Activity Overview
Starting a unit or lesson with the key vocabulary that students will see in their readings or presentations aids in overall comprehension and retention. In this activity, students will create a storyboard that defines and illustrates key vocabulary related to the study of Hinduism. They will create a spider map of 3-5 terms at the teacher's discretion. Each cell will contain a term, the definition, and an illustration that depicts the meaning. When students define and illustrate each term, they master the application of it and retain it as part of their lexicon.
Vocabulary for Hinduism
ahimsa: avoiding doing harm to any living thing, truthfulness, moderation and self-control.
artha: the pursuit of material gain by lawful means.
ascetic: a person who give up worldly pleasures.
Brahma: The first god in the Hindu triumvirate, Brahma is known as the Creator. The other two gods are Vishnu the Preserver and Shiva the Destroyer. Brahma's job was creation of the world and all its creatures.
Caste system: A social order that has determined one's place in ancient Indian society.
dharma: A person's duty or what is right. Dharma is a key concept with multiple meanings in Indian religions, such as Hinduism, Hinduism, Jainism, Sikhism and others. It means one's spiritual duties or "right way of living" and "path of rightness". It is symbolized by the "Dharma Wheel."
Ganesha: Ganesha, also spelled Ganesh, also called Ganapati, is the elephant-headed Hindu god of beginnings who is traditionally worshipped before any major enterprise. He is the patron of intellectuals, bankers, scribes, and authors. Like a rat and like an elephant, Ganesha is a remover of obstacles.
guru: (in Hinduism and Buddhism) a spiritual teacher, especially one who imparts initiation.
karma: the effect a person's actions have on their soul in this life and their next life.
meditation: Focusing one's mind on spiritual ideas.
moksha: Achieved when one is released from the cycle of rebirth.
monasticism: Choosing the life of a monk. In their quest to attain the spiritual goal of life, some Hindus choose the path of monasticism (Sannyasa). A Hindu monk is called a sanyāsī, sādhu, or swāmi.
nirvana: The highest state one can attain, a state of enlightenment, meaning a person's individual desires and suffering go away.
pilgrimage: a journey to a holy place.
reincarnation: the belief that a person's soul is reborn into a new body after death.
Sanskrit: an ancient language of India.
Shiva: The third god in the Hindu triumvirate, Shiva is known as the Destroyer. The other two gods are Brahma and Vishnu. Shiva's job is to destroy the universe in order to recreate it and make it better.
scroll: a roll of material for writing like paper or papyrus.
subcontinent: a large landmass smaller than a continent especially: a major subdivision of a continent.
Vedas: a collection of Hindu sacred writings.
Vishnu: The second god in the Hindu triumvirate, Vishnu is the Preserver and protector of the universe. Vishnu's job is to return to the earth in times of trouble to restore the balance of good and evil.
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Due Date:
Objective: Create a spider map that illustrates and defines key vocabulary relating to Hinduism.
Student Instructions:
- Click "Start Assignment".
- In the title boxes, identify the key terms you have chosen.
- In the description boxes, write the definition of the term.
- Create an illustration for each term using appropriate scenes, characters, and items.
Requirements: Must have 3 terms, correct definitions and appropriate illustrations for each that demonstrate your understanding of the words.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient | Emerging | Beginning | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Definition | The definition is correct. | The definition is partially correct. | The definition is incorrect. |
| Visualizations | The storyboard cells clearly illustrate the meaning of the vocabulary words. | The storyboard cells relate to the meaning of the vocabulary words, but are difficult to understand. | The storyboard cells do not clearly relate to the meaning of the vocabulary words. |
Activity Overview
Starting a unit or lesson with the key vocabulary that students will see in their readings or presentations aids in overall comprehension and retention. In this activity, students will create a storyboard that defines and illustrates key vocabulary related to the study of Hinduism. They will create a spider map of 3-5 terms at the teacher's discretion. Each cell will contain a term, the definition, and an illustration that depicts the meaning. When students define and illustrate each term, they master the application of it and retain it as part of their lexicon.
Vocabulary for Hinduism
ahimsa: avoiding doing harm to any living thing, truthfulness, moderation and self-control.
artha: the pursuit of material gain by lawful means.
ascetic: a person who give up worldly pleasures.
Brahma: The first god in the Hindu triumvirate, Brahma is known as the Creator. The other two gods are Vishnu the Preserver and Shiva the Destroyer. Brahma's job was creation of the world and all its creatures.
Caste system: A social order that has determined one's place in ancient Indian society.
dharma: A person's duty or what is right. Dharma is a key concept with multiple meanings in Indian religions, such as Hinduism, Hinduism, Jainism, Sikhism and others. It means one's spiritual duties or "right way of living" and "path of rightness". It is symbolized by the "Dharma Wheel."
