Imperial China - Tang Dynasty - Decline and Fall

Read-aloud: Cloud Weavers: Ancient Chinese Legends by Rena Krasno and Yeng Fong Chieng

Discussion:
An Lushan/An Shi Rebellion - weakening the state
Gradual disintegration of the equal land mandate
Breakdown of the Confucian examination system
Natural disasters
Huang Chao Rebellion and Zhu Wen's takeover

Activity:
History journal
Map study

Imperial China - Tang Dynasty - Art

Discussion:
Woodblock printing - accessibility of texts and imagery
Leshan Giant Buddha
Mogao Cave paintings and murals

Activity:
Field trip to the Freer and Sackler Galleries

Imperial China - Tang Dynasty - Empress Wu Zetian

Empress of China, Wu Ze Tian by Jiang Cheng an and Xu De Yuan

Discussion: 

Early life of Wu Zetian - nun, concubine

Accession to the throne; handling enemies

Abdication

Activity: 

History journal

Imperial China - Tang Dynasty - Chang'an and other major cities

Read-aloud: Cloud Weavers: Ancient Chinese Legends by Rena Krasno and Yeng Fong Chieng

Discussion:
Location, size, and layout of Chang'an under the Tang
Commerce; the Grand Canal; Cosmopolitanism and sumptuary laws
Other major cities: Yangzhou and Laoyang

Activity:
History journal
Map study: Chang'an

Imperial China - Tang Dynasty - Poets and Poetry

Maples in the Mist: Poems for Children from the Tang Dynasty by Minfong Ho, Mou-Sien Tseng, and Jean Tseng

Discussion:
Tang Dynasty fosters the arts
Major poets of the Tang Dynasty
Poems

Activity:
History journal
Memorize 3 Tang Dynasty poems

Imperial China - Tang Dynasty - Foundation

Maples in the Mist: Children's Poems from the Tang Dynasty by Minfong Ho, Mou-Sien Tseng, and Jean Tseng
Read-aloud: Cloud Weavers: Ancient Chinese Legends by Rena Krasno and Yeng Fong Chieng

Discussion:
The Li family overthrows the Sui Dynasty
Continuation of Sui Dynasty reforms
Reopening the Silk Road

Activity:
History journal