Life in India
Introduction
Why do we need to learn about ancient India? You are probably asking yourself this question right now. Do you think that learning about someone else's life helps you understand yourself and your place in the world?
India is one of the most rapidly growing countries in the world. As a result of the internet, technological advances, and a growing population of English-speaking, educated people, life in India is changing. Not only are a variety of Indian businesses emerging and growing, but many foreigners and businesses are looking to India as the place to invest and make money. In 2005 for example, there was more investment in the stocks of Indian companies than American companies. Also, manufacturing and customer service jobs that were previously done in the United States and other countries, are now performed in India because it is more profitable.*
With all of this technological and economic growth, it seems likely that the culture of the Indian people, which originated in the ancient civilizations of the Indus River Valley, would be altered. After all, now there is more disposable income because education is available to a larger portion of the population, and there are more jobs because of economic growth. Further, a greater number of Indian people are now being exposed to western culture because of education at home and abroad, travel, advertising, computers, and satelite television. But this is just my educated guess. What is your best educated guess? How are you as sixth-grade middle school students, going to find out what life was like in 2500 BCE in the Indus River Valley and what life is really like in India in the year 2007?
Your task for this unit is to find out all you can about the Indian culture, but you're not going to do it through traditional research. You're going to become friendly with a student who lives on the other side of the planet via email. That's right, you're going to be and will have your very own cyberspace Indian pen pal! Remember though, the process of letter writing is the exchange of information, so you'll want to tell your pen pal all about your culture as well.
Through various in-class activities, you will get some basic information about the origins of Indian culture. It is from this information that you and your partner will formulate questions that you will ask your Indian pen pal. You will correspond with your pen pal at least three times over the course of this unit.
You and your partner will create a portfolio of your letters to and from your pen pal. You will use the letter-writing format that you have learned in language arts. Each portfolio must have a cover, table of contents, illustrations, your questions and letters, and two individual reflection pieces demonstrating your findings and opinions of Indian culture and the task. See the rubric here.
Kidipede - History for Kids |
http://www.historyforkids.org/learn/india/ |
| Kathi Michell's Ancient Civilizations for Kids | http://www.kathimitchell.com/ancivil.html |
| Social Studies for Kids | http://www.socialstudiesforkids.com/subjects/ancientindia.htm |
| Mr. Donn's Ancient Indus | http://india.mrdonn.org/indus.html |
| Mr. Dowling - India | http://www.mrdowling.com/612india.html |
Welcome to India |
http://home.freeuk.net/elloughton13/routemap.htm |
| Time for Kids - Places to go in India | http://www.timeforkids.com/TFK/specials/goplaces/0,12405,214513,00.html |
| Home Exploration for Kids | http://homeschooling.gomilpitas.com/explore/india.htm#India%20For%20Kids |
Did this experience help you understand the importance of learning about Indian as well as other world cultures? Do you believe this experience has changed you and your opinion about the Indian people, and if so, how? How do you think you will use your newly-acquired knowledge in your future?
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*Zakaria, Fareed. "India Rising." Newsweek March 6, 2006: 31-42