Ink Origins

A 5th-grade project-based sequence exploring the pictographic origins and evolution of Mandarin Chinese characters, from ancient oracle bone script to modern simplified forms. Students develop visual mnemonic strategies and create a portfolio demonstrating the transformation of concrete objects into abstract symbols.

Oracle Bone Mystery

Students explore the 3,000-year-old origins of Chinese writing by examining oracle bone scripts and matching ancient pictographs to natural objects like the sun and moon.

Elemental Morphing

Focusing on fundamental natural elements (Fire, Water, Wood, Earth), students trace the three-stage evolution of characters from pictographs to traditional and simplified forms.

Hiding Animals

Students identify visual cues within complex animal characters (Horse, Fish, Bird) and develop mnemonic strategies to remember their modern forms.

Invisible Ideas

Students investigate how abstract concepts like direction and size (Up, Down, Middle, Big) are represented visually through spatial reasoning and symbolic lines.

Museum Masterpieces

As a summative project, students curate a 'Visual Etymology Portfolio' illustrating the evolution of five chosen characters from their ancient roots to modern script.