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Teaching About the Middle East. Monica M. Eraqi Arab-American National Museum. The Middle East & Arabs in the Curriculum.
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Teaching About the Middle East Monica M. Eraqi Arab-American National Museum
The Middle East & Arabs in the Curriculum • According to Marx (2002), “by the year 2050, the United States will become a nation of minorities, with less than half of the population being non-Hispanic White (as cited in Gardiner & Enomoto, 2006). • Orfield (2001) argues that at present, more than half of the students attending urban schools are members of minority groups (as cited in Gardiner & Enomoto, 2006). • Middle Eastern & Muslim Americans have largely been ignored from the curriculum and from research.
Common Core & Middle School 6th Grade – Eastern Hemisphere 7th Grade – Western Hemisphere 8th Grade – U.S. History (up to Civil War) Common Core: • Broad rather than specific (Literacy & writing, thinking skills, Position & Defense) • Not more work – emphasizes what teachers already do • Teaching reading and writing about issues that connect to today. Examples of Common Core & GLCEs 6 – H1.1.1 Explain why and how historians use eras and periods as constructs to organize and explain human activities over time. 6 – H1.4.1 Describe and use cultural institutions to study an era and a region (political, economic, religion/belief, science/technology, written language, education, family). 7 – H1.2.6 Identify the role of the individual in history and the significance of one person’s ideas.
Common Core & Middle School • Reading: • Textual (meant to eliminate scaffolding, emphasize higher text, above comfort level) • How to assess perspectives, biases and dwell over difficult readings for information. • Writing • Not opinion, but POSITION • Supporting with factual information • Informative writing
Common Mistakes • Ignoring Middle Easter/Islamic studies • Dismissed as unimportant • Teachers lack training and resources • Teachers not confident in teaching controversial issues • Using videos & other instructional materials that are not sourced • Using materials out of context or without historical background that emphasize Middle Eastern or Islamic stereotypes • Kite Runner • Bringing in Servicemen who have served in the Middle East
Implementing Arab-Islamic Studies Social Studies/English • Islam • 5 Pillars (History Channel: Inside Islam) • Political Islam (Project) • Arabs & Culture • Diversity Day • Foods, Dress, Music, Dance, Sports (YouTube, Community Resources, Anthony Bourdain, recipies.com) • Middle East & U.S. History • U.S. involvement in Middle East since FDR (Blood & Oil, House of Saud, Reading Activities on Afghanistan 1980s, Iran-Iraq War, Iran-Contra, Gulf War, Oslo Accords, Daily Show)
Implementing Arab-Islamic Studies Social Studies/English cont. • Class Debates • PowerPoint/Prezi & Movie Maker presentations • Stations Activities • Book Reviews (followed by class presentations and guest speakers), • Arab-American National Museum Field Trip
Examples Video Examples: Aladdin Stereotypes in Media Activity Examples: Iran (Helpful after studying Iran Hostage Crisis) Doing Business in Afghanistan (Economics & English: Has been adapted to a PowerPoint Group Project) Persian Gulf Arab-Israeli Conflict Solutions Arab-Israeli Conflict History Project Examples: Reagan & Afghanistan Pan-Arabism PowerPoint Turkey Prezi Turkey & Saudi Arabia Debate Palestine & Israel Video Tourism
Curricular Resources • Lesson Plans & Units • Center for Middle Eastern & North African Studies (CMENAS) • http://www.ii.umich.edu/cmenas • Teaching the Middle East • http://teachmiddleeast.lib.uchicago.edu/ • Media Construction of the Middle East • http://www.ithaca.edu/looksharp/?action=middleeast • Choices Program Resources • www.choices.edu/resources/detail.php?id=24 • Professional Development, Conferences, Workshops • Eraqi Website • Teaching Middle East/Arab/Islamic Studies in U.S. History, Global & Modern Middle East • www.cvs.k12.mi.us/meraqi
Additional Resources Teach Middle East • Dr. Allen Webb • http://www.teachmiddleeast.com/ Teaching About the Middle East: A Teacher’s Resource Guide • Abigail S. Chill • www.socialstudies.com Media Education Foundation • www.mediaed.org
Other Informational Books • Teaching Literature of Today’s Middle East • Dr. Allen Webb, Western Michigan University • Islam: Faith and People • Eraqi H. Eraqi • Class Speakers or Community Involvement • Arab-American National Museum • Islamicfinder.org
Literature • Dr. Allen Webb • Western Michigan University Website • http://www.teachmiddleeast.com/ • Women in Islam • Diversity • War in the Middle East • Palestinian & Israel Conflict • Organized by grade level • Sensitive use with books such as Kite Runner
Videos • Stereotypes: • Reel Bad Arabs • Peace, Propaganda and the Promise Land • Arab-Israeli Conflict: • Promises • Arna’s Children • Paradise Now • Middle East in General: • Blood & Oil • PBS & History Channel