March Apprentice: Ancient China and the Far East

Study/Learn

 1 - Write the following on note cards from the Dictionary of Cultural Literacy:

• Confucius
• Confucianism
• Taoism
• yin/yang

2 - Read both of the following biographies of Confucius

• Ducksters.com
• Biography.com

3 - Read Chapter 4, "The Childlike Heart: Mencius, Sage of China" from the book, 10 Great Souls I Want to Meet in Heaven by S. Michael Wilcox

4 - Read the following about the 3 major religions of Ancient China

5 - Add the following to your timeline:

• Confucius (500 BC)
• Mencius (300 BC)

6 - Read Chapter 6: "Entrusting Ourselves to the Potter" in the book In the Hands of the Potter by Camille Fronk

OPTIONAL: Watch one of my favorite movies from my childhood, "Big Bird in China" from 1983. (click the link and it will take you to youtube)  It's 1 hour 12 minutes long, so don't wait til the last minute.   It shows the beautiful scenery around China.

Know/Understand

DO ALL OF THE FOLLOWING:

• Research why and when Chinese New Year is held.  Is it the same day that we, in America, celebrate New Years?  Why or why not?

• The Chinese Zodiac is represented by 12 animal signs.  One is represented each year rotating through them all.  2017 is the Year of the Rooster.  Find out what animal sign was represented in the year you were born.  Read about the traits of a person born under that sign.  Does it sound like you, why or why not?  

• Both China and Japan use characters to write.  Find out how to write your name in Chinese (Mandarin) and in Japanese.  Bring them to class to show.

• Origami is Japanese paper folding.  Make something out of origami and bring it to class to show.

Become/Serve

Choose one of the saying of Confucius that you like.  Why do you like to so much?  Is it true?  Why or why not?  Journal for 10 minutes about it and set a goal to incorporate the teaching into your life.