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K–12 teaching and learning · from the UNC School of Education

India

Having had few opportunities to learn about Asia when they were in school, many teachers find themselves challenged when faced with teaching their own students about India. We've put together a variety of resources from our collections that will not only provide you with the background information you need to know about the history, culture, and religions of India, but will also furnish you with the professional materials you need to catch your students interest and teach effectively about this complex nation.

view of the taj mahal through an archway

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Related pages

  • Ackland Art Museum: Features online versions of art museum's exhibits and permanent collection, field trip guidelines and activities, lesson plans, and in-depth institutional background.
  • Five Faiths: The Five Faiths Project, developed by the Ackland Art Museum of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, combines original works of art, photographs, storytelling and community events to introduce information about the world religions of Hinduism, Judaism, Buddhism, Christianity and Islam.
  • Government "kooshball" debate: Students will be presented with a situation where they will have to list pros and cons of an Islamic government and a democratic government. The students will be assigned one side of the argument and will write statements that support their side to be used in a debate. This lesson should follow a study of Islamic government and culture.

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Websites about India

The following resources are the best of the best on India, studied in grade 7 and high school social studies.

Ancient India
An interactive website that examines Ancient India in six categories: The Buddha, Geography, Early Hinduism, Indus Valley, Time, and Writing.
Mughal India Room
This site from the British Museum provides information, artifacts, and primary sources from the Mughal period of India’s history.
Harappa
Over 2000 pages of images, slideshows, illustrated essays, sounds, and video dedicated to documenting the archeological, historical, and cultural perspectives of the Indus Valley, Pakistan, and India.
Digital South Asia Library
Books, journals, primary sources and academic finding aids for the study of South Asia.

Websites about Religion

You can’t understand India unless you study religion. Learn about the religions practiced in India including Hinduism, Islam, Christianity, Sikhism, Buddhism and Jainism.

BBC Religions
A-Z of religions and beliefs. The ideas, stories, rituals, and history of religions of the world.
Stories of Krishna: The Adventures of a Hindu God
This beautiful interactive website explores the adventures of Krishna, the earthly form of the Hindu god, Vishnu, as he comes to Earth to rid the world of demons.
The Sensuous and the Sacred: Chola Bronzes from South India
An exhibit of spectacular and exquisite works of Indian art; the portable bronzes of Hindu deities and saints produced during the rule of the Chola dynasty.

Curriculum Resources

Professional websites with teaching guides, primary and secondary source materials, reading passages, streaming video on demand and other cost-free media to use in your classroom to teach South Asia and other global topics.

Asia Society: Education & Learning
Provides students and teachers with learning and teaching resources about Asia including activities, images, timelines, and more. Topics incorporate features such as art, religion, and stereotypes in an effort to help students and teachers develop a mutual understanding between the United States and Asia.
Bridging World History
Annenberg presents a series of videos and an accompanying website illustrating the cultures and key events in world history. Many of the units, including those covering the spread of religion and those focused on the colonialism, would be excellent background information for the study of India. Free registration is required to view these videos.

Lesson Plans

These instructional plans will help you to address the cultural diversity of India.

India’s path to independence
This interdisciplinary plan includes the study of the effects of imperialism and India’s struggle for independence through history texts, literary works, and online resources. Activities include a seminar, research, and a news broadcast. Although this unit is designed for integrated English II and World Civilizations, lessons can be adapted to other class structures. (Grades 9–10)
Pilgrimage: Mission
The students view symbols and traditions of world religions in artwork as a source for discussion of the effect of “mission” in world history. This discussion also parallels texts usually taught in English II. (Grades 9-10)
Religion, culture, and diversity
In this lesson, students explore some of the tensions associated with religious and cultural differences, learn more about various religions and share their own religious traditions. (Grades 4-8)
Cultural characteristics influence a region’s character
Students analyze demographic data and explore relationships between several cultural characteristics of nations. (Grades 9-12)