2016-2017 Curriculum Blueprint
Grade: 6
Course Descriptions: World History
IV. India
Approximate
Time:
7 Weeks
Unit Overview
This unit examines the events, figures, and contributions of early Indian civilization. Students will compare the theories of Aryan migration into ancient India and its
spread of culture throughout the subcontinent. They will be able to explain the major beliefs and practices of Hinduism and the Caste system, which still identifies the
Indian people today. This unit emphasizes the cultural achievements of the Maurya and Gupta empires and the origin, foundation, and impact of Buddhism on ancient
Indian and future civilizations.
Learning Goal
Students will recognize significant events, figures, and contributions of Indian
civilizations.
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LDC Modules and DBQs
Students will be expected to complete a combination of at least four LDC modules or DBQs.
Each module or DBQ will be taught in full, most ranging from 1.5-3 weeks. It is imperative
that teachers will teach the applicable literacy skills covered within the module or DBQ, to
ensure the students have all the tools they need to achieve success in their final product.
Students will gain content knowledge that is standards-aligned and is relevant to the
corresponding unit as they walk through the tasks and lessons of each module or DBQ.
Therefore, students’ takeaways from a completed module or DBQ will be abundant; as they
will focus on literacy skills, content knowledge, and historical-thinking skills, all which will be
text-based.
Featured DBQ:
Asoka: Ruthless Conqueror or Enlightened Ruler?
Description
Students will write an argumentative essay
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Students will examine six documents (both primary and secondary) with a
focus on providing text evidence to support their claim that the leader Asoka
was either a ruthless conqueror or an enlightened leader.
Students will read the background essay identifying significant foundation
information (who, when, where, what) relative to the topic.
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Sample Essential Questions
Who and what from ancient India had an impact on future civilizations and
our world today?
What impact did religion have on the Maurya Empire?
How much does geography affect people’s lives?
Focus Literacy Standards
These standards will directly correlate with the LDC module or DBQ featured in this unit.
All these focus literacy standards will be addressed through the mini-tasks and lessons of
the module or DBQ. *Please remember that all the literacy standards should be
addressed throughout the year in regular lessons. These focus standards are just
directly covered through the featured module or DBQ.
Recursive Standards
LAFS.68.WHST.1.1 Write arguments focused on discipline-specific content.
LAFS.68.WHST.3.9 Draw evidence from informational texts to support analysis
reflection, and research.
LAFS.68.RH.2.5 Describe how a text presents information (e.g., sequentially,
comparatively, causally).
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Students will review six primary and secondary documents (including pictures,
graphs and maps) about the leader Asoka, answering questions which will
assist them in arguing the main reasons why Asoka was either ruthless or
enlightened.
Students will develop their claim whether Asoka was ruthless or enlightened
and be able to support this with text evidence.
This DBQ examines the leader Asoka, by using informative text and
argumentative writing students will deepen their understanding of Asoka
and the Maurya empire. This DBQ also directly supports content standards;
SS.6.W.4.3 SS.6.W.4.4
Content Standards for the Unit
(Please make sure to read more specifics on the standards, including what needs to be covered and what doesn’t need to be covered by using the Test Item
Specifications for your course)
SS.6.G.4.4 Map and analyze the impact of the spread of various belief systems in the ancient world. Examples are Buddhism, Christianity, Judaism.
SS.6.E.2.1 Evaluate how civilizations through clans, leaders, and family groups make economic decisions for that civilization providing a framework for future city-state
or nation development.
SS.6.W.4.1 Discuss the significance of Aryan and other tribal migrations on Indian civilization.
SS.6.W.4.2 Explain the major beliefs and practices associated with Hinduism and the social structure of the caste system in ancient India. Examples are Brahman,
reincarnation, dharma, karma, ahimsa, moksha.
SS.6.W.4.3 Recognize the political and cultural achievements of the Mauryan and Gupta empires.
SS.6.W.4.4 Explain the teachings of Buddha, the importance of Asoka, and how Buddhism spread in India, Ceylon, and other parts of Asia. Examples are The Four Noble
Truths, Three Qualities, Eightfold Path.
SS.6.W.4.5 Summarize the important achievements and contributions of ancient Indian civilization. Examples are Sanskrit, Bhagavad Gita, medicine, metallurgy, and
mathematics including Hindu-Arabic numerals and the concept of zero.
SS.6.W.4.10 Explain the significance of the silk roads and maritime routes across the Indian Ocean to the movement of goods and ideas among Asia, East Africa, and the
Mediterranean Basin.
