Ancient India:

Back to the Future

Introduction

Developed as a collaborative venture between the John Muir Middle School History Department and the Library Media Teacher,
"Ancient India: Back to the Future" is designed as an adjunct to the material taught from the 6th grade text Ancient Civilizations (Harcourt-Brace, 2000).  

The purpose of this WebQuest is to expand student knowledge of ancient India while infusing information literacy skills into the curriculum. The WebQuest also addresses certain California State History Content and Information Literacy Standards.

Learners

This lesson is designed to be completed by 6th grade History students of varying ability levels. The Quest asks students in their groups to address the critical-thinking questions of "which is best" and "why"?

Prior to the lesson learners will need to have a general understanding of the geography of ancient India, the timeline of major events/civilizations, what recent excavations have uncovered, and a basic knowledge of Hinduism and Buddhism.

Curriculum Standards

As a result of this lesson students will gain a better understanding of daily life in ancient India, how medicine was practiced, as well as a working knowledge of the origins of Hinduism and Buddhism and how these faiths were practiced.

California State History-Social Science Standards that are Addressed via this WebQuest:

6.5: Students analyze the geographic, political, economic, religious, and social structuresd of the early civilizations of India

3. Explain the major beliefs and practices of Brahmanism in India and how they evolved into early Hinduism;

5. Know the life and moral teachings of Buddha and how Buddhism spread in India, Ceylon, and Central Asia;

7. Discuss important aesthetic and intellectual traditions (e.g., Sanskrit literature, including the Bhagavad Gita; medicine; metallurgy; and mathematics, including Hindu-Arabic numerals and zero).

In addition to teaching content, this Ancient India WebQuest's process-centered activities are designed to hone students' critical thinking/problem-solving, consensus building, computer and presentation skills. Inference-making, observation and categorization, comparison, teamwork and creative production also play significant roles in the development of the final product.

Process

"Ancient india: Back to the Future" is organized around four-person student groups. Some of the work the groups do will overlap, so a total class population of 28 or fewer is advised. For smaller class sizes, use three-person groups.

The WebQuest itself will take approximately three one-hour class periods in a computer lab to complete, with the oral presentations consuming an additional two periods. Expect one full week from start to finish. 

Student groups should be determined by the classroom teacher, keeping in mind student ability and motivational levels as well as individual temperament.  

Students should use analog library resources as well as the linked online sources, with two students working at a computer while the other members of the team conduct research using print materials already set out by the library media teacher. Think "two stay, two stray," then switch so everyone has a chance to work online. 

In order to render help in an efficient manner, teachers should familiarize themselves beforehand with the WebQuest's linked sites and how to navigate within those sites. Also, teachers and LMT's should peruse the print resources available. 

Resources Needed:

• History textbooks with adequate coverage of the geography of India and ancient Indian civilization; this background knowledge provides essential scaffolding that helps students experience a more enriching WebQuest;  
• Computer lab with interent access, the higher the speed the better;
• Adequate amount of print reference material in the school library for all groups to use simultaneously.

The lesson makes extensive use of the following websites, selected with the following criteria in mind: accuracy/quality of information, reputation of source, comprehensibility to the 6th-grade mind, and overall presentation (is information presented in mentally digestible "chunks"? Are graphics colorful, interesting and captioned?).

Mohenjodaro 1

Ancient Indus Valley Civilization: Harappa, Mohenjo-daro, Lothal
Harappan Civilization
Ancient Harappa in 3-D
Ancient Indian Medicine

Hinduism websites:                        

Brahma the Creator
The Rig Veda
The Upanishads
Guide to Hinduism

                                                                     
Buddhism websites: 

Basic Buddhism
Sidhartha Gautama
Bhagavan Gautama Buddha
A Basic Buddhism

Human resources needed:

This WebQuest can be facilitated by one teacher or LMT; however, two are preferable. Interested, computer-savvy aides and/or parent volunteers make progressing through the experience even more efficient and enjoyable for all involved.

Evaluation

Students will be evaluated based on their group presentation. The rubric from the Student page reads as follows: 

You will be graded on your presentation to the class. That grade will apply to the group, so it's important that everyone do his or her share and that everyone participates equally. The following chart shows what Ms. Kaplan and Mr. Tomlin expect in each area of the presentation:

Conclusion

"Ancient India: Back to the Future" is a WebQuest designed to do the following:

• Teach, in a fun, engaging way, information about ancient India students would not typically receive via traditional classroom instruction;
• Integrate information literacy skills into the regular curriculum;
• Teach critical thinking/problem-solving skills via the use of "prime" questions such as "why" and "which is better";
• Satisfy specific California State Content Standards.
  

Credits & References

Graphics courtesy of Sudheer Birodkar at:  http://www.hindubooks.org/sudheer_birodkar/hindu_history/freegraphics.html

This WebQuest was originally created in November/December of 2002 using a template available from the Bernie Dodge WebQuest page (see below). This Teacher Page was last updated on February 03, 2004.

Permission is hereby granted to use this "Ancient India: Back to the Future" WebQuest for educational purposes as long as its designers are acknowledged.