Start with the story. Then go through each chapter, one lesson at a time. Each lesson has three short checks. Each chapter ends with a review. The unit ends with a wrap-up.
Pencil drawing, not a photograph: an unrolled book of bamboo slips tied with cord, its end still rolled up, beside a round pot holding writing brushes and a flat ink stone with an ink stick
1Unit
Stories of Confucius
Confucius
This unit tells stories about Confucius. He was a teacher in China long ago. He was poor when he was young. He loved to learn his whole life.
You will meet his students. You will hear what he taught about manners and kindness. You will learn about the book of his sayings, the Analects.
By the end, you can tell his story. You can name two of his students. You can explain one of his teachings in your own words.
When it happened
Step 1
A boy named Kong is born in Lu, in old China
Step 2
His father dies, and his mother raises him
Step 3
He works simple jobs, like counting grain
Step 4
At fifteen, he sets his heart on learning
Step 5
He becomes a teacher for rich and poor
Step 6
Students like Yan Hui and Zilu learn from him
Step 7
He tells Zigong to treat others as he wants to be treated
Step 8
His students write his words in the Analects
1
Chapter
A Boy Who Loved to Learn
Confucius
Big questionHow did a poor boy become a teacher people still read today?
The story
Counting Grain by Lamplight
A poor boy works all day and still finds time to learn.
Long ago in China, a boy worked in a big barn. His job was to count the grain. He counted sacks of rice and millet. He wrote the numbers down with care.
His family was poor. His father had died when he was small. So the boy worked hard jobs. He did not complain. He did each job well.
At night, the boy did not just sleep. He practiced old songs. He learned old dances and old stories. He asked older people many questions.
The old stories say this boy grew up to be a great teacher. His name was Kong. Later, people called him Confucius. Many people remember him today.
Talk about itThe boy was tired after work. Why do you think he still wanted to learn at night?
Section 1
A Boy Named Kong
1.1
Long Ago in Lu
Main ideaConfucius lived in China about 2,500 years ago, in a small state called Lu.
Confucius lived in China a very long time ago. It was about 2,500 years ago. That is longer ago than anyone can remember.
He lived in a small state called Lu. A state was like a small country. China had many states then. Each state had its own ruler.
Words to know
Confucius
a teacher who lived in China about 2,500 years ago
Check yourself
1. Where did Confucius live?
Why: Confucius lived in China, in a state called Lu.
2. When did Confucius live?
Why: Confucius lived about 2,500 years ago.
3. What was Lu?
Why: Lu was a small state, like a small country, in old China.
1.2
His Name Means Master Kong
Main ideaIn China he is called Kongzi, which means Master Kong. In English we say Confucius.
His family name was Kong. People in China call him Kongzi. That means Master Kong. A master is a wise teacher.
Long after he lived, people in Europe spelled his name in Latin. They wrote Confucius. English speakers still use that name today.
Words to know
Kongzi
the Chinese name for Confucius; it means Master Kong
master
a wise teacher people look up to
Check yourself
1. What does Kongzi mean?
Why: Kongzi means Master Kong.
2. What is a master in this story?
Why: Here a master means a wise teacher.
3. Which name do English speakers use?
Why: In English we call him Confucius.
Section 2
Hard Work When Young
1.3
A Poor Family
Main ideaThe old stories say Confucius grew up poor, and his father died when he was small.
The old stories say his father died when Kong was very young. His mother raised him. They did not have much money.
Being poor was hard. But Kong kept going. He helped his family. He learned from everything around him.
Words to know
poor
having very little money
Check yourself
1. Who raised Kong after his father died?
Why: The old stories say his mother raised him.
2. Was Kong's family rich or poor?
Why: The stories say his family was poor.
3. What did Kong do when life was hard?
Why: He kept going, helped his family and kept learning.
1.4
Many Small Jobs
Main ideaConfucius said he learned to do many simple jobs because he was poor when young.
As a young man, Kong did many jobs. The book Mencius says he kept records of grain. It says he also cared for farm animals.
Later, Confucius talked about this. He said he was poor when young. So he learned to do many simple things well.
Words to know
job
work a person does, often to earn money
Check yourself
1. What job does the book Mencius say Kong had?
Why: The book Mencius says he kept records of grain.
2. Why did Kong learn many simple jobs?
Why: In the Analects he says he was poor when young.
3. What else did Kong care for?
Why: The book Mencius says he also cared for farm animals.
Section 3
A Heart Set on Learning
1.5
At Fifteen
Main ideaConfucius said that at fifteen he set his heart on learning.
Confucius once told his life story in a few lines. He said that at fifteen, he set his heart on learning.
To set your heart on something means you really want it. You keep trying. Confucius kept learning his whole life.
Words to know
learning
finding out new things and getting better at them
Check yourself
1. What did Confucius set his heart on at fifteen?
Why: In Analects 2.4 he says he set his heart on learning at fifteen.
2. What does 'set your heart on' mean?
Why: It means you really want something and keep trying.
3. How long did Confucius keep learning?
Why: Confucius kept learning his whole life.
