Cities of the Indus Valley civilisation
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can describe some of the features of cities in the Indus Valley Civilisation.
Key learning points
- The objects found at Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro were found in the remains of great cities built out of clay bricks.
- As the people of the Indus Valley grew better at farming, they could grow more food and some people could do other jobs.
- People like merchants and artisans lived in these cities, which were carefully planned and laid out.
- Public baths have been found at Mohenjo-Daro and even bathrooms and toilets in people's houses in Lothal.
- All over these cities were wells for fresh water along with channels and drains to carry away sewage.
Keywords
Merchant - someone who buys and sells things is called a merchant
Artisan - an artisan is someone very skilled at making things
Common misconception
That only farmers lived in the cities.
Evidence has been found suggesting lots of different skilled individuals lived and worked in the cities of the Indus Valley.
Teacher tip
Pupils could design their own version of an Indus Valley city including all the aspects learned about the cities so far.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.In 1922, archaeologists began to dig at , a place in the Indus River Valley.
Q2.What was the city of Mohenjo-Daro built with?
Q3.A is a decorated object that leaves a stamp of its design when pushed into a soft material like wet clay.
Q4.Select two things that are found on the Indus Valley civilisation seals.
Q5.Which two objects probably tell us that the Indus Valley people liked music?
Q6.Historians always know exactly what discovered items were used for in the past.
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.How many towns and cities were in the Indus Valley civilisation?
Q2.Over time, the farmers got at farming in the Indus Valley.
Q3.Match the job to the description.
someone who buys and sells things
someone very skilled at making things
someone who works in the fields to grow food
Q4.Indus Valley cities were well planned and well built.
Q5.Select all the things that made the Indus Valley cities cleaner.
Q6.Where were the ruins of 'The Great Bath’ found?
To help you plan your 3 history lesson on: Cities of the Indus Valley civilisation, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 3 history lesson on: Cities of the Indus Valley civilisation, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 2 history lessons from the The Indus Valley civilisation: What have archaeologists found out about it? unit, dive into the full primary history curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.