This document outlines a lesson plan on the Mogao Caves located near the ancient Silk Road. The lesson plan has the following objectives: students will learn about the purpose of the Mogao Caves through readings and images; experience what archaeologists do when analyzing artifacts; make inferences about life at the caves by analyzing images; and create an archaeologist journal connecting images to social, cultural, religious, and economic factors as well as the Silk Road. The lesson includes viewing images of the caves and making inferences, learning about Buddhism's influence, and creating a pastel art piece inspired by the cave art. The document provides guiding questions, an activity description, and information on related events from the Getty and UCLA Confuc

3. UC Berkeley/UCLA Summer Institute On China

4. :
The History, Art, and Culture Dunhuang:
Creative Ways to Integrate China
Across the Curriculum
Jennifer Lopez, PUC Nueva Esperanza Charter Academy
Vivian Lam, Bright Star Schools
Natalí Ramón, Field of Dreams Learning YouthBuild Charter School
Susan Jain, UCLA Confucius Institute

5. ATCFL 5 Cs
Communication
Cultures
ConnectionsComparisons
Communities

6. Overview: Guiding Questions
Guiding Question
How do archaeologists use artifacts to learn about the
livelihoods of individuals living around the Mogao Caves?
Jennifer Lopez, PUC Nueva Esperanza Charter Academy

7. Overview: Objectives
 In this lesson, students will learn about the purpose of the Mogao Caves
through close readings, videos, and images.
 In this lesson, students will experience and appreciate the role of
archaeologists when analyzing historical artifacts.
 In this lesson, students will critically infer, analyze, and discuss images of
the Mogao Caves and make connections to the Silk Road.
 In this lesson, students will begin to create their own archaeologist journal
about the Mogao Caves, focusing on the social, cultural, religious, and
economical factors present in the images, and connect to the Silk Road.
Jennifer Lopez, PUC Nueva Esperanza Charter Academy

8. Mogao Caves Activity!
GOAL: You will pretend to be an archaeologist and infer what life was like for people living
near the Mogao Caves, and make connections to the Silk Road if possible.
Directions:
1. You will go around the room and view different images of the Mogao Caves.
2. Your goal is to make at least two inferences from two different images around the
room. Make sure to label which image you are making inferences on.
3. Example of inference (Sentence Starter: I infer that…because..)
I infer that people living around the Mogao Caves practiced meditation because of the way
the Buddha is positioned in the center of the picture, with others sitting around him are
praying or meditating as well.
Jennifer Lopez, PUC Nueva Esperanza Charter Academy

9. Vivian Lam, Bright Star Schools

10. Vivian Lam, Bright Star Schools

11. Vivian Lam, Bright Star Schools

12. Natalí Ramón
Social Science/Art
• 10th Grade World History, 11th Grade US History,
12th Grade Economics and Government, and Art.
• Field of Dreams Learning Inc. in Norwalk, CA
• YouthBuild Charter School of California
• Interdisciplinary, Project Based Learning
• Social Justice Oriented & Leadership Development
• 16-24 year old students
Natalí Ramón, Field of Dreams Learning YouthBuild Charter School

13. Buddhism and its Influence in the Mogao Caves
The Silk Road Buddhism and its
tenements
Principles of Art Mogao Cave
Analysis &
Brief Writing
Piece
Production of Art
 Emergence of
the Silk Road
 Geography
 The main
participants
 Resources
traded
 Life of Buddha
 Eight Fold Path
 Four Noble
Truths
 Organic and
Geometric
Shapes
 Movement and
Motion
 Emphasis and
Subordination
 Analysis of 1
Mogao Cave Art
 Written
Response
 Oil Pastel
Techniques
 Create an art
piece inspired
by the Mogao
Cave art
Learning Segments

14. Visual Art
Principles of Art: shapes,
movement, design
Production and Practice
Piece inspired by cave art in oil
pastel
Writing
Brief analysis of
Mogao cave art
History/ Philosophy
Origins and Spread of Buddhism
The Life of the Buddha
The Four Noble Truths
The Eightfold Path
Geography
Silk Road
Main
participants
Interdisciplinary
Unit
Natalí Ramón, Field of Dreams Learning YouthBuild Charter School

15. @The Getty
• Dunhuang Exhibition
May 7-September 4
• Music of the Silk Roads
Concert
Friday, May 20th
• Getty Family Day
Saturday, June 11th
• Teachers Conference
Monday, August 1st
• Film Screening, Lectures, Concerts
throughout the summer
www.confucius.ucla.edu

16. Thank you！ | 谢谢！