1.6
Anyone Can Love to Learn
Main ideaConfucius taught that loving to learn is something anyone can do.
Confucius did not say he was born knowing things. He said he loved old wisdom and worked hard to learn it.
He also said that in any small town, someone is as honest as he is. But not many love to learn as much. Loving to learn is a choice anyone can make.
Words to know
wisdom
knowing what is good and wise to do
Check yourself
1. Did Confucius say he was born knowing things?
Why: In Analects 7.19 he says he was not born knowing and worked to learn.
2. Who can love to learn, as Confucius taught?
Why: Confucius taught that loving to learn is something anyone can do.
3. What did Confucius love?
Why: He said he loved the old wisdom.
Section 4
His Words in a Book
1.7
Students Wrote It Down
Main ideaAfter Confucius died, his students wrote down his words in a book called the Analects.
Confucius had many students. They listened closely to him. After he died, they remembered what he said.
His students, and their students, wrote his words down. The book is called the Analects. Many lines start with ’The Master said.’
Words to know
Analects
the book of Confucius's sayings, written down by his students
student
a person who is learning from a teacher
Check yourself
1. Who wrote down Confucius's words?
Why: His students and their students wrote them down.
2. What is the book called?
Why: The book of his sayings is called the Analects.
3. How do many lines in the Analects start?
Why: Many lines start with 'The Master said,' meaning Confucius.
1.8
Still Read Today
Main ideaPeople in China and around the world still read the Analects today.
The Analects is very old. But people still read it. Children in China learned it by heart for hundreds of years.
People in Korea, Japan and Vietnam read it too. Now it is read in English and many other languages. People talk about what it means.
Words to know
by heart
knowing words so well you can say them without looking
Check yourself
1. Do people still read the Analects?
Why: People in many countries still read the Analects.
2. What did children in China do with the Analects?
Why: For hundreds of years, children learned it by heart.
3. Which place also read the Analects long ago?
Why: People in Korea, Japan and Vietnam read it too.
Chapter review
A Boy Who Loved to Learn
0 / 6
1. Where did Confucius live?
Why: Confucius lived in Lu, a state in old China.
2. What does Kongzi mean?
Why: Kongzi means Master Kong.
3. What was Kong's family like when he was young?
Why: The old stories say his family was poor.
4. At what age did Confucius set his heart on learning?
Why: In Analects 2.4 he says fifteen.
5. What is the Analects?
Why: The Analects is the book of his sayings, written by his students.
6. What did Confucius teach about loving to learn?
Why: Confucius taught that anyone can choose to love learning.
Send it to your teacher
2
Chapter
Teacher Kong and His Students
Confucius
Big questionWhat makes a good teacher and a good student?
The story
One Word for a Whole Life
A student asks for one word to live by.
One day a student named Zigong came to his teacher. His teacher was Confucius. Zigong had a big question. He thought about it all day.
He asked, 'Is there one word to guide my whole life?' The other students leaned in. They wanted to hear the answer too. Everyone was quiet.
Confucius thought. Then he gave one word. The word means treating others the way you want to be treated. It was a short word.
Then he explained it. 'Do not do to others what you would not want done to you.' Zigong carried that word with him. He thought about it often.
Talk about itIf you could keep only one word to guide you, what would it be?
Section 1
A Teacher for Everyone
2.1
Rich or Poor, Come and Learn
Main ideaConfucius taught anyone who wanted to learn, rich or poor.
Long ago, most schools were only for rich families. Confucius did something new. He taught anyone who truly wanted to learn.
The Analects says a student could bring a small gift, like dried meat. Confucius would teach him. Rich or poor did not matter.
Words to know
teacher
a person who helps others learn
Check yourself
1. Who did Confucius teach?
Why: Confucius taught anyone who truly wanted to learn.
2. What small gift could a student bring?
Why: Analects 7.7 names a small gift of dried meat.
3. Why was this new long ago?
Why: Most schools then were only for rich families.
2.2
Teachers' Day
Main ideaIn Taiwan, Teachers' Day is on September 28, the day kept as Confucius's birthday.
In Taiwan, September 28 is Teachers’ Day. It is kept as Confucius’s birthday. People honor him as a great teacher.
At temples of Confucius, there is a special ceremony with music and dance. Students thank their own teachers too.
Words to know
Teachers' Day
a day to thank teachers; in Taiwan it is September 28
ceremony
a special event done in a set way to honor someone
Check yourself
1. When is Teachers' Day in Taiwan?
Why: Taiwan keeps Teachers' Day on September 28.
2. Whose birthday is kept on that day?
Why: September 28 is kept as Confucius's birthday.
3. What do students do on Teachers' Day?
Why: Students thank their own teachers on that day.
Section 2
Two Famous Students
2.3
Yan Hui, Poor and Happy
Main ideaYan Hui was a poor student who stayed happy because he loved to learn.
Yan Hui was Confucius’s favorite student. He was very poor. He ate from one small bowl of rice. He lived on a narrow street.
Other people would be sad. But Yan Hui stayed happy. Confucius praised him. He said Yan Hui loved to learn.
