Sultan Qaboos Cultural Center




	Resources for Teachers Oman The Desert Meets the Sown Go to http://www.fas.harvard.edu/%7Emideast/outreach/ then click on “Publications” on the left hand side of the page, then click on “here” under “Middle East Records”. The lesson plan is under “Volume 20.” Language Arts, Cultural Diversity/ Bedu. High School. This site provides a four-page article on the interaction between the Bedouin tribal culture and the coastal fishing culture in Sanaw, Oman. In the article students are introduced not only to Bedouin culture but also to well-known individuals such as T.E. Lawrence and Arab philosopher Ibn Khaldun. The article is followed by questions and hands-on, article-related activities. Accompanied by a short vocabulary list. Activities require student access to reference materials. The lesson can probably be completed in one to two class periods. Maryland Center for Civic Education Oman Lesson Plan Oman and Politics. This site provides intensive materials for a focused understanding of Oman. Although not specified, the lesson plan is appropriate for high school students. It includes a case study of Oman and examines its political structure, foreign policy and educational institutions. The site also includes two lesson plans and a unit schedule, which focuses mainly on US-Oman relations. The site provides a structured lesson plan that guides teacher and student through various activities. While this lesson is based primarily on exploring US foreign policy, it is also a great resource on Oman’s foreign policy and diplomatic history. The lesson does not include links to the resources listed but gives an extensive directory of related readings, video and relevant materials. Islam and the Gulf Region All Ages Art Arts of the Islamic World Islam and Art. Produced by the Freer and Sackler Galleries, this comprehensive teachers guide is composed of an informational booklet on Islam and Islamic Art and lesson plans for all ages. The first 20 pages explain the basic features of Islam, including the five pillars, key vocabulary and an illustrated passage about Islamic prayer. The section also includes several narratives by Muslims now living in the US, as well as a description of Muslim festivals. The next 20 pages show and explain examples of Islamic art, including calligraphy, the art of the Mosque and the art of portable objects. This section includes interactive activities and caption boxes that expand on topics such as the role of Women in Islamic Art. There is then a short vocabulary section, multiple lesson plans and a list of additional materials. General Center for Contemporary Arab Studies Lesson Plans This site provides links to various lesson plans and teaching modules. They range from the influences of the Muslim world on geography, math and language to stereotypes of Arabs. The lessons are geared towards older students. Elementary History Journey Along the Silk Road Geography, Cross Cultural Experience. Designed for elementary school students from the Council on Islamic Education, this lesson plan teaches about the Silk Road, including information on Yemen, Egypt, India and Iran. The time needed ranges from two hours to one week, depending on which activities the teacher chooses to do. The one-week project is designed to let students experience the atmosphere of the Silk Road and includes writing in a Mongolian yurt (a blanket that is suspended in the corner of a room to create a tent), listening to music and burning scented candles/ incense associated with different regions, and writing “hello” in various languages. The Travels of Ibn Battuta Geography and World History This lesson plan is for grades 3 through 5 and will take two to three hours. In this lesson students work in groups to explore the various areas visited by the 14th century Islamic traveler Ibn Battuta. Through the students’ research they will learn the basics of Islam. Students create posters to teach the rest of the class what they have learned about Ibn Battuta. The lesson plan includes study topics for each student group and questions to guide their research. This lesson requires Internet access to obtain the necessary materials, a map of the world and writing and drawing materials. General The Middle East: Flags and Facts Geography. This lesson plan is for grades K through 2 and will take one to two hours. Students learn and practice basic map skills by creating, reading and comparing maps of the Middle East and the US. Students also learn basic facts about the countries in the Middle East while learning how to use maps. This lesson requires Internet access to obtain the necessary materials, a map of the world, a map of North America and writing and coloring materials. Alike and Different: The Middle East and The United States Geography. This lesson plan is for grades 3 through 5 and will take two to three hours. Students will examine similarities and differences between the Middle East and their own city, state and country. Students will explore maps of their own region and find similar features with maps of countries in the Middle East. The lesson ends with students demonstrating the map skills they have learned by labeling blank maps of the Middle East and the