City Compass Teacher Guide City Compass Mapping
Lesson 1: Navigating Geographic Descriptions
Teacher Guide
8th Grade Intermediate Mandarin
Lesson Objective
Students will demonstrate the ability to read short paragraphs describing Chinese cities, identifying cardinal directions (东、南、西、北) and relative location markers (边、面) to accurately place cities on a map.
Essential Question
"How do we navigate and interpret spatial information in a foreign environment?"
Keywords
方向 fāngxiàng (Direction)
东/南/西/北 E / S / W / N
中部 zhōngbù (Central)
靠近 kàojìn (Near)
Instructional Steps
The Hook
Mystery City Challenge (10 min)
Display the "Mystery City" slide. Read a short description aloud: "这个城市在中国的中部。它很有名，因为那里的菜很辣。它离长江很近。" (This city is in central China. Famous for spicy food. Near Yangtze River.) Students guess: Chengdu (成都) .
Modeling
Spatial Relationship Syntax (15 min)
Review the grammar structure: [Location A] + 在 + [Location B] + 的 + [Direction] + 边/面 .上海在中国东部的海边。 (Shanghai is by the sea in eastern China.) Point out that identifying the reference point (Location B) is key to correct mapping.
Activity
Map the Narrative (20 min)
Distribute the "City Compass Mapping Worksheet" . Students read four descriptive paragraphs and place the city markers on the blank map. They must look for keywords like "海边" (seaside), "靠近" (near), and cardinal directions.
Differentiation
Support: Provide a pre-labeled compass rose on their desk.Extension: Challenge students to write their own "Mystery City" paragraph for a partner.
Quick Check
Walk around during the mapping activity. If a student places Beijing (North) in the south, ask: "北京在中国的哪边？南边还是北边？"
City Compass Slides City Compass Mapping
城市方向与地理描述
Lesson 1: Navigating Geographic Descriptions
The Hook
Mystery City Challenge
“这个城市在中国的中部。它很有名，因为那里的菜很辣。它离长江很近。”
"This city is in central China. It is famous because the food there is very spicy. It is very close to the Yangtze River."
Which city is it?
Hint: Sichuan!
Direction & Location
北
Běi (North)
南
Nán (South)
西
Xī (West)
东
Dōng (East)
中部 zhōngbù (Central)
靠近 kàojìn (Near)
How to Describe Location
Location A
在
Location B
的 [Direction] 边
1
上海在中国东部的海边。
2
北京在中国的北边。
Your Mission
Read the city descriptions on your worksheet. Find where they belong on the map!
Step 1
Read & Circle Directions (东,南,西,北)
Step 2
Mark the City on the Map
City Compass Worksheet City Compass Mapping
Explorer Log: Lesson 1
Name:
Date:
1 Orientation Check
Label the compass rose with the correct Mandarin characters: 东, 南, 西, 北.
2 Mapping the Narratives
Read the descriptions below. Using the map of China as your guide, write the name of the city in the correct location circle.
City A: 北京 (Běijīng)
北京是中国的首都。它在中国的北边。北京离海不远。
City B: 上海 (Shànghǎi)
上海是一个大城市。它在中国的东边，就在海边。
City C: 广州 (Guǎngzhōu)
广州在中国的南边。它靠近香港。那里的天气很热。
City D: 乌鲁木齐 (Wūlǔmùqí)
这个城市在中国的西北部。它离海非常远，有很多山。
Map represents a stylized outline of China
3 Mystery City Creator
Write your own 3-sentence description of a city. Use at least one direction (东,南,西,北) and one detail (spicy food, famous mountain, large population, etc.).
Target City:
Description (in Mandarin):
Forecast and Fleece Teacher Guide Forecast and Fleece
Lesson 2: Interpreting Weather Forecasts
Teacher Guide
8th Grade Intermediate Mandarin
Lesson Objective
Students will extract key information from Chinese weather reports, including temperature ranges (最高/最低气温) and precipitation (雨/雪). They will apply this data to make practical clothing decisions for a simulated trip.
