Sessions

 

Session 1: Indus Valley Civilzation

LESSON OBJECTIVES: 

Students will define subcontinent, monsoon, citadel, granary, Hindu Kush, Himalayas, monsoon, Harappan civilization and planned city.

Students will analyze a map of India.

Students will contrast how the northern plains and the Deccan differ.

Students will describe how the mountains and seasonal winds shape the climate of India.

Students will describe how India's rivers and climate affect agriculture.

Students will analyze monsoons.

Students will explain why flooding is both bad and good in ancient India.

Students will compare how Harappan civilization was similar to other ancient civilizations. 

Students will identify the cultural features of Harappan civilization. 

Students will summarize how we know that Harappan cities were well planned. 

Students will examine Mohenjo-Daro.

Students will identify what the Harrappans traded. 

Students will compare Harappan writing to hieroglyphs.

Students will analyze ancient Indian toys and games.

HOMEWORK: 

Choose Your Own Adventure

Students will chose ONE of the projects listed below to complete for homework.

They should be ready to share their project with the class in the next session.

1) Imagine a single raindrop falling onto the Himalayas. Then imagine it making its way to the Indus River and being carried all the way to the Arabian Sea. Make a map of the major routes that the raindrop might take. Be prepared to share your map with the class in the next session.

OR

2) Find a toy, tool, or object in  your house. Study it and describe it as if you were an archaeologist. List five things it tells you about its owner. Be prepared to share your object and list with the class in the next session. 

​

Session 2: The Origins of Hinduism

LESSON OBJECTIVES: 

Students will define Aryan, Sanskrit, Vedas, caste, Hinduism, reincarnation, dharma, karma and Brahmanism

Students will discuss their projects with the class. 

Students will identify who the Aryans were and where they came from.

Students will describe how Aryan society was organized.

Students will describe how life had changed by the time the Aryan migrations had ended. 

Students will summarize how the religion of Hinduism developed.

Students will explain how Hindus believe in one God and many different deities at the same time. 

Students will summarize how the Vedas affected India.

Students will analyze Ancient Indian Epic Poems.

Students will identify what a caste system is and how it is organized. 

Students will explain how the Indians compared their society to the human body.

Students will summarize the basic beliefs of Hinduism.

HOMEWORK: 

Choose Your Own Adventure

Students will chose ONE of the projects listed below to complete for homework.

They should be ready to share their project with the class in the next session.

1) Picture a farmer living in ancient India. Describe the arrival of the Aryans in the Indus River valley from the point of view of the ancient farmers. Tell about some of the new ideas that the Aryans are introducing to the Indian culture. Also, describe how the migration of the Aryan people have affected the farmer's life. Be prepared to share your story with the class in the next session. 

OR

2) Use the internet to learn more about Hindu customs concerning ONE of these topics: the Ganges River, cows, funerals, and diet. Present your findings to the class in an oral presentation during the next class session. 

 

Session 3: Buddhism and India's Golden Age

LESSON OBJECTIVES: 

Students will define Buddhism, meditate, enlightenment, nirvana, monk, ahimsa, Siddharta Gautama and dharma.

Students will present their projects to the class. 

Students will identify Siddhartha Gautama and why he is important to ancient history.

Students will describe how Siddhartha Gautama's life changed after he ventured out of the royal palace. 

Students will identify the main teachings of Buddhism.

Students will explain how could a Buddhist achieve the end of suffering. 

Students will analyze the path of Buddhism.

Students will describe how Buddhism spread.

HOMEWORK: 

Create a map that describes the spread of Buddhism. For example, you might show the enlightenment of the Buddha or monks spreading the word of Buddhism. Be prepared to share your map with the class in the next session. 

​

Session 4: Empires of India

LESSON OBJECTIVES: 

Students will define turning point, missionary, aesthetic, metallurgy, Hindu-Arabic numeral, Asoka and Mohandas Gandhi.

Students will present their map to the class. 

Students will describe how the Maurya rulers united northern India into the first great Indian empire.

Students will compare and contrast how ancient India was ruled before and after the founding of the Maurya Empire.

Students will explain why the people of the Maurya Empire hated Chandragupta.

Students will identify Ashoka and why he is important to ancient history.

Students will identify some of Asoka's accomplishments.

Students will describe how Ashoka changed after conquering Kalinga.

Students will contrast how India was different after the Maurya Empire from how it was during the empire.

Students will identify who the Guptas were and when they ruled India.

Students will explain why the period of Gupta rule was the golden age for India.

Students will describe how the religions and arts of India affected other cultures.

Students will analyze the development of the Hindu-Arabic numerals.

Students will identify the two specific achievements made during India's Golden Age.

Students will explain how the mathematical knowledge and health practices of ancient India affects our lives today.

​

​