India Unit Study

We found a new love---INDIA!!!  Our India Unit Study was everything that you would imagine when you think about that part of the world.  It was full of exotic sights, sounds and tastes.

While we studied, we enjoyed tea and candies that Mrs. Tanaka brought us from a recent trip to India.

Before I begin summarizing our study, I want to mention a fabulous event that happens right here in Central Texas at the University of Mary Hardin Baylor in Belton.  It is called India Night and it is hosted by a group of international students that attend the university.   Each year they organize this event which features song, dance and food.  It is a wonderful way to experience the culture of India. My daughter and I were fortunate enough to have been invited to attend this event shortly before our study by the UMHB Director of International Student Services, Elizabeth Tanaka.  Elizabeth has been instrumental in developing this program, and the participation of students from India in particular, and it is truly a hidden gem in our community.

We read several books as part of our India Unit Study.  Here is our reading list,:

Daughter of the Mountains - Louise Rankin

Gandhi: Peaceful Warrior - Ray Bains

India: The Culture - Bobbie Kalman

India:  The People - Bobbie Kalman

Teresa of Calcutta: Serving the Poorest of the Poor - D. Jeanene Watson

William Carey: Obliged to Go - Janet & Geoff Benge

I think that our reading provided a good foundation for this study.  Clearly, this is a complex nation with a rich history.  Our reading allowed us a glimpse into several key areas that comprise a very important part of our world today.

We watched the movie Gandhi, a critically acclaimed masterpiece which is a story of activism, politics, religious tolerance and freedom.  We learned about a man who lived and breathed his commitment to these ideals in a completely non-violent and peaceful manner.  I wholeheartedly recommend this film for both it's message as well as the magnificent cinematography.  I purchased the movie on DVD here and I am glad that I did as it is worthy of more than one viewing.

While studying the art forms of India, we learned about miniatures.  The kids painted their own miniatures on tiny canvasses.  My daughter painted a peacock and my son painted an elephant, one of India's treasured animals.  Look at their paintings:

These miniatures are painted on canvasses barely larger than two-inches square.

We celebrated the end of our study with a trip to the Red Onion Indian Bistro in Killeen, Texas.  My daughter and I had already tasted this food at India Night, so we were hooked, but it took a while to convince my son that he would like the food.  After much coaxing, he found that he could indeed appreciate the food of India and we decided that as a family, we would definitely visit again.  In fact, I even got inspired to try my hand at cooking some new foods at home.  I will post some of my favorites very soon on my recipe page.

This study was just another reminder of how beautiful and engaging our home school experience has been.  With each new study, the doors to another part of the world were opened to us and thus our hearts expanded with love and appreciation for all the peoples of God's magnificent world.