This week, our 7th-grade historians didn’t just read about the Middle Ages—they lived them! To kick off our unit on Medieval China, our classroom transformed into the Smith Dynasty for a high-stakes Civil Service Exam Simulation.
From “Carp” to “Dragon” In Ancient China, the Emperor moved away from a system of birthright (Aristocracy) and toward one of talent and hard work (Meritocracy). Students learned about the “Dragon’s Gate”—the legendary entrance to the exams. Just as a lowly carp becomes a powerful dragon by jumping over a waterfall, our students are attempting to “jump” from the rank of commoner to the elite status of a Scholar-Official.
The Intensity of the Exam: Students simulated the grueling conditions of the historical exam cells. With no help from technology or peers, they had to demonstrate mastery over the US Citizenship test in order to prove their worth and move up in society.
Order and Law: The Great Tang Code Beyond the test, we are diving into the Great Tang Code, China’s first complete legal manual. Students are analyzing the “Ten Abominations”—the worst crimes in the empire—to understand how the Emperor used law to maintain social order. We’ve had some fantastic debates comparing these ancient “Abominations” to the rights and responsibilities of modern U.S. citizens.
Morgan Smith
Rockcastle County Middle School
Rockcastle County Schools
7th Grade Social Studies
