The Silk Road in 8 Objects

This lesson is titled "What might you discover on the Silk Road?"

This 45-slide PowerPoint begins with a Starter Activity in which students are encouraged to close their eyes and mime along to a story in which they play the role of Hasan, a merchant on the Silk Road during its heyday. They are then introduced to the lesson title and the graduated lesson aims (all will/most will/some will). Following this, there are background information slides for teacher exposition before the main task is set. Students are given some ideas of things they might find (exotic animals, fruits, incense, religious ideas, new languages, ivory products, etc.) and are asked to create their own museum about the Silk Road with only 8 objects. For each item, they need to explain its significance. Once students present, the lesson aims are revisited, and there is a lesson plenary in which the class writes an account that answers the Key Question using the knowledge they have acquired. An additional homework task is set (they are asked to photograph items in their household that have been discussed in the lesson).

This lesson is pitched at high-achieving Key Stage 3 high school students and is designed to promote independent learning, research, and presentation skills. It is written in UK English.

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