US. The lesson includes matching questions that present basic facts about the Middle Eastern countries. This lesson requires Internet access to obtain the necessary materials, a map of the world, maps of the students’ state or country and writing and drawing materials. Islam Geometry and Islam Religion, Art and Geometry. This lesson plan is for grades Pre-K through 2 and will take one hour. This lesson introduces students to the importance of patterns in Islamic art, architecture, books and textiles. Students learn how to use a compass and ruler to create common patterns specific to Islam. The lesson plan explains why geometric patterns are significant in the Muslim world and gives students the chance to replicate these patterns. The lesson plan also offers related sources to build students’ understanding of Islam. This lesson plan requires supplies for making the patterns, such as paper, poster board, a compass and a straightedge. Middle School Women in the Middle East The Hijab: Between Secularism and Piety Modern Culture. This is a Council on Islamic Education lesson plan for Middle or High School students. It involves reading an article about the social assumptions made in Egypt about women who wear the veil and is followed by a series of prepared questions, that students can answer after reading the article. Estimated time is one class period of instruction. Politics Unmasking the Middle East Current Events, Geography and Politics. Middle or High School. This lesson plan is composed of a warm-up of identifying Middle Eastern states on a map. The students then read an article on Syria and the US political relationship with the country. Finally, students split into groups and research key facts of different Middle Eastern countries. Estimated time for this activity is one hour, plus homework. Oil and Water in the Middle East Region Geography and Geology. This lesson plan is for grades 6 through 8 and will take two to three hours. The lesson focuses on the roles of oil and water in the Middle East. Students study maps to see the distribution of oil and discuss the significance of the distribution to the Middle Eastern countries. The lesson also presents the historical and political role of water in the region. Students study satellite images of Iraq to illustrate the struggle with water in the Middle East. The lesson includes discussion questions to help students think critically about the implications of oil and water in the Middle East. This lesson requires Internet access to obtain the necessary materials and writing and drawing materials. Math/Science Islamic Scientific Contributions to Civilization Islamic Contribution to Math. This site is geared towards Middle School Students. A few of the links on the page are not working, including: http://weasel.cnrs.humboldt.edu/~spain/alh/index.html and http://www.greatbuildings.com/buildings/Dome_of_the_Rock.html http://www.cyberistan.org/ may be inappropriate for public school curriculums. http://www.levity.com/alchemy/islam19.html has numerous English errors http://www.cyberistan.org/islamic/index.htm may also be inappropriate for public schools. Islam Islam: Empire of Faith: 5 total lessons World History and Language Arts. This set of lesson plans is based on the PBS video series Islam: Empire of Faith. The lessons coincide with the subjects in the video series and vary in length. The lessons are for grades 6-12. Lesson One: An Introduction to Islam and Muhammad The lesson will take three to four class periods. This lesson plan compares the three main monotheistic Abrahamic faiths and has students create a chart to display the similarities and differences. Students broaden their understanding of Islam and the life of Muhammad. Students create a timeline of the life of Muhammad and other events that were happening around the world. Students present what they have learned to the rest of the class. The lesson requires Internet access, Part One of the PBS video Islam: Empire of Faith, a TV and a VCR. Lesson Two: The Fascinating World of Islam This lesson will take five class periods. This lesson introduces students to Islamic culture by having students use various research tools to discover more about the religion. Students work in groups to create an ABC Book of Islam based on their research. Students will use visuals to present their research to their classmates. This lesson requires Parts One, Two and Three from the PBS video series Islam: Empire of Faith, a TV, VCR and Internet access. Lesson Three: Creating a Textile Museum Piece from the Islamic Empire The lesson will take three to four class periods. This lesson gives students the opportunity to learn about and draw an Islamic textile piece from the height of the Islamic Empire. Students will research textile design and its role as a representation of life in the 11th and 12th centuries. Students use their research to describe their textile piece to the rest of the class. This lesson requires Part Two of the PBS video series Islam: Empire of Faith, a TV, VCR and Internet access. Lesson Four: Great Thinkers and Accomplishments of Islam Fact Cubes This lesson will take three to four class periods. Students will research a wide variety of Islamic thinkers including