last modified:2009-01-29 10:59:15
Lesson Plans and Curriculum
The majority of lesson plan and curriculum information will be linked to several times on different pages within this site. Most documents will be listed with the original workshop and seminar information that they were presented in; however as we expand our material base, we will have an increasing number of items that will be independent of presentation materials.
If you are unable to find what you need here, please feel free to contact us, and we will gladly give you assistance.
Lesson Plans
Fascinating Figures: Orignally presented for the Summer Insevice Seminar of 2006, this packet gives information of some of the more interesting and influential figures in the Middle East as well as suggestions for incorporating this information into the classroom. The majority of figures can be applied to American, European, and World History courses as well as Government and Civics courses; however, with a little re-working the information can also be applied to Fine Art courses as well.
The Purple Finger for Freedom: this is an excellent lesson plan developed by Raise a Purple Finger for Freedom (www.purplefingerforfreedom.org). While written to be used during the December 2005 elections in Iraq, with minor changes the document can be used during any time. There are many parallels made with other forms of democratic elections and examples of other countries throughout the world that are holding free and open elections.
A Presentation for Entheos Charter School: This presentation was designed for First through Fourth grade students in conjunction with a service project in which gifts and/or school supplies were sent to children in Iraq. The purpose of this presentation was to introduce the schoolchildren to the similarites and differences between American children and Iraqi children. The overheads used in this presentation are not included in the PDF, but if you contact our office, we can send you the color overheads in the mail. If you are interested in starting a similar service project in your school consult Operation Give or Operation Iraqi Children for further information.
Holidays of the Middle East- was created by the
Utah Museum of Fine Arts Education Department in conjunction with our October 2006 Workshop: "Eat, Drink, and Be Merry-Festivals of the Middle East" The Holidays of the Middle East is a project box that can be checked out from the UMFA. Inside the box are lesson plans and objects for use in classroom instruction. For more information on how to check out the Holiday Box please visit here.
An Introduction to the Middle East Outreach Program- A detailed powerpoint presentation about the Middle East Outreach Program, what we offer and how we can be of use to teachers and the community at large.
Sunni vs. Shia- Deconstructing Islam for the Classroom- Powerpoint presentation and accompanying handouts which cover an introduction to Islam and the history behind the Sunni/Shia split in Islam.
The Silk Road Suitcase- 
was created by the Utah Museum of Fine Arts Education Department in conjunction with our October 2007 Workshop: "Trade and Travel Along the Silk Road" The Silk Road Suitcase is a project box that can be checked out from the UMFA. Inside the box are lesson plans and objects for use in classroom instruction. For more information on how to check out the Silk Road Suitcase please visit here.
Yurts- A Hands-On Art Project- Originally created for the Summer Inservice Workshop "Critical Issues in the Middle East and Central Asia-Oil, Environment, and Culture" this hands-on art project offers an opportunity for teachers and students to create mini yurts (at a very low cost- 37 cents a piece), and allowing for optimal creativity in desigen while comparing between various types of nomadic homes.
Two Sides to the Coin: Teaching Religion in the Classroom from a Middle East Perspective: Originally created for the 2008 Utah Rural School Association Meeting, this powerpoint presentation focuses of defining the line of what can and can not be done legally with the curriculum, what is required (or not) of teachers to accommodate religious requirements of their students, and creating a classroom space of religious tolerance. Another presentation for the this conference was developed "Modern Monuments: Viewing the Middle East in a New Light" but because of copyright concerns, this presentation is not available online. Please contact the Outreach office for more information.
Great Cites of the Middle East Box- was created by the Utah Museum of Fine Arts Education Department in conjunction with our October 2008 Workshop: "Markets and Monuments- Bazaars of the Middle East" The Great Cities of the Middle East Box is a project box that can be checked out from the UMFA. Inside the box are lesson plans and objects for use in classroom instruction. For more information on how to check out the Great Cites of the Middle East please visit here.
Curriculum Information
The Utah State Core Curriculum Standards & Teaching about the Middle East- prepared by Outreach Advisory Council Member, Joyce Hansen from Westminster College
Evaluating the New Utah Social Studies Sixth Grade Curriculum From a Middle East Perspective- Prepared by Outreach Assistant, Deborah Dilley