In this activity, students examine evidence of interaction between cultures via the Silk Road. Students learn about the geography of China and surrounding countries, discover how ideas, cultures, and goods were exchanged through the Silk Road and relate the ideas of trade and globalization to today.
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Guide a discussion about the Dish with Europeans Playing Musical Instruments and how it shows a dialogue between China and Europe.
Guide a discussion about the idea of globalization and trade.
In groups or in pairs, have students research the geography of Asia and the Middle East using atlases, globes, or the Internet and outline and label their maps.
Using the Silk Road map [pdf] or the library, have students research routes of the Silk Road.
Using the The Silk Road and Beyond: Travel, Trade, and Transformation Web unit or the library, research goods and ideas that were traded on the Silk Road.
Display student maps in class.
Have students write a travel journal entry as if they were a participant in trade along the Silk Road.
Evaluate students based on their understanding of the Silk Road, globalization, and trade as expressed through their maps and/or essays.
Teacher Tips
Have students research what goods and services are imported and exported between China and the United States today, and ask students to present their findings in class presentations or in a short research essay. How are goods and services traded today? How is that different from the time of the Silk Road?
Model map-reading skills before beginning the activity.
Use the close-up artwork feature to encourage detailed observations.
Encourage students to think beyond goods and consider the exchange of ideas,
religions, technologies, and artistic styles. Connect the lesson to current global trade and supply chains. Allow students to work collaboratively when researching unfamiliar geographic regions.
More Ways
Have students research what goods and services are imported and exported between China and the United States today, and ask students to present their findings in class presentations or in a short research essay. How are goods and services traded today? How is that different from the time of the Silk Road?
Be sure to check out the large selection of art resources.
Modern Trade Comparison
Students research imports and exports between the United States and China today.
Compare:
Goods traded
Transportation methods
Speed of trade
Global connections
Art Investigation
Students explore additional artworks from the Art Institute of Chicago collection and identify evidence of cultural exchange.
Create a Trade Advertisement
Students design an advertisement promoting a Silk Road product such as silk, spices, or tea.
Globalization Discussion
Ask:
"How is today's global economy similar to the Silk Road? How is it different?"
Students support their answers with evidence from the lesson.
Program Areas
ASE: High School Diploma
View Lesson Plan
Warm-up
Engagement
Where Do Our Products Come From? Display several common items:
Cell phone
Clothing
Coffee
Shoes
Ask students:
Where do these products come from?
How do they reach the United States?
Why do countries trade with one another?
Think-Pair-Share Students discuss:
"What products would you take with you if you traveled across continents to trade?"
Essential Question
How did trade along the Silk Road connect people and cultures across the world?
Introduction
What Was the Silk Road?
Explain that the Silk Road was a network of trade routes connecting:
China
Central Asia
India
The Middle East
Europe
Goods traded included:
Silk
Spices
Tea
Precious metals
Ceramics
Textiles
Ideas and technologies also traveled along these routes, including:
Religions
Scientific knowledge
Artistic styles
Inventions
Vocabulary Review:
Silk Road
Trade
Cultural Exchange
Globalization
Import
Export
Merchant
Presentation
Artwork Analysis
Display the artwork:
Dish with Europeans Playing Musical Instruments
Guide students in observing the image.
Ask:
What do you notice?
What cultures are represented?
Why might Chinese artists include Europeans in their artwork?
What does this suggest about cultural interaction?
Discussion Explain that art can provide evidence of cultural exchange and globalization long before modern transportation existed.
Students examine how the artwork reflects interactions between China and Europe.
Practice
Engagement Enhancement
Silk Road Research Activity
Divide students into pairs or small groups.
Assign groups one topic:
Geography of the Silk Road
Goods Traded
Cultural Exchange
Technologies Shared
Religious Influences
Using the website and maps, students complete:
Topic What Traveled? Why Was It Important? Goods
Ideas
Technology
Culture
Map Activity
Students label:
China
India
Central Asia
Middle East
Europe
Students trace major Silk Road routes and identify key trading centers.
Group Share
Groups present findings to the class.
Evaluation
Exit Ticket
Students answer:
What was the Silk Road?
Name two goods traded along the Silk Road.
How did the Silk Road promote cultural exchange?
What evidence shows that ideas traveled along the Silk Road?
Success Criteria Students can:
✓ Locate the Silk Road on a map.
✓ Explain the purpose of the Silk Road.
✓ Describe cultural exchanges that occurred through trade.
✓ Connect historical trade to modern globalization.
Application
Engagement Extension
Travel Journal Writing
Students imagine they are merchants traveling along the Silk Road.
Write a journal entry that includes:
Where are you traveling
What goods are you carrying
People you meet
Challenges you face
New ideas or cultures you encounter
Sharing
Students read excerpts to a partner or small group.
View Subjects
Fine Arts
Art History
Fine Arts Electives
View Standards
Reading
CCR Anchor 1 - Read closely to determine what the text says explicitly and to make logical inferences from it; cite specific textual evidence when writing or speaking to support conclusions drawn from the text.
CCR Anchor 7 - Integrate and evaluate content presented in diverse media and formats, including visually and quantitatively, as well as in words.
Writing
CCR Anchor 2 - Write informative/explanatory texts to examine and convey complex ideas and information clearly and accurately through the effective selection, organization, and analysis of content.
CCR Anchor 7 - Conduct short as well as more sustained research projects based on focused questions, demonstrating understanding of the subject under investigation.
CCR Anchor 9 - Draw evidence from literary or informational texts to support analysis, reflection, and research.
Speaking and Listening
CCR Anchor 1 - Prepare for and participate effectively in a range of conversations and collaborations with diverse partners, building on others’ ideas and expressing their own clearly and persuasively.
CCR Anchor 4 - Present information, findings, and supporting evidence such that listeners can follow the line of reasoning and the organization, development, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.
View Tags
Chinese, culture, european, geography, globalization, map, Silk Road, trade, Art Institute of Chicago
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AI was used to rewrite this activity in the WIPPEA format