scholars, philosophers, historians, astronomers, mathematicians, poets and architects. Students will construct a Fact Cube to display their research and present it to the rest of the class. This lesson requires Parts Two and Three of the PBS video series Islam: Empire of Faith, TV, VCR and Internet access. Lesson Five: Renaissance Man Comparison Poster This lesson will take three to four class periods. This lesson has students research Sultan Suleiman as well as other notable individuals from the 15th century Ottoman Empire and from 15th century Italy. Students then create a poster of these “Renaissance Men” in order to present their research to their classmates. This lesson suggests, but does not require, Part Three of the PBS video series Islam: Empire of Faith, Internet access and other materials for the construction of the poster. Islam: History, Society and Civilization This lesson is for grades 6 through 8 and will take three class periods. This lesson plan discusses the Crusades from both Muslim and Christian perspectives. Students become familiar with the Muslim Sultan Saladin and various aspects of the Crusades. Students compare and contrast the Muslim and Christian perspectives on the Crusades and the implications of the similarities and differences. The lesson plan includes a helpful vocabulary list for students and teachers. This lesson plan is complementary to the Discovery video Islam: History, Society, and Civilization and thus requires the video/DVD as well as a DVD player or VCR. The lesson also requires Internet access to obtain the necessary materials. Three Monotheistic Religions Comparative Religion. This lesson is for grades 6 through 8 or grades 9 through 12 and does not specify length but will probably take one class period. This lesson plan is designed to give students a better understanding of the three major monotheistic religions in the Middle East. The lesson explores the beliefs, symbols, institutions and practices of each religion. Students examine the many similarities as well as the differences between Judaism, Christianity and Islam. The lesson plan is based on a slide show provided on the website in which students associate various images with each religion. The teacher then goes through and provides information about each slide. This lesson requires Internet access and a way to project the images of the slide show. High School Women in the Middle East The Hijab Between Secularism and Piety Modern Culture. This is a Council on Islamic Education lesson plan for Middle or High School students. It involves reading an article about the social assumptions made in Egypt about women who wear the veil and is followed by a series of prepared questions that students can answer after reading the article. Estimated time is one class period of instruction. Women in the Middle East http://www.fas.harvard.edu/%7Emideast/outreach/ then click on publication on the left hand side, and then click on here under Middle East Records. This plan is under volume 19. Women in Islam. Requires video. A lesson plan provided by the Outreach Center of the Center of Middle Eastern Studies at Harvard University. This link leads to an article that discusses issues such as important women in Islamic history, Muslim women’s role in the family and hijab. The article is followed by questions. Women in the Arab World World Cultures, Islamic Law. Although, the materials needed for this lesson plan are difficult to locate, it may be a useful source of questions and activities. The link for the teacher is outdated: the new link is http://www.mwlusa.org/publications/positionpapers/hijab.html. Suppression or Liberation: Islam, Hijab and Modern Society World Cultures. This lesson plan will take four 45-minute class periods. This lesson focuses on the concept of women’s modesty in Islam. Students become familiar with the basic beliefs and practices of Islam. This lesson presents different views on the concept of women’s modesty and the practice of wearing the hijab. Students will access various media such as video, articles and Internet sites to explore the range of views on the hijab. Students also have the opportunity to express their own views on the hijab after investigating the various opinions about the concept of women’s modesty. This lesson requires Internet access to obtain necessary materials and for the student activities. Muslim Women through Time This lesson plan will take 90 minutes. The lesson strives to break down stereotypes of monolithic cultures and of Muslim women. The students explore how multiple factors affect the role of Muslim women and how these factors change over time and space. The lesson looks at how women’s roles and identities develop. A case study of Wallahah Bint Mustakfi shows the interaction of forces that shape a woman’s available choices. Students work in groups to research a famous Muslim woman of their choosing and present their research to the class. The lesson plan also includes discussion questions to structure the students’ research. This lesson requires Internet access and/or library resources. Politics Unmasking the Middle East Middle East, Geography and Politics. Middle or High School. This lesson plan is composed of a warm-up of identifying