If you’re world history teacher aiming to enhance your curriculum or find additional resources, you’ve come to the right place! My goal is to help you excel teaching ancient Indian societies of Harappa, Gupta and Maurya Empires as well as bring Hinduism and Buddhism to life for your students. I personally use each World History Rawks activity. Finally, each unit includes bell ringers, map and reading activities, interactive role play simulations, zero prep, projects, engaging reading comprehension activities, documentary handouts and tests.
Ancient India Bell Ringers
I kick off my ancient India unit with dynamic, no-prep, skill-based bell ringers. Each bell ringer engages students by reviewing content and practicing crucial reading and writing skills such as subject/verb identification, citation, and sentence writing, with fun drawing prompts included. This helps prepare students for the day’s lesson while making classroom management a little easier.
India Map & Reading Activities
I start every ancient or medieval world history unit with an immersive map activity. This India Map & Reading Activities provides students with a hands-on approach to understanding India’s geography and its impact. Each lesson includes interactive map labeling, coloring tasks, followed by a short reading passage and writing activity on geographic influences, as well as a Google Classroom or printable quiz.
Report Card Reading Activities
When I plan a reading comprehension activity, I want to make it interesting for students. In the Report Card Reading Activities , I transform my students into teacher-historians as they study Harappan Civilization, Maurya and Gupta Empires. Students read GRAPES thematic reading passages and answer questions based on each theme then grade each theme. Finally, they calculate the empire’s GPA and write teacher comments.
I use the same approach for the following empires.
Harappa Civilization Report Card Reading Activity
Maurya Empire Report Card Reading Activity
Gupta Report Card Reading Activity
Hexagonal Thinking Activities
When I teach writing, I begin with organization. I use a Hexagonal Thinking Activity for the Maurya Empire. These are a great way for students to visualize what key terms they will use and how their paragraph will be organized.
Hinduism Reading Activity
I teach Hinduism by having students read & answer questions on the basic beliefs of Hinduism. After they develop their understanding of the symbolism of four of the main Hindu gods: Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva and Ganesh by reading four passages. Finally, students complete a handout and color in each Hindu god.
Buddhism Simulation
It can be hard to bring historic concepts and events into medieval and world history courses. So when we finally get the chance to teach the Silk Road, social studies teachers want to make it an amazing lesson our students will remember.
I teach Buddhism through an immersive Buddhism Simulation. Students evaluate their happiness. Then they take notes during a few short lectures on Siddhartha Gautama, Four Noble Truths, Eightfold Path & Dharma. Next they determine how closely they follow the Eightfold Path. Finally, there is Mindfulness practice as well.
Simulations are powerful tools for engaging students and making classroom management easier. This activity is excellent for both introducing and reviewing content, ensuring that students grasp key concepts effectively. Students never forget simulations—they’ll be talking about this all year!
Buddhist Temple Project
Projects should not be hard to prep. I engage students with a hands-on 3D project where they construct a FREE Buddhist Temple Project. This end of unit activity integrates key terms and historical events, encouraging collaborative learning and creative expression. Finally, the are great classroom decorations.
Decline and Fall of the Maurya Empire Simulation
As a history teacher, I want my students to develop an understanding of cause and effect. Part of that is understanding how empires rise and fall. In the Decline and Fall of the Maurya Empire Simulation, students explore the complexities of decline with an interactive simulation. Students experience the forces that contribute to the decline of the Maurya Empire. And they do this while working to prevent the collapse of their simulated empire. This simulation fosters critical thinking and historical empathy, leaving a lasting impact on student learning.
Ancient India Test
I used to dread making tests for my ancient and world history units. If you need help writing your unit test for the Ancient India Test, use this assessment covering India’s geography, Harappa, Maurya, Asoka and the Gupta Empire. There is a regular and modified version, a study guide and writing tests.
Ancient India Unit
The Ancient India unit is designed with teachers in mind. It is full of time-saving activities. You will get more student buy-in with interactive simulations, hands-on projects, and insightful discussions on historical figures. Designed for flexibility, the Ancient India unit helps teachers be their best!
Be sure to listen to the Middle Ages Podcast for more awesome ideas ancient and world history teachers!