1. BELL RINGER  ABC BRAINSTORMING J K L M N O P Q R List the alphabet A-Z on a sheet of notebook paper. For the letters, list anything that you know about India next to each letter. For example, you can list the Indus River next the letter “I.” It is ok if you do not know one for each letter List the alphabet A-Z on a sheet of notebook paper. For the letters, list anything that you know about India next to each letter. For example, you can list the Indus River next the letter “I.” It is ok if you do not know one for each letter A B C D E F G H Indus River Indus River S T U V W X Y Z

2. The Indus River Valley (India) FOUNDATIONS OF ANCIENT INDIA Began in the Indus River Valley Began in the Indus River Valley Spread throughout the rest of the Indian subcontinent Spread throughout the rest of the Indian subcontinent Known as a subcontinent because of its size and that it is almost cut off from the rest of Asia by mountain chains and other natural barriers Known as a subcontinent because of its size and that it is almost cut off from the rest of Asia by mountain chains and other natural barriers Little interference due to natural barriers; Made invasion difficult Little interference due to natural barriers; Made invasion difficult Another important river valley was the Ganges River Valley Another important river valley was the Ganges River Valley The Ganges River Valley (India)

3. GEOGRAPHY OF ANCIENT INDIA Began along the Indus River, which flooded and left behind fertile soil for crops. Seasonal monsoons caused unpredictable summer rains and flood. Alternating between dry and wet seasons Civilization was protected by natural barriers, which made invasion difficult, such as the: Arabian Sea Indian Ocean Bay of Bengal Himalayan Mountains Hindu Kush Mountains Thar Desert Trade routes established on the Arabian Sea

4. EARLY CITIES OF ANCIENT INDIA Two major cities were Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro Developed along the Indus River Both cities were very organized – laid out in a grid-like pattern, with very wide, straight streets. Had one of the earliest sewage and public water systems.

5. EXIT ACTIVITY  ABC BRAINSTORMING J K L M N O P Q R Continuing on your sheet of notebook paper, list anything that you have learned from today’s lesson about India. A B C D E F G H Indus River Indus River S T U V W X Y Z