5 Low-Prep Student Projects and Activities for your Ancient India Unit
Looking for some fun project ideas for your ancient India unit? Of all the ancient civilizations, I’ve found ancient India to be one of the most challenging when it comes to finding fun projects, activities, and teaching materials in general.
Our ancient India unit falls right after Thanksgiving, and always seems to be a shorter, quick unit, as we squeeze it in before winter break.
So not only are we trying to get the unit squeezed in between all the concerts, performances, and assemblies, but keeping student interest and focus becomes a challenge as well.
In this post, you’ll discover 5 easy, low-prep projects and activities for your ancient India unit.
Activity #1 - Compare Hinduism & Buddhism
This is by far the most popular activity for an ancient India unit. It is exciting to learn about the origins of two religions that are still practiced around the world today.
While there are many differences between the two, there are also quite a few similarities.
The options for how to demonstrate these comparisons are really only limited to your imagination. You could do anything from a classic Venn diagram, to a graphic organizer, or an elaborate digital presentation.
However, one word of caution. If you choose to have this comparison be part of your unit assessment, then please, please, please make sure you have your students practice.
While there are many differences between the two, there are also quite a few similarities.
The options for how to demonstrate these comparisons are really only limited to your imagination. You could do anything from a classic Venn diagram, to a graphic organizer, or an elaborate digital presentation.
However, one word of caution. If you choose to have this comparison be part of your unit assessment, then please, please, please make sure you have your students practice.
Notebook Foldable Activity Available in my TpT Store
Activity #2 - Comprehensive Lap-book
Trying to make sure you cover all the essential concepts is tough when you are pressed for time and squeezing in a unit.
One of the best ways to make sure you get the best bang-for-your-buck with time, is to do a comprehensive project that covers all the essential core concepts.
These Lap-book projects are the perfect answer. Students can work together to gather the information. Then they are held accountable for the information through completing their own project. And you can support your students by providing them with templates to help them complete their projects.
These project serve as a great way to hands-on review material AND they can even be used as a project based assessment if you need it to.
One of the best ways to make sure you get the best bang-for-your-buck with time, is to do a comprehensive project that covers all the essential core concepts.
These Lap-book projects are the perfect answer. Students can work together to gather the information. Then they are held accountable for the information through completing their own project. And you can support your students by providing them with templates to help them complete their projects.
These project serve as a great way to hands-on review material AND they can even be used as a project based assessment if you need it to.
Ancient India Lap-book Project Available in my TpT Store
Activity #3 - Write About Buddha's Message
Any time you can get your students writing is a win! One of my favorite ways to teach students about the beginnings of Buddhism, is actually through story telling.
Sharing the story of Prince Siddhartha and his journey to becoming Buddha is deep and inspiring.
The best culmination to this lesson, is to have students write a personal response. Anything from how the story made students feel, to identifying what part of Buddha’s message appealed to people the most and why.
Sharing the story of Prince Siddhartha and his journey to becoming Buddha is deep and inspiring.
The best culmination to this lesson, is to have students write a personal response. Anything from how the story made students feel, to identifying what part of Buddha’s message appealed to people the most and why.
Ancient India Lesson Set on Religion Available in my TpT Store
#4 - Student Project Choice Board
If you haven’t started giving your students choice, here’s your sign that you need to start!
Sometimes there is confusion about what student choice actually entails. It’s not about just letting students choose anything, it’s about giving them options to choose from.
These Student Project Choice Boards are a great way to give students guided options for choosing their own projects that encourage them to explore and taking their thinking to the next level.
Sometimes there is confusion about what student choice actually entails. It’s not about just letting students choose anything, it’s about giving them options to choose from.
These Student Project Choice Boards are a great way to give students guided options for choosing their own projects that encourage them to explore and taking their thinking to the next level.
Ancient India Student Project Choice Board Available in my TpT Store
#5 - Host A Chess Tournament
Did you know the origins of chess go back to ancient India? If you teach your unit on ancient India in December like me, then you probably deal with weird schedules right before dismissing into winter break.
These weird time blocks and shortened school days are the perfect time to have some focused fun with your students.
Most students have heard of chess, but many don’t know how to play. What a great opportunity to introduce them a game full of strategy and critical thinking!
These weird time blocks and shortened school days are the perfect time to have some focused fun with your students.
Most students have heard of chess, but many don’t know how to play. What a great opportunity to introduce them a game full of strategy and critical thinking!
Ready To Roll Materials
Now that you have a few easy, low-prep project and activity ideas you are ready to get your ancient India unit planned out!
But if you are looking to save a bit more time, then you know I’ve got just want to you need with some materials that are ready-to-roll!
Ancient India Lap-book Project
Ancient India Student Project Choice Board
Ancient India Lesson Sets
But if you are looking to save a bit more time, then you know I’ve got just want to you need with some materials that are ready-to-roll!
Ancient India Lap-book Project
Ancient India Student Project Choice Board
Ancient India Lesson Sets
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Welcome! I'm Hillary Midgley, a veteran 6th grade teacher.
I create educational materials and develop curriculum for other teachers. I specialize in teaching students how to learn through my Study Skills Curriculum. I have established fundamental classroom systems and structures for teachers to help them streamline their classroom. And my passion is teaching ancient history through engaging activities with foundations in academic skills. Here you will find resources on all of these topics and more. Learn more about me here.
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