Discovering Ancient Civilizations: A Silk Road Simulation

Purpose

The purpose of this simulation is to actively engage students to help them better understand the historical significance of the silk road as one the first steps toward globalization. This simulation was conducted as cumulative activity at the end of the Ancient China unit, and served as a segway into studying Ancient Greece and Rome – empires of the West.

Overview

Students were divided into 5 different countries or regions that traded along the Silk Road. Each country created an inventory list of commodities they wanted to trade at the market, they traversed mountains and rivers, faced a sandstorm (in which they lost some merchandise), and negotiated trades at the final market day.

Link to “Real Time Board” which housed all student projects and other teaching materials for the unit: ANCIENT CHINA SELF-DIRECTED LEARNING PROJECTS

Link to simulation plan: SILK ROAD SIMULATION