Confucianism Lesson Plan for 2nd grade

Tanish Fortson

Hillcrest Elementary School

2 Grade Autism Class

Social Studies: Confucianism 

(3 day lesson) total 120 minutes classwork 120 minutes field trip 

-      Day 1 Confucius 

-      Day 2 Confucius continued Fun facts/worksheets

-      Day 3 Field trip to CSULA to see statue of Confucius 

Day 1 Topic: Confucianism for kids 

Content Standard

Students will learn the meaning of certain core traits that help to define “good character” as well as an understanding about Confucius and the wisdom of proverbs. 

Rational for lesson

-      Understanding that certain core character traits form the basics of a persons good character of values as a way to achieve “goodness”

-      Understanding that Confucius was a Chinese thinker who emphasized the practice of values as a way to achieve “goodness”

-      Understanding the function of proverbs. 

Time and place

Total time is 60 minutes.  20 minutes whole group 20 minutes discussion and 20 minutes small group. Students are seated on the carpet then they will move into small groups. 

Materials 

Photo of Confucius, smartboard, youtube video,  

Background information

When in whole group, student will be shown a photo of Confucius. Teacher will ask if anyone knows who this person is. Teacher will assess background information. Teacher will also assess cultural knowledge. Do students know if his is Chinese?

Development/Teaching procedures

Explain that in ancient China, Confucius (551—479 BCE) was a famous thinker who focused on the importance of values as a way for people to live good lives and to maintain a prosperous society. Many sayings are credited to Confucius. Share with students some of Confucius's wisdom, such as: "Virtue is never left to stand alone" and "What you do not wish done to yourself, do not do unto others." Invite students to discuss what they think these sayings mean. Give examples that students can relate to such as sharing toys or playing nicely on the apparatus. 

Guided Practice

Review the character traits and guide students to share examples of specific actions that illustrate each trait. Then, in pairs or small groups, encourage students to read each example in the printable and identify which character trait is being illustrated. Discuss answers as a group (Answers: 1. diligence; 2. excellence; 3. courage; 4. kindness; 5. respect.) 

(worksheet character study) 

Thinking Bubble (Independent)

Next, share with students the definition of "proverb." (Proverb: A saying that illustrates a basic truth, based on human experience or common sense.) Explain that Confucius often used proverbs to illustrate wise truths.

Small group practice

Invite students to share proverbs they may know in their small groups. Where did they hear them? What are their meanings? Discuss the introductory example and its meaning. Then invite partners to complete the printable, identifying the meanings of the proverb examples. Discuss student answers as a class. (Possible answers: 1. In order to succeed, one must take chances. 2. A real friend is one who can be counted on in difficult times. 3. Those who get things done sooner reap rewards. 4. Rushing through something is a way to make mistakes. 5. The strength of many can overcome the limitations of one.)

Whole Group Close

Call students back to whole group. Review character traits and answer questions. Then watch the video.

YouTube video: the life of Confucius 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wFt_VGG0kJU

Teacher Reflection

 Did students participate in lesson?

Did students enjoy learning about lesson?

Were students engaged in lesson? 

Did students complete task?

Day 2 Confucius continued Fun facts/worksheets

Content Standard

Students will explain simple concepts of Confucianism and expand their knowledge of his work. Students will continue to build on what they learned from yesterday. 

Rational for lesson

Understanding that certain core character traits form the basics of a persons good character of values as a way to achieve “goodness”

Understanding that Confucius was a Chinese thinker who emphasized the practice of values as a way to achieve “goodness”

Understanding the function of proverbs and that’s it’s important to be nice to each other

Time and place

Total time is 40 minutes. 20 minutes whole group20 minutes discussion and 20 minutes small group. Students are seated on the carpet then they will move into small groups. 

Materials 

Photo of Confucius, YouTube video, worksheets on Confucius  

Teaching procedures

When in whole group, student will again be shown a photo of Confucius. Teacher will ask if anyone would like to explain what they know about Confucius and if they remember his five character traits? Teacher will expand on student’s knowledge. 

Development

The most important things to Confucius were peace and order. He felt that everyone had a proper role in society, and that if people were willing to accept their role and fulfill it, that peace and harmony would abound.

In order to help people accept their roles in society and establish order, Confucius laid out what he called ethics. These ethics outlined how individuals should treat one another. The most important of these ethics outlined the responsibilities of children to respect and listen to their parents and other elders.

He also laid out ethics for how subjects should follow rulers, for how rulers should treat subjects, how husbands and wives should treat one another, and how friends should treat each other.

Guided Practice

Vocabulary to touch on for optimal student understanding. 

* Wise: thoughtful, experienced

* Philosopher: someone who thinks deeply about life

* Tradition: old customs and beliefs

* Corrupt: dishonest

* Peasant: poor people 

Review the character traits and guide students to share examples of specific actions that illustrate each trait. Review teaching, and make an anchor chart and post it so students can remember what they learned. Then, in small groups, have students complete the worksheets. 