The Packing Challenge
"If it's -5°C in Beijing but 22°C in Guangzhou, what's in your suitcase?"
Key Vocabulary
天气预报 tiānqì yùbào
最高 / 最低 max / min
晴 / 阴 / 多云 sunny/overcast/cloudy
外套 / 毛衣 / 短袖 coat/sweater/T-shirt
Instructional Sequence
1
Suitcase Hook (10 min)
Display the "Suitcase" slide. Show a real or digital suitcase and a weather report for Harbin (哈尔滨) in winter. Ask: "Should I pack shorts or a heavy coat?" Use Mandarin: "我要带短裤还是大衣？"
2
Decoding the Forecast (15 min)
Review symbols and data layout. Most Chinese forecasts list the highest temp first, then the lowest . Practice reading Celsius correctly: "二十五度" (25 degrees).
Tip: Remind students that 0°C is "零度" (líng dù). Temperatures below zero use "零下" (líng xià).
3
The Packing List Challenge (20 min)
Students work on the "Forecast and Fleece Worksheet" . They must read a 3-city forecast and select items to pack based on the data. They must justify one choice: "因为哈尔滨很冷，所以我带..."
Common Pitfalls
Students often confuse 阴 (yīn - overcast) and 雨 (yǔ - rain) because they share the same radical or look similar in busy graphics. Emphasize the weather icons.
Extension
Ask students to record a 15-second "Weather Reporter" video on their phones describing the forecast for their hometown in Mandarin.
Forecast Slides Forecast and Fleece
天气预报与旅行准备
Lesson 2: Decoding Weather Reports
The Packing Challenge
哈尔滨 (Harbin)
-15°C / -25°C
I'm going to Harbin tomorrow.
👕
短袖 (Short Sleeve)
🧥
厚大衣 (Thick Coat)
Weather Symbols (天气符号)
晴
Sunny
阴
Overcast
多云
Cloudy
雨
Rainy
How to Read Temperature Data
上海 (Shanghai)
1月17日
Highest Temp
12°C
最高气温
Lowest Temp
3°C
最低气温
"今天最高气温是十二度，最低气温是三度。"
What will you wear? (你穿什么?)
👕
短袖
T-Shirt (duǎnxiù)
🧶
毛衣
Sweater (máoyī)
🧥
外套 / 大衣
Coat (wàitào)
Forecast Worksheet Forecast & Fleece
Explorer Log: Weather & Packing
Name:
Date:
1 Weather Data Extraction
Read the weather forecasts for the following cities and fill in the data table.
哈尔滨
哈尔滨今天很冷，是大雪。最高气温-18°C，最低气温-28°C。
三亚
三亚的天气非常好，是晴天。最高气温29°C，最低气温22°C。
南京
南京今天有小雨，天很阴。最高气温12°C，最低气温4°C。
城市 (City) 天气 (Weather) 最高气温 (Max) 最低气温 (Min) 哈尔滨 (Harbin) 三亚 (Sanya) 南京 (Nanjing)
2 The Packing Challenge
You are traveling to Nanjing . Circle 3 items you will put in your suitcase based on the forecast above.
🕶️
太阳镜 (Sunglasses)
🧥
外套 (Coat)
🩳
短裤 (Shorts)
☔
雨伞 (Umbrella)
🧣
围巾 (Scarf)
👕
短袖 (T-shirt)
🧶
毛衣 (Sweater)
🧤
手套 (Gloves)
Justify your choice:
因为南京今天 _________________，所以我带 _________________。
(Because Nanjing today [weather/temp], so I bring [item].)
Gaotie Teacher Guide Gaotie Gridlock Solver
Lesson 3: Decoding Transportation Schedules
Teacher Guide
8th Grade Intermediate Mandarin
Lesson Objective
Students will decode high-speed train (高铁 - Gāotiě) schedules and tickets. They will master scanning for departure/arrival times using the 24-hour clock and identify essential logistical data like train numbers (车次) and seat types.
