CMES Lesson Plans
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The following lesson plans were developed by master teachers and by CMES Outreach staff with the intent of giving area teachers a easy access point to Middle Eastern content material. All lesson plans are available for free download. Feedback on the classroom application of the materials is always appreciated.
Lesson Plan Quick Index By Grade Level
NEW CMES WebQuest Portal
Elementary Level
Children's Life in Armenia
Author(s): Lisa Adeli
Subject: Modern Armenia
Day in the Life of an Iranian Child
Author(s): Shauna Little
Subject: Modern Iran
Iranian New Year
Author(s): Shauna Little
Subject: Persian New Year
Librarian of Basra
Author(s): Shari Lossou-Lossavi
Subject: The Value of Litearcy, Books, and Libraries, Modern Iraq
Nasreddin Hodja: Turkish and Middle Eastern Folklore Philosopher
Author(s): Joyce Daigle
Subject: Folk Tales, Ottoman Empire
Night of the Moon
Author(s): Laura Provencher
Subject: The Muslim Holiday Ramadan
Ramadan
Author(s): Lisa Adeli
Subject: The Muslim Holiday Ramadan
Read Aloud Literature
Author(s): Vicki Waxman
Subject: History, Culture
The Blind Man and The Elephant
Author(s): Laura Provencher
Subject: Perspectives, Folk Tale
Tiles For The Sultan
Author(s): Gili Sherman
Subject: Art
Middle/High School Level
A - F
Agriculture and Food of Cyprus
Author(s): Denise Reilly
Subject: Global Studies, Culture, Crop Production
All About Cyrpus Powerpoint Presentation
Author(s): Lori Hare
Subject: Geogrpahy, Conflict Resolution, Modern Issues, Politics
American Government Problem Based Learning: Create a Government for Iraq
Author(s): David Rubin
Subject: Politics, Government, Conflict Resolution
A Moroccan Specialty
Author(s): Jeannine Kuropatkin and Cheryl Wiens
Subject: Modern Morocco
Armenia in A Time of Change
Author(s): Lisa Adeli
Subject: Modern Armenia, History
Compare and Contrast the Empires
Author(s): Brian Croone
Subject: Comparative Analysis of Ottoman Empire, Rome, and China
Conflict Resolution
Author(s): Callie Ward
Subject: Conflict Resolution, Geography, World History
Cultural Diffusion: The Impact of the Middle East on the Balkans
Author(s): Lisa Adeli
Subject: Middle Eastern Cultural, Religious, and Linguistic Influences in Southeastern Europe
Florentine and Ottoman Women of the 14th – 16th Centuries: A Comparative Curriculum Unit
Author(s): Louise Forsyth
Subject: Status of Women, Ottoman Empire, Renaissance Florence
Footprints Across Cyprus: A Virtual Fieldtrip of Cyprus' Landscape and Culture
Author: Diane Godfrey
Subject: History, Modern Cyprus
G - M
Geography of Great Empires
Author(s): Barbara S. Williams
Subject: Comparative Analysis of the Holy Roman and Ottoman Empires
How History Shaped Literature and How Literature Changed History: Serbs and the Battle of Kosovo (Webquest)
Author: Lisa Adeli, Ph.D.
