Teacher's Guide for CALLIOPE: Daoism

Teacher guide prepared by: Rosalie F. Baker, CALLIOPE^® editor.
Questions:

1. In what way do Chinese names differ from traditional American names?
2. What does the Chinese word dao mean? Why is it sometimes spelled "tao"?
3. Who was Laozi? What role did he play in the development of Daoism?
4. Who was Zhuang Zhou? What was his contribution to the development of Daoism?
5. In what ways are philosophical and religious Daoism similar? How do they differ?
6. Who are the Celestial Masters? What are their responsibilities?

1. Read through the time line on pages 5 - 7. Have students list the most significant event within each dynasty and relate it to the development of Daoism.
2. Illustrate Zhuang Zhou's dream about the butterfly. Include a box with an explanation of its significance in relation to Daoism.
3. Divide the class into groups and assign each group one or more of the sayings on page 17. Allow the groups an allotted period of time to design or make something that illustrates the meaning of its saying. Have the groups present their design / work to the rest of the class.
4. Hang a large piece of paper on the classroom wall. Divide it in half. On one side have the students list the characteristics of Daoism and, on the other, those of Confucianism. Discuss the similarities and differences.
5. Read the caption on page 21. Then, try the exercises shown on pages 20 - 21. Why do you think Daoists perform these exercises? How do the exercises relate to Daoist beliefs? Explain.
6. Have the class play the "banquet game" on pages 22 - 23.
7. Write a sentence with each of the words defined on page 32. Have each sentence relate, in some way, to Daoism.
8. Read about "Puns and Puzzles" on page 48 and then have students make a list of English puns. Let them share theirs with the class.

1. Divide the class into groups and assign each group a newspaper or magazine. Have each group peruse its newspaper / magazine for articles relating to China and to Chinese religious practices and observations. Decide on a time table, and then at the end have the groups present their findings to the class.
2. Read the articles "Daoism Today" (pp. 40 - 43) and "A Day in the Life of American Daoshi" (pp. 44 - 47). Search through Discovery Channel, Nova, PBS, and the like for a program on China that includes information on Daoism today. Show the program in class and then have the students discuss why they think some religious and religious practices continue for centuries, and others for decades or less.

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Updated: 8/30/08 12:28 am
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