Ancient China Fair

Our lower elementary class has been studying Ancient China.  In Montessori, we study civilization by looking at how they meet the fundamental needs of a civilization.  We thought the fundamental needs for a civilization were food and water, shelter, transportation, defense, religion, each other, communication, clothing, arts, and health care.  Each student researched a specific topic in their fundamental need, such as bamboo writing, acupuncture, junks, gunpowder, the Great Wall, and kites, then we prepared to share the information by writing about it so that other people could learn from us.  We created posters, dioramas, and sculptures to help people understand what we had researched.  We wrote haikus (even though that is more Japanese), put them on rice paper, and painted pictures to go with them in the style of the Ancient Chinese, we painted on Sumi paper, and painted pictures like Chinese clothing.  

We also wrote and performed a play about the legend of the Chinese Zodiac.  On the day of the fair we shared our information and performed the play 3 times!  Everyone remembered their lines and really enjoyed the experience.

Sharing information about bamboo writing, bamboo books, oracle bones, and paper making.  You can see two of the haiku papers on the table.

Waiting to start the play.  Everyone, all 24 students, had a part.  

We had two Jade Emperors so one person didn't have too many lines to remember.

Taking a bow.  Everyone made their own mask.  The people who did not need masks (the river and the narrators) worked on the background.

All the animals have crossed the river.

What a beautiful dress to wear for the Ancient China fair!

Sharing information with our parents.