Ganesha: Ganesha, also spelled Ganesh, also called Ganapati, is the elephant-headed Hindu god of beginnings who is traditionally worshipped before any major enterprise. He is the patron of intellectuals, bankers, scribes, and authors. Like a rat and like an elephant, Ganesha is a remover of obstacles.
guru: (in Hinduism and Buddhism) a spiritual teacher, especially one who imparts initiation.
karma: the effect a person's actions have on their soul in this life and their next life.
meditation: Focusing one's mind on spiritual ideas.
moksha: Achieved when one is released from the cycle of rebirth.
monasticism: Choosing the life of a monk. In their quest to attain the spiritual goal of life, some Hindus choose the path of monasticism (Sannyasa). A Hindu monk is called a sanyāsī, sādhu, or swāmi.
nirvana: The highest state one can attain, a state of enlightenment, meaning a person's individual desires and suffering go away.
pilgrimage: a journey to a holy place.
reincarnation: the belief that a person's soul is reborn into a new body after death.
Sanskrit: an ancient language of India.
Shiva: The third god in the Hindu triumvirate, Shiva is known as the Destroyer. The other two gods are Brahma and Vishnu. Shiva's job is to destroy the universe in order to recreate it and make it better.
scroll: a roll of material for writing like paper or papyrus.
subcontinent: a large landmass smaller than a continent especially: a major subdivision of a continent.
Vedas: a collection of Hindu sacred writings.
Vishnu: The second god in the Hindu triumvirate, Vishnu is the Preserver and protector of the universe. Vishnu's job is to return to the earth in times of trouble to restore the balance of good and evil.
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Due Date:
Objective: Create a spider map that illustrates and defines key vocabulary relating to Hinduism.
Student Instructions:
- Click "Start Assignment".
- In the title boxes, identify the key terms you have chosen.
- In the description boxes, write the definition of the term.
- Create an illustration for each term using appropriate scenes, characters, and items.
Requirements: Must have 3 terms, correct definitions and appropriate illustrations for each that demonstrate your understanding of the words.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient | Emerging | Beginning | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Definition | The definition is correct. | The definition is partially correct. | The definition is incorrect. |
| Visualizations | The storyboard cells clearly illustrate the meaning of the vocabulary words. | The storyboard cells relate to the meaning of the vocabulary words, but are difficult to understand. | The storyboard cells do not clearly relate to the meaning of the vocabulary words. |
How Tos about Defining Key Vocabulary of Hinduism
How to Facilitate a Hinduism Vocabulary Gallery Walk
Encouraging students to showcase and discuss their vocabulary storyboards helps reinforce learning and builds classroom community. A gallery walk allows students to see diverse interpretations and deepen their understanding of key Hinduism terms by explaining and hearing multiple perspectives.
Arrange student workstations around the classroom
Set up tables or clear wall space so each student can display their storyboard. Spacing the materials out makes it easy for students to circulate and focus on each other’s work.
Assign students to visit each storyboard in small groups
Have students rotate in groups of 3-4 to view the vocabulary boards. This structured movement encourages engagement and ensures everyone’s work is seen.
Prompt students to briefly explain their term choices and illustrations
Ask each student to share why they chose certain terms and how their illustrations represent each word. This fosters speaking skills and helps clarify any misconceptions.
Encourage students to ask questions or offer positive feedback
Invite peers to ask about creative choices or meanings, and to give encouraging comments on each other’s work. This builds confidence and deepens comprehension.
Frequently Asked Questions about Defining Key Vocabulary of Hinduism
What are the key vocabulary terms students should know when learning about Hinduism?
Key vocabulary terms for Hinduism include ahimsa, dharma, karma, reincarnation, moksha, Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva, Ganesha, guru, Vedas, Sanskrit, and more. Teaching these terms helps students understand essential concepts and beliefs in Hinduism.
How can I teach Hinduism vocabulary in an engaging way to middle school students?
An engaging way to teach Hinduism vocabulary is to have students create a visual storyboard or spider map where they define and illustrate each term. This method boosts comprehension and retention by making learning interactive and creative.
What is a storyboard activity for Hinduism vocabulary and how does it work?
A storyboard activity asks students to select key Hinduism terms, write their definitions, and draw illustrations for each. This helps students master new vocabulary and visually connect concepts, making abstract terms more concrete and memorable.
Why is it important to define key terms before starting a lesson on Hinduism?
Defining key terms before a Hinduism lesson helps students build background knowledge, improves reading comprehension, and allows them to better understand new content as they encounter it throughout the unit.
What are some examples of visual vocabulary boards for teaching Hinduism in grades 6-8?
Examples of visual vocabulary boards include spider maps with terms like karma (actions and consequences), Brahma (the creator god), and reincarnation (being reborn). Each term is paired with a definition and a student-created illustration.
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