Middle Eastern states on a map. The students then read an article on Syria and the US political relationship with the country. Finally, students split into groups and research key facts of different Middle Eastern countries. Estimated time for this activity is one hour, plus homework. Saudi Arabia Foreign Relations, History. This lesson plan will take one class period. The lesson discusses the terrorist bombing in Saudi Arabia in early 2000 in order to explore the causes and implications of terrorist acts. Students learn about the history of US-Saudi relations as well as the significance of Saudi Arabia for Muslims around the world. The lesson investigates the greater issue of terrorism and the war on terror and includes a writing assignment to be done in class or as homework. This lesson requires materials that can be printed out before class or computers with Internet access for the students. Islam and Terrorism Religion, Ethics, Culture and Society. This lesson plan will take five to seven class periods. Students will become more familiar with the teachings and values of Islam and the Muslim community in their own area. This lesson will have students investigating the ways in which the events of 9/11 affected the Muslim community living in the US. Students will also use research skills to see how Muslim extremists have interpreted Islam to promote specific political agendas. The lesson plan suggests using guest speakers, surveys and other methods to gain insight about the Muslim community in their area. This lesson requires Internet access to obtain the necessary materials. Dictionaries will also be helpful for this lesson. Islam World Cultures. This lesson will take one to two class periods. This lesson plan has students begin by brainstorming their current knowledge and understanding of Islam. Students then use research skills to expand upon this and look at an Islamic perspective on politics, justice, economy and the family. Students present their research to the rest of the class in discussion form. This lesson seeks to show students how Islam influences the culture in which it is practiced. The lesson plan includes a lengthy list of relevant links as well as a vocabulary list to help students and teachers. This lesson requires Internet access for students to conduct research and to access the necessary links. It will also require newsprint, markers and print resources about different regions. Civic Education Examining the Historical Significance of 9/11 Modern History. This lesson plan does not specify what grades it is intended for but would probably be best for high school students. It also does not specify its length but due to the need for outside research, it will take at least two class periods. This lesson focuses on creating dialogue about the historical significance of the events of 9/11. Students examine what makes an event historically significant. Together students create a list of what they consider significant events of the 20th and 21st centuries; the lesson plan includes a list of events to assist students and teachers. Students develop research skills as they conduct a survey to better understand different perspectives on the significance of 9/11 and then present their results to the class. Students have the opportunity to think critically about how 9/11 has affected their generation and future generations. All materials needed for this lesson are available through the website. Creating a New Media in the Arab World Journalism, Civic Education. This lesson plan will take less than 30 minutes. The lesson explores the pros and cons of establishing a government-sponsored television station and newspaper in a war-torn country, in this case Iraq. Students review the concepts of free speech and free press from the US Constitution and apply these concepts to the situation in Iraq. Materials include Internet access, paper and pens, and two articles. There are links to printer-friendly versions of these articles. Stereotypes: More than Meets the Eye Media, Culture. This lesson plan will take 45 minutes over two class periods. The lesson focuses on understanding the concept of stereotypes and specifically how people develop stereotypes about the Middle East and its peoples. Students look at how images and the media influence perceptions of the Middle East and the implications of these perceptions. The lesson is divided into two sections: the first has students examine the ways in which stereotypes of the “other” develop and influence their perceptions; the second session has students use their new understanding of stereotypes to find examples and think critically about their importance. The lesson ends by students coming up with better ways to understand people who are different from themselves and ways to overcome stereotypes. This lesson requires various media such as magazines, articles, video and movies for students to find examples of stereotypes as well as markers, a blackboard or a flip chart. 