Ancient India Learning Stations with Ancient India Project Lotus Flower, India Lesson Plans and Activities

This resource contains six ancient India learning stations that students can rotate through in small groups. Each learning station (or ancient history learning center) is designed to give students engaging and exciting learning experiences to practice, enrich, review, and enhance their learning. Students will visit each station with a small group and complete tasks and assignments. Check this out! Students will create a 3-D interactive lotus flower filled with their learning. They’ll add information to different layers of the lotus flower as they progress through the stations. Working both independently and with their small groups, students will have multiple opportunities to develop their understanding of ancient India while they investigate its geography, religion, achievements, politics, economy, and society. Then, they'll cut out their work and assemble a 3-D lotus flower to display on their desks, around the classroom, or even slip into their folders to refer to throughout the school year. ABOUT THE LEARNING STATIONS: The learning stations are based on the Common Core elements for Social Studies: Geography, Religion, Achievements, Politics / Government, Economy, and Society. STATION 1: GEOGRAPHY Students learn about the geography of India as they collect facts about important elements of the country’s geography. STATION 2: RELIGION At this station students learn about Hinduism and Buddhism. Then, they sort facts and add them to their lotus shape. STATION 3: ACHIEVEMENTS Students read a series of reading cards to learn about 6 of ancient India’s significant achievements. Then, they show what they know as they doodle and write about each achievement. STATION 4: POLITICS Students will learn about the Maurya and Gupta Empires at this station. Then, they complete guided notes based on the reading passage. STATION 5: ECONOMY At this station students will learn about ancient India’s economy. Then, they need to match facts to create statements about India’s economy. STATION 6: SOCIETY Students will learn about the caste system at this learning station. Then, they’ll need to explain the different levels of ancient India’s society. ABOUT THE 3-D INTERACTIVE LOTUS FLOWER The lotus flower is significant in the Hindu and Buddhist religions. As students rotate through the 6 learning stations, they’ll work to create different layers of a lotus flower. After they complete their work, they’ll cut out the shapes, stack them together, and assemble a beautiful symbol of India filled with their learning. It’s super easy to create, and the “wow factor” can’t be beat! INCLUDED IN THIS DETAILED RESOURCE: This resource is absolutely turn-key! Everything you need is included! --- Station Implementation Guide --- Station Grade Tracker --- Station Vocabulary Worksheet --- Station Table Labels (6) --- Teacher Resources - Detailed Station Overview and Set-Up Guides (7) --- Station Materials (reading passages, directions, reading cards, maps, student directions, lotus-shaped worksheets) --- Step-by-Step guide for make the 3-D lotus flower --- Keys (for all station activities)