This document presents a critical thinking/decision-making model to help students in grades K-12 understand East Indian culture. It is divided into three sections. Section 1 provides background information about India from the 15th century BC to the present. It briefly discusses religion, independence, political organization, social institutions, industry, population, and agriculture. Section 2 presents a "pro-active action model" (PAM) which consists of strategies to affect student perceptions and understandings. The model begins with student perceptions based on previous knowledge, skills, and attitudes. The final step is accomplishment of a goal. The third section contains a sample unit on India for grades 3 through 12 and an example of the pro-active model. Students view films, hear resource speakers, examine maps and artifacts, make a relief map, and study religions, urbanization, and the monetary system. Using the PAM model, students role play government officials and experts who must plan ways to avoid a famine brought on by crop failure. (KC)