Curated OER
Three Tour Guides: A Middle East Travel Activity
This is a great way to get your scholars recalling the information they have learned about Islam, Judaism, and Christianity in a fun and interactive way! They begin by examining 10 statements and determining if they apply to 1, 2, or all...
Curated OER
6 Themes of the Middle East
Providing a quick overview of the Middle East, this presentation could be used to kick off a unit on this topic. However, a teacher should read the information before presenting to the class. There is at least one fact that is biased and...
University of Chicago
Exercise in Conflict Resolution
How do major religions, including Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, differ in how they view the role of individual freedoms within society, the definition of morality, and the importance of politically satisfying the greater good? Here...
Curated OER
Can We Live in Peace? Middle East: A Region in Turmoil
Seventh graders analyze three monotheistic religions as an appreciation of the Middle East. In this world religions lesson, 7th graders analyze the beliefs and the leaders of the three major religions. Students research a topic and...
University of Chicago
Using Artifacts for Clues About Identity
Learn about the ancient Near East through a close examination of ancient artifacts. Lead your class into analysis by first observing an artifact as a class. Pupils can then work in pairs to analyze the other artifacts and compile a list...
Curated OER
Islam Expands: In spite of internal conflicts, the Muslims create a huge empire that includes land on three continents.
Beginning with a vocabulary review and ending with the Muslim Trade Network, this well-put-together presentation covers the events that lead to the spread of Islam. Also covered are internal conflicts which would provide a good...
National First Ladies' Library
Peace in the Middle East: A Primer
Middle schoolers are introduced to the concept of three Abrahamic religions and complete the Comparative Religion Exercise. They view slides after taking their best guesses and read the article, "The Path to Peace Runs Through a History...
University of Chicago
Comparing Modern and Ancient Ideas of Ethnicity and Identity
Explore ethnicity and identity with a research and writing assignment. Class members conduct online research, looking in particular at images and carefully noting down their sources on notecards. They read about identity and compose...
Curated OER
Exploring Islamic Lands
Learners explore the culture of the Middle East. In this Islamic culture lesson, students conduct research to create personal narratives that reveal what life is like in the Middle East for Islamic teens today.
Germantown School District
Close Reading World Religions: Islam
As part of a close reading activity, individuals respond to three questions and craft two short essays based on a passage about Islam, one of the world most widespread religion.
Foreign Policy Research Institute
Islam: A Bottom-Up Approach
Islam is often discussed socio-politically rather than spiritually. Here, students read about this religion from primary and secondary sources including the Quran and a world religions book. They learn key terms in the context of the...
Curated OER
In Search of Al Qaeda
Students locate the Middle Eastern countries and capitals visited by Frontline reporters. They read online dispatches by the journalists, and complete a student assignment sheet.
Foreign Policy Research Institute
What is Islam and What are the Root Causes of Muslim Anger with the West?
A video and magazine article provide the foundation for learning about Islam and why some Muslims are angry with Western society. In groups, students identify the causes of hostility and prepare a presentation that explains them. While...
Curated OER
Comparing Three Religions: Islam, Judaism, and Christianity
Young scholars work together in groups to research either Judaism, Christianity, or Islam. Once the research is complete, they share their information with the other groups in the class. They complete a worksheet on rituals and...
Cave Creek Unified School District
Crusades and Culture in the Middle Ages
The Crusades sounds like a glamorous time period in the Middle Ages full of glory—but was it? Scholars find and review the truth of the Crusades' influence on the world through the resource. The study guides, separated individually by...
Foreign Policy Research Institute
Asian Islam and Arab Islam
Focus on the impact and practice of Islam throughout Asia and the Middle East. Learners review the seven major religions, the spread of Islam, and Islamic tenets commonly practiced. They then research one country that practices Islamic...
US Institute of Peace
Simulation on The Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
How do you solve a conflict that's been around for so many years? Scholars discover the viewpoints of stakeholders in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict during an emotionally charged simulation. A facilitator moderates discussions between...
Curated OER
The Ancient Civilization of Mali
Students explore the ancient civilization of Mali and examine various historical and cultural aspects of the civilization. In this ancient civilization of Mali lesson, students examine trade with respect to geographic locations, discover...
Curated OER
Coup to Revolution: U.S. foreign Policy in Iran
Students read and discuss the Iran country Profile from the CIA World Factbook. They describe the current relationship between the United States and Iran. Students complete additional readings, and answer questions about them. They...
Curated OER
The Crusades: Routes of Two Crusaders
Use these worksheets to kick off a great lesson on The Crusades. Eighth graders will analyze a map and four short passages to answer six reading comprehension questions.
Curated OER
The Four Religions of East Asia
Students compare and contrast the four main religions of Asia (Buddhism
Confucianism, Daoism, and Shinto). This lesson plan is intended for use in the middle school Social Studies classroom.
Curated OER
Ancient Roman Influences in Israel and the Modern World
Students practice critical thinking skills. They compare Ancient Roman influences on the Middle East region (Beit Shean, Masada, and Zippori) with Ancient Roman influences still present in our culture today.
Curated OER
The Ottoman Empire
Students compare the basic religious beliefs/and value systems of the three major religions that developed in the Middle East. Each group focuses on one of the religions, then reports to the rest of the class.