Subject: Literature, Ottoman Empire and the Balkans
In Search of Aphrodite’s Rock
Author(s): Heather Kiser
Subject: Historic Cyprus, Geography, Literature, Legends, Mythology
Introduction to Islam
Author(s): Lisa Adeli
Subject: Muslim Beliefs, Culture
Iranian Hostage Crisis
Author(s): Julie Nedved
Subject: Politics, History, Modern Iran, Revolution
Iran, Iraq - What's the Difference
Author(s): Lisa Adeli
Subject: Modern Iraq, Modern Iran, Culture
Medieval Travels
Authors: Matt Lyons
Subject: History, Trade, Economy
Mosque Design
Author(s): Jessica Silverman
Subject: Ottoman Empire, Mosque, Islam, Architecture
Muslims and the Holocaust
Author(s): Lisa Adeli
Subject: Holocaust, History
N - T
Ottoman Empire Unit
Author(s): Stacy Hercules
Subject: Ottoman Empire, History, Modern Turkey, Balkans
Ottoman Geography Lessons: “What’s in a Name?,” “Eye of the Beholder,” and “People and Places”
Author(s): Brenda Bonine
Subject: Modern Turkey, Modern Balkan States, History, Geography, Ethnicity
Ottoman Lyric Poetry
Author(s): Danita Dodson
Subject: World Literature, Poetry, English
Ottoman Travel Brochure
Author(s): Jeff Mann
Subject: Ottoman Empire, Ethnicity, Literature, History
Peace and Perspective Through Poetry
Author(s): Tina Anima
Subject: Palestinian - Israeli Conflict, Literature, Conflict Resolution
Ratios and Proportions in Turkey
Author(s): Martha Mallinger-Rubin
Subject: Mathematics, Conversion, Turkey
Teach Ottoman Empire
Author(s): Abbey McNair
Subject: Ottoman Empire, History, Culture
The Importance of Cyprus During the Crusades
Author(s): Jeremy Church
Subject: World History, Culture, Theology
The Ottoman Empire
Author(s): Lisa Adeli
Subject: Ottoman Empire, History, Social Structures
The Ottoman Empire News Broadcast
Author(s): MaryLynne Fillmon
Subject: Ottoman Empire, History, Media, Journalism
The Palestinian - Israeli Conflict - A Lesson in Perspective
Author(s): MaryLynne Fillmon
Subject: Palestinian - Israeli Conflict, History, Litearture, Conflict Resolution, Politics
The Palestinian-Israeli Issue/High School English
Author(s): Lisa Adeli
Subject: Palestinian - Israeli Conflict, History, Litearture, Conflict Resolution, Politics
The Palestinian-Israeli Issue/High School Social Studies
Author(s): Lisa Adeli
Subject: Palestinian - Israeli Conflict, History, Litearture, Conflict Resolution, Politics
Tuning in to Turning Points
Author(s): Lisa Adeli
Subject: Modern Middle East, History, Politics
Turkey: Bridge Between East and West
Author(s): Carol Barnes and Barbara Martin
Subject: Geography, Culture
Turkey Joining the European Union
Author(s): Sigma Colon
Subject: Turkey and EU Relations, Politics, Conflict Resolution
Turkey Trip
Author(s): Chris Walden-Jones
Subject: Turkey, World History, Cultures of the Middle East, Math, Computer Skills
U - Z
United We Stand…Case Study: Cyprus
Author(s): Lori Hare
Subject: Greek-Turkish Cypriot Conflict, History, Politics, Conflict Resolution
Water in the Desert
Author(s): Jennifer Jenkin
Subject: Comparative Analysis of the Flooding of Rainbow Bridge and the Filling of the Dead Sea, History, Politics, Government, Environment
Virtual Field Trip to Turkey
Author(s): Kate Mahady
Subject: Modern Turkey, Ottoman Empire, History, Art, Culture
Elementary Level
Children's Life in Armenia
Author(s): Lisa Adeli
Grades: 3 (can be adapted for other grades)
Students will learn about children’s lives in Vanadzor, Armenia, and will compare/contrast life in Armenia with life in the U.S. Students will conclude by writing a friendly letter to a child in Armenia.
Day in the Life of an Iranian Child
Author(s): Shauna Little
Grades: 1-3
A lesson plan featuring a children’s story (illustrated by powerpoint pictures) and a series of learning centers with follow-up activities.
Iranian New Year
Author(s): Lisa Adeli
Grades: K-5
A lesson on Iran’s biggest holiday (No Ruz), a holiday that lasts for weeks but centers around New Year’s Day, the first day of spring (Mar. 21).
The Librarian of Basra
Author(s): Shari Lossou-Lossavi
Grade: 4 (The lesson is written for fourth grade, but could definitely be modified/changed for the upper grade levels.)
