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Topic: Ancient/Biblical History Islam

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Muslims
This recent PBS addition examines Islam through stories of diverse Muslims. The "Frequently Asked Questions" is like "Islam 101" as it concisely explains the basic principles of Islam, including the most widely accepted definition of "jihad." This site provides an abundance of fascinating facts about Islamic history, basic beliefs, and various other topics through its portrayal and interviews of various Muslims.

World Cultures to 1500: Islam
A terrific overview of Ancient and Medieval History can be found at this online course, based at Washington State University. It offers clear and informative lecture notes, maps, a photo gallery, timelines, links to relevant sites, and more. Click Contents.


Middle East Network Information Center: Islam
Provides an index to numerous links on the Arabic world

ArabNet - The Resource for the Arab World in the Middle East and North Africa
This site provides excellent general information on Arab countries, including history, geography, and culture. It also has a set of useful links and special features.

The Islam Page
The Islam page has a thorough introduction to the religion for non-Muslims

Internet Islamic History Sourcebook
The Internet History Sourcebooks by Paul Halsall are wonderful collections of public-domain and copyright-permitted historical texts for educational use. The Islamic Sourcebook's documents are well organized and the breadth of the collection is impressive.

The Hajj: Islam's Journey of Faith
This site's purpose is to provide information about Muslim's holy pilgrimage to Mecca. It provides this information to a fairly mature audience, as the content is fairly detailed. The four sections: "Latest News on the Hajj," which gives details about current events relating to the hajj, "Islam," which outlines the five pillars, "The Hajj," which gives a more broad overview of what exactly the hajj is, and "The Pilgrims," which offers pictures of actual Muslims who have gone on this religious journey to Mecca and tells about people's experiences with the hajj.

The True Religion
Offers an Invitation to Discover Islam that features many articles about past and current Islamic events and issues

Muslim Scientists And Islamic Civilization
Much of the site focuses on Islamic contributions to learning, but there are many helpful history-related sections and features

Islamic World: Islamic History Sites
Contains a useful set of links to sites on Islamic History

Turning the Pages
Turning the Pages is an award-winning interactive display system developed by The British Library to increase public access and enjoyment of some of its most valuable treasures. Visitors are able to virtually "turn" the pages of manuscripts in an incredibly realistic way, using touch-screen technology and animation. There are currently fifteen treasures on display in Turning the Pages, including Sultan Baybars' Qur'an.

Global Connections
Global Connections: Putting World Events in Context provides the background information needed to understand events occurring in the Middle East. The site includes original materials created in conjunction with the Centers for Middle Eastern Studies at Harvard and UCLA. The site also aggregates and contextualizes the rich resources available throughout public broadcasting, including material from Frontline, Online NewsHour, NOW with Bill Moyers, Morning Edition, Talk of the Nation, and many others. Designed with educators in mind, the site is also useful for those curious to better understand the Middle East and its relationship with the West.

Middle East: Centuries of Conflict
Part of the CNN.com Archives, this site is an excellent introduction to strife in the Mid East -- past and present

Mr. Dowling's Electronic Passport: Crusades and the Rise of Islam
Mr. Dowling's Electronic Passport helps kids browse the world in his virtual classroom. He introduces you to many civilizations with clear explanations, engaging graphics for kids, and "cool links". His study guides, homework assignments, and exams are free and available for you to print or to edit.

Submission
A general site on Islam that also has comparisons of passages from Bible and Koran



Lesson Plans, Teacher Guides, Activities and more

The Fascinating World of Islam
Students will have the opportunity to learn about aspects of the world of Islam by using various research tools. They will then work with classmates in creating an ABC Book of Islam based on their research. Grades 6 -12.

An Introduction to Islam and Muhammed
Students will compare the major monotheistic belief systems of the world, use vocabulary sheets to help understand new vocabulary, and prepare a parallel timeline. Grades 6 -12.

Exploring Islamic Lands
In this high school lesson students explore what it's like to be a teenager living today in an Islamic country in the Middle East. They will begin by gaining background information about the religion and the region from which it sprang by using the PBS series ISLAM: EMPIRE OF FAITH and other resources. Once students gain a historical understanding, they choose a particular modern day Middle Eastern country to explore in depth using resources such as the Library of Congress Web site and epals. In the end, they will create a personal narrative of what it's like to live in that country.

How Many Wives?
Students will learn that religious texts are often used to establish cultural norms and rules of behavior. These ancient texts, however, are open to interpretation. Grades 9 -12.

Muslim Women Through Time
Students will learn that monolithic cultures and accurate stereotypes of Muslim women do not exist. A combination of factors affects the role of Muslim women as a group and individually over time. Grades 9 - 12.

Islam in the United States
This website could be used to find resources and also fun activities on the subject of Islam. This site would be most useful to a teacher looking for activities, or to someone studying Islam who wants to find helpful information and use different kinds of media pertaining to Islam. The layout is a bit confusing, but this site includes ratings for links and descriptions to Islam-related sites.

Twenty-Five Most Frequently Asked Questions About Islam
By Dr. Athar, a physician and an Islamic writer and speaker. He is author of over 60 articles and 5 books on Islam.

Top Ten Misconceptions about Islam
By Huma Ahmad

The Islamic Quiz
Tough set of question on Islamic history

The World's History: Islam
The online guide to Howard Spodek's The World's History features quizzes (multiple-choice questions, true/false questions, interactive review questions), primary sources, maps, a bulletin board, a Live Chat,web links, and faculty resources for each chapter/topic.

Brief Review in Global History and Geography: Document Based Essays and Practice Tests
PH@School's Brief Review in Global History and Geography Web site provides multiple-choice questions from actual Regents exams. You can also practice your test-taking skills on document-based essay questions (DBQs), with the option of e-mailing answers directly to your teacher for review.

Maps of Muslim World
The site contains maps of Central Asia, South Asia, South-East Asia, East Asia, and finally Africa. Each of these maps shows where the Muslim population is concentrated. One can also choose a link entitled "Muslim Minorities," which lists many articles about Islam's history and mythology. The last link is to "Muslims Online," a larger website which contains search engines, homepages, and links to Muslim organizations. From this site a student can learn about the religion of Islam; however, the site might be quite confusing to someone who is not familiar with the topic.

Teaching History with Technology
Tom Daccord
July 13-15, in Boston
(sold out 2007, 2008)

Teaching English and Language Arts with Technology
Carla Beard
July 6-8, Boston
(sold out in 2007)

Teaching the "Flat Classroom"
Vicki Davis
June 25-26, Boston

Google Tools for Schools
Carol LaRow
August 3-5, Boston

Creative Teaching with Interactive Whiteboards
Darren Kuropatwa
July 16-17

Free and Open Source Applications for Educators
Alex Inman
June 9-10

21st Century Leadership Symposium
Dennis Richards, Tom Daccord, Justin Reich
August 6-7

Enhanced Podcasting for Educators
Douglas Kiang
July 1-2

Digital Storytelling & Portfolios
Alycia Scott-Hiser
June 23-24

and more...

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