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Crash Course in World History: Silk Road and Ancient Trade
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Activity Description
In this activity, students learn about the Silk Road and Ancient Trade. This video is part of a series of very fast-paced, engaging videos (found on YouTube) on various aspects of World History. Currently, there are 42 videos on World History but over 250 including other topics such as US History, Chemistry, Biology, Literature, and Ecology. They might be just the ticket to engage your high school diploma students to learn their world history.
Preparation
- Preview the video and check to make sure YouTube is not blocked at your site. There may be an ad at the beginning of the video. If so, you may want to play through the ad before class and pause the video where you want it to start during class.
- Prepare some concept questions for students to look for during the video.
- Prepare some comprehension questions associated with the video for distribution after the video.
Teacher Tips
Look through the textbook you are using to cover world history and see how many of the videos would be useful as supplementary material to make history come alive. Then assign the videos as they are presented in the textbook.
More Ways
- This site has many similar videos on other topics of interest to your students. Use the Web Site URL (immediately above) to access the YouTube Channel for Crash Course and browse through other World History, U.S. History, Literature, Chemistry, and Biology videos.
Program Areas
- ASE: High School Diploma
- ABE: Adult Basic Education
Levels
- High
Lesson Plan
Objective: Activate prior knowledge and introduce trade concepts.
Activity:
Distribute small “Trade Cards” to students with imaginary goods (e.g., silk, spices, jade, wool, olive oil). Have students walk around the room and try to “trade” their items with others, aiming to increase the perceived value of their goods. After 5 minutes, gather and ask:
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- What strategies did you use when trading?
- Did you feel some goods were more valuable than others? Why?
Transition: Connect this activity to the real-world historical trading system of the Silk Road.
Script:
“Today, we’re diving into one of the most influential networks in world history—the Silk Road. Contrary to what its name suggests, it wasn’t a single road, and it wasn’t only about silk. This lesson will help us understand how goods, cultures, religions, and even diseases moved across continents and changed history forever.”
Pre-Video Questions:
Write these on the board or distribute as a handout for students to consider while watching:
- What were the main goods traded along the Silk Road?
- How did the relay trade system work?
- What cultural and religious exchanges took place?
- What were some unintended negative consequences of this trade?
Activity:
Watch the Crash Course Video: “The Silk Road: An Overview”
📺 Link to video
Note: Play the video from a prepared timestamp if needed to avoid ads. Encourage note-taking and keep the pre-video questions visible.
Group Activity: Silk Road Simulation
Instructions:
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- Divide the class into 4-5 “regions” (e.g., China, Central Asia, India, the Middle East, Europe).
- Give each group a profile card detailing what they export and what they desire to import.
- Simulate 2–3 rounds of trade using printed trade goods (paper slips).
- Track which group ends up with the most diverse and valuable set of goods.
Debrief Questions:
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- How did geography and goods influence your trading?
- What challenges did you face?
- How might this have reflected real experiences along the Silk Road?
Comprehension Check:
Distribute a short quiz or worksheet with questions like:
- What were the main routes of the Silk Road?
- Why was silk so valuable?
- Name two positive and two negative impacts of the Silk Road.
- How did Buddhism spread along the Silk Road?
Alternative: Use Quizizz, Kahoot, or Google Forms for an interactive quiz experience.
Individual Reflection Writing Prompt:
“Imagine you are a merchant traveling one segment of the Silk Road. Describe your journey. What do you trade? Who do you meet? What cultural practices or ideas do you encounter?”
Optional Extension:
Ask students to draw a map showing the Silk Road’s overland and maritime routes, labeling key cities and goods traded.
Documents
- Crash Course in World History.png - Crash Course in World History YouTube Playlist
- Silk_Road_Region_Profile_Cards.docx - Profile Cards
- Silk_Road_Student_Handouts.docx - Silk Road Handouts
- Silk_Road_Trade_Cards.docx - Silk Road Trade Cards
Subjects
- Social Studies
- World History
Standards
- Speaking and Listening
- CCR Anchor 2 - Integrate and evaluate information presented in diverse media and formats, including visually, quantitatively, and orally.
- CCR Anchor 3 - Evaluate a speaker’s point of view, reasoning, and use of evidence and rhetoric.
Tags
Creative Commons License
