Teacher's Guide for CALLIOPE: Confucius

Teacher guide prepared by: our staff.
Confucius was born in 551 BCE and died in 479 BCE. Using these dates as a timeline, ask students to fill in any prior knowledge they have of Chinese history and any other important world history events. As students read the various articles, have them complete the timeline, perhaps in a different color to show new knowledge acquired.

Have students look up the definitions of religion, philosophy, and ethics. Then have the class discuss the differences / similarities.

Questions for Discussion

Confucius mastered "Six Arts" (ritual, music, archery, charioteering, calligraphy, and arithmetic - see article pages 4-6). What six arts do you feel are key to a modern education?

Why was Confucius such an inspiring teacher? Make a list of how Confucius felt students should be taught and the two goals he had for his students. Next to each write why you agree or disagree.

After reading the articles "The Four Books" and "The Analects," make a list of the character traits of a follower of Confucius. Which do you feel are most lacking today?

Debate Activity (more advanced)

The basic theme of the Book of Mencius (Mencius was an early follower of Confucius) is that humans are good by nature. Another important Confucian scholar, Xunzi, felt that people were basically bad but "could be educated to be good by rewards and discouraged from being bad by punishments." Do you agree or disagree with either and why? Do you know of any other philosopher or religious figure who held similar views? (for instance JJ Rousseau).

Writing Workout

Do you agree with Confucius that government service is the highest calling? Explain why or why not.

Read the sayings on page 33. Write an essay explaining why Confucius's teachings and beliefs are timeless.

Art

If possible, bring in a reproduction of Leonardo da Vinci's The Last Supper. Ask students to compare it to the photo of the painting on pages 24 and 25.

Research Project

When Confucius's mother died, he entered a three-year mourning period. Upon his death his disciples entered a three-year mourning period. Have students choose a country or area of the world, or a religious faith, (or their own heritage) and research its mourning customs.

For 2,500 years Confucian teachings have influenced the thought and behavior of peoples in China, Korea, Japan, and Vietnam. A major emphasis of Asian women scholars has been the examination of Confucian ideology on their history and current status. Link to a Women in World History Curriculum lesson plan on WOMEN and Confucianism

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Updated: 9/7/08 06:39 pm
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