Virtual Museum of the Mongol Empire
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Virtual Museum of the Mongol Empire

Grade 7HistorySocial Studies4 days
The Virtual Museum of the Mongol Empire project for 7th-grade students focuses on designing a digital exhibit to showcase the Mongol Empire's vast cultural and political impact on Asia. Students explore how the Mongol conquests led to the development of unified states in China and Korea, influenced the Japanese feudal system, and facilitated trade and cultural exchanges across Eurasia. Through this project, students engage in collaborative activities such as creating digital dioramas, analyzing Mongol strategies, and storytelling to deepen their understanding and presentation skills using digital tools.
Mongol EmpireVirtual MuseumCultural ImpactPolitical InfluenceTrade and ExchangeDigital ToolsHistorical Analysis
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Inquiry Framework

Question Framework

Driving Question

The overarching question that guides the entire project.How can we design a virtual museum to effectively showcase the impact of the Mongol Empire on the cultural and political landscapes of Asia, while exploring its influence on unified states in China and Korea, the Japanese feudal system, and the empire's role in trade and cultural exchange?

Essential Questions

Supporting questions that break down major concepts.
  • What impact did the Mongol Empire have on the cultural and political landscapes of Asia?
  • How did the conquests of the Mongols lead to the development of unified states in China and Korea?
  • In what ways did the failure of the Mongols to conquer Japan influence the continuation and development of the Japanese feudal system?
  • What were the key strategies and technologies that contributed to the Mongols' success in building their empire?
  • How did the Mongol Empire facilitate trade and cultural exchange across its territories?

Standards & Learning Goals

Learning Goals

By the end of this project, students will be able to:
  • Students will understand the key impacts of the Mongol Empire on the development of unified states in China and Korea.
  • Students will analyze the reasons behind the failure of the Mongols to conquer Japan and its implications for the Japanese feudal system.
  • Students will explore the strategies and technologies employed by the Mongols that contributed to their expansive empire.
  • Students will evaluate the Mongol Empire's role in facilitating trade and cultural exchange across Asia.
  • Students will develop skills in integrating visual and textual information to present historical content effectively using digital tools.

Grade 7 Social Studies Standards

SS.7.3
Primary
Explain how the Mongol Empire's conquests and governance strategies contributed to the development of centralized states in China and Korea.Reason: The project addresses how Mongol governance influenced the unification of China and Korea, aligning with this standard.
SS.7.4
Primary
Analyze how Mongol failure to conquer Japan affected the Japanese feudal system.Reason: Students will explore the Mongol-Japan interactions and the impact on Japan's feudal system, directly relating to this standard.
SS.7.1
Secondary
Discuss the cultural and economic impact of trade facilitated by the Mongol Empire across Eurasia.Reason: The virtual museum project highlights the Mongol Empire's role in trade and cultural exchange, aligning with this standard.

Common Core Standards

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.6-8.7
Supporting
Integrate visual information (e.g., in charts, graphs, photographs, videos, or maps) with other information in print and digital texts.Reason: Creating a virtual museum involves integrating various visual and textual information, aligning with this Common Core standard.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.WHST.6-8.6
Supporting
Use technology, including the Internet, to produce and publish writing and present the relationships between information and ideas clearly and efficiently.Reason: Students will use technology to create and publish their virtual museum, complying with this writing standard.

Entry Events

Events that will be used to introduce the project to students

Invitation from the Past

Students receive a mysterious video message from 'Kublai Khan,' inviting them to become curators of a new virtual museum that will showcase the Mongol Empire's historic contributions and influences. The challenge is to decide what artifacts, stories, and elements best capture the spirit of the era, considering its vast geographic and cultural impact.
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Portfolio Activities

Portfolio Activities

These activities progressively build towards your learning goals, with each submission contributing to the student's final portfolio.
Activity 1

Digital Diorama Designers

In this activity, students will create digital dioramas displaying scenes or events that depict the Mongol Empire's influence on various regions, emphasizing the visual and contextual storytelling aspects.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Select a key event or cultural aspect of the Mongol Empire to illustrate.
2. Use digital tools to design and construct a digital diorama that visually represents the chosen aspect.
3. Include text explanations or narratives to accompany the diorama, aiding viewers' understanding.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA series of digital dioramas capturing major moments or themes related to the Mongol Empire.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsSupports SS.7.1 by illustrating the cultural impact of the Mongol-led trade and cultural exchange. Encapsulates CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.6-8.7 by integrating visual and textual information.
Activity 2

Strategic Empire Architects

Students will investigate and document the strategies and technologies that led to the Mongol Empire's success, focusing on their military tactics, communication networks, and economic policies.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Research various strategies and technologies employed by the Mongols in expanding their empire.
2. Analyze how these methods contributed to the Mongol's conquests and governance success.
3. Create a detailed presentation that outlines these strategies and their effects on the empire's growth and sustainability.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA presentation detailing Mongol military and governance strategies and their substantial impacts.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsFocuses on SS.7.3 by explaining governance strategies and SS.7.1 with economic and cultural impacts.
Activity 3

Intercultural Exchange Explorers

This activity sees students delving into the cultural and economic exchanges facilitated by the Mongol Empire, crafting a narrative that captures its roles as a cross-continental link.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Investigate the types of cultural and economic exchanges that occurred under the Mongol Empire's rule.
2. Identify key figures, events, or goods that symbolize this intercultural exchange.
3. Draft a narrative or storyboard sharing a story of trade and cultural communication across Mongol territories.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA compelling narrative or storyboard illustrating the Mongol Empire's role in cultural interactions and economic exchanges.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsEnhances understanding of SS.7.1 about Mongol-facilitated trade. Encourages CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.WHST.6-8.6 for digital storytelling.
Activity 4

