HOW IT WORKS
Voyage to India focuses on India as a country, but especially on the everyday life of children/students in India. After learning about the religions, ethnic groups, holidays, geography, culture, and weather in India, the students then plan a simulated trip there, where they are transformed into Indian children. They play NetAid’s World Class game, which helps to bring them closer to their Indian counterparts by introducing them to actual Indian students and some of the issues they face trying to reach their life goals. The Internet allows students to expand on their game experience by visiting the World Class site, where they are paired during the Internet activities and guided to certain pages.

After completing the activities, the class discusses what they have learned. Students also go to weatherchannel.com to track the weather in their city of choice in India. They also compare the weather in India to the weather in New York City. After viewing these sites, the students create their own biography cards (similar to baseball cards) and pretend to be Indian students. In order to complete the cards, they chose a religion, an ethnic group, the holidays they celebrate, and a city to live in, and calculate the average weather in that city. Digital pictures are taken of the students for inclusion on their cards. 

THE STUDENTS
Voyage to India was introduced to a third grade class consisting of 23 heterogeneously grouped students. They worked on this project approximately three periods a week for four weeks. This program follows the third grade Social Studies curriculum for New York State and it can easily be adapted for other countries of study and other grade levels. 

THE STAFF
Nakia Haskins is a third grade teacher at Juan Pablo Duarte-P.S. 132M. She was also a volunteer teacher for one year in Tamale, Ghana. As a result of her service abroad, she wants her students to be aware of issues facing children in developing countries. 

WHAT YOU NEED
Several computers with Internet access and one printer are necessary, as is Microsoft Word and written and Internet material on India. This material, along with technological support, enhances the children’s learning. A digital camera is also used.

OVERALL VALUE
In Voyage to India, all New York State standards are met. Curriculum areas include social studies, science, math, technology, art, and language arts. It also promotes the students’ awareness of life in developing countries and encourages them to be advocates for education and the underprivileged. During this voyage, students become fascinated with all aspects of Indian life.

View the Curriculum Unit/Dissemination Packet

CURRICULUM AREAS
Social Studies
Math
Science
Language Arts
Technology

GRADES
3-5