world religions
Non-fiction, illustrated story of the Abbasid era translation effort that brought the knowledge of the ancient world and many cultures into the Arabic language, where it was preserved, built upon and later translated into Latin in Europe, where it helped stimulate the Renaissance.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History (TOAH), a magnificent and comprehensive resource for all periods and world regions, with extensive access to images, thematic essays such as The Nature of Islamic Art, maps, timelines and search possibilities. Indispensible for integrating art across the curriculum. See also the MET’s Islamic art collection at http://www.metmuseum.org/about-the-met/curatorial-departments/islamic-art
Lesson plan and Readings on Historical Background of the Abrahamic Faiths is part of the complete set of lessons for comprehension and enrichment written to accompany the Unity Productions Foundation documentary film Cities of Light, in addition to interactive online features, articles, slide shows, timelines and maps is found at http://www.islamicspain.tv. The Lesson Plan Set is available for download in pdf format (individual lesson titles and the complete set on the site at http://www.islamicspain.tv/For-Teachers/LessonPlans.htm).
The book follows Ibraham’s family through the month of praying and fasting until the feast and celebration of Eid al-Fitr that ends Ramadan, explaining the basic beliefs of Islam and the life of the Prophet Muhammad as well as offering an intimate look at a devout Islamic family.
A description of Islamic Networks Group resources and offerings for various educational and interfaith settings.
A list of videos with streaming platform for 20 BBC documentary films on Islam, Muslims, Islamic history and cultures, including the excellent 3-Part documentary, “Islam and Science,” by the BBC, with Jim al-Khalili. http://islamicmultimedia.blogspot.com/ Islam and Science and Technology. Many other topics.
Islam: Empire of Faith documentary film companion website The site includes an outstanding timeline of Islamic history in four realms of history, as well as lesson plans and access to images from the arts and sciences. The full documentary can be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uxnT1Trn5kc
Islam: Empire of Faith is a documentary series, made in 2000, that details the history of Islam, from the birth of the Islamic Prophet, Muhammad to the Ottoman Empire. The first episode deals with the life of Muhammad, the second with the early Caliphates, Crusades, and Mongol invasion, and the third with the Ottoman Empire and Safavid dynasty. Directed by Robert H. Gardner.
A non-fiction book for early elementary students that explains how Muslims fast in the month Ramadan–one of two Muslim celebrations–and walks the reader through the month up to Eid al-Fitr that marks its ending. Illustrated.
A collection of stories from authentic Islamic literary and religious sources such as Hadith and Qur’an, which illuminates Islamic morals, ethics and values in an accessible way.
Winner of the 2004 Aesop Prize, Ayat Jamilah/Beautiful Signs: a Treasury of Islamic Wisdom for Children and Parents is the second book in Eastern Washington University Press’ This Little Light of Mine series. A young adult/adult crossover anthology, it draws from not only the core of Islamic spirituality and ethics, the Qur’an, and the traditions (hadiths), but also from the mystical verse, folk tales, and exemplary figures of the Islamic narrative. Unlike any other collection of Islamic stories, Beautiful Signs gathers traditional stories from the farthest reaches of the Muslim world, which stretches from Morocco in the west to Indonesia in the east, and from China in the north to Tanzania in the south. This unique anthology, with its rich and thorough explanatory notes, will be invaluable to anyone wishing to understand, or to teach, geography, world history, or world religions. It will also be treasured by Muslim families and by all parents committed to broadening the lives and values of their children and themselves.
Critical Thinking on Terminology about Islam and Muslims Critical Thinking about Terminology Related to Islam and Muslims: This lesson helps students critically evaluate some of the phrases and concepts used to describe Islam and Muslims. Students learn about the distinctions between using terms such as “Islamic” and “Muslim” to describe different behaviors or cultural products, and gain awareness of journalistic categories such as “Muslim world.” For use with: Video documentary FRONTLINE: MUSLIMS or as standalone lesson.
An excellent and beautifully illustrated picture book biography of Islam’s Prophet.
Islam: An American Faith, Set of 6 documentary films on aspects of Islam, descriptive of the faith, its beliefs and practices. $9.95 ea or $49.95 for the set.
For many these two ideas: Islam and America are not compatible, many on both sides feel that there is a great divide and that America can never reconcile with Islam and Muslims cannot live in peace with America. This film aims to dispel that myth. Starting from a historical perspective highlighting the fact that Muslims were already present in the New World prior to the arrival of the first European settlers and coming to the present post 9-11 America where some are questioning their identity, whereas others are defining their American Muslim identity.
Discover Islamic Art Museum With No Frontiers/DiscoverIslamicArt, a collection of art by period, dynasty, region and themes, bringing together works in many museums with their full information. The site also features interactive games exploring artworks and objects. A great way to see how Islamic art is organized and how it changed over time and across Muslim cultures. A project of the EuroMed with European Union funding.
A virtual walking tour of the Dome of the Rock and the third most important mosque in Islam, in Jerusalem. It features 360 degree views and detailed explanations of the architectural and decorative features, and their significance. (Since Adobe Flash is no longer supported, an alterative is to download Ruffles Flash emulator at http://ruffles.rs and install it as a browser extension)
Dover Publications is a heritage publisher specializing in facsimile editions of early lithographic books, inexpensive literature, art and craft books, antique mail-order catalogs, and historical design and art books in very inexpensive editions. They are an invaluable resource for the teacher who wants to integrate art into the social studies classroom. The Dover Design Library is only one part of a wonderful art-historical resource for teachers that includes a world-wide collection of cultural designs from architecture, textiles, ceramics, and jewelry. Another way to find their design books is to search http://doverpublications.com using terms like Arabic, Persian, Turkish, Islamic, geometric, and a cross-cultural classic design book from the 19th century, Owen Jones, Grammar of Ornament and Arabic Art in Color by Prisse d’Avennes
Categories of teaching resources published by the Center for Contemporary Arab Studies, Georgetown University. Teaching Units include: Islam and Politics; The Incense Routes: Frankincense and Myrrh: As Good As Gold by Joan Brodsky Schur (2013); Geography of the Arabian Peninsula by Joan Brodsky Schur (2013); The Illustrator’s Notebook: Parts 1-3 by Mohieddin Ellabbad (2009) and numerous others
Upper elementary and middle school school history magazine called Calliope: Exploring World History, with issues on “Islam,” “Ibn Battuta,” “Al-Ma’mun,” “The World of the Ottoman Sultan Suleyman the Magnificent,” “The Crusades,” “The Qur’an,” and “Arabic Lights” on Arab cultural influences, and “A World of Faiths” (on all the major world religions). Other titles are also of interest. Calliope is now called “Dig Into History” on archaeology
These guidelines are intended to help public schools balance the need for school safety with the need for free expression. The balance between the two is not static: It changes depending on the specific circumstances in each case, and is affected especially by the age of the students involved. These guidelines are based on current law. They do not provide guidance for every situation. But they should provide useful guidance for school officials seeking to create a safe and free learning environment.