If you’re a social studies teacher looking to enhance your curriculum or searching for supplementary resources, you’ve found the right place. I want to help every teacher be their best when teaching your Ancient India unit! The following resources are activities I personally use in my Ancient India unit.
Japan Bell Ringers
I kick off my Medieval Europe 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 approach not only prepares students for the day’s lesson but helps with classroom management, establishing routines and maintaining student expectations.
Japan Map & Reading Activities
I start every ancient or medieval world history unit with an immersive map activity. This Japan Map & Reading Activities provides students with a hands-on approach to understanding Japan’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.
Japan Report Card Reading Activities
When I plan a reading comprehension activity, I want to make it interesting for students. In the Japan Report Card Reading Activities, I transform my students into teacher-historians as they study ancient and medieval Japan. Students read GRAPES thematic reading passages about the , answer questions based on each theme, then grade each theme. Finally, they calculate the empire’s GPA and write teacher comments.
Japanese Feudalism 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 Japanese Feudalism Simulation. The simulation begins with short lectures covering the different periods of Japanese history. As Japan becomes more turbulent, students battle each other by playing Rock, Paper, Scissors followed by short written reflections. The simulation concludes with students answering reflection questions, complete an extension and take a quiz.
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!
Tokugawa Ieyasu History Hero or Villain Reading Activity
When I plan a reading comprehension activity, I want to make it interesting for students. In this FREE Tokugawa Ieyasu History Hero or Villain Reading Activity, students delve into the good, bad and ugly of historical figures, answering Common Core-aligned questions that develop critical thinking skills. A Google Poll vote concludes the activity, promoting thoughtful discussions on Charlemagne legacy. I often use this activity to develop writing skills, and do a collaborative poster activity!
Japan Documentary: Memoirs of a Secret Empire: Way of the Samurai
Documentaries provide a great opportunity for students to learn or review using visual mediums. I tell my students that documentaries are like virtual field trips because we get to hear from historians and archaeologists, and see the actual sites students have studied. I also like to mix it up! Documentaries are a nice change of pace for classes, and they are great for sub plans too!
This incredible documentary handout is perfect for a Japan Unit. Memoirs of a Secret Empire Way of the Samurai covers the lives of samurais, Oda Nobunaga, Toyotomi Hideyoshi and Tokugawa Ieyasu and the end to the Warring States Period.
Buddhist Temple Project
Engage students with a hands-on 3D project where they construct a FREE Buddhist Temple Project. This culminating activity integrates key terms and historical events, encouraging collaborative learning and creative expression. A detailed checklist and rubric ensure project quality and classroom decoration.
Japan Test
I used to dread making tests for my ancient and world history units. If you need help writing your unit test for the Japan Test, use this assessment covering Japan’s geography, ancient and medieval Japan. There is a regular and modified version, a study guide and writing tests.
The Japan 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!