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The Time Compass: Ancient China

19 minutes 47 seconds
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Beginning at 5,000 years B.C., this episode traces the Chinese dynasties to the time of Qin Shi Huang and the construction of the Great Wall of China. Next, the scene shifts to the birth of Confucius and the principles of Confucianism, Daoism, and Buddhism. Viewers also learn about Chinese medicine, calligraphy, gardens, and Chinese inventions, including the creation of silk fabric. This naturally leads to the history of the Silk Road and Marco Polo's adventures in ancient China.

Media Details

Runtime: 19 minutes 47 seconds

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Student Activity Teacher's Guide
ASL
Digital illustration of ancient artifacts from the Shang dynasty including a stone dragon and oracle bone script with early Chinese calligraphy. Caption. Because the rulers were all from the same family.
The Time Compass
Episode 1
19 minutes 47 seconds
Grade Level: 5 - 8
Simple map with brown edges is labeled, "Dinastía Qin." Spanish caption. Qin Shi Huang se proclamó emperador.
The Time Compass
Episode 2
17 minutes 22 seconds
Grade Level: 5 - 8
ASL
Digital illustration of diverse people exchanging goods for money in a crowded square. Caption. That it formed a new base of power for the Roman Empire.
The Time Compass
Episode 3
19 minutes 6 seconds
Grade Level: 5 - 8
Color illustration of a faded battle scene with an arc of gold objects passing through it. Spanish caption. Estas tremendas guerras que comenzaron en el año 1096.
The Time Compass
Episode 4
15 minutes 23 seconds
Grade Level: 5 - 8
ASL
Color illustration of ancient Egyptian people standing in a garden with water running through it. Text on image reads, "Irrigation system. Shaduf." Caption. Which let them grow more crops.
The Time Compass
Episode 5
19 minutes 31 seconds
Grade Level: 5 - 8
Color illustration of fish swimming in water next to a green platform with water running through it. Text on image reads, "Sistema de riego. Shaduf." Spanish caption. Narrador. Los egipcios necesitaron mucho ingenio.
The Time Compass
Episode 6
16 minutes 7 seconds
Grade Level: 5 - 8
ASL
Computer model of the city of Caral. The Incan city is tiered with a stairway connecting from the amphitheater at the bottom to a grouping of walled structures at the top. Next to this, an animated alpaca and sign that reads, "Caral year 3,000 B, C."
The Time Compass
Episode 7
18 minutes 37 seconds
Grade Level: 5 - 8
Digital map of South America with Chile highlighted in a light color. Labeled countries along Chile's Eastern border from top to bottom include, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia. Spanish caption. Hasta el norte de Argentina y centro de Chile.
The Time Compass
Episode 8
14 minutes 55 seconds
Grade Level: 5 - 8
ASL
Animation of a woman wearing a white sheer dress dancing on a stage for a man wearing a green tunic and gold headband seated behind a small wood desk. Caption. It seems that Paris, a Trojan prince.
The Time Compass
Episode 9
19 minutes 38 seconds
Grade Level: 5 - 8
Computer rendering of a few Greek statues and artifacts made to look like they have been placed on display on top of a grassy field. Spanish caption. Los griegos se hicieron esa misma pregunta.
The Time Compass
Episode 10
16 minutes 30 seconds
Grade Level: 5 - 8

Viewer Comments

  • Tiny default profile photo
    Anonymous (Point Pleasant, NJ)
    May 3rd, 2023 at 10:11 AM

    Time Compass videos are great

  • Tiny default profile photo
    Anonymous (Naples, FL)
    May 3rd, 2023 at 10:07 AM

    Excellent resource

  • Tiny default profile photo
    Gary B. (Midvale, UT)
    November 10th, 2022 at 12:40 PM

    This is a great tool that enriches student learning.

  • Tiny avatar 15
    Graham 6.
    March 15th, 2022 at 05:11 PM

    my students are getting addicted to these amazing videos.

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    Faith F. (Waldport, OR)
    January 18th, 2022 at 11:17 PM

    So many of my students learn with a combination of auditory and visual information. I am thankful for finding Described and Captioned to provide videos that support them.

  • Tiny default profile photo
    Melissa W. (Ponte Vedra, FL)
    December 8th, 2021 at 07:11 PM

    My 6h grade students LOVED these videos.

  • Tiny default profile photo
    John F. (Moscow, PA)
    February 17th, 2021 at 07:58 AM

    Video was very useful in my 6th grade Social Studies classroom.

  • Tiny default profile photo
    Gary B. (Midvale, UT)
    November 15th, 2019 at 03:30 PM

    Great materials. Make my job a lot easier.

  • Tiny default profile photo
    Laura S. (Raeford, NC)
    March 23rd, 2017 at 11:27 AM

    This tied up our unit on China beautifully! It's great for all levels of learners in my class, and the kids always have questions after we finish watching the films.

  • Tiny default profile photo
    Elizabeth L. (Redwood City, CA)
    March 7th, 2017 at 02:27 PM

    This is an excellent series that provides a good overview of the time period and all aspects of the civilization: social structure, religion, culture, government, achievements, etc.

  • Tiny default profile photo
    LeAnn D. (Bunkie, LA)
    January 31st, 2017 at 11:37 AM

    My students love the Time Compass Series.

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