should you choose
this pictographs,
find out the
meaning of your
name and then
create a
pictograph.
https://www.ocf.berkeley.edu/~wwu/chinese/handout.html
