An India global studies unit for homeschool, worldschool or just for fun.
There's so much to learn about India that it was hard to fit it all into one unit! Old India, modern India, jungles, the Taj Mahal and so much more. We did a little bit of everything and while it might have been a bit better to narrow our focus, we got a lot out of our scattered approach.
Printables
Here's this week's info, all wrapped up into an easy-to-read printable. Click here for the full color copy and click here for a low-ink black and white version.
On the Dining Room Wall
The insert from the Who HQ Taj Mahal book (we own it).
A bunch of pictures from various cut up calendars (learn more about that here).
Books
One from each category plus an assortment of picture books is usually just perfect.
Not all book series are as good as the next. Get the scoop on some of our favorites here.
Library Haul
Not all of these books will get read. Most library systems allow you to browse online and put books on hold. They'll round them up for you and deliver them to your local branch. It's a big time saver!
Base Non-Fiction Books:
Read every word or simply flip through and reach what catches your eye.
Top Pick:
Who was Gandhi? (Who HQ book) We didn't find this book to be quite as successful as most of the books in this amazing series. With younger kids, and maybe older kids too, starting midway through might be the way to go.
Where is the Taj Mahal? (Who HQ book) We read this book the first time we did India week and I remember feeling like expanding the book's topic to include more than just the Taj Mahal might have been better. If you have access to both this one and the Gandhi one, it might be smart to read half of each.
Other Ideas:
India: A Benjamin Blog and his Inquisitive Dog Guide This is a great introduction to modern India through a tourist lens.
Base Fiction Chapter Book:
Some of these books are part of a series but all of them work as standalone books.
Younger Learners:
The Mystery of the Suspicious Spices (Greetings from Somewhere #6) Short chapters, ample illustrations and simple but engaging storylines make these books great for younger learners. In this book, twins Ethan and Ella travel to Mumbai with their parents and find themselves in the middle of a spice mystery.
A Crazy Day with Cobras (Magic Treehouse #45) We didn't get to this book but it's one of the later Magic Treehouse books that are a little longer and more involved and I'm sure it's good. Jack and Annie venture back in time and have a big adventure in an Indian jungle.
Older Learners:
Ahimsa (By Supriya Kelkar) I read this book to my girls when they were almost nine years old and it was right at the edge of their comprehension level. The girls really liked the book and were always ready for another chapter, but there was a lot of stopping and explaining words and concepts. It was a great introduction to tough concepts like India's caste system, privilege and more.
Other Notable Books
Have more time? Try these too.
The Ocean of a Story: Fairy Tales from India Each story in this collection is a quick, easy read. Read one or read them all.
Illustrated Atlas of India (DK book) These types of books are usually worth flipping through.
Picture Books
Library inventories vary so much with picture books. Rather than wasting time tracking down specific ones, I like to do keyword searches and just grab what's available.
Search these keywords: India, Gandhi, Taj Mahal, Diwali, Mumbai, Holi. Delhi.
We liked these books:
T is for Taj Mahal: An India Alphabet (By Varsha Bajaj)
A Taste of Freedom: Gandhi and the Great Salt March (By Elizabeth Cody Kimmel)
The Secret Kingdom: Nek Chand, A Changing India, and A Hidden World of Art (By Barb Rosenstock)
The Forest Man: The True Story of Jadav Payeng (By Anne Matheson) Such an interesting and true story about one boy's effort to save an ecosystem.
A Gift for Amma: Market Day in India (By Meera Sriram) A simple and colorful book about the things you might find in an Indian market.
The Moon From Dehradun: A Story of Partition (By Shirin Shamsi) A touching story about one little girl's experience with India's partition.
My Diwali Light (By Raakhee Mirchandani)
Things to Listen to/Watch*
*Always vet material before watching it with your kids, especially if they are sensitive viewers. I try to note any potential issues but everyone has different parenting thresholds of what they consider appropriate.
Interactive Learning: Crafts, Food, Activities
Eat at an Indian restaurant.
While you read, have your kids color the Taj Mahal.
End of Week Movie Night Ideas
The Jungle Book (2016, PG) It's such an exciting story and expertly done in this live-action remake. My girls also really enjoyed watching a few "Making of..." videos on YouTube to see how it was all done.
Life of Pi (2012, PG) My girls liked this movie but it is definitely not for viewers sensitive to animal deaths. It has a bit of a slow start that needed a fair amount of explanation but once it got going, the kids were very engaged.
Segue Ideas... China Week, Nepal Week
Wrap Up
Picking such a big chapter book can somewhat overwhelm a week, which felt a little like what happened for India week. Still, as the kids get older, it seems worthwhile to tackle more challenging ones. This would all work great for an India global studies homeschool unit.
Final Moment
Neither the kids or I have been to India yet, but when I was pregnant with the girls, Andy had a work trip there.
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