Learning Activity

What Everyone Needs to Know about Climate and Geography in India

Subject Area

Social Studies

Grade(s)

8

Overview

This learning activity should be used during a lesson on the climate and geography of India and the effects this had on the development of the region. The students will watch an informative and interactive video from Edpuzzle on the climate and geography of India.  The video will pause at various times to allow students to answer comprehension questions about the video's content.  After watching the video, the class will participate in a whole class discussion on how the rivers, deserts, monsoons, and mountains had an impact on the development of India.

This activity was created as a result of the ALEX  Resource Development Summit.

Social Studies (2010) Grade(s): 8

SS10.8.8

Describe the development of a classical civilization in India and China.

Unpacked Content

UP:SS10.8.8

Vocabulary

  • subcontinent
  • dharma
  • karma
  • reincarnation
  • caste
  • filial piety
  • classical civilization
  • Varna
  • enlightenment
  • meditation
  • nirvana
  • Daoism
  • Confucianism
  • Legalism
  • acupuncture
  • oracle
  • mandate of heaven

Knowledge

Students know:
  • The development of a classical civilization in India and China.
  • The climate and geography of India and China and the effects these had on the development of each region.
  • The social and political impact of major groups on the development of India and China.
  • The effects of religion and philosophy on Indian and Chinese societies and the effects of Indian and Chinese cultures and geographies on the development of religions and philosophies.

Skills

Students are able to:
  • Analyze textual evidence of primary and secondary sources.
  • Locate places on a map.
  • Identify the effects of religious beliefs and practices on societies.
  • Describe how geography influenced culture.

Understanding

Students understand that:
  • The civilizations in India and China development into advanced, sophisticated civilizations.

Phase

Before/Engage
Learning Objectives

Learning Objectives

Students will be able to identify the climate and geography of India and the effects these had on the development of each region.

Activity Details

This learning activity is an engaging activity that should be used at the beginning of a lesson about the climate and geography of India.

For automatic grading of the video, the teacher and students will need to have an account on Edpuzzle.  If students have a Gmail account, they can sign up for an Edpuzzle account through Gmail.  Edpuzzle is free to use.  After creating an account, teachers will give their students a class code to join their class.  Then the teacher will be able to send the video to each student through google classroom, Edmodo, or any other file sharing system.  

Share the video: India Geography

The students will watch this individually on their Internet-connected devices and answer the embedded questions in the video. 

After watching the clip, lead a whole class discussion on the following questions:

  • Why is it important to develop a civilization near a river?
  • How was the Ganges River used in early India?
  • What is the significance of the Himalaya mountains?
  • Why is the monsoon season important to India?
  • What impact do you think the geography had on the development of India?
Assessment Strategies

Assessment Strategies

The students' answers to the embedded questions will determine if the objectives have been met and can be used as the assessment for this learning activity.

Background and Preparation

Background / Preparation

Students should be familiar with the characteristics of a civilization. The teacher will need to be able to display the video clip.  The teacher will need to set up an Edpuzzle account and create a class with a class code.  The video should already be shared with the students via Gmail, Google Classroom, Edmodo, or any other way the teacher chooses to share files.

Digital Tools / Resources

India Geography/Edpuzzle
https://edpuzzle.com/media/5c80328fcbf96041316785be

Approved Date

Owner (Author)

myraharris
ALSDE LOGO

This site may contain links to other websites or content belonging to or originating from third parties or links to websites and features in banners or other advertising. Such external links are not investigated, monitored, or checked for accuracy, adequacy, validity, reliability, availability, or completeness by us. WE DO NOT WARRANT, ENDORSE, GUARANTEE, OR ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ACCURACY OR RELIABILITY OF ANY INFORMATION OFFERED BY THIRD-PARTY WEBSITES LINKED THROUGH THIS SITE.
Alabama Learning Exchange © 2002-2023 by Alabama State Department of Education is licensed under Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International

Design by Adaptive Theme