SDUSD HSS - The Early Civilizations of India

The Early Civilizations of India

Content

2016 HSS Framework CH. 10, Grade 6 - World History and Geography: Ancient Civilizations, "Ancient India," pp. 161-166

History-Social Science Content Standards, pp. 23-26

Inquiry

How did the environment influence the emergence and decline of the Harappa civilization?
How did the religion of Hinduism support individuals, rulers, and societies?
How did the religion of Buddhism support individuals, rulers, and societies?
During the Harappa civilization, the Vedic period, and the Maurya Empire, how did the connections between India and other regions of Afroeurasia increase?

Learning Activities

The Rivers and Ancient Empires of China and India

Content: Locate and describe the major river system and discuss the physical setting that supported the rise of this civilization (6.5.1).

Inquiry: How did the environment influence human migration, ancient ways of life, and the development of societies? How did the environment influence the emergence and decline of the Harappa civilization?

Outcomes: Students locate and describe the physical features of the Indus and Ganges river systems in the Indian subcontinent. Investigating regional seasonal cycles, especially the summer monsoons, students provide examples of how these cycles benefited the permanent settlement of early Indian civilization, helping them to recognize that humans depend on, benefit from, and can alter the cycles that occur in the natural systems where they live.

Lessons:

Rivers and Monsoons (digital lesson at this link):
Ancient River Settlements of Northern India: Describe the factors that influenced the settlement of Indian communities (for example the role of the major river systems, and other physical settings in providing ecosystem goods/services).

Hinduism

Engage

Greet and comment: People in India sometimes greet each other with, "Namaste" (na-MAH-stay), "I bow to the Divine in you."

What do Indians mean by "the Divine in you?" Write a two-sentence response.

Principles of Hinduism

Purpose: Introduction to some principles of Hinduism, the third largest religion in the world from India.

Outcomes:

Read about some principles of Hinduism, record key points, and create a symbol(s) to represent the principles(s).
Design a mandala to demonstrate the relationships among the principles.
Participate in a gallery walk to discuss Hinduism with your peers.

Engage: Greet and comment: People in India sometimes greet each other with, "Namaste" (na-MAH-stay), "I bow to the Divine in you." What is meant by "the Divine in you?" Discuss with a partner and/or write a two-sentence response.

Steps:

Watch “Introduction to Hinduism” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9EICcU9oN-s
Read “Introduce Students to Hinduism” from Creating a Mandala of Hindu Beliefs, pg. 2
Review Slide #5 with students. Pairs read about “Brahman” and record key ideas on “Creating a Mandala of Hindu Principles.” They will also sketch a symbol for the belief.

1.9.19_Ancient India

4. Repeat Step 3 for the principles on Slides 6-10.

5. Read Slide 11 and groups of 3-6 will brainstorm ideas for a “Mandala of Hindu Principles.”

6. Now, group works on a poster and one person will work on the 8 ½ x 11” replica of the poster, including the paragraph explanation (may need multiple class periods).

7. Gallery Walk: 1-2 group members stay at their posters and the rest of the group members take the 8 ½ x 11” replica of the poster to visit another group’s poster. The group members who completed the poster will explain the Hindu principles and how they connected them. Then, the others will share their poster’s content using the 8 ½ x 11” replica of the poster. After 5-7 minutes, the class rotates and repeats the process. By the end of the gallery walk, after visiting and/or meeting with all other groups, students should have a strong foundation of some of the principles of Hinduism.

The History of Hindu India from Ancient Times

As students review this video, they will complete the video guide for "The History of Hindu India from Ancient Times."

History of Hindu India - 6 chapters to cover the history of Hinduism (grades 6, 7, 10) modeled after the Holt book

Story of India

What is Hinduism? - teacher resource for in-depth background on Hinduism

Gandhi - Human Rights

Citizenship - Take Action

What can you do in our society to bring socio-economic equity to your community?

Article for Extension: How an Ancient Indian Art Utilizes Mathematics, Mythology, and Rice

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