Daniel Parton

Lesson Plan: The Mongol Empire 10-20-17

Learning Target: Students will be able to explain how the Mongol empire shared
characteristics with as well as differed from other major empires through the collection
and interpretation of textual evidence.
Content Standards: WHG 4.2.2 Unification of Eurasia under the Mongols – Using
historical and modern maps, locate and describe the geographic patterns of Mongol
conquest and expansion and describe the characteristics of the Pax Mongolica
(particularly revival of long-distance trading networks between China and the
Mediterranean world). (National Geography Standard 11, p. 206)
 Begin by asking the Question “Going off of what you have learned and what you
already know, why might you conclude that the Mongols were the exception?”
o We should establish what the exception is. (that the Mongols and their
empire possessed many characteristics that were vastly different from the
other empires that we have covered.)
o Then have the students share some opinions (time permitting) (10 min)
 Introduce the activity and pass out paper. Explain the purpose, to see how the
Mongols compare.
o The students should write observations/features of the Mongol empire and
whether that makes them different or similar to other empires. (5 min)
 Start the PowerPoint. Have students read sections of the documents aloud. At the
end of each slide/document ask students for observations about the content.
Does this piece of evidence prove or disprove the idea that the Mongols were the
exception?
o At the end tell the students to write a short explanation at the bottom of
the paper as to whether or not they think the Mongols were the exception
and why.
o With any remaining time (after collecting the papers) ask any students to
share their opinions and reasoning. (by the way, in my opinion there is no
right answer to this question.) (45 min)