Change and Continuity

Abstract

The materials in this curriculum guide were designed to prepare teachers and students in grades 2-11 for the "Secret World of the Forbidden City: Splendors from China's Imperial Palace 1644-1911" exhibition at the Oakland Museum of California Education Department, to inform teachers and students about Imperial China, and to illuminate the continuing traditions of U.S. Chinese people in California. The guide includes a detailed table showing grade level recommendations and connections to the State of California Content Standards and Visual Arts Framework. It is divided into five sections: (1) consists of two activities that teach general techniques and strategies for learning from objects and artworks; (2) gives historical information relevant to the exhibition period and color transparency photos of selected objects from the exhibition, divided into the themes of the exhibition; (3) contains follow-up activities (English/language arts, history/social science, and visual arts) based on aspects of life in Imperial China; (4) highlights the Chinese experience in California and emphasizes the traditional practices kept alive by Chinese immigrants and contains interdisciplinary lessons which follow the background information; and (5) presents background information on China's history, religions, accomplishments, and culture. Follow-up questions are provided for older students to read on their own and then discuss the questions as a group. An appendix contains a Chinese pronunciation guide, glossary, selected bibliography, and guide evaluation. (BT) Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made from the original document.