Words to know
Yan Hui
a student of Confucius who was poor but happy
Check yourself
1. What was Yan Hui like?
Why: Yan Hui was poor but stayed happy.
2. What did Confucius say Yan Hui loved?
Why: Confucius said Yan Hui loved to learn.
3. How did Confucius feel about Yan Hui?
Why: Confucius praised Yan Hui in the Analects.
2.4
Zilu, Brave and Quick
Main ideaZilu was a brave student who acted fast, and Confucius helped him slow down and think.
Zilu was another student. He was brave and strong. He was quick to act. He always spoke his mind.
Sometimes Zilu acted too fast. Confucius helped him. He taught Zilu to stop and think first. Each student learned in his own way.
Words to know
Zilu
a brave, quick student of Confucius
brave
ready to do hard or scary things
Check yourself
1. What was Zilu like?
Why: Zilu was brave and quick to act.
2. What did Confucius help Zilu learn?
Why: Confucius helped Zilu slow down and think first.
3. Which student was quiet and poor?
Why: Yan Hui was the quiet, poor, happy student.
Section 3
Manners and Kindness
2.5
Li: Good Manners
Main ideaConfucius taught li, the good manners and customs that show respect.
Confucius cared about manners. The word is li. Li means the right way to act with others. It includes bowing, greeting and sharing.
Confucius taught that manners are more than rules. Good manners show that you care about people.
Words to know
li
good manners and customs that show respect
respect
showing that you think someone matters
Check yourself
1. What does li mean?
Why: Li means good manners and customs that show respect.
2. What do good manners show, as Confucius taught?
Why: He taught that manners show you care about others.
3. Which is an example of li?
Why: Bowing and greeting are ways of showing respect.
2.6
Treat Others Well
Main ideaConfucius taught: do not do to others what you would not want done to you.
Remember Zigong’s question? He asked for one word to live by. Confucius gave a word that means treating others as you want to be treated.
Then he said: do not do to others what you do not want done to you. It is in the Analects, book 15. Many people remember this teaching.
Words to know
reciprocity
treating others the way you want to be treated
Check yourself
1. Who asked Confucius for one word to live by?
Why: In Analects 15.23, Zigong asks the question.
2. What did Confucius teach in his answer?
Why: His answer asks us to treat others as we want to be treated.
3. What does reciprocity mean?
Why: Reciprocity means treating others the way you want to be treated.
Chapter review
Teacher Kong and His Students
0 / 6
1. Who could learn from Confucius?
Why: Confucius taught rich and poor alike.
2. Which student was poor but happy?
Why: Yan Hui was poor and joyful, Analects 6.9 says.
3. Which student was brave and quick?
Why: Zilu was brave and quick to act.
4. What is li?
Why: Li means good manners and customs that show respect.
5. When is Teachers' Day in Taiwan?
Why: Taiwan keeps it on September 28, Confucius's birthday.
6. What did Confucius tell Zigong?
Why: That is his answer in Analects 15.23.
Send it to your teacher
★
Unit wrap-up
Stories of Confucius
Twelve words, twelve meanings
0 / 8
Tap a word, then tap its meaning. A right pair locks in green.
Words
Meanings
Unit test
Fifteen questions across the unit
0 / 10
1. Who was Confucius?
Why: Confucius was a teacher in China about 2,500 years ago.
2. What was the name of his home state?
Why: Confucius lived in the state of Lu.
3. What did Confucius set his heart on at fifteen?
Why: Analects 2.4 says he set his heart on learning at fifteen.
4. Who wrote the Analects?
Why: His students and their students wrote down his words.
5. Which student stayed happy with one bowl of rice?
Why: Analects 6.9 praises Yan Hui for staying joyful.
6. What does li mean?
Why: Li means good manners and customs that show respect.
7. Who asked for one word to live by?
Why: Zigong asks this in Analects 15.23.
8. What happens in Taiwan on September 28?
Why: Taiwan keeps Teachers' Day on Confucius's birthday.
9. Why did Confucius learn many simple jobs?
Why: In Analects 9.6 he says he was poor when young.
10. What did Confucius teach about treating others?
Why: That is his teaching in Analects 15.23.
Send it to your teacher
Write it
Tell or draw: What made Confucius a good teacher? Use two stories from this unit, like Analects 7.7 (he taught rich and poor) and Analects 15.23 (his answer to Zigong).
Name the story you use.
Say 'Confucius taught...' when you tell his ideas.
Use one unit word, like li or reciprocity.
Draw a picture if it helps you.
0 wordsSaved on this device as you type.
Practice rooms
Rooms already on the site that belong to this unit — cards, quizzes, a lab.
Every lesson keeps its own three checks; a lesson is ticked when all three are right. Chapter reviews, the unit test and its spiral review (five questions from earlier units in this band) score on the page. When the site is connected to your sheet, or the link carries ?dest=, each one also has a Send box: the first-try score, the standards, the supports used, the attempt number and the minutes go to your sheet as an IEP data point.
Print this page for a paper copy of the readings, the sources, the words and the questions; the answers print as dashed boxes under each question.
Fact-check notes for this course live in the handoff: quotes marked (paraphrased) were set that way on purpose.
