Reopening of the Silk Road

Reopening of the Silk Road
Students learn about the Silk Road during the Mongol period. First they recall what they know about Marco Polo. Then they watch a video that provides a general overview and read about the Chinese port of Quanzhou. Next they read a biography of Marco Polo and an excerpt from his account about Quanzhou. Finally they read a biography of the Muslim traveller Ibn Battatu and compare his account of Quanzhou to that of Marco Polo.

This learning experience is designed for device-enabled classrooms. The teacher guides the lesson, and students use embedded resources, social media skills, and critical thinking skills to actively participate. To get access to a free version of the complete lesson, sign up for an exploros account.

1:1 Devices
Teacher Pack

The Pack contains associated resources for the learning experience, typically in the form of articles and videos. There is a teacher Pack (with only teacher information) and a student Pack (which contains only student information). As a teacher, you can toggle between both to see everything.

Here are the teacher pack items for Reopening of the Silk Road:

Preview - Scene 1
Exploros Learnign Experience Scene Navigation


Engage


Overview

In this experience, students learn about the Silk Road during the Mongol period. First they recall what they know about Marco Polo. Then they watch a video that provides a general overview and read about the Chinese port of Quanzhou. Next they read a biography of Marco Polo and an excerpt from his account about Quanzhou. Finally they read a biography of the Muslim traveller Ibn Battatu and compare his account of Quanzhou to that of Marco Polo.

Objectives:

  • Explain the impact of the Silk Road trade routes during its later centuries.
  • Compare historical accounts of a time and place.


The Silk Road was an ancient network of trade routes that ran across regions of the Asian continent, connecting the Mediterranean area in the West to China in the East. The Silk Road got its name from the Chinese silk that was traded along this route. In this experience, you will learn about the significance of the Silk Road during its later years.

Objectives:

  • Explain the impact of the Silk Road trade routes during its later centuries.
  • Compare historical accounts of a time and place.
You may be familiar with the popular swimming pool game, Marco Polo. Do you know that Marco Polo was a real person who lived long ago?


If you know something about the person Marco Polo, write it in the chart below. If someone has already posted what you know, try to think of something different.


When students have posted everything they know about Marco Polo, unlock this gate. Students do not need to post to the chart in order to advance.

A boat filled with exotic animals arrives at the gate of a castle

The Travels of Marco Polo


Marco Polo was a merchant from Venice (in modern Italy) who lived from 1254–1324. He spent over twenty years traveling through Central Asia and China along the Silk Road. He lived among the Mongols, who built a mighty empire in the region. Upon his return he wrote a book about his travels, which describes wonders unknown in Europe, such as paper money and burning coal for energy.


When everyone is ready to continue, unlock the next scene.


End of Preview
The Complete List of Learning Experiences in The Renaissance and Reformation Unit.
Social Studies Middle School Cultural Activity of the Renaissance
Cultural Activity of the Renaissance
Social Studies Middle School The Origins of the Reformation
The Origins of the Reformation
Reopening of the Silk Road
Reopening of the Silk Road
Social Studies Middle School The Influence of the Reformation and the Counter-Reformation
The Influence of the Reformation and the Counter-Reformation
Social Studies Middle School The Spread of the Renaissance in Europe
The Spread of the Renaissance in Europe
Social Studies Middle School The Origins of the Renaissance
The Origins of the Renaissance
Would you like to preview the rest of this learning experience, and get access to the entire functioning Modern World History HS course for your classroom? Sign up using your school email address below.
Back to top