Materials

• Map of India
• Teacher-selected reading, worksheet, or activity

Instructional Activities

NOTE: The following Web resources may be helpful in teaching this session:

• “The Gupta Empire – 400 a.d.”
  <http://www.wsu.edu/~dee/ANCINDIA/GUPTAMAP.HTM>
• “The Age of the Guptas and After.”
  <http://www.wsu.edu/~dee/ANCINDIA/GUPTA.HTM>
• “Gupta Empire.”
  <http://regentsprep.org/Regents/global/themes/goldenages/gupta.cfm>

1. Review content covered to this point in the unit.
   
   
2. Ask students to write down a number line to number 10.
   
   
3. Ask students if they have the number “0” on their line. Explain that one contribution of the Gupta empire was the addition of “0” as a number. Ask students to indicate why this was an important contribution.
   
   
4. Distribute a map of India. Instruct students to indicate on the map the location of the Gupta Empire. (For a map of the Gupta empire, see the Web site titled “The Gupta Empire – 400 a.d.,” listed above.)
   Instruct students to code the map with examples of contributions of the Gupta empire to civilization. Provide examples of these contributions to include mathematics, new textiles, and literature. (For information on contributions of the Gupta empire, see the Web sites titled “The Age of the Guptas and After” and “Gupta Empire,” listed above.)
   
   
5. Remind students that they may prepare their “learning cube” on the Guptas.
   
   
6. Assign a teacher-selected reading, worksheet, or other reinforcement activity, using available teacher resources.