9/11 Backlash: Being Muslim in America History, Sociology, Media. This lesson will take three class periods. In this lesson students examine how perceptions of ethnic groups develop and the role of television and movies in shaping their perception. Students think critically about the power of media images and how various ethnic groups are impacted by such images. This lesson presents the opportunity for students to engage in constructive debate about stereotypes and how the media helps shape these perceptions, specifically those of ethnic minorities. This lesson includes a vocabulary list to assist students and teachers. This lesson plan is meant to accompany the Discovery video 9/11 Backlash: Being Muslim in America and therefore requires the video/DVD as well as a DVD player or VCR. This lesson also requires Internet access to obtain the necessary materials. Islam Islam: Empire of Faith: 5 total lessons World History and Language Arts. This set of lesson plans is based on the PBS video series Islam: Empire of Faith. The lessons coincide with the subjects in the video series and vary in length. The lessons are for grades 6-12. Lesson One: An Introduction to Islam and Muhammad The lesson will take three to four class periods. This lesson plan compares the three main monotheistic Abrahamic faiths and has students create a chart to display the similarities and differences. Students broaden their understanding of Islam and the life of Muhammad. Students create a timeline of the life of Muhammad and other events that were happening around the world. Students present what they have learned to the rest of the class. The lesson requires Internet access, Part One of the PBS video Islam: Empire of Faith, a TV and a VCR. Lesson Two: The Fascinating World of Islam This lesson will take five class periods. This lesson introduces students to Islamic culture by having students use various research tools to discover more about the religion. Students work in groups to create an ABC Book of Islam based on their research. Students will use visuals to present their research to their classmates. This lesson requires Parts One, Two and Three from the PBS video series Islam: Empire of Faith, a TV, VCR and Internet access. Lesson Three: Creating a Textile Museum Piece from the Islamic Empire The lesson will take three to four class periods. This lesson gives students the opportunity to learn about and draw an Islamic textile piece from the height of the Islamic Empire. Students will research textile design and its role as a representation of life in the 11th and 12th centuries. Students use their research to describe their textile piece to the rest of the class. This lesson requires Part Two of the PBS video series Islam: Empire of Faith, a TV, VCR and Internet access. Lesson Four: Great Thinkers and Accomplishments of Islam Fact Cubes This lesson will take three to four class periods. Students will research a wide variety of Islamic thinkers including scholars, philosophers, historians, astronomers, mathematicians, poets and architects. Students will construct a Fact Cube to display their research and present it to the rest of the class. This lesson requires Parts Two and Three of the PBS video series Islam: Empire of Faith, TV, VCR and Internet access. Lesson Five: Renaissance Man Comparison Poster This lesson will take three to four class periods. This lesson has students research Sultan Suleiman as well as other notable individuals from the 15th century Ottoman Empire and from 15th century Italy. Students then create a poster of these “Renaissance Men” in order to present their research to their classmates. This lesson suggests, but does not require, Part Three of the PBS video series Islam: Empire of Faith, Internet access and other materials for the construction of the poster. Islam’s Sharia Law Law, Comparative Law. This lesson will take one to two classes. This lesson plan focuses on understanding Sharia, Islamic law, in the context of Muslim cultures and beliefs. Students will become familiar with the basic beliefs of Islam and Islamic law. This lesson has students compare and contrast Sharia with the American legal system as well as with different legal systems around the world. The lesson presents a specific case of a woman in Nigeria and her experience with the Islamic legal system. This lesson requires Internet access or printed copies of the handouts and articles listed on the lesson plan. Three Monotheistic Religions Comparative Religion. This lesson is for grades 6 through 8 or grades 9 through 12 and does not specify length but will probably take one class period. This lesson plan is designed to give students a better understanding of the three major monotheistic religions in the Middle East. The lesson explores the beliefs, symbols, institutions and practices of each religion. Students examine the many similarities as well as the differences between Judaism, Christianity and Islam. The lesson plan is based on a slide show provided on the website in which students associate various images with each religion. The teacher then goes through and provides information about each slide. This lesson requires Internet access and a way to project the images of the slide show. Other Teacher Resources Cultural Office of the Embassy of Oman Embassy visits for student groups (call the Sultan Qaboos Cultural Center at 202 261 1690 or email info@sqcc.org Sultan Qaboos Cultural Center Summer Institute transcripts Page last updated 05/07/2007