China History Co-op. Week 5 - Zhou Dynasty

Week 5: We made Confucius gardens.

Multiplication tables were invented during the Zhou Dynasty. The co-op began by discussing how land distribution and rice tax requirements for the emperor was the first known application for multiplication. For example, if the emperor had 4 sections of land, and each produced 6 units of rice, and the emperor received 1/2 of the rice from each section........... he should get 4 sections x 6 units x 1/2 = 12 units of rice.

Confucius' new way of thinking had a great impact on China. After the multiplication lesson, we talked about Confucius, his beliefs and several of his sayings. We also talked about Budda and Lao Zi (the father of Daoism). Many of the great thinkers from the past discussed their ideas with friends and followers. We learned that most of their discussions took place in gardens under trees, which is why the kids each made their own Confucius garden.

First they filled pie pans with dirt.

Rocks, craft sticks and other wooden pieces were available to create paths, fences, benches and other decoration.

Many children added dandelions and small flowers to their gardens.

Then they sprinkled grass seed in their empty spaces. I thought the idea was brilliant - Thank you Amy for putting it all together.

At home we read Confucius: The Golden Rule by Russell Freedman. This book was quite a challenge for my eight year old, but he did learn a lot from it.