5 Lesson Unit of Work on Gandhi - Literacy Rich Unit of Work
Unit of Work Summary: Gandhi, Satyagraha and Social Change
This unit explores the life, teachings, and legacy of Mahatma Gandhi, focusing on his development of Satyagraha (truth-force) and Ahimsa (non-violence) as powerful tools for social and political change.
Through a range of engaging activities, embedded video clips, students investigate key events in Gandhi’s life, including his experiences of discrimination in South Africa, the burning of passes, campaigns for civil rights, and the struggle for Indian independence.
Students examine how Gandhi’s beliefs were shaped by Hindu teachings and how concepts such as truth, non-violence, self-discipline, and respect for the dignity of all people informed his actions. They are encouraged to analyse historical sources, reflect on moral and ethical dilemmas, and consider the effectiveness of peaceful protest in bringing about change.
Throughout the unit, pupils develop their understanding of influential religious and historical figures while making connections between Gandhi’s ideas and contemporary issues of justice, equality, conflict resolution, and active citizenship. Opportunities for discussion, reflection, creative tasks, and independent enquiry enable students to evaluate the ongoing relevance of Gandhi’s message in today’s world.
Key Themes (over 5-6 lessons including the assessment)
Satyagraha (Truth-Force)
Ahimsa (Non-Violence)
Justice and Equality
Courage and Conviction
Civil Rights and Peaceful Protest
Hindu Beliefs and Values
Social Change and Active Citizenship
Learning Outcomes:
By the end of the unit, students will be able to:
Describe significant events in Gandhi’s life.
Explain the concepts of Satyagraha and Ahimsa.
Analyse the impact of non-violent protest.
Diamond 9 Ranking of his legacy
Post-it plenaries etc
Evaluate Gandhi’s influence on movements for justice and equality.
Reflect on how individuals can challenge injustice in their own communities.
The Unit ends with students writing an Obituary for Gandhi (0ver two lessons) for which there is an planning sheet, self-assessment tool. (thank you to the free obituary slides I used here from TES).
This unit is suitable for KS3 Religious Education



