The 2-Minute Hook
"You missed your train! You have 2 minutes to find the next available G-train from Shanghai to Beijing on the big board. Ready, go!"
Key Logistics Terms
车次 chēcì (Train No.)
出发 / 到达 Depart / Arrive
检票口 jiǎnpiàokǒu (Gate)
二等座 2nd Class Seat
Instructional Sequence
The Hook
The Missing Train (5 min)
Display Slide 2 (The Board). Set a timer for 2 minutes. Students must find the train that leaves after 14:00 but arrives before 19:00. This creates immediate urgency for scanning skills.
Modeling
Anatomy of a Chinese Ticket (15 min)
Use Slide 3 to break down the visual components of a train ticket. Explain that Chinese dates follow the YYYY年MM月DD日 format and times are strictly 24-hour (e.g., 18:30 instead of 6:30 PM).
Simulation
The Gridlock Solver (25 min)
Students complete the "Gaotie Gridlock Worksheet" . They must solve logistical puzzles like: "Xiao Ming needs to go from Shanghai to Nanjing, then catch a flight at 16:00. Which train should he take?"
Teaching Tips
24-Hour Time Mastery
Remind students to subtract 12 from any number over 12 to get the PM time. For example: 17:00 - 12 = 5:00 PM.
Cultural Note
Gaotie (High Speed) trains start with "G". Regular slow trains start with letters like "T" or "K". Speed matters in logistics!
Gaotie Slides 高铁
Gaotie Gridlock Solver
解码高铁时刻表与车票
Lesson 3: Decoding Transportation Schedules
The Big Board (大屏幕)
02:00
车次 (Train) 目的地 (To) 出发 (Dep) 状态 (Status) G102 北京南 08:15 正在检票 G12 北京南 11:00 候车 G14 北京南 14:30 候车 G152 北京南 16:45 候车
"It is 12:00. You missed the G12. What is the next train to Beijing?"
The 24-Hour Clock (二十四小时)
AM (Morning)
08:30
PM (Afternoon)
20:30
The Logic Rule:
Number - 12 = PM Time
Example: 17:00 - 12 = 5:00 PM
In China, all train schedules use 24-hour time. No AM/PM!
Anatomy of a Ticket (车票)
上海虹桥 → 北京南
G104
日期 (Date)
2026年01月17日
出发时间 (Dep)
14:50开
座位 (Seat)
03车 06A号
二等座 (2nd Class)
¥ 553.00
Station Names
Train Number
Seat Type & Price
Your Challenge
Use the schedules on your worksheet to help travelers find the right train.
Gaotie Worksheet Gaotie Gridlock Solver
Explorer Log: Transportation Logistics
Name:
Date:
1 Master Schedule: Shanghai to Nanjing
Extract data from the schedule board below to answer the logistical questions.
车次 (Train No.) 始发站 (From) 终点站 (To) 出发时间 (Dep) 到达时间 (Arr) G7002 上海站 南京站 06:00 07:40 G7008 上海站 南京站 09:15 10:55 G7012 上海站 南京站 12:30 14:10 G7016 上海站 南京站 15:45 17:25 G7022 上海站 南京站 18:50 20:30
1. How long is the travel time for G7002?
2. Convert 18:50 to standard (AM/PM) time:
3. Which train arrives in Nanjing at 14:10?
4. Circle the fastest train on the board.
(Wait... are they all the same speed? Check the duration!)
2 Logistics Logic Puzzles
Read the traveler's request and recommend the best train number.
👴
Traveling Grandpa:
"我早上九点以前要到南京看我的孙子。"
Recommended Train:
👩💼
Business Woman:
"我下午五点在上海下班，然后坐高铁去南京。"
Recommended Train:
Brochure Teacher Guide Brochure Breakdown Challenge
Lesson 4: Travel Guides & Attractions
Teacher Guide
8th Grade Intermediate Mandarin
Lesson Objective
Students will distinguish between factual logistical data (hours, price) and persuasive descriptions (adjectives, superlatives) in Chinese travel brochures. They will identify the tone and purpose of informational texts.
