Oracle bones and writing
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain why oracle bones are such an important source of evidence for people who study the Shang Dynasty.
Key learning points
- The Shang Dynasty created the first form of Chinese writing in which characters were used to represent words and ideas.
- The most detailed examples of this writing exist on oracle bones because they have survived longer than silk or bamboo.
- Questions were carved into them and then the bones were heated, causing cracks which diviners would interpret.
- Oracle bones were carved with questions about many subjects such as the weather, harvests, and Shang Dynasty rulers.
- The oracle bones have provided a wealth of evidence for historians about many aspects of the Shang Dynasty.
Keywords
Silk - silk is a fine, soft, shiny fibre produced by silkworms
Oracle bones - oracle bones were pieces of ox bone or turtle shell that were used by the Shang Dynasty to try to predict the future
Diviner - a diviner is someone who tries to find out things about the future
Common misconception
Some may think that the Shang Dynasty symbols are exactly the same as the modern Chinese written symbols.
There are lots of similarities between them but they are different. Lots of the modern Chinese symbols are clearly based on the ancient Shang Dynasty ones.
Teacher tip
You could find some more Shang Dynasty symbols online and get students to create their own stories from them.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Select all the colours that jade could be.
Q2.Jade is too hard to with metal knives.
Q3.A taotie is...
Q4.Select all the things that were made of jade during the Shang Dynasty.
Q5.Jade is a very hard...
Q6.People of the Shang Dynasty thought jade was the most beautiful and precious stone.
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.The Shang Dynasty symbols are exactly the same as the modern Chinese written symbols. True or false?
Q2.The Shang Dynasty writing is the __________ known writing in East Asia.
Q3.Select the Shang Dynasty writing material that has lasted the longest.
Q4.What soft fabric is made from silkworms?
Q5.What type of bones were oracle bones?
Q6.Someone who read the cracks in oracle bones was called a...
To help you plan your 3 history lesson on: Oracle bones and writing, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 3 history lesson on: Oracle bones and writing, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 2 history lessons from the The Shang: What have archaeologists found out about them? unit, dive into the full primary history curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.