Activities and Tasks
(Suggested activities and tasks provide additional resources that teachers in a Personalized Learning Classroom can utilize to create choice board activities)
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Create a travel brochure for ancient India, include geography (Indus Valley, Ganges Basin), the city of Harappa, ancient religions practiced and reasons for
migrations.
website provides example lesson and brochure template
website provides examples and rubrics
SS.6.W.4.1
Caste cartoon, students will draw a 5 scene comic depicting each member of the Indian caste system and the jobs that were performed. Next, the student will
reflect on the pros and cons of ancient India having a caste system. Students will present their cartoons to the class.
website provides free comic strip printables
SS.6.W.4.2
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Research quotes from the Buddha, then illustrate the quote and write how it is related to a step in the eight fold path.
website provides quotes from the Buddha
SS.6.W.4.4
Create a common craft video and script on one of the following: life of Siddhartha Gautama, an important Indian figure or explaining an Indian achievement.
YouTube video explaining the process of make a common craft video
See My World History Teacher Edition pg. TE 36-37
SS.6.W.4.4, SS.6.W.4.5
Create a book cover for the life of Asoka depicting if Asoka was enlightened or ruthless, then write an appealing summary to your book with reviews.
website provides a free interactive book cover design
YouTube video ex plaining how to make a book cover
Text Source- Asoka: Ruthless Conqueror or Enlightened Ruler?
SS.6.W.4.3
Create interviews for Chandragupta or Asoka. Focus your questions on events in their life and decisions they made during their rule. Then switch with a partner to
answer the questions.
See My World History Teacher Edition pg. TE 40-41
SS.6.W.4.3
Create a Maurya achievement book detailing 5 great achievements from either Chandragupta or Asoka. Each achievement should be described and students will
explain how the achievement was important to India. Then student justifies in writing, why or why not they would want to be part of that empire with supporting
text evidence.
Text Sources- My World History Textbook Teacher Edition TE 46-47
Asoka DBQ
YouTube video demonstrating how to make a booklet
website provides detailed information on leaders of the Maurya Empire
SS.6.W.4.3, SS.6.W.4.4, SS.6.W.4.5
Write an argumentative essay for or against the caste system of ancient India. Essay should include insight on ancient Indian culture and religion, as well as,
textual evidence that supports their claim from the links below.
Text Sources- My World History Textbook
website provides details on the untouchables from National Geographic’s
website provides descriptions of ancient India's caste system
website provides video links explaining each level of the caste system
website provides information, video links and an additional project on the caste system
SS.6.W.4.2
Suggested Texts
Links and Resources
(Suggested texts provide additional resources that teachers in a Personalized Learning
Classroom can utilize to create choice board activities)
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Textbook, Ch. 12-13, pgs. 374-427
Excerpts from the Bhagavad Gita: This part of the epic Sanskrit poem, the
Mahabharata. Bhagavad Gita Excerpts SS.6.W.4.2
(Suggested links and resources provide additional resources that teachers in a
Personalized Learning Classroom can utilize to create choice board activities)
Mr. Dowling.com: Readings and resources on a variety of topics in world history
Annenberg Learner: Resources and activities related to a variety of world history
topics.
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Anchorage School District World History Lesson Links: Links from the Anchorage
school district to online lessons and resources for world history.
PBS Lesson Plans on Ancient India: Lessons related to ancient India.
Mr. Donn.org: Readings, lessons and resources on a variety of world history
topics.
Safari Montage Link to Standards: Clicking on this link will take you to Safari
Montage. You will need to log in and click on the “standards” tab at the top.
Enter the following information:
State: Florida
Document Type: Next Generation Sunshine State Standards
Standards Set: Next Generation Sunshine State Standards for Social Studies
2008
Then select your grade range and click “search”.
This will take you to a list of sources on Safari Montage sorted by the standards
they meet.
Terms and Concepts to Know
Events:
Key Vocabulary:
Kalinga War
Hinduism
Buddhism
Caste System
Monsoons
Sanskrit
Bhagavad Gita
Mathematics
The Four Noble Truths
Three Qualities
Eightfold Path
Excerpts from the Vedas: The Vedas are the holy text of the Hindu Religion.
The Vedas for Kids SS.6.W.4.2
People:
Asoka
Chandragupta
Aryan
Siddhartha Gautama/Buddha
Places/Land Features:
Subcontinent
Indus River
Ganges River
Link to Webb’s DOK Guide