Emperor Qin Shi Huang – Terrific or Tyrant?

“My purpose is to engage students in dialogue so they can see others’ points of view – in a world that needs this more than ever. I do this by sharing lessons on this site which connect students with the past and inspire critical thinking.
Please read below to find details about this one.” Dan

This 32-slide PowerPoint commences with a Starter Activity, inviting students to examine images of famous leaders and engage in a discussion regarding their classification as terrific or tyrannical. The lesson title and graded aims (all will/most will/some will) are then introduced, alongside two contrasting viewpoints on the subject, which are revisited in the plenary session. Background information about Emperor Qin is provided for teacher exposition, followed by a 24-piece hexagonal card sort activity conducted in pairs or groups, where students categorize factors into positive and negative columns, further dissecting them into social, economic, and military aspects. A colour-coded version aids those needing additional support. Subsequently, students prepare for a debate, selecting a side to support, with the debate format provided and monitored by the teacher. A written task addressing the Key Question is assigned, concluding with a plenary session where students revisit the opposing views on Qin and position themselves in agreement, or in the middle, within the classroom. This lesson, crafted during my tenure teaching History in China, holds personal significance and is tailored for Key Stage 3 high school students, presented in UK-English.