Three Philosophies Warm Up 7th Grade Social Studies • Ancient China
Three Chinese Philosophies
Quick Warm-Up: Confucianism, Daoism, and Legalism
Name:
Date:
My Checklist:
Step 1: Match Step 2: Choose Step 3: Complete
Confucianism
Leader: ConfuciusBig Idea: Respect elders, follow good examples, and treat others fairly.
Daoism
Leader: LaoziBig Idea: Live in harmony with nature and balance (yin & yang). Rule the least.
Legalism
Leader: HanfeiziBig Idea: People are naturally selfish. Use strict laws and harsh punishments.
1
Step 1: Match the Philosophy to its Main Idea
Write letter A, B, or C on the blank line
1. Confucianism
2. Daoism
3. Legalism
A. "Keep order with strict laws and harsh punishments ."
B. "Live simply, balance yin and yang , and follow nature ."
C. "Lead by good example and respect your five relationships ."
2
Step 2: Who Said It? (Circle the correct philosophy)
Read each quote and circle one choice
Quote A: “Governing a large country is like frying a small fish. You spoil it with too much poking.”
Confucianism Daoism Legalism
Quote B: “Do not do to others what you would not want done to you. Rulers must act with virtue.”
Confucianism Daoism Legalism
Quote C: “People are naturally selfish. Rulers should trust no one and enforce absolute obedience.”
Confucianism Daoism Legalism
3
Step 3: Fill in the Blanks (Sentence Starter)
Word Bank: example • nature • strict laws
1. Under Confucianism, a king rules well by setting a good
.
2. Under Daoism, people find peace by living in harmony with
.
3. Under Legalism, rulers keep peace by enforcing harsh punishments and
.
How I feel about this topic: 😊 Confident 🤔 Need a Little Review 🙋 I Need Help
Teacher Check:
Three Philosophies Answer Key Teacher Resource • Master Answer Key
Three Philosophies Answer Key
7th Grade Social Studies • Quick Warm-Up Review
Total Score 9 Points
Accommodations Note: Structured with visual chunking, color-coded anchors, and sentence frames to reduce executive fatigue.
1
Step 1: Matching Solutions
3 Points (1 pt each)
1. Confucianism C
Match: Lead by good example & respect five relationships.
2. Daoism B
Match: Live simply, balance yin/yang, and follow nature.
3. Legalism A
Match: Keep order with strict laws & harsh punishments.
2
Step 2: Quote Analysis & Identifications
3 Points (1 pt each)
Quote A: “Governing a large country is like frying a small fish...” Metaphor from Dao De Jing (Laozi) on non-interference & ruling least.
Daoism
Quote B: “Do not do to others what you would not want done to you...” Core teaching of Confucius: mutual respect, virtue, and moral leadership.
Confucianism
Quote C: “People are naturally selfish. Rulers should trust no one...” Hanfeizi's philosophy adopted by Qin Dynasty to establish absolute order.
Legalism
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Step 3: Fill in the Blanks Solutions
3 Points (1 pt each)
1. Under Confucianism, a king rules well by setting a good example . Accept: good example , moral behavior .
2. Under Daoism, people find peace by living in harmony with nature . Accept: the Dao , the way of nature .
3. Under Legalism, rulers keep peace by enforcing harsh punishments and strict laws . Accept: clear laws , laws .
Teacher Support & Executive Function Prompting Strategies
✓ Task Initiation & Pacing: Have student check off each box in "My Checklist" as they complete each step. This provides positive feedback and sustains focus.
✓ Working Memory & Language: Direct student attention to the color-coded reference anchor box before answering. Prompt verbal rehearsal: "Confucianism = example, Daoism = nature, Legalism = rules."
Pacing: 5–8 minute independent or guided warm-up
Ancient China • Three Chinese Philosophies Unit
Three Philosophies Reference Sheet Support Teacher Guide • Co-Teaching & Intervention Reference
Three Chinese Philosophies Reference Sheet
Fast explanations, key metaphors, and verbal prompting cues for student support
Unit Context Warring States Period
The Core Problem: Around 770–256 B.C.E., the Zhou Dynasty broke down into 250 years of civil war (the Warring States Period ). Chinese thinkers created these philosophies to answer one big question: “How can we restore peace and order to China?”
1
Confucianism: Order Through Good Example & Respect
Founder: Confucius (Kongfuzi) • Text: The Analects
Core Belief: People are capable of good behavior. Society functions well when leaders set a moral example and everyone fulfills their specific social role.
Key Concepts: Five Relationships (ruler/subject, father/son, husband/wife, elder/younger sibling, friend/friend); respect elders (filial piety); civil service exams based on merit and scholarship rather than noble birth.
Student-Friendly Gist:
“Follow good role models, respect your elders, and do not do to others what you wouldn't want done to you.”
2
Daoism (Taoism): Peace Through Harmony with Nature
Founder: Laozi (Lao-tzu) • Text: Dao De Jing
Core Belief: Nature has a natural force called the Dao (“The Way”). Fighting for power and creating too many strict laws brings disorder.
Key Concepts: Yin and Yang (harmony through opposite forces: dark/light, weak/strong); living simply; quiet reflection; rulers should “rule the least” (metaphor: frying a small fish—too much poking spoils it).
Student-Friendly Gist:
“Live in balance with nature, be humble like bending grass, and don't try to control everything.”
3
Legalism: Order Through Strict Laws & Absolute Power
Founder: Hanfeizi • Adopted By: Qin Dynasty
Core Belief: People are naturally selfish and look out only for themselves. Good examples are not enough; order requires fear of punishment.
Key Concepts: Absolute authority for the ruler; rulers must trust no one (even family); strict laws with harsh, swift punishments for disobedience and rewards for compliance; military dominance.
Student-Friendly Gist:
“People only obey when rules are strict and punishments are severe. Never trust anyone.”
On-the-Spot Prompting Cues (When a Student is Stuck)