A Reading Lesson that integrates Social Studies and Character Education. This lesson also has Geography, Writing, Science, and Math extension activities.
Nasreddin Hodja: Turkish and Middle Eastern Folklore Philosopher
Author(s): Joyce Daigle
Grades: 3
This lesson introduces Nasreddin Hodja, the Turkish and Middle Eastern Folk Philosopher. It can be used in conjunction with other folk stories from around the world. Students already should have a working knowledge of folk tales, fables, as well as tall tales. Many stories can and should be shared with students about Hodja. Two of the Hodja tales have in turn been written into a reader’s theater script to help students work on their fluency.
Night of the Moon
Author(s): Laura Provencher
Grades: K-5
This is a multi-disciplinary lesson based on the book “Night of the Moon,” which involves reading, social studies (learning about the Muslim celebration of Ramadan), science (phases of the moon), and Language Arts (homophones, homonyms).
Ramadan
Author(s): Lisa Adeli
Grades: 1-5
A lesson about the religion of Islam and the best-known Muslim holiday.
Read Aloud Literature
Author(s): Vicki Waxman
Grades: K-5
A series of lesson plans designed to introduce primary school children to the history and culture of the Middle East.
The Blind Man and The Elephant
Author(s): Laura Provencher
Grades: K-2
This lesson encourages students to see “the rest of the picture” in a situation. In making the situations relevant to K-2 (actually, all) students it creates a foundation serving as a launching pad for students to explore multiculturalism within a community, whether that be in a school, neighborhood, town, or national or global setting (particularly for older students). It serves as a basis for following lessons examining particular cultures and is intended to assist students in seeking other perspectives in assessing situations. Ultimately this provides a tool for avoiding conflict stemming from misunderstanding and even misinterpreting events.
Tiles For The Sultan
Author(s): Gili Sherman
Grades: 4-5
Students will learn about the history of Iznik tile for Turkey and make thier own Iznik style pottery.
Secondary Level
Agriculture and Food of Cyprus
Author(s): Denise Reilly
Grades: High School
High school students will learn about the crop and livestock production of Cyprus and the effects of agriculture on the lives of the people in Cyprus in writing with 85% accuracy. This lesson will teach students how agriculture affects what people eat, and the students will try new and unique foods central to the culture of the Cypriots.
All About Cyrpus Powerpoint Presentation
Author(s): Lori Hare
Grades: Middle School
A comprehensive Powerpoint presentation all about Cyrprus. It goes into multiple aspects of Cypriot society with photos from Cyrprus.
American Government Problem Based Learning: Create a Government for Iraq
Author(s): David Rubin
Grades: High School
This lesson plan focuses on the complicated government structure of post-war Iraq. Students get the chance to create a government for the country and must consider multiple religious and cultural factors while doing so.
A Moroccan Specialty: Pigeon Pie, Camel Rides, and Mosques – A Virtual Tour of Morocco’s Landscape and Culture
Author(s): Jeannine Kuropatkin and Cheryl Wiens
Grades: Middle School
A lesson plan on Moroccan geography and culture with all kinds of materials: from PowerPoint photos and slides to worksheets and evaluations.
- Class Powerpoint Presentation
- Audio Files: Call to Prayer, Djemaa, Marhabat, Danse Atlas, Aid Zitoun
- Teacher: Map Answer Key
- Teacher: Slide Show Notes Key - p1, p2, p3, and p4
- Teacher: Regions Handout Key
- Teacher: Postcard 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15
- Student: Middle East Map
- Student: Slide Show Notes - p1, p2, p3, and p4
- Student: Writing Assignment
- Student: Regions Handout
Armenia in A Time of Change
Author(s): Lisa Adeli
Grades: High School
The purpose of this lesson is to help students examine the development of a small country in a time of transition, in this case the breakup of the Soviet Union, which coincided with a national disaster and a war.
Compare and Contrast the Empires
Author(s): Brian Croone
Grades: High School
Students will compare and contrast the great empires of The Ottoman Empire, Rome, and China learning similarities and differences between the empires.
