Grade 2 - Early Asian Civilizations

Early Asian Civilizations: Supplemental Guide 325

Dear Family Member,

Your child will begin to learn about early Chinese civilization. Your child will learn

about Chinese inventions such as paper and silk, and a Chinese form of writing called

calligraphy. Your child will also learn about the creation of the Great Wall of China and the

teachings of the famous philosopher Confucius.

Below are some suggestions for activities that you may do at home to reinforce what

your child is learning about early Asian civilizations over the next few days.

1. Which Civilization Is This From?
   You may wish to do this activity with your child after s/he has learned about both the
   early Indian and Chinese civilizations. Help your child read the words on the paper and
   ask your child what s/he knows about that word. Then have your child draw a line from
   the word to the picture of the matching civilization at the top.


2. Experiment with Writing
   Your child learned that before the ancient Chinese invented paper, they wrote on many
   different surfaces (e.g., ox bones, bamboo strips, silk). Ask your child about the different
   kinds of materials on which the ancient Chinese wrote. You may wish to give your child
   different materials to write on and ask your child which materials were easier and harder
   to write on. Your child learned that ancient Chinese kings wrote important questions on
   ox bones. You may wish to give your child a piece of wood or cloth and have your child
   write an important question on it.


3. Sayings and Phrases: Easier Said Than Done/Practice What You Preach
   Your child will learn about two sayings:
   
   
   • “Easier said than done” means that it is easier to say that you will do something
     than to actually do it. Have your child share with you how this saying relates to the
     Great Wall of China.
   
   
   • “Practice what you preach” means that you act and behave the way you tell
     others to act and behave. Have your child tell you how this saying relates to
     Confucius.
   
   
   
   


4. Read Aloud Each Day
   Continue to read to your child about early Asian civilizations.
   Be sure to let your child know how much you enjoy hearing about what s/he has
   learned at school.

8B-3