Feudal Japan's Reflection

Students will analyze the causes and results of the Mongol failure to conquer Japan, focusing on how this influenced Japan's isolated development and feudal structure.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Research the Mongol attempts to invade Japan and the reasons they failed.
2. Examine the social and political structures in Japan that resulted from continued feudalism.
3. Compose an essay detailing how the Mongol invasions' failures affected Japan's society and governance.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityAn analytical essay on the Mongol Empire's interactions with Japan and resulting impacts.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsDirectly correlates with SS.7.4 by analyzing Japan's feudal development post-Mongol invasion efforts.
Activity 5

Curator's Artifact Selection

Students will embark on an artifact discovery mission to select items for the virtual museum that best represent the Mongol Empire's influence on Asia, including China and Korea's unification, the Japanese feudal system, and cultural exchanges across Eurasia.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Research significant Mongol Empire artifacts and their historical contexts.
2. Select artifacts that represent the Mongol Empire's impact, including influence on China and Korea, the feudal dynamics in Japan, and trade facilitation.
3. Write a short description for each artifact, explaining its relevance and connection to the Mongol Empire's history.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA collection of artifact descriptions with historical significance outlined, ready for virtual museum inclusion.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with SS.7.3 and SS.7.4 standards by connecting artifacts to Mongol governance and impacts. Supports CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.WHST.6-8.6 by requiring students to write and organize descriptions.
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Rubric & Reflection

Portfolio Rubric

Grading criteria for assessing the overall project portfolio

Virtual Museum of the Mongol Empire Project Rubric

Category 1

Historical Understanding

Assesses the depth of understanding regarding the Mongol Empire's impact on Asia, its governance strategies, and influence on trade and cultural exchange.
Criterion 1

Impact Analysis

Measures the ability to analyze the Mongol Empire's effects on cultural and political landscapes in Asia.

Exemplary
4 Points

Demonstrates sophisticated analysis of the Mongol Empire's cultural and political impacts across different regions, with comprehensive insights and connections to current contexts.

Proficient
3 Points

Provides thorough analysis with clear understanding of the Mongol Empire's cultural and political impacts, including relevant examples.

Developing
2 Points

Shows basic analysis with limited understanding of the Mongol Empire's impacts, with some inaccuracies or missing connections.

Beginning
1 Points

Demonstrates minimal understanding or misinterpretation of the Mongol Empire's impacts, with significant gaps in analysis.

Criterion 2

Governance and Strategy Explanation

Evaluates explanation of Mongol governance strategies and military tactics.

Exemplary
4 Points

Provides an insightful and complete explanation of Mongol governance strategies and tactics, with nuanced understanding and historical context.

Proficient
3 Points

Explains Mongol governance strategies and tactics clearly, with relevant context and examples.

Developing
2 Points

Provides a basic explanation with limited context or details about Mongol strategies and tactics.

Beginning
1 Points

Struggles to explain basic Mongol strategies or governance, with many misinterpretations or omissions.

Category 2

Integration of Visual and Textual Information

Evaluates the use of digital tools and resources to present historical information effectively.
Criterion 1

Visual Presentation Quality

Assesses the quality and effectiveness of visual elements in communicating historical information.

Exemplary
4 Points

Visual elements are outstanding; creatively and effectively convey historical information with precision and clarity.

Proficient
3 Points

Visual elements effectively convey historical information, with clear purpose and consistency.

Developing
2 Points

Visual elements convey basic information but lack coherence or creativity.

Beginning
1 Points

Visual elements are poorly designed, confusing, or ineffective in conveying information.

Criterion 2

Textual Support and Narrative

Measures the ability to use narrative and text to support visual content and enhance understanding.

Exemplary
4 Points

Textual and narrative elements comprehensively enhance visuals, offering thorough explanations and engaging storytelling.

Proficient
3 Points

Textual content effectively supports visuals, providing clear explanations and relevant details.

Developing
2 Points

Textual content provides basic support but lacks detail or clarity, leading to partial understanding.

Beginning
1 Points

Textual support is minimal, unclear, or unrelated to visuals, hindering comprehension.

Category 3

Digital Literacy and Tool Utilization

Assesses the ability to use digital platforms and technologies to create and publish work.
Criterion 1

Technical Skill

Evaluates the proficiency in using digital tools to create a polished final product.

Exemplary
4 Points

Demonstrates exceptional technical skill in using digital tools to create a polished and professional final product.

Proficient
3 Points

Uses digital tools effectively to produce a complete and presentable final product.

Developing
2 Points

Shows basic use of digital tools, with minor technical issues affecting product quality.

Beginning
1 Points

Struggles to use digital tools effectively, resulting in an incomplete or poorly presented product.

Reflection Prompts

End-of-project reflection questions to get students to think about their learning
Question 1

Reflect on your experience in designing the virtual museum of the Mongol Empire. How did this project expand your understanding of the Mongol Empire's impact on Asia's cultural and political landscapes?

Text
Required
Question 2

On a scale from 1 to 5, how engaging did you find the process of integrating visual and digital tools to present historical content?

Scale
Optional
Question 3

What challenges did you encounter during the creation of your digital diorama or chosen project components, and how did you overcome them?

Text
Required
Question 4

Which aspect of the Mongol Empire was most interesting to you, and why? (e.g., strategies and technologies, trade and cultural exchanges, governance)

Multiple choice
Required
Options
Strategies and technologies
Trade and cultural exchanges
Governance
Cultural influence
Question 5

How confident do you feel about explaining the Mongol Empire's role in trade and cultural exchanges to others?

Scale
Optional