middle school East
A beautifully and simply illustrated, true story of the woman who, with members of her community, saved books during the Iraq war. Kirkus Review.
The Geography and Cultures of Muslim Countries: This lesson features hands-on projects for students that help them learn about the Muslim country of their choice. Students collaborate to conceptualize an informational website and television commercial for a given country. Alternatives include preparing a speech at the UN and designing a pamphlet about a chosen country. For use with: Video documentary FRONTLINE: MUSLIMS or as standalone lesson.
Graphic novel version of the true story of the woman who, with members of her community, saved books during the Iraq war. Publishers Weekly featured review.
This activity helps students become familiar with key terms they will hear in the documentary film. Students will have a better grasp of the terms’ meanings and will therefore be able to understand the overall information provided in the film without being hampered by lack of familiarity with the terms.
Prince Among Slaves recounts the true story of an African Muslim prince who was captured and sold into slavery in the American South. After 40 years of enslavement, he finally regained his freedom, became a national celebrity, and dined in the White House. This is an incredible story about an incredible man who endured the humiliation of slavery without ever losing his dignity or his hope for freedom. Prince Among Slaves is based on the book by historian Terry Alford (1977) was conceived, designed, and executive produced by Unity Productions Foundation (UPF), and received substantial NEH planning and production funding in 2005 and 2006. The companion teaching resources help to contextualize the film and book in American history, as well as addressing contemporary issues of identity and migration.
A courageous and honest look at the conflict in Israel/Palestine in the words of Israeli and Palestinian children
Noor Inayat Khan was the daughter of a spiritual teacher from India, Hazrat Inayat Khan, and his American wife, Ora Ray Baker. After Noor’s birth in Moscow in 1914, the family moved first to England and then to Paris, where she was raised. In 1940, the Nazis invaded France and twenty-five year old Noor fled with her family to England. She joined Britain’s Women’s Auxiliary Air Force and trained as a wireless operator. In early 1943, she began her assignment as a covert agent, joining Winston Churchill’s Special Operations Executive (SOE). The SOE worked with the French resistance fighters to sabotage industry and railroads in preparation for the D-Day invasions, after which they would co-ordinate attacks on the German army behind enemy lines, tying down troops and diverting the Germans from the invading Allied troops. From Paris, Noor Inayat Khan secretly transmitted critical information back to Britain. In the next four months she was often the only link between the U.K. and the French Resistance. She was pursued by the Gestapo and finally betrayed by French collaborators. The Nazis arrested her and imprisoned her in Paris, where she fought back against her captors and escaped twice. Finally, she was sent to the infamous Dachau concentration camp in Germany where she was executed shortly before the end of WWII. Lesson plans are available at https://www.upf.tv/noorteachers/
Background Modules: An Introduction to Islam by Susan Douglass (2010); Tapestry of Travel by Karima Alavi (2009); Who Are the Arabs? by Steve Tamari (1999); The Arabic Language by Sabah Ghazzawi (1986); The Contributions of Arab Civilization to Mathematics and Science by Julie Peteet (1985)
Classroom magazines such as Faces (Geography and cultures) back issues can be purchased from Cobblestone Publishing Company (www.cricketmedia.com). They include numerous issues related to Muslim populations and geography around the world, Islam, Muslim history and world history. Appleseeds and Faces, including for the former “Islam Today,” and “Arab Americans,” and for the latter issues on Mali, Jordan, Morocco, and many other people and places.