Check it! - Indus Valley - Year 4

The educational material provided for Year 4 students delves into the history of the Indus Valley civilisation. It prompts students to explore who the inhabitants of the Indus Valley were and what is known about their culture and way of life. To reinforce their learning, the material suggests incorporating regular review sessions using creative strategies. For instance, students might perform a 'brain dump' where they jot down everything they recall, or 'Give me FIVE!' where they list five facts about the Indus Valley or ancient civilisations in general. Other suggested methods include adding information to a mind map or elaborating on simple statements to deepen their understanding of the topic.

The resources encourage students to engage with the content actively, asking them to expand on statements such as "The Indus Valley was very hot" or "There were many amazing buildings in the Indus Valley," prompting them to think more critically and descriptively about the historical context. Additionally, the 'Pyramid Check' activity challenges students to answer questions of varying difficulty, from naming pharaohs to discussing the advancements of the Indus Valley people compared to the British 3000 years ago. The material emphasises the importance of understanding historical evidence and the need for caution when interpreting the lives of people from ancient civilisations. The teaching materials are designed to ensure that all pupils can answer foundational questions, with more challenging content available for those ready to extend their knowledge further.