This document discusses oracle bones, which were used in ancient China to predict the future. Oracle bones were bones from cattle or sheep that priests would write questions on during the Shang dynasty in China. The writings provided some of the earliest examples of Chinese characters and gave insights into what topics interested kings at that time, such as wars, hunting, weather, and ceremonies. The bones were usually divided into sections showing the question, the oracle's prediction, and whether the prediction turned out to be correct. The document suggests that oracle bones are helpful for historians today in understanding ancient Chinese history.

1. Thursday October 13, 2011

2. Starter: How do we find out about past events? What resources can we use? With the person next to you, Brainstorm a list of all of the various places and resources we can use to find out about the past. Write your list on page 9 on your notebook You have 10 minutes be prepared to share

3. Oracle Bones – gives us details into ancient China and its history

4. Oracle Bones Oracle Bones were used by priests to predict the future. Taken from bones of cattle or sheep during the Shang dynasty, the script found on oracle bones is the oldest known from of the Chinese written language. These writings are nearly 5,000 years old.

5. Oracle Bones Most of the content on the oracle bones was related to prophesy, or telling the future. The ancient Chinese prophets, or diviners, used the bones as records. They would often record topics that interested the kings from the Shang dynasty.

6. Oracle Bones Many of the questions concerned wars, hunting, weather, and ceremonies.

7. Oracle Bones The bones were usually divided into three sections: a question concerning a prediction for the oracle, the oracle’s answer or prediction, and whether or not the answer or prediction was found to be correct.

8. Oracle Bones 1. Why do you think the kings went to the priest with questions, especially questions about weather? 2. Why do you think the priest felt it was necessary to record the questions, predications, and verification in the bones?

9. Oracle Bones 3. How are these bones helpful to us today?

10. Expository – detailed description or discussion Expository writing is meant to inform other of events, past occurrences, or other information. When creating informative expository writing, one can use cause and effect as the main structure. As you read find the effects of these major causes, create a cause and effect chart in your notebook page 11

11. Causes Effects 1. The emperors of the late Zhou dynasty were not very strong and could not control their people 2. Qin Huang wanted to combine the walls in China and make them into one large wall. 3. The Silk Road was created. 4. The Boxer Rebellion occurred. 1. 2. 3. 4.

12. Oracle Bones 1. Complete, The Telling Oracle Bone, and The Ancient Art of Writing in the folders. 2. Write your answers on page 10 of your notebook. Write your answers in complete sentences and re-state the question in your answer 3. To help find your answers, Read, Telling the Future, and History Makers, Chinese Writing, page 228 in your textbook