TREASURE SHIP INSTRUCTIONS

INSTRUCTIONS FOR TREASURE SHIP MODULE

1.       MODULE COMPONENTS

a.       Video Cartoon – The Treasure Ship video is a cartoon that gives information about the creation of the Treasure Ships, including

    1. The emperor’s approval of the ships
    2. The selection of Zheng Hu as the person in charge of the ships
    3. The purpose of the ships’ voyages
    4. How the ships were built
    5. The challenges faced by the sailors, such as pirates and navigation

The cartoon runs about 11 minutes and no explanation is necessary during the cartoon.

b.      Treasure Box Contents

Items carried FROM China for trade with other countries (yellow squares)

    1. Weights and measures
    2. Iron nails
    3. Calendars
    4. Porcelain
    5. Court costumes
    6. Silk
    7. Tea
    8. Fine writing instruments
    9. Items carried from other countries TO China as trade goods (red squares)
      1. Pepper corns
      2. Magnifying glass
      3. Cinnamon
      4. Jewels
      5. Ginger
      6. Exotic animals, such as a giraffe
      7. Medicines
      8. Cloves

Each item has been given a “letter” and, with your help, the children are to identify each item and place the letter of the item next to the item name on a Treasure Box chart that will be handed to each child.  The chart has separate columns for the items FROM China and the items going TO China from other countries.

Instructions for handling the Treasure Box

  1. Be sure that the small latch on the glass lid is securely fastened.
  2. Handle the box with care.  Most items are glued to the box, but they can come loose if the box is handled roughly.
  3. Do not tip the box so that the glass lid is face down.  The glass may break.
  4. Do not open the box.
  5. Do not remove items from the box.
  6. Hold the box so that the glass lid is facing your audience.
  7. Do not let the children touch the box.
  8. Do not set the box on its edge without holding on to the top edge of the box.

c.       Voyage Maps

  • The Treasure Ship voyage map shows the route taken by the Treasure Ships and the places that the Treasure Ships frequently visited.  Below the map are charts that contain the names of different countries, including some countries that the Treasure Ships did not visit.
  • With your help, the children are to identify and place an “X” next to the countries visited by the Treasure Ships.

2.       SET-UP

  1. Set up the video equipment
    1.  Plug in the video player
    2. Turn on the video player
    3. Turn on the screen
    4. Insert the unit holding the video into the video player
    5. Move the video cart so that the screen can be easily seen by the children

2. Check to see that you have enough Treasure Box charts and Treasure Ship voyage maps for all of the children that will attend your presentation

3. Make sure you have enough sharpened pencils to hand out to the children so that they can mark the Treasure Box chart and the voyage chart.

3.       INTRODUCTION

  1. Give a brief introduction about the Treasure Ships:

i.      “We are now going to learn about the Chinese Treasure Ships which sailed 600 years ago.  They are the largest wooden ships ever built. We will learn about:

    1. How the ships were built
    2. What they were used for
    3. Who was in charge of the ships
    4. The goods that the ships carried
    5. Where the ships sailed

ii.      First we will see a short video about the ships.  Then we will look at some of the things that the ships carried.  And finally we will look at a map of where the ships sailed.  So let’s start with our video.”

4.       PRESENTATION

a.       Video Cartoon

i.      Press “play” and show the video

ii.      At the end of the video, ask the children if they have any questions.

iii.      Point out that the model in the museum is a representation of Zheng Hu and that his costume was made in China.  Also point out the ship model of the Treasure Ship and tell them that the model was made by local ship model builders for the museum.

b.      Treasure Box

i.      Give each child a copy of the Treasure Box chart and a pencil.

ii.      Explain the chart to the children.  They will place the letter of each item in the box in the appropriate space on their chart.  One column is for items FROM China and one column is for items sent from other countries TO China.  Do not tell the children about the color code.  Let them figure it out for themselves.  Let them know that the group will go through the items together.

iii.      Hold the Treasure Box up so the children can see the items in the box.

iv.      Call out the letter of each item, starting with “A” and ask the children to identify each item and record the item “letter” next to the appropriate item on their Treasure Box charts.

v.      Talk about whether the item is FROM China or going TO China.  Ask the children what they think and then give them the correct answer.

vi.      The Treasure Box “answer key” on the back of the box will give you the answers and additional facts about each item.

vii.      When you have gone through all of the Treasure Box items, return the Treasure Box to the video cabinet.

c.       Voyage Maps

i.      Pass out the Voyage Maps to the children

ii.      Hold a map up in front of the group and point out the starting point of the voyages in China.  Have the children place an “X” by “China” on their map charts

iii.      Next, follow the voyage “line” or route on the map to the first stop on the voyage and ask the children to identify the country and place an “X” next to the country name on the charts.

iv.      Continue to follow the voyage line or route and stopping points with the children until all the stopping points have been identified.

v.      There are several locations on their map charts that were not stopping points for the Treasure Ships (Japan, Australia, USA).  Briefly discuss that the Treasure Ships did not sail around the world, but landed primarily in Asia, India, the Middle East, and Africa.

vi.      Ask the children if they have any questions.

vii.      Collect the pencils.

5.       CONCLUSION

  1. Thank the children for participating
  2. Ask them what they will remember about the Treasure Ships
  3. Tell them to be sure to come back to the museum with their parents to learn more about ships and maritime art.

6.       CLOSE-DOWN

If you have given your last presentation for the day

i.      Turn off and unplug the video equipment.

ii.      Make sure the Treasure Box is placed with the glass side up in the video cabinet.

iii.      Return the pencils to the video cabinet.

iv.      Check to see if there are at least 30 Treasure Box charts and 30 Voyage Maps in the video cabinet for the next presentation.  If not, go to the office and obtain additional materials.

v.      Lock the video cabinet and return the key to the front desk.