The Adjective Hook
"View a photo of the Great Wall. What 3 words would a travel agent use to sell you a ticket to see it?"
Persuasive Language
非常 / 特别 Very / Especially
最有名的 Most famous
壮观 zhuàngguān (Grand)
必看 bìkàn (A must-see)
Instructional Sequence
The Hook
Guess the Adjective (10 min)
Show Slide 2 (Great Wall photo). Ask students to brainstorm adjectives in Mandarin: 长 (long), 美 (beautiful), 老 (old) . Then show the travel agent's words: 壮观 (grand), 必看 (must-see), 伟大的 (great) .
Concept
Fact vs. Opinion (15 min)
Model how to categorize text.
Challenge
The Brochure Breakdown (20 min)
Distribute the "Brochure Breakdown Worksheet" . Students read two attraction summaries and use highlighters: one color for hard facts (logistics) and another for persuasive "fluff".
Check for Understanding
Ask: "If I want to know when the museum closes, do I look for adjectives or numbers?" (Numbers). "If I want to know why people like it, what should I look for?" (Adjectives like '有名' or '特别').
Differentiation
Support: Provide an English translation of the 10 most common travel adjectives.Extension: Have students add one "lie" (false opinion) to a brochure for a partner to catch.
Brochure Slides Must See!
Brochure Breakdown
解码旅游指南：事实与观点
Lesson 4: Comprehending Travel Guides
The Hook: Guess the Words
万里长城 (The Great Wall)
How would a Travel Agent describe this place in their brochure?
#1 壮观 (zhuàngguān) - Grand
#2 必看 (bìkàn) - Must-see
#3 最好玩的 (zuì hǎowán de) - Most fun
Fact vs. Opinion (事实 vs. 观点)
Fact (事实)
门票：60元 Ticket Price: 60 RMB
开放时间：8:30 - 17:30 Opening Hours: 8:30 - 17:30
Opinion (观点)
风景非常漂亮！ The scenery is very beautiful!
最好玩的景点。 The most fun attraction.
Adjectives That Sell (说服性的词语)
"VERY"
非常
fēicháng
"SPECIAL"
特别
tèbié
"THE MOST"
最...
zuì...
"万里长城是中国最有名、最壮观的景点。"
"The Great Wall is China's most famous and grandest attraction."
Spot the Fact
In your worksheet, you will see real travel brochures. Use your "Fact-Finder" goggles to find the logistics hiding behind the beautiful words!
Don't be fooled by the fluff!
Brochure Worksheet Brochure Breakdown
Explorer Log: Fact vs. Opinion
Name:
Date:
1 Sorting the Claims
Read the sentences below. Is it a Fact (F) or an Opinion (O)? Write the letter in the box.
兵马俑在西安市。
(The Terracotta Warriors are in Xi'an.)
这是中国最伟大的博物馆。
(This is China's greatest museum.)
这里的风景特别漂亮，一定要看！
(The scenery here is especially beautiful, must see!)
门票是一百二十元。
(The ticket is 120 RMB.)
2 Brochure Breakdown: The Terracotta Warriors
Read the brochure text. Circle the Facts and underline the Opinions.
西安兵马俑博物馆 (Xi'an Terracotta Army Museum)
西安兵马俑是世界著名的历史景点。这里有三千多个陶马和战士，非常壮观！博物馆每天早上八点半开门，下午五点半关门。 兵马俑特别有意思，是中国最伟大的发现。门票价格是一百二十元。你一定要来这里看看，这会是你最难忘的旅行！
List 2 Persuasive Adjectives:
List 2 Logistical Facts:
3 Reflection
Why do travel brochures use so many opinions and adjectives instead of just facts?