Conflict Resolution
Author(s): Callie Ward
Grades: Middle School
Students will learn about conflict resolution by examining the conflict over the island of Cyprus.
Cultural Diffusion: The Impact of the Middle East on the Balkans
Author(s): Lisa Adeli
Grades: High School
A lesson with PowerPoint pictures and maps about Middle Eastern cultural, religious, and linguistic influences in southeastern Europe.
Florentine and Ottoman Women of the 14th – 16th Centuries: A Comparative Curriculum Unit
Author(s): Louise Forsyth
Grades: Middle School
This lesson uses short primary documents to challenge students’ assumptions about the status of women in the Ottoman Empire and Renaissance Florence.
Footprints Across Cyprus: A Virtual Fieldtrip of Cyprus' Landscape and Culture
Author: Diane Godfrey
Grades: Middle School
Students will gain an understanding of the regions of Cyprus, as well as the human and physical characteristics of Cyprus through an interactive PowerPoint slide show. Students will become familiar with the historical event referred to as the Grand Tours which helped influence western interest in the Mediterranean region, including Cyprus. Students will create a series of six postcards describing the physical and cultural aspects of Cyprus. The postcards will be used for a “postcard book” project.
Geography of Great Empires
Author(s): Barbara S. Williams
Grades: High School
The lesson provides a way to lead students to understand a comparison of Holy Roman Empire and the Ottoman Empire and to understand their interconnections.
In Search of Aphrodite’s Rock
Author(s): Heather Kiser
Grades: High School
An innovative geography lesson using literary cues from Cypriot legends and mythology.
Introduction to Islam
Author(s): Lisa Adeli
Grades: Middle School/High School
Introduction to Muslim beliefs and cultures. A PowerPoint presentation with pictures and maps, notes for teachers - and a lot of myth-busting
Iranian Hostage Crisis
Author(s): Julie Nedved
Grades: Middle School
Students will describe the events of the presidency of Jimmy Carter (e.g. the Iran Hostage Crisis).
Iran, Iraq - What's the Difference?
Author(s): Lisa Adeli
Grades: High School
Both Iran and Iraq are in the news these days, and students have trouble telling them apart. This lesson is an introduction to two very different cultures in the Middle East.
Medieval Travels
Author(s): Matt Lyons
Grade: High School
This lesson allows students to analyze historic documents and determine the feasibility of establishing a trade relationship with different cultures.
Mosque Design
Author(s): Jessica Silverman
Grades: Middle School
The purpose of this project is to expose students to the main interior architectural and decorative features of a typical Ottoman mosque, as well as to explore how the main beliefs and practices of Islam are reflected in mosque decoration and architecture.
Muslims and the Holocaust
Author(s): Lisa Adeli
Grades: High School
An examination of the Muslim responses to the Holocaust.
Ottoman Empire Unit
Author(s):
Stacy Hercules
Grades: High School
Students will learn the basic history and culture of the Ottoman Empire.They will analyze and understand the connection between history and modern events and culture, specifically how the history of the Ottoman Empire has an impact and influence on modern events and culture in Turkey and the Balkans.
Ottoman Geography Lessons: “What’s in a Name?,” “Eye of the Beholder,” and “People and Places”
Author(s):
Brenda Bonine
Grades: High School
The first part directs students to analyze the reason for name changes in Turkey and the Balkans. The second uses pictures to get students to evaluate a place using the principals of geography. The third gets students to look at ethnic groups.
Ottoman Lyric Poetry
Author(s): Danita Dodson
Grades: High School
This lesson introduces students to poetry of the Ottoman Empire. It allows students to learn about how Ottoman poetry was written and performed, symbolism and themes.
Lesson Plan
Ottoman Travel Brochure
Author(s):
Jeff Mann
Grades: Middle/High School
Following a series of lectures on the Ottoman Empire, the learner will demonstrate an understanding of the cultures of different regions within the Ottoman Empire by writing and illustrating a six-panel travel brochure that is historically accurate.
