Learn About Mohandas Gandhi
Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, also known as the Mahatma (“Great Soul”), was born on October 2, 1869, in India.
He was an inspirational leader, a peaceful activist, and legendary humanitarian. His birthday is a national holiday in India, and it is also the International Day of Non-Violence.
Learn about Gandhi’s life and the impact he had on the world through a video, books, free curriculum guides, and engaging activities.
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Watch & Listen
This talking book biography of A Mahatma Called Gandhi details some of the most important events in his life. (Approximately 12 minutes)
Read & Respond
Be the Change: A Grandfather Gandhi Story by Arun Gandhi and Bethany Hegedus
Arun Gandhi, Gandhi’s grandson, learns that every wasteful act, no matter how small, affects others. Wasteful actions may not look like they hurt others, but they do. Arun learns, through his grandfather’s lessons, to be the change he wants to see in the world.
A free Common Core Curriculum Guide from Simon & Schuster includes
- discussion questions and activities
- vocabulary
- nonfiction text features
- author’s point of view
- analyzing character
- integration of text and illustrations
- writing choices: to express an opinion; inform or explain; recount sequenced events
- open-mind portraits showing how Arun’s thoughts about waste changed from the beginning to the end of the story
The Be the Change Pledge was created by the authors and designed to be taken after reading and discussing Be the Change: A Grandfather Gandhi Story.
Grandfather Gandhi by Arun Gandhi and Bethany Hegedus
Mahatma Gandhi’s grandson shares the personal lessons his grandfather taught him about dealing with his anger and how he chose peace and positive action.
A free Common Core Curriculum Guide from Simon & Schuster offers a summary, background material, discussion questions, and related book activities that include
- creating a Decision Tree
- interviewing guests (characters) on a Talk Show
- determining the meaning of unfamiliar vocabulary using context clues
- examining nonfiction text features
- identifying the authors’ point of view
- writing to express an opinion, to inform or explain, and to recount sequenced events
The Grandfather Gandhi Readers Theatre script is divided into six roles plus a chorus.
The Live Your Life as Light Pledge, created by the authors, is designed to be taken after reading and discussing Grandfather Gandhi.
Gandhi: A March to the Sea by Alice B. McGinty
Walk with Gandhi and his followers in a non-violent 24-day March to the Sea to protest the taxes Great Britain placed on the salt India was being forced to buy from them.
Download this free Common Core Curriculum Guide which includes
- pre-reading questions and historical background discussion
- a brief map lesson
- a writing lesson: creating a foldable to compare heroic figures
- a free verse poetry lesson
- a science lesson: Where Does Salt Come From?
- a weaving lesson
- a reenactment activity of The March
Explore India through our interactive country research project!
