Materials

• Class notes (see bolded text in Instructional Activities below)
• Overhead projector (optional)

Instructional Activities

1. Review content covered to this point in the unit.
   
   
2. Explain to students that the current Chinese communist government does not promote religious observance or instruction but that Confucianism and Taoism were religions practiced in the past in China and some in China still follow these teachings.
   
   
3. Display the following notes on the board or overhead:
   Confucianism
   – Belief that humans are good, not bad
   – Respect for elders
   – Code of politeness, still used in Chinese society today
   – Emphasis on education
   – Ancestor worship
   
   Ask students which of these characteristics they would associate with China today, and have them defend their responses.
   
   
4. Continue with the following notes:
   Taoism
   – Humility
   – Simple life and inner peace
   – Harmony with nature
   Yin/Yang represented opposites for Confucianism and Taoism.
   Chinese forms of Buddhism spread throughout Asia.
   
   
5. Discuss each of these notes and check for understanding.
   
   
6. Ask students to be prepared to share their learning cubes in class during the next session.