Ancient India- Lesson and Project Based

This is the fifth session of a year long Project Based Middle School Ancient History course. In this session, students will discover the wonders of Ancient India through visual lectures, project based learning, and interactive Nearpod lessons.

I combine both comprehensive lessons using slides, images, lecture, discussion, and video, as well as hands on projects to deepen learning and bring the topic of focus to life. The first class of each week involves a lecture using slides and visuals. The second day is a project based learning day. Each project day will begin with a lively discussion based on the homework due, a possible interactive Nearpod lesson, and then students will get a chance to share any homework challenges completed before moving on to the project of the day.

There are many projects that will ask learners to create a model of a historic structure. I will allow students to choose their medium, and options can include wood or plastic blocks, cardboard, craft board, or recycled materials, as well as Minecraft (if parents allow). If learners would like to use plastic building blocks but don't have a large collection, they can download online building software, which is free and allows students to build with endless pieces. I will send a link to that upon enrollment.

Projects are mostly carried out in Maker style, meaning I give the students the freedom to decide how they want to create their project rather than offering step by step instructions. I find students feel more confident and less stressed this way and don't feel defeated when their projects don't turn out exactly how they are "supposed" to. Plus, I enjoy offering students time to use their inventiveness and problem solving skills. Only a few projects will be more similar to art projects, meaning I will offer step by step instructions, but even then, students will have the freedom to use the instructions or figure out their own style. The intention is always immersion in the learning, rather than a perfect result.

Learners will always differ in the amount of time they spend working on their projects. Therefore some might complete their projects before the end of class. Those who do will have time to share their projects with the class either by holding the project up to the camera, or screen sharing an online build. Students who don't complete their projects before the end of class will be encouraged to upload a photo or screen shot of their finished project in the classroom. As many learners will be in this course for the entire year, I hope that we can create a fun and supportive energy.

Week 1:
Day 1: Early Civilizations of India- We will explore the early civilizations of India through a multi-media, visual powerpoint lecture. Topics of focus will include the geography of India, the early civilizations of the Indus Valley, Aryan migrations, and the Varnas/ Caste System.
Day 2: Project Day: We will begin with a homework based discussion. Then we will take a look at the geography of India and create dough maps of India.

Week 2:
Day 1: Religions of Ancient India- We will explore the early religions of India through a multi-media, visual powerpoint lecture. Topics of focus will include the origins of Hinduism, Buddhism, & Jainism.
Day 2: We will begin with a homework based discussion and then take a close look at Mandala and Rangoli Art from India. We will then create our own Mandala art using either colored sand, dried flowers or herbs, or markers. (Kids may choose their medium)

Week 3:
Day 1: Mauryan Empire- We will explore the Mauryan Empire and the arts and advances of Ancient India through a multi-media, visual powerpoint lecture. Topics of focus will include the Mauryan Empire, the Gutpa Dynasty, and literature, arts, mathematics, science, and medicine in Ancient India.
Day 2: Art :We will begin with a homework based discussion and then take a close look at art from Ancient India. Then, we will take a close look at artifacts from Ancient India (Indus River Valley and The Mauryan Empire) and create our own replicas using terra cotta clay.