This unit for sixth graders focuses on the origins of Chinese civilization, the rise of early Chinese imperial centers, and the breakdown of order by the beginning of the sixth century B.C. Among the topics in the unit are: Early history and geography of India; Buddhism; Early history and geography of China; Confucius; and Culture, politics, economy, and society of the Han period. The lesson plan discusses the uses and significance of the topic; presentation and activities ("Beginning the Topic"; "Developing the Topic"; "Culminating the Topic"). The lesson presents extended and correlated activities, contains a 20-item list of resources for the sample topic, a list of general resources for student and teacher use, and visual and performing arts resources. Appended are essays on Confucian thought and a story about Confucius, "The Emperor and Good Government." (BT)