PBS - Islam: Empire of Faith - Educational Resources

			Lesson Title: The Fascinating World of Islam Grade Level: 6-12 Subjects: World History, Language Arts, and Visual Arts Estimated Time of Completion: 5 class periods I. Objectives II. Standards III. Materials Needed IV. Procedure V. Assessment Suggestions VI. Extensions/Adaptations Instructional Objectives: Students will be introduced to Islamic culture while viewing the PBS video series Islam: Empire of Faith. Students will have the opportunity to research aspects of the world of Islam by using the World Wide Web, library books, and other research tools. Students will have the opportunity to work with classmates in creating an ABC Book of Islam based on their research, accompanied by visuals. Students will have the opportunity to share their findings with their classmates. Standards This lesson correlates to the following national standards for social studies, language arts, and visual arts, established by the Mid-continent research Regional Education Lab: World History: Understands how the Muslims spread Islamic beliefs and established their empire Understands significant aspects of Islamic civilization Understands significant aspects of Abbasid culture Understands how the Byzantine Empire defended itself against various invaders Understands the influence of Islamic ideas and practices on other cultures and social behavior Understands challenges to the Muslim civilization Language Arts: Uses the general skills and strategies of the writing process Gathers and uses information for research purposes Uses listening and speaking strategies for different purposes Uses viewing skills and strategies to understand and interpret visual media Uses grammatical and mechanical conventions in written composition Uses the general skills and strategies of the reading process Visual Arts: Knows how to use structures and functions of art Understands the visual arts in relation to history and cultures Understands the characteristics and merits of one's own artwork and the artwork of others Materials Needed: A copy of parts one, two and three of the PBS video Islam: Empire of Faith T.V. and VCR Computers with Internet access (if not available use library resources) Plain white paper (8 ½ by 11) Markers, crayons, colored pencils Binding machine, string, or staples to bind books Fascinating World of Islam ABC Book Requirement Sheet ABC Book example sheet Fascinating World of Islam ABC Book Grade Sheet PowerPoint Tip Sheet Procedures: Overview: This lesson is based on the PBS video series Islam: Empire of Faith. (See adaptation section at the end of the lesson for suggestions if the video is not available.) Students will have the opportunity to research the people, places, and events that have shaped the history of Islam, take notes on their findings, and create an ABC Book of Islam. Teachers should view video prior to lesson to get exact time cues and familiarize themselves to content. Explain to the class that they will be researching the History of Islam. Ask students to share some facts that they already know about Islam. Jot these responses on the overhead or board. Explain to students they will be viewing the three-part PBS video series Islam: Empire of Faith. They will be taking notes relating to information about Islam as they view the video. They will also be using various other resources to gather information. (If video is not available notes will be taken from various other resources.) Hand out a copy of the Fascinating World of Islam ABC Book and example sheet. (This is suggested so students have an idea of project requirements prior to viewing video. This will help them take more comprehensive notes.) Review requirements with students. Ask if there are any questions relating to requirements. Begin showing video. (If no video is available, go to research materials) See time cues listed below for suggested stopping points for discussion or note taking. Video 1 3:45 Many cultures have been shaped by Islamic civilization 4:00 Muhammad-early years 10:00 Bedouin belief system 10:45 The Kaaba 11:35 Trade items 13:40 Muhammad's characteristics 15:10 Muhammad's vision 16:40 Muhammad's proclamation 18:00 With Islam came a new order, a new way of life 18:40 Verbal expression was the commanding cultural force 19:20 The Koran 24:00 Unrest between tribal leaders and Muhammad 26:10 A new tribe is formed 27:50 New Muslim calendar 31:30 Enemies gather forces to wipe out Muslims 37:30 Bedouin's response to the fall of Mecca 38:55 Muhammad dies 39:45 Who should succeed Muhammad 40:45 Strength of Islam 41:20 Muslim's lead a conquest of ideas 42:45 Architectural accomplishments Video 2 :53 The Holy City 1:15 Hajj 4:25 Scholars make Baghdad learning center 5:45 Baghdad's House of Wisdom 6:30 First Scientific Venture in History 7:15 Other scholarly accomplishments 7:50 Renaissance has its beginnings in Baghdad 8:22 Scientific process is born 9:20 Birth of new Islamic Sciences 12:20 Introduction of paper 15:15 Cordoba 18:30 Best example of Islamic palace 20:55 Beginnings of the Crusades 31:50 Crusades respond to trade items 34:15 Trades brings innovation and craftsmen 38:05 new leader of Muslims 45:00 Mongols Video 3 :55 Establishment of Ottoman Empire 2:10 Directions of expansion, and why 3:50 Ottoman's take over Byzantine's 4:20 Huge demographic event change from Nomadic life to settled life. 5:10 Civilization means organization- taxation and record keeping 6:25 Management problem of Ottoman's 7:20 Schools for training new leaders 7:45 Political and Religious benefits of this new training 9:40 Army introduces uniforms, military band 9:55 Geographic area covered by Ottomans 11:25 New Sultan 12:40 Constantinople 14:30 Trying to stop siege of Constantinople 16:15 Constantinople's most celebrated prize Hagia Sophia 18:45 Poising for conquest of Europe 19:05 Suleiman 20:00 Significant childhood friendship that lasts many years 20:45 Suleiman struggles with Grand Vizirs and generals. 21:35 Expansion of empire 24:45 "The Law Giver" 25:35 Classical age of architecture begins 26:30 Symbolism of mosque 28:00 Great patrons of arts 29:05 Suleimans' demands while in public 30:40 Suleimans harem 31:55 His wife and son 34:35 His greatest rivals 38:05 Wife positions herself in place of power 39:10 His best friend's death 40:25 Order of execution of son 40:45 Suleiman falls into deep depression 42:00 Suleimans death 42:20 Shift of power to the new world Hand out the materials needed to begin creating the ABC Book -- after students have watched the video, discussed the video, and completed general research. Divide students into groups, or let students choose their own groups. Allow students time to work on ABC Book in class, and at home. Teachers should suggest the www.pbs.org/empires/islam Web site as a strong resource for student use. After students complete their books, allow time for them to share with classmates. After you grade the books, you may want to have them on display in the library, or possibly have students share their books with local elementary students. Use the Fascinating World of Islam ABC Book Requirement Sheet for evaluation. Assessment Recommendations: Fascinating World of Islam ABC Book Grade Sheet Extensions/Adaptations:** For upper level grades, you may want students to create an ABC book through a PowerPoint Presentation where each letter would be on a separate slide. (See PowerPoint Tip sheet.) For lower level grades or special needs students, you can limit the amount of letters students are assigned, or allow larger group sizes. For those that do not have the video, use the suggested Web site to gain a general understanding of Islam, and use additional resources from the library, encyclopedias and resources listed below. Top Next