Asian Responses to the Age of Exploration Lesson

This lesson plan on Asian responses to European exploration includes a PowerPoint, video, primary source activity, and interactive notebook - everything you need to teach an engaging lesson on China and Japan during the Age of Encounter and Interaction.

The lesson begins with a PowerPoint on Chinese and Japanese responses to European contact during the 1500-1600's. The presentation covers Ming & Qing China, Zheng He, responses to Europeans, feudal Japan, and Japan's "Sakoku" or closed country policy.

A Google Slides version of the presentation is included along with a guided notes sheet for students as both a Word and Google Doc.

Also included is a fully-narrated "flipped classroom" video version of the lesson. This is perfect for using during Distance Learning, saving for absent students, or showing to your class.

Next, students analyze a primary source from Tokugawa Era Japan that orders the closing of Japan to outsiders. A worksheet is included to pair with the primary source. This is included as both a printable PDF and editable Google Doc activity.

Finally, there is a reading and interactive notebook activity comparing China and Japan's policies and response to European contact. This is also available as both a PDF and digital Google activity.

A lesson plan is included detailing how to best use all of the resources along with answer keys for the each of the resources.

This entire lesson can also be downloaded as part of my Age of Exploration Unit Plan Bundle.