6th Gr - Chinese Discoveries & Inventions (Fill-in-Blanks)

Target Language or Knowledge:

Chinese used science concept of magnetism to invent the compass which helped sailors navigate across open ocean. Chinese built ships with separate watertight compartments so a leak in one part of the ship would not sink the ship. The Chinese improved architecture using the segmental arch which was wider and flatter than the Roman-style arch. The Chinese inventions of paper, woodblock printing, and movable type all contributed to more widespread learning and education. Tea houses originated in China in the 700s and is still one of the most popular drinks in China today. The Chinese used mass-production of porcelain to be able to produce a larger quantity of merchandise. Workers did different tasks such as washing the clay, shaping the product, applying the glaze and operating the kiln to make porcelain in large quantities. Rich Europeans refer to fine dinnerware as "china" and bought Chinese pottery because of its high quality. The Chinese mixed iron with other metals to develop steel because it was stronger than iron. Chinese alchemists used saltpeter to make gunpowder which was used to make new weapons replacing crossbows, swords, and spears in warfare. The Chinese first used rockets to develop and improve fireworks. The invention of woodblock printing was used to make game cards in the 9th century. A Chinese monk used the invention of the paddlewheel to invent the world's first mechanical clock in 725 A.D. Many of these Chinese inventions eventually spread to Europe. Ancient Chinese culture steamed clothing to prevent the spread of infection. Chinese doctors rubbed a powder into the skin as a form of immunization to signal a person's immune system to fight the disease.