Lesson Plan - Mental Maths Made Easy: Secrets, Shortcuts, and Smart Thinking
The lesson plan for China’s First Emperor: The Man Who Built the Great Wall! is designed to help home-educating parents and carers guide learners through this key period in ancient Chinese history. The topic explores the life and legacy of Qin Shi Huang, the first emperor of a unified China, who not only brought the warring states together under one rule but also started the construction of the famous Great Wall.
This plan includes structured activities to help children and teenagers understand the emperor’s achievements, why the Great Wall was built, and the challenges of ruling such a vast empire. With a mixture of factual reading, creative writing, historical discussion, and hands-on projects, the lesson offers flexible learning that suits a wide range of ages and abilities.
Parents can choose how much to cover in one session or use it over a few days. It’s suitable for any family using Elective Home Education and is designed to support both confident learners and those who may need extra encouragement. Everything is explained clearly, with thoughtful questions and fun activities that promote real learning.
This topic is part of our Info Zone collection. You can read the full topic, once logged in, here: China’s First Emperor: The Man Who Built the Great Wall!
You’ll also find a full Lesson Plan and a handy Parent Q & A sheet, for this topic, ready to use..
| China’s First Emperor – The Man Who Built the Great Wall | |
|---|---|
| Overview | This lesson introduces learners to Qin Shi Huang, China’s first emperor. It explores how he united China, began the Great Wall, created the Terracotta Army, and shaped Chinese history. The plan includes comprehension, creativity, and historical thinking tasks. |
| Learning Objectives |
- Understand who Qin Shi Huang was and what made him the first emperor of China - Explain why the Great Wall was built and how it was used - Explore the lasting impact of his leadership and legacy |
| Estimated Time | 60–90 minutes depending on activities chosen |
| Starter Activity |
Ask: “What makes a great leader?” Write down ideas. Show a map of ancient China and find where the Great Wall was built. Guess: Why would a ruler want to build a wall across mountains and deserts? |
| Read and Learn |
Read the learning resource on our website: China’s First Emperor Discuss or answer:
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| Activities |
Comprehension Questions:
Creative Writing: Write a short story or diary from the view of someone working on the Wall (you could be a farmer, a soldier, or even one of the planners). Build a Timeline:
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| Deeper Thinking |
Big Question: “If you were emperor, would you rule with strict laws or with kindness? Why?” Encourage open discussion or list pros and cons of each style. |
| Creative Projects |
- Design your own protective wall for a kingdom, island, or even a spaceship! - Draw the Terracotta Army – try to make each soldier different - Make a map showing the parts of China Qin ruled and where the Great Wall stretches |
| Review & Reflect |
Ask your learner:
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| Extensions & Homework |
- Watch a documentary clip or animation about ancient China - Research the life of another famous emperor from a different culture - Write a letter to a future historian explaining why the Great Wall should be remembered |