Travel Agent Teacher Guide Travel Agent Elite
Lesson 5: Synthesizing Travel Plans
Teacher Guide
8th Grade Intermediate Mandarin
Lesson Objective
In this final summative lesson, students will synthesize geographic descriptions, weather data, and transportation schedules to fulfill a specific travel request. They must demonstrate critical reading by filtering out irrelevant information to create a viable itinerary.
The Travel Agent Challenge
"Client 001 wants a 1-day trip from Beijing to Xi'an. They hate rain and need to be back by dinner. Can you fix their schedule?"
Synthesis Skills
交叉核对 Cross-referencing
过滤 Filtering info
时间表 shíjiānbiǎo (Schedule)
建议 jiànyì (Suggestion)
Instructional Sequence
The Hook
Elite Agent Onboarding (5 min)
Display Slide 2. Tell students they have just been promoted to "Elite Travel Agent." Their first client request just arrived in their inbox (the worksheet).
Modeling
Connecting the Dots (10 min)
Use Slide 3 to show how information from three different sources (a text message, a weather map, and a train schedule) can conflict. Explain that the "Elite" part of their job is solving these conflicts.
Performance
The Agent Portfolio (35 min)
Students receive the "Travel Agent Elite Dossier" . This contains multiple reading passages: a client email, a weather snippet for two cities, and a train schedule board. They must fill out the Final Itinerary for the client.
Assessment Rubric
Logistics Accuracy: 40%
Weather Appropriateness: 30%
Mandarin Written Justification: 30%
Success Criteria
The "perfect" itinerary uses the G-train that departs at 07:15, suggests a light coat (because it's 15°C), and visits the Warriors Museum (client's top preference).
Travel Agent Slides Promoted!
Travel Agent Elite
综合旅行计划：最终挑战
Lesson 5: Synthesizing Multiple Sources
The Mission
The Final Dossier
Source 1
客户的要求 (Client Email)
Source 2
天气报告 (Weather Report)
Source 3
列车时刻表 (Train Schedule)
Cross-Referencing (交叉核对)
"I want to see the Terracotta Warriors, but I hate rain."
Weather Report:
Conflict!
As an agent, you must change the plan! Do you find an indoor activity or suggest a different city?
Synthesis is about using all the data to make the best choice.
Defend Your Itinerary
"我建议坐 G102，因为我们要 十点以前 到西安。"
"I suggest taking G102, because we need to arrive in Xi'an before 10:00 AM."
Clear Choices
Mandarin Reasons
Happy Client
Challenge Start
The client is waiting. Open your dossier and get to work!
Good luck, Agent!
Travel Agent Worksheet Travel Agent Dossier
Top Secret: Synthesis Final Challenge
Agent Name:
Date:
Source 1
Incoming Client Email
From: Li Ming (liming2026@mail.com ) | Subject: Trip Request
你好，我想去西安。我早上十点以前要到西安。我很喜欢看老的东西，所以我想看兵马俑。 但是我不喜欢雨天，如果西安下雨，我就不去了。最后，我必须在下午六点以前回北京。 谢谢你的建议！
Key Client Constraints:
Arrive in Xi'an before 10:00 AM
Top Preference: Terracotta Warriors (兵马俑)
Constraint: No rainy weather (不下雨)Return to Beijing before 6:00 PM (18:00)
Source 2
Weather Report
西安
今天的天气是多云，没有雨。
最高气温：18°C
Clear sky for sightseeing!
Source 3
Beijing - Xi'an G-Trains
车次 出发 到达 G102 06:15 09:45 G104 08:30 12:00 G152 14:00 17:30 G154 16:15 19:45
The Final Itinerary
Based on all logs, build the perfect 1-day trip for Li Ming.
Outbound Train (车次):
Why did you choose this train?
Clothing Suggestion (穿什么?):
Reason based on weather log:
Attraction to Visit (景点):
Agent Recommendation (建议)
Write a 3-sentence recommendation to Li Ming in Mandarin. Justify your train and activity choices.
