China is a rising global power with a rich culture and history, yet it is not generally well understood by outsiders. The lead-up to the 2008 Beijing Olympics will bring increased attention to this ancient nation, presenting a unique opportunity to promote a deeper understanding of Chinese culture, history, and contemporary issues. Taking advantage of this opportunity, SPICE is focusing its efforts on a project called “The Road to Beijing,” aimed at developing a diverse set of teaching resources and curriculum tools to bring China to life in K–12 classrooms.
Available Curricula
Along the Silk Road explores the vast ancient network of cultural,
economic, and technological exchange that connected East Asia to
theMediterranean. Students learn how goods, belief systems, art,
music, and people traveled across such vast distances to create
interdependence among disparate cultures.
The Road to Beijing
The Road to Beijing units introduce students to the modern Chinese
city of Beijing through its history, geography, and major attractions
and sights, and include PowerPoint presentations with images and
information about major historical sites in Beijing and modern scenes
of the city. Students also learn about the rapid development of the
city in preparation for the 2008 Summer Olympic Games and the effect
it's had on the city and its residents.
NBC Olympics and the Road to Beijing
Through this documentary, introduce students to some of the American Olympians participating in the 2008 Beijing Olympics and some sights in Beijing. The teacher’s guide encourages students to consider some of the quotes from the Olympians and engages them in small-group activities.






