Silk Road Treasures & Traders

Trace the 7,000-mile-long Silk Road with traders and their camels. Imagine traveling across the treacherous mountains, deserts, and steppes, yesterday and today.

• 1.

  The Silk Road meandered from Chang'an, China, to the shores of the eastern Mediterranean. Marco Polo, Alexander the Great, and other famous men are associated with it. Bandits and rough terrain made the trip extremely dangerous to camel caravans. Why, then, was this trading route used for so long, from about the 4th century BCE until the 14th century?

• 2.

  Research to find out what key roles the Silk Road played in shaping world history. What products were carried back and forth? How long did it take to travel? How were people’s lives influenced? Find maps that show the numerous parts of the Silk Road. Show what you learned with a diorama such as the one shown here.

• 3.

  With Crayola® Scissors, cut construction paper to cover a box. Attach the paper to the box with Crayola School Glue. Air-dry the glue.

• 4.

  With Crayola Markers, sketch a map showing part or all of the Silk Road. Color the various routes, names of continents or countries, and other details.

• 5.

  Mold camels with Crayola Neon Model Magic. When Model Magic is fresh from the pack it sticks to itself. Add colorful rugs on the camels’ backs. Fill their baskets with treasures such as gold and silk. Air-dry the camels overnight.

• 6.

  Glue camels on the map. Air-dry the diorama before you present information about the Silk Road to your classmates.

Benefits

• Students research where the Silk Road was located, how long it took to travel, and the historical/cultural importance of the Silk Road.
• Students identify the products carried along the Silk Road and how they were shipped. Students realize that traders exchanged ideas, food, culture, and religions with people along the route.
• Students recognize the many dangers associated with this trip such as inclement weather, bandits, and harsh land. They create a diorama to represent their knowledge about this ancient trade route.

Adaptations

• Recreate the entire Silk Road on a mural. Include all the products that may have been traded and show the varied routes that ancient merchants took.
• Write an imaginary journal of a trip along a portion of the Silk Road, either historic or contemporary. What people do you meet? What do they eat? How do they dress? What could you trade with them?
• The Ancient Chinese are known for their many inventions and technological advancements including calendars, gunpowder, printing, silk, papermaking, and the compass. The earliest book was printed in 868. In teams, research Chinese inventions and present information about each in a graphic format.
• Research the Silk Road Project started by cellist Yo-Yo Ma and others to promote the cultures and traditions of the countries that lie along the path of this ancient trade route. Find out about the Silk Road Pipeline. Learn more about each country today that is located along the route and efforts to restore it as a tourist expedition.
• Assessment: Analyze the complexity of children’s graphic and oral presentations. Look for accurate, interesting details.