Small group practice

All About Confucius – Find the Missing & Hidden Words! 

Read the sentences below. Find the missing words. Write them in the empty spaces and find these hidden words in the puzzle!
[Words might be hidden horizontally, vertically and perhaps even back to front and diagonally...!] 

1. Confucius is considered one of the greatest and wisest leaders in Chinese history, but he died believing he hadn’t made a __________. 

2. Confucius became a __________and teacher. 

3. He believed in others with love and respect. He thought that how much didn’t matter. He thought all people deserved to be __________. 

4. Confucius taught about the importance of _________ or loving others. Treat each other as they would like to be treated. 

5. He taught that parents should ________ their children and children should love their parents. 

6. Confucius thought he had made a __________but people have been learning about his teachings for more than 2,000 years. 

Confucius/Character Traits Worksheet Name _________ 

1. Write down at least 5 quotes. Identify the Character Trait above that you think best matches this quote. 
2. In your own words, write the definition for the character trait in the box provided. 

Confucius Quote 

Character Trait 

Definition of Trait 

1. 

2. 

3. 

4. 

5. 

6. 

Choose two quotes from your chart. What do these quotes mean to you? Rewrite the quotes in your own words then write what you think the quote means. 

Quote 1: 

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

I think this quote means... 

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Quote 2 __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

I think this quote means... 

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Answer the following questions. 

1. What were the three ideas that Confucius taught? _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ 

2. What was a teacher’s most important job, according to Confucius? _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ 

3. What are the six skills a student should learn? _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________

Whole Group Close

Invite students back to carpet to share what they learned. 

YouTube video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=3&v=ty1RCzT3GFY

Evaluation

Formative evaluation in which teacher will look around the room to see if students are understanding and participating in group work. An informal assessment will be given verbally. Teacher will ask some students quick questions to see how they respond and if they are correct.

Teacher Reflection

Were the students able to complete the two worksheets in small groups?  

Did the students enjoy the lesson and stay on task? 

Were the students engaged in lesson?

Day 3 Confucius Field Trip to CSULA 

Students will take a field trip to CSULA to see a statue of Confucius. 

Content Standard

Students will explain simple concepts of Confucianism and expand their knowledge of his work. Students will continue to build on what they learned from previous days. 

Students will continue to learn the meaning of certain core traits that help to define “good character” as well as an understanding about Confucius and the wisdom of proverbs. 

Rational for lesson

Understanding that certain core character traits form the basics of a persons good character of values as a way to achieve “goodness”

Understanding that Confucius was a Chinese thinker who emphasized the practice of values as a way to achieve “goodness”

Understanding the function of proverbs and that’s it’s important to be nice to each other.

Lesson Objectives on Field Trip

·      Identify who Confucius is and appreciate his role in Chinese history by observing statue.

·      Understand core ideas of Confucianism in thinking, learning, and teaching. 

·      Answer question about Confucius life.

·      Draw a picture of statue in journal and write favorite quote.

Pre-Trip Activity

Watch the YouTube film “The Life of Confucius Animation” and allow students to take notes in their journal. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lDHRHBxONlo

Statue Visit

Upon arrival explain to students that this one of the famous statues of Confucius and that is located at California State University Los Angeles. Read statue to students: Confucius, 551-479BC. Among truly educated persons there is no discrimination.  

Also explain to students that the Chinese writing says the same thing. Also explain to students that this statue was a gift in 1987 from Taiwan and is made of marble and bronze. Let students explore the 16-foot statue for themselves. 

Application 

Explore the following questions with students and remind them to think about film that they watched prior to visit:

·      What year was Confucius born?

·      What animal appeared to his mother?

·      What was Confucius other name?

·      What was China like when he was born?

·      What do we know about his father? 

·      Was Confucius different from the other kids? How?

·      Who put Confucius in charge of the state?

·      What is a proverb? 

·      What character traits were important to Confucius? 

·      Why did Confucius leave his hometown?

·      What did Confucius do for 13 years? 

·      What appeared before Confucius before he died?

After allowing students to answer questions independently or in groups have students take out their journal and ask them to sketch a picture of the statue and write their favorite Confucius quote. After students are finish, allow students a few more minutes to reflect on what they learned today. 

Whole group close

Allow students to share what they learned. Allow students to show their sketches of the statue and read their quotes.

Post Statue Visit

Upon returning from CSULA have each student take their favorite quote or fact that they have learned about Confucius and illustrate that specific quote through a drawing. 

Teacher reflection

This activity has helped students further their knowledge on Confucius. Students were given the opportunity to visit a college campus and explore the teaching of Confucius. Students answered questions and wrote about their experience in their journal.