Learning About Ancient Civilizations
By now you know that there are 4 main components we focus on from each ancient civilization we study.
We start with geography. We learn what the important physical features are that helped people build a civilization - usually a river. We also learn what physical features proved to be challenges to people - sometimes mountains and deserts.
We also look at the major religions and how those influence parts of society such as social hierarchy.
Next we look at the government which we have found out is tied in with religion.
Finally, we look at the achievements of the civilization and think about how those ancient achievements have evolved through the centuries, and how they affect our lives today.
To learn and explore about ancient India we are going to use web quest. All the written work will be done on an activity packet. All of your research will be done following links from this page to other sources on the internet. Please, make sure you stay on the links that have been provided.
We start with geography. We learn what the important physical features are that helped people build a civilization - usually a river. We also learn what physical features proved to be challenges to people - sometimes mountains and deserts.
We also look at the major religions and how those influence parts of society such as social hierarchy.
Next we look at the government which we have found out is tied in with religion.
Finally, we look at the achievements of the civilization and think about how those ancient achievements have evolved through the centuries, and how they affect our lives today.
To learn and explore about ancient India we are going to use web quest. All the written work will be done on an activity packet. All of your research will be done following links from this page to other sources on the internet. Please, make sure you stay on the links that have been provided.
Critical Questions to search for answers concerning Ancient India:
Where did civilizations develop in India?
Why did they develop in these locations? or What in the geography allowed civilizations to develop?
What was unique about the civilizations in India?
Did they develop writing? What was it used for? Can we read and translate it today?
Did they trade? With whom? What did they trade?
What did they specialize in? Pottery? Art? Cloth? Metalworking?
What did their cities look like?
What type of architecture did they develop? What were their buildings used for? What materials and tools did they use?
What religions developed in the Indian civilizations?
Are these religions still practiced today? Are these religions practiced only in India?
What government structures were in place?
What social hierarchy existed in Indian civilizations?
What was the social hierarchy based on?
What achievements were unique to Indian civilizations?
What caused these civilizations to come to and end?
What evidence of Indian civilizations exists today for historians and archaeologists to study?
Why did they develop in these locations? or What in the geography allowed civilizations to develop?
What was unique about the civilizations in India?
Did they develop writing? What was it used for? Can we read and translate it today?
Did they trade? With whom? What did they trade?
What did they specialize in? Pottery? Art? Cloth? Metalworking?
What did their cities look like?
What type of architecture did they develop? What were their buildings used for? What materials and tools did they use?
What religions developed in the Indian civilizations?
Are these religions still practiced today? Are these religions practiced only in India?
What government structures were in place?
What social hierarchy existed in Indian civilizations?
What was the social hierarchy based on?
What achievements were unique to Indian civilizations?
What caused these civilizations to come to and end?
What evidence of Indian civilizations exists today for historians and archaeologists to study?
Geography of Ancient India
This is a power point. It was created using images from the World History Ancient Civilizations textbook. Use Geography and Early India as a slide show. It is from a school in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio.
This power point is designed to help you make your own concept map with step by step instructions. I made it ; )
Interesting 360 degree view of Mount EverestInteresting view of Mount Everest with climbers |
Use the following links and the power point to the left to become familiar with India's geography. Use this new information to complete the map on the first page of the activity packet.
This map is from part of a page titled Ancient India for Kids. This is a great site to get most of the information about how the geographical features impact India. This page from World Atlas explains why India is considered a subcontinent. This National Geographic map include satellite or aerial imagery of India. Browse through it with the labels on. Then take the labels off. Find the Indus River valley, the Himalayas, and the Hindu Kush. Talk with your partner about the images on the map you used to identify these places. The map on this link illustrates India as a subcontinent. It is very easy to see the difference in elevation between the mountains northwest, north, and northeast of India as well as the plains and plateaus that make up most of India. *** click HERE for link*** This South Asia Physical Geography map includes many of the features in one single view. |
Geography of India Map Activity | |
File Size: | 143 kb |
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Indus River Vallley Achievements
These two sites are full of information!!!
The Crash Course is a short video. It goes fast. Feel free to pause and rewind as needed. Don't forget headphones.
Land of Indus is a BBC sponsored site. FYI it is not full of spelling errors. It is written in European English, not American English. There is a difference which would be fascinating to study another time.
You may also use Geography and Early India ppt. from above for some of this information also.
The Crash Course is a short video. It goes fast. Feel free to pause and rewind as needed. Don't forget headphones.
Land of Indus is a BBC sponsored site. FYI it is not full of spelling errors. It is written in European English, not American English. There is a difference which would be fascinating to study another time.
You may also use Geography and Early India ppt. from above for some of this information also.
Indus River Valley Achievements | |
File Size: | 130 kb |
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Religions of Ancient India
The following websites as well as you text book will help you identify the origins and beliefs of India's 3 main religions.
Ancient India for Kids - scroll down to the heading Vedic Period for information on the history of India's religions. Civilizations of India -start on this page and move forward. It will cover the Aryan invasion India and explain where the religions came from. This is particularly helpful for the sheet titled After the Harappan Civilization. Religions of Ancient India for Kids The Buddha and Buddhism use this site to learn about the 8 Fold Path. Great information all on one site World Religions for Kids |
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India's Empires
Use the link to Kids Past . com to this page. As you read through the events of India's Empires complete the timeline activity.
Indian Empires Timeline | |
File Size: | 84 kb |
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