Secrets of the Dead: Bones of the Buddha

Did an English landowner really find the remains of Buddha?
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Resource: video
Running Time: 53 minutes
Rating:TV-PG

Time: 1898, 500 BC
Place: India

Summary:
Historian Charles Allen serves as guide through this exciting episode as he explores the possibility that in 1898 an English landowner turned amateur archaeologist found the remains of Buddha on his estate.  Questions are asked and answered.  The life of the historical man, Sakyamuni Gautama, who became the Buddha is examined.  Allen visits several important Buddhist sites.  He also talks about Ashoka, a man who ruled India about 150 years after Buddha lived and died.  He wanted to make Buddhism the state religion of India.  The story spans from the life of Buddha to the present day.  This a very exciting episode.  History is looked at as mystery to be solved, and in this case it seems to be solved satisfactorily.


Potentially Objectionable Content:
none

Format Link:
DVD
Digital Download

Related Teaching Resources:


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Gandhi by Demi

A humble man who was an inspiration to many great and small.
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Resource: picture book, biography
Time: 1869-1948
Place: India, South Africa, England

Summary:
I learned quite a bit from this little book.  Gandhi was a shy boy who followed the religious teachings of his parents.  He married young, went to study law in England.  He returned home only to leave again for South Africa.  That is where he honed his philosophy of non-violence.  He protested the segregation and prejudiced.  He returned to his home in India where he again protested against the English and the caste system. He was assassinated January 30, 1948. This book is written in simple language that conveys a complex truths through the life of Gandhi.  It is illustrated in full color, with some gilt, by the author. There is a note at the end of the book with further information on the life of Gandhi. There is also a map of Gandhi's world in the cover pages of the book.

Potentially Objectionable Content:
There is a picture representation of the Amritsar massacre, people fallen down dead.

Reading Level: grade 3-5
Lexile Measure: 980L
Guided Reading Level: S

Format Links
Book

Additional Resources:

Find this book and other suggestions from this time period on the History Magpie Timeline.

Your Friend the Rat

Rats? Friends?  Historically you decide.
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Resource: Short Film
Running Time: 11 minutes
Rating: not rated

Time: 1300s (and other times too)
Place: Europe, India, America

Summary:
Emile and Remy, those friendly rats from Ratatouille tell the history of the black and the Norwegian rats, covering the globe, as rats do.  The most time is spent on the black plague as rats are blamed for spreading this pandemic.  They also talk about the spread of rats on ships to America and the interaction between the two species.

Potentially Objectionable Content:
There is a lot of cartoon violence directed against rats.  There are also some icky pictures of fleas.

Format Links:
This short film is on the Ratatouille
 DVD
Blu Ray 
Amazon Instant Video (digital download)
You can also get just the short from Disney on Demand on YouTube