Unit 6: India
Essential Question: How does religion impact society?
Formative Assessment #1: Civilization
Part 1- Geography: Use the reading and worksheet provided below to explore and record the geographic features of the Indian subcontinent. Using what you learned from the Egypt and Mesopotamia units, (and no peeking in your textbook) identify where you believe the first Indian civilization started. Individually complete the "Geography of India" worksheet and as a table group, identify where you think the civilization started supporting your theory with geographic and historic understanding. When all groups in the class are finished, present your ideas to the rest of the class.
Geography of India Reading
Geography of India WS
Part 2 - Indus Valley Civilization Culture Research.
Indus Valley Civilization Research website
Daily Life website link
Indus Valley Civilization interactive website
Part 1- Geography: Use the reading and worksheet provided below to explore and record the geographic features of the Indian subcontinent. Using what you learned from the Egypt and Mesopotamia units, (and no peeking in your textbook) identify where you believe the first Indian civilization started. Individually complete the "Geography of India" worksheet and as a table group, identify where you think the civilization started supporting your theory with geographic and historic understanding. When all groups in the class are finished, present your ideas to the rest of the class.
Geography of India Reading
Geography of India WS
Part 2 - Indus Valley Civilization Culture Research.
Indus Valley Civilization Research website
Daily Life website link
Indus Valley Civilization interactive website
Formative Assessment #2 - City planning
Part 1: Google Earth Exploration
Archaeologists can learn a lot about a people from the ruins they leave behind. After learning about residential, commercial, industrial, and agricultural districts, explore the following cities on Google Earth to become familiar with how various factors, including religion, plays a role in city planning and/or development.
Google Earth City planning handout - Follow the directions on the handout. You need access to Google Earth to complete this handout.
Part 2: Redesign Seward
Redesign Seward Map Rubric (will be uploaded soon)
Click on the button below to download the Word document that you need to complete the caption. Type in the answers in the caption and then print it out, tape it to your map.
Formative Assessment #3 - Cultural Diffusion
In this section of the unit we will be learning about cultural diffusion and the cultural contributions of Aryans to India.
Part 1: Defining cultural diffusion.
Cultural Diffusion definition and examples
Defining Cultural Diffusion Handout - complete this handout after reading through the definition and examples link (above) or after participating in the class discussion and notes on cultural diffusion.
Part 2:
What do the Vedas Reveal? reading (will be updated shortly)
Aryans and Cultural Diffusion handout
In this section of the unit we will be learning about cultural diffusion and the cultural contributions of Aryans to India.
Part 1: Defining cultural diffusion.
Cultural Diffusion definition and examples
Defining Cultural Diffusion Handout - complete this handout after reading through the definition and examples link (above) or after participating in the class discussion and notes on cultural diffusion.
Part 2:
What do the Vedas Reveal? reading (will be updated shortly)
Aryans and Cultural Diffusion handout
Culture in the Cupboard Cultural Diffusion Project
Example
Directions:
Example
Directions:
- Bring in one item from home that you would like to learn a little about. This can be something from your culture or just something that you find at home. In needs to be able to fit into your backpack, so please don't bring in really large items.
- Identify something about your item that you want to research. It could be the the material of the item, something about the item, or the item itself. Be flexible. You may have to explore different angles before you can find good information on the history of the topic.
- Click on the button above to record your information so that it can be displayed. After you have typed in the information, print it out and color the country on the map where your artifact originated from. On the last question on the paper, specifically indicate whether or not it is an example of cultural diffusion by circling or highlighting "is" or "is not" on the form.
- Create a card to display your information. Use the yellow envelopes, glue, and scissors to copy the example that I have left with the sub.
Formative Assessment #4 - Basics beliefs and practices of Hinduism
In these assignments you will become familiar with the religion of Hinduism, symbolism, and of the many faces of the Hindu gods and goddesses.
Part 2: Short Story - Use your notes from class (the information is also provided in your textbook in the chapter on India) and create a short story that uses the following words. The use of the words must demonstrate that you understand what they mean.
Include the following words: moshka, atman, reincarnation, dharma, and kharma.
Part 3- Hindu Gods and Goddesses:
This assignment will focus on becoming familiar with the many faces of Hindu gods and goddesses as well as symbolism in each. Symbols are things (objects, colors, signs, etc.) that represent or mean something. For example: The Statue of Liberty is a symbol for freedom. Snakes are symbols of people that are sneaky or can't be trusted. Dog are often used a symbols for loyalty. We discussed the meaning of some Egyptian symbols in our last unit. Use the following website (and others) to choose a Hindu god or goddess. Print out a large picture of the god or goddess, glue it to an even larger piece of blank paper (found in the back room) so that you have room on the borders to write. Analyze the picture. What things do you see in the picture that might stand for something? Do internet research on different things that you are noticing in the picture to learn what meanings they have. In the blank border region around the picture include:
- The name of the god or goddess
- The role they play in the world or the power they have
- An explanation for at least 3 symbols associated with the god or goddess with clear identification of the symbols in the picture. Some pictures don't display all of the symbols for the god or goddess. They can still be used, just indicated that they aren't visible on the picture. Examples might be colors used, what they have in their hands, vehicles, things in the background.