Waldorf Block: G5: Fifth Grade Ancient India
In the Earthschooling Waldorf curriculum, the fifth grade Ancient India block is a cornerstone of the main lesson, offering students a rich exploration of a foundational civilization. Essentially, the Earthschooling Waldorf fifth-grade Ancient India block is designed to be an immersive and engaging journey into the culture, mythology, and artistic achievements of this influential civilization, allowing students to connect with a foundational part of human history and cultural development. Join Waldorf teacher Mr. Andrea for an adventure through Ancient India. This block is the first part of the fifth grade Ancient Civilizations series/block. Studying India is very important because of the cultural foundations it laid and continues to lay for so many subsequent civilizations. This block also generates interest for the Indian culture and exposing the students to eternal human truths beautifully expressed by the ancient Rishis. This block is appropriate for any student age 10 and up.
- Experiential learning: Students will engage in hands-on activities that recreate aspects of ancient Indian life and culture.
- Festivals and ceremonies: Students will learn about and participate in simulated festivals or ceremonies.
- Traditional arts & crafts
2. Stories and Mythology:
- Foundation of ancient cultures: The block often begins by introducing ancient India as one of the first civilizations studied in the fifth grade, preceding cultures like Persia and Mesopotamia.
- Spiritual beliefs and creation stories: The focus is on the beliefs and spiritual life of the ancient Indians, their creation stories, and their divinely guided teachers.
- Principal deities and avatars: Stories of important figures like Krishna, Rama, and the Buddha are introduced.
- The Ramayana: A shortened version of this epic is included in the block.
- Other stories: Students will hear stories like "Manu and the Fish," "Brahma, Shiva and Vishnu," and "Siddhartha".
- Main lesson books: Students document their learning through creating illustrations, writing compositions, and recording facts and stories in their main lesson books.
- Visual arts: Activities like watercolor painting, color pencil drawing, drawing mandalas, and creating maps of India are included.
- Writing and language arts: Students will practice writing in Sanskrit, compose stories, and develop their understanding of grammar.
- Music and movement: Learning traditional songs and dances adds a dynamic and engaging element to the block.
- Individual relationship within the world: The study of ancient civilizations in fifth grade, including India, is intended to help students strengthen their connection to the world and their sense of self.
- Understanding human evolution: The block provides a historical context for human development by exploring the evolution of consciousness through ancient cultures.
- Exposure to diverse cultures: By studying different civilizations, students gain respect for other races and religions.
- Critical thinking and creativity: The curriculum blends academic and artistic exploration, encouraging deep thinking and independent engagement.
Join Waldorf teacher Mr. Andrea for an adventure through Ancient India.
This block is the first part of the fifth grade Ancient Civilizations
series/block. Studying India is very important because of the cultural
foundations it laid and continues to lay for so many subsequent
civilizations. This block also generates interest for the Indian culture
and exposing the students to eternal human truths beautifully expressed
by the ancient rishis. This block is appropriate for any student age 10
and up. Each Living Lesson set is a complete video course for the block
and includes chalkboard drawings, teacher instruction, main lesson book
drawings, music, watercolor, and more. The exact contents of the block
can be found below in the description.
Living Lessons are video lessons where a teacher leads the class through the main lessons for this grade. You can use these lessons as examples to follow for your own teaching or can use them as supplements to your own teaching (we all need a break now and then. I would have loved to have these available on days I was ill or was taking care of my fussy baby). Scroll down to the class listings below to see the full syllabus and to view some free samples!
Do you want a FULL Waldorf Curriculum with Music, Handwork, Eurythmy, and extra Art Lessons?
Visit our fifth-grade Bundle HERE
Your Instructor

Nicholas Andrea now resides in the lush woodlands of northern Delaware with his family after spending the last six years teaching at the Asheville Waldorf School in North Carolina as a grades, music, and aftercare teacher. Nicholas earned his Waldorf Elementary and Music certifications at Sunbridge Institute in Spring Valley, NY. He is passionate about the Waldorf curriculum and believes in its ability to raise capable, compassionate, and creative human beings. After the birth of their son last October, Nicholas and his partner Cassie wanted more time at home with their baby which has led Nicholas to finding Earthschooling.
Nicholas is also passionate about music, speech arts, and history. Known in other circles as “The Bard,” Nicholas’s lifelong love of music has led him to a variety of instruments including world percussion, dijeridoo, flutes of various kinds, and Irish and Scottish bagpipes. He is also a published poet, and he spends his spare time plumbing the mysteries of world history in order to understand how we got where we are and where we go from here.
Course Curriculum
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PreviewWelcome and Introduction to 5th Grade for Students with Mr. Andrea (22:02)
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PreviewFree First Lesson: Ancient Civilizations: Persia: Lesson #1: Ahura Mazdao and Ahriman (79:47)
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PreviewFree First Lesson: 5th Grade Botany Block: Part 1: Lesson #1 – The Four Elements (92:08)
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PreviewFree First Lesson: 5th Grade Math Block 1 Lesson #1: Intro to Decimals (56:57)
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StartWritten Lessons for Fifth Grade Ancient India Block
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StartAncient Civilizations Block Guide for Parents
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StartAncient Civilizations: Lesson #1 – Opening Lesson (46:18)
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StartAncient Civilizations: Lesson #2 – Indian Geography (41:18)
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StartAncient Civilizations: Lesson #3 – Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva (104:25)
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StartAncient Civilizations: Lesson #4 – Shiva the Yogi (94:56)
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StartAncient Civilizations: Lesson #5 – Maya, Baghira, and the River Ganges (46:03)
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StartAncient Civilizations: Lesson #6 – Indian Tridevi of Goddesses (43:12)
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StartAncient Civilizations: Lesson #7 – Durga (99:20)
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StartAncient Civilizations: Lesson #8 – Indra (46:03)
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StartAncient Civilizations: Lesson #9 – Pandu’s Misfortune (44:39)
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StartAncient Civilizations: Lesson #10: Arjuna Shoots the Bird (57:13)
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StartAncient Civilizations: Lesson #11: The Journey to Benares (43:43)
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StartAncient Civilizations: Lesson #12: Fire at Benares (46:06)
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StartAncient Civilizations: Lesson #13: Who Wins the Hand of Draupadi (47:12)
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StartAncient Civilizations: Lesson #14: The Bow Called Gandiva (41:17)
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StartAncient Civilizations: Lesson #15: The Great Battle of Kurukshetra (52:47)
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StartAncient Civilizations: Lesson #16: The Search for the Gate of Heaven (39:18)
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StartAncient Civilizations: Lesson #17: The Hermit and the Elephant (58:20)
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StartAncient Civilizations: Lesson #18: The Gentle Prince Siddhartha (48:44)
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StartAncient Civilizations: Lesson #19: Siddhartha Encounters Suffering (43:10)
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StartAncient Civilizations: Lesson #20: Siddhartha’s Path as a Beggar (59:38)
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StartAncient Civilizations: Lesson #21: Siddhartha’s Enlightenment (97:27)
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StartTHIS BLOCK IS NOW COMPLETE