UKS2 Topic: Earliest Civilisations: The Indus Valley Block C: Everyday Life
What was it like to be an ordinary person living in the Indus Valley 2,000 BCE? Learn about daily life,
fashion, food, toys and more!
Block C: Indus Valley
Everyday Life
[4 Sessions]
Main outcome: History
Other outcomes: D&T, English and Art.
By the end of this block you
will have achieved the
following outcomes:
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Session 1: History and Art
Cooking
Learn about the foods that
were eaten by the Indus
Valley people; explore the
types of evidence found that
show the diet of the Indus
Valley people; eat some of
the foods you learn about.
Know and understand significant aspects of the history of the wider world: the
nature of ancient civilisations; the expansion and dissolution of empires;
characteristic features of past non-European societies; achievements and follies of
mankind.
Understand the methods of historical enquiry, including how evidence is used
rigorously to make historical claims, and discern how and why contrasting
arguments and interpretations of the past have been constructed.
Understand historical concepts such as continuity and change, cause and
consequence, similarity, difference and significance, and use them to make
connections, draw contrasts, analyse trends, frame historically-valid questions and
create their own structured accounts, including written narratives and analyses.
Select from and use a wider range of tools and equipment to perform practical
tasks.
Select from and use a wider range of materials and components.
Understand and use mechanical systems in their products, e.g. levers and linkages.
Generate, develop and communicate their ideas through annotated sketches and
pattern pieces.
Investigate and analyse a range of existing products.
Select appropriate grammar and vocabulary.
Use further organisational and presentational devices to structure text and to guide
the reader.
Use other similar writing as models for their own.
Improve their mastery of art and design techniques, including drawing, painting and
sculpture.
Create sketch books to record their observations.
Children will:
 Describe the foods that were eaten by the Indus Valley people and appreciate that
they ate well and were healthy
 Understand the types of evidence found that show the diet of the Indus Valley
people
 Improve their mastery of art and design techniques
© Original resource copyright Hamilton Trust, who give permission for it to be adapted as wished by individual users.
The links to the websites and the contents of the web pages associated with such links specified on this list (hereafter collectively referred to as the ‘Links’)
have been checked by Hamilton Trust (being the operating name of the registered charity, William Rowan Hamilton Trust) and to the best of Hamilton
Trust’s knowledge, are correct and accurate at the time of publication. Notwithstanding the foregoing or any other terms and conditions on the Hamilton
Trust website, you acknowledge that Hamilton Trust has no control over such Links and indeed, the owners of such Links may have removed such Links,
changed such Links and/or contents associated with such Links. Therefore, it is your sole responsibility to verify any of the Links which you wish you use.
Hamilton Trust excludes all responsibility and liability for any loss or damage arising from the use of any Links.
UKS2 Topic: Earliest Civilisations: The Indus Valley Block C: Everyday Life
Session 2: History and Art
Clothing and hairstyles
Find out about the clothing
and hairstyles of the Indus
Valley people; create a clay
or Plasticine figure in the
style of the Indus Valley
terracotta figurines.
Session 3: History and D&T
Toys
Describe some of the
artefacts that were probably
used as toys during the
Indus valley civilisation;
make an animal toy with a
moving head.
Session 4: History, D&T and
English
Board game
Investigate the board games
that have been discovered in
Indus Valley excavations;
make up a game based on
the board and pieces found.
Children will:
 Describe the clothing and hairstyles of the Indus Valley people
 Create a clay or Plasticine figure in the style of the Indus Valley terracotta figurines
 Understand the evidence that historians have used to describe the clothing worn by
and the hairstyles of the Indus Valley people
Children will:
 Describe some of the artefacts that were probably used as toys during the Indus
valley civilisation
 Understand that many of the toys found in the Indus Valley are similar to those
played with today
 Make an animal with a moving head
 Give positive, but critical feedback to their peers
Children will:
 Describe the board games that have been discovered in Indus Valley excavations
 Understand that no-one knows how the games were played
 Make up a game based on the board and pieces found
 Write clear rules for playing the game
Resources
Session 1
Provided: Resource sheet covering Examples of Indus Valley Pots and Pot Outline.
You will need: Drawing paper; Pastels; Sketching pencils; Samples of wheat, barley and/or millet if
possible; Samples of foods that chn may not have tasted previously, e.g. figs, dates, apricots, lentils,
chickpeas (some may need cooking first!).
Session 2
Provided: Resource sheet on Indus Valley Artefacts.
You will need: Air-dried clay or Plasticine; Sticks, pebbles, etc.; Clay tools if available.
Session 3
Provided: Resource sheet on Indus Valley Artefacts.
You will need: Ocarinas; Air-dried clay; Dowelling; Object to make holes in clay, e.g. pencil, awl,
matchstick; Thick thread or string; Thin card; Split pin brass fasteners; Hole punch; Scissors.
Session 4
Provided: Information sheet on the Indus Valley board game.
You will need: Information sheet on the Indus Valley board game; Modern chess set; Card for playing
boards; Rulers & pencils; Air-dried clay or Plasticine; Clay tools if available; Examples of board game
rules (optional).
© Original resource copyright Hamilton Trust, who give permission for it to be adapted as wished by individual users.
The links to the websites and the contents of the web pages associated with such links specified on this list (hereafter collectively referred to as the ‘Links’)
have been checked by Hamilton Trust (being the operating name of the registered charity, William Rowan Hamilton Trust) and to the best of Hamilton
Trust’s knowledge, are correct and accurate at the time of publication. Notwithstanding the foregoing or any other terms and conditions on the Hamilton
Trust website, you acknowledge that Hamilton Trust has no control over such Links and indeed, the owners of such Links may have removed such Links,
changed such Links and/or contents associated with such Links. Therefore, it is your sole responsibility to verify any of the Links which you wish you use.
Hamilton Trust excludes all responsibility and liability for any loss or damage arising from the use of any Links.