Peace and Perspective Through Poetry
Author(s): Tina Anima
Grades: Middle School
Through this lesson, students will learn to use their pens and their minds to wage peace. They will take on the personas of Palestinians and Israelis, and let their poems walk them through the streets of Jerusalem. They will create poetry that will let readers taste the flavors of the Middle East, feel the raw emotion and pulse of an ancient people, and discover their unflinching wisdom about war, peace, and hope.
Ratios and Proportions in Turkey
Author(s): Martha Mallinger-Rubin
Grades: 9
Students will learn about Turkey while utilizing mathematic skills.
Teach Ottoman Empire
Author(s): Abbey McNair
Grades: High School
An extended, comprehensive lesson on the Ottoman Empire, this includes a several powerpoint photo presentations, a “coffee house” lesson where students play the role of different Ottoman officials meeting to discuss how to “save” the empire, and lots more.
The Importance of Cyprus During the Crusades
Author(s): Jeremy Church
Grades: High School
High school students will apply several reading, writing and history standards to the study of Cyprus’ role during the Crusades. Students will study the geography of the Mediterranean region with an emphasis on Cyprus and its location, usage, and importance in the age of the Crusades. Students will also gain an understanding of this conflict in the Middle East with regard to religion. Resources for these lesson plans include maps, selected readings, and educational videos.
The Ottoman Empire
Author(s): Lisa Adeli
Grades: High School
An overview of the Ottoman Empire and its unique institutions. Includes a PowerPoint presentation and a script for teachers.
The Ottoman Empire News Broadcast
Author(s): Jennifer Turner
Grades: High School
In this lesson, students learn about the Ottoman Empire, conduct research, and then give a “news broadcast” in which they describe events/personalities.
The Palestinian - Israeli Conflict - A Lesson in Perspective
Author(s): MaryLynne Fillmon
Grades: High School
Focuses on the hsitory of the Palestinian - Israeli Conflict.
The Palestinian-Israeli Issue/High School English
Author(s): Lisa Adeli
Grades: High School
A lesson using short literary texts to inspire a writing assignment.
The Palestinian-Israeli Issue/High School Social Studies
Author(s): Lisa Adeli
Grades: High School
A lesson using different perspectives and brief research to analyze the issues confronting Palestinians and Israelis in their quest for peace.
Tuning in to Turning Points
Author(s): Lisa Adeli
Grades: High School, adaptable for Middle School
Each group of students researches an event of historical significance in modern Middle Eastern history and tries to convince others why their topic is the most important.
Now a webquest lesson! Check it out here.
Turkey: Bridge Between East and West
Author(s): Carol Barnes and Barbara Martin
Grades: Middle School
Students learn about the geography and cultural aspects of Turkey.
Turkey Joining the European Union
Author(s): Sigma Colon
Grades: High School
Students learn about the complex realtions between Turkey and the European Union. This lesson allows students to analyze the many perspectives on the issue and decide what is best for Turkey and the EU.
Turkey Trip
Author(s): Chris Walden-Jones
Grades: High School, adaptable for Middle School
Students will learn various comupter programs while planning a mock trip to Turkey. This will allow them to combine the knowledge of culture and world history with practical computer skills. Students will also use math skills to create a budget for the trip.
United We Stand…Case Study: Cyprus
Author(s): Lori Hare
Grades:Middle/High School
A lesson (with PowerPoint pictures and maps) about conflict resolution, using the case study of the Greek-Turkish conflict in Cyprus.
Water in the Desert
Author(s): Jennifer Jenkin
Grades: Middle School/High School
In this lesson, students will work with a variety of instructional tools to create a comparison between the flooding of Rainbow Bridge, and the refilling of the Dead Sea. This comparison will involve humanitarian, governmental, cultural, religious, and environmental aspects. The student will apply all these considerations in order to pose a solution to a multi-dimensional, international problem.
Virtual Field Trip to Turkey
Author(s): Kate Mahady
Grades: Middle School/High School
A PowerPoint presentation which takes young people on a trip through Turkish history, culture, and art.
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