Central Question: Which sources are most reliable for learning about the Ancient Silk Road?
Zhang Qian Travels Mural, Mogao Caves, China. From Wikimedia Commons.
Ancient World History Investigation 3
Students grapple with the concept of reliability as they consider how we can learn about the distant past through documents and artifacts. After reading and analyzing a collection of modified sources, students use evidence and reasoning to critique an argument about which sources should be used to learn about the Silk Road.
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Investigation Preview
Student Materials
Video Overview for Students
Materials Accommodated for Language Learners
Note: The Spanish investigations are from earlier work and do not match other versions of this investigation at this time.
Assessment
Standards Alignment
Literacy in History/Social Studies
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.6-8.1-8.2, 8.4-8.8.
ELA Reading: Information Text
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.7.1-7.2, 7.7-7.10.
ELA Writing
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.7.1, 7.4-7.5, 7.7-7.10.
ELA Speaking & Listening
CSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.7.1-7.3
Dimension 1: D1.2.6-8.
Dimension 2: D2.Civ.6.6-8, D2.Geo.7.6-8., D2.Geo.11.6-8., D2.His.1.6-8., D2.His.4.6-8, D2.His.6.6-8., D2.His.10.6-8., D2.His.13.6-8., D2.His.16.6-8.
Dimension 3: D3.1.6-8., D3.2.6-8., D3.3.6-8., D3.4.6-8.
Dimension 4: D4.1.6-8., D4.2.6-8, D4.3.6-8., D4.6.6-8., D4.8.6-8.