Y5 Spring Shang Dynasty

Shang
Dynasty
Year 5 Spring Term
What can we tell abou the
Shang Dynasty from Fu Hao’s
tomb?

Unit Overview
In this unit, pupils will learn when and where the Shang
Dynasty was based. They will explore how this period
was before the formal recording of history so much of
what we know now has been discovered by
archaeologists.
One of the most significant archaeological discoveries
ever made was the excavation of Fu Hao’s tomb.
Unlike many other tombs from this period, Fu Hao’s had
been undisturbed by looters and raiders. Using what
was found, historians were able to form conclusions
about life during the Shang Dynasty.
During this unit, pupils will learn about the social
structure of the Shang Dynasty, religious beliefs and
how rulers came to power. They will compare what
they have learnt to what they know about other early
civilisations and those eras that came afterwards.

Golden Threads
Golden Threads: Invasion and Empire
Timeline:
1600 BC
The Shang dynasty is
founded when Cheng
Tang overthrows the Xia
dynasty
In Key Stage 1, pupils learn about Farming and Homes throughout time so they will
draw on this early knowledge further during this unit.
In KS2, children have explored the Bronze Age, the Stone Age and the Iron Age, as
well as the Romans and the Vikings, so they will be able to securely place this
period of history within a timeline. They will also have knowledge of how ruler in
different eras and regions come to power and the different religious beliefs of
other nations and eras. However, this will be their first encouter with history
beyond Europe.
Family Tree
1200 BC
Fu Hao, one of the wives
of King Wu Ding, dies..
1250 BC
King Wu Ding begins his
reign..
1046 BC
Slaves revolt in protest
against cruel treatment
and increasing taxes. The
Shang dynasty is
overthrown and replaced
by the Zhou dynasty..
1075 BC
The last Shang king, Di
Xin, begins his reign..
.

Love God, Love Learning, Love One Another - Enabling Everyone to Flourish
Overview of Unit
Lesson One:
Pupils will be able to identify when
and where the Shang Dynasty ruled.
To begin with, children will explore a photo of Zheng and her team at the dig.
Children will have post-its and write questions that they would need to ask on
one colour to put on the board. In another colour post-it they will make
statements about what they can deduce from the picture. Another picture
will then be added of the tomb itself. How does it link? What can they now
conclude? What questions can they now answer and what new questions
come to mind? The third stage could be to put on the board the list of items
discovered. Who is in the tomb? What can they find out about the person
through the objects that are in the tomb. What questions do they now want to
ask? The final stage will be to show images of some of the objects.
Children will learn when and where the Shang Dynasty occurred. They will
look at what was happening in other areas at this time. They will then create a
simple timeline of Chinese history before researching a key element
(terracotta Warrior, the Great Wall of China, a different dynasty, Confucius
etc) and sharing key findings (5 sentences) with the class.

Love God, Love Learning, Love One Another - Enabling Everyone to Flourish
Overview of Unit
Lesson Two:
Pupils will be able to say who Fu Hao
was and discuss what was found in her
tomb.
In this lesson, pupils will learn who Fu Hao was and they will create a fact file
of her life. Pupils will explore what was found in her tomb and categorise the
items. Using hoops, each circle will be a different category (technology,
religion, fashion, leisure, war) and then children decide where they would
place each picture. In groups, children will research the different categories
and present their findings to the class. They will imagine being a slave
preparing the tomb of their master - what fate awaits them?
Lesson Three:
Pupils will be able to discuss what life
was like during the dynasty.
After recapping on the Shang Dynasty and Fu Hao, children will learn about
the social classes of the Shang Dynasty. Throughout the lesson, pupils will
draw links between what was found in Fu Hao’s tomb to support the
information offered. They will learn how cities were organised the importance
of the Yellow Rover. Children will make ginger millet porridge.

Love God, Love Learning, Love One Another - Enabling Everyone to Flourish
Overview of Unit
Lesson Four:
Pupils will be able to list key facts
about the religious beliefs of the
Shang people.
In this lesson, pupils will learn about the religious beliefs of the Shang people.
They will learn about the different Gods and investigate how people
responded to different situations (sacrifice, fasting etc) and make story
boards to show this. They will examine messages on oracle bones and try to
decipher them.
Pupils will also learn about the fall of the Shang Dynasty. They will place
themselves in the shoes of Shang fighters at the Battle of Muye and debate
whether they should defect.
Lesson Five:
Assessment: What can we tell about
the Shang Dynasty from Fu Hao’s
tomb?
In this final lesson, pupils will recap on the key points and they will write a
description of how what was found in the tomb supports what we know about
the Shang Dynasty.

Vocabulary
Historical
Knowledge
I can examine causes and results of great events
and the impact on people
archeologist
artefacts
Someone who finds and studies buried objects to find
out about the past.
An object made by a human being, typically one of
cultural or historical interest.
Chronology
I can place current studies on a timeline in relation
to other studies I know and sequence key events of
time studied.
I can use relevant terms and periods labels.
I can relate current studies to previous studies.
I can make comparisons between different times in
history
bronze
dynasty
The first metal widely used by humans, made by melting
and mixing copper and tin.
A family that rule a country or state for many
generations.
Interpretation of
History
I can offer some reasons for different versions of
events.
Emperor
General
oracle bones
A king or ruler of an empire or country.
The leader of an army.
Animal bones or turtle shells with Chinese writing, used
to try and predict the future.
Historical Enquiry
I can begin to identify primary and secondary
sources.
I can use evidence to build up a picture of life in
time studied.
I can select relevant sections of information.
I am confident in the use of book and e-learning for
research
Yellow River
sacrifice
A major river running across the north east of China.
The act of killing an animal or person, or giving up a
possession to a God.
Organisatin &
Communication
I can fit events into a display sorted by time.
I can use appropriate terms, matching dates to
people and events.
I can record and communicate knowledge in
different forms.
ancestors
The people in your family who have already died, like
your great-great
Key Skillss

Homework Challenges
Create one of your own oracle bones with a story using ancient Chinese pictures/writing
Watch the BBC clip https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/topics/z39j2h v/articles/zqtn6yc
Then write a story about living in ancient China, pretending to be a boy or girl living in
those times
How did the Shang army win battles? Find out about their weapons, and warriors. Draw
some pictures of both and write a short paragraph explaining about the Shang Army.
Assessment
Socrative Quiz -
Enrichments
Forest School session cooking
Chinese meals and building a
burial vessal.
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