DESTINATION: MIDDLE EAST
| THE BIG QUESTION: What historical contributions did people in the Middle East make to present-day civilization and how do they compare to America today? |
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**Although Afghanistan is technically not considered part of the Middle East, this unit includes it because of its role and relationship with the Middle East in the news |
STATION 1: CUNEIFORM WRITING
You will need: worksheet, stylus, clay
Learn about one of the earliest forms of writing used in the Middle East....Cuneiform
Read the story, explore, then take the challenge.
Cuneiform numbers were written using a combination of just two signs: a vertical wedge for '1' and a corner wedge for '10'. Handwriting varied as much in Old Babylonian times as it does now but the basic system of numbers is illustrated below.
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1 |
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2 |
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3 |
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4 |
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5 |
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6 |
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7 |
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8 |
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9 |
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10 |
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11 |
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12 |
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13 |
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14 |
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15 |
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16 |
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17 |
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18 |
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19 |
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20 |
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30 |
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40 |
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50 |
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60 |
1) Decipher cuneiform and translate it into our numbers on the worksheet.
2) Using the clay and stylus, practice making your own tablet. Make addition and subtraction problems with answers.
3) Now write your name at this site and copy with the stylus and clay
4) Now write a text message in English then translate it to cuneiform at this site.
STATION 2: CURRENT EVENT
Families and children in Afghanistan live normal lives just like we do.
Read more about their lives then take the challenge. How did you do?
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News articles help us learn more about what is happening in other parts of the world. Every day new articles are written. These are called current events. 1) Choose a news article from the center about a Middle Eastern country OR use one of these sites.
2) Using the graphic organizer, summarize the event or article. |
To earn an 'A', your summary:
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STATION 3: TOURING IRAQ
You will need: Taking A Guided Tour of Iraq worksheet, Just for Fun trivia worksheet
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Use these links as your 'tour guide' for Iraq and complete your worksheets. |
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| # 15. POPULATION | |
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2. CUNEIFORM |
# 17. IRAQ'S FLAG |
| 3. ZIGGURAT | #18. MAP LINK |
| #4 – 16. GEOGRAPHY- GOVT and ECONOMY | |
STATION 4: POWERPOINT PRESENTATION
You and a partner will be comparing life in the Middle East with life in America.
You are looking for facts about both countries...some similarities, some differences.
Put your information in a powerpoint for your own presentation.
Your information might be included in the class presentation powerpoint.
Open a powerpoint template:
| Use these titles for each slide: | |
| TITLE SLIDE: Comparing and Contrasting America and Iraq OR America and Afghanistan | SLIDE 5: GEOGRAPHY |
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SLIDE 2: CLOTHING |
SLIDE 6: GOVERNMENT and ECONOMY |
| SLIDE 3: RELIGION | SLIDE 7: EDUCATION |
| SLIDE 4: CUSTOMS | SLIDE 8: SOURCES |
STATION 5: READER'S THEATRE
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With one or more partners, practice this story. You can play several different characters just by changing your voice! FORTY FORTUNES-A Tale of Iran When a young man’s wife makes him pose as a fortuneteller, his success is unpredictable. |
STATION 6: GEOGRAPHY STUDY
Iraq and Afghanistan are located in one of the oldest civilizations in the world.
These countries are part of a world that was known as Mesopotamia
in the Fertile Crescent between the Euphrates and Tigris rivers.
1) Watch video
2) Learn about the old world geography. Read the story, explore all 7 maps, then take the challenge.
3) On your map, label as many landmarks as you can using today's names. Print.
