American Muslim Teens Talk video

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The Islam Project: Lesson Plans

This page is dedicated to our newest video project, American Muslim Teens Talk. It offers ordering information, lesson plans, discussion guides, and support materials. For a project background, please read the Overview (downloadable Microsoft Word Document). The Overview also provides a list of the sections in the video and their lengths, as well as a list of the lesson plans.

NEW! American Muslim Teens Talk Video & Lessons

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Use the name sheet as a handout to help identify the teenagers in the video.


    Learning about Stereotypes: How They Form and How to Fight Them
    Students investigate the ways they commonly assign identities to people based solely on their appearance. Then after listening to students in AMERICAN MUSLIM TEENS TALK describe what it feels like to have other people stereotype you and your religion, students learn strategies for overcoming stereotypical thinking through the acquisition of information and the process of dialogue.
    Target grade levels: Middle and High School Levels
    For use with: American Muslim Teens Talk

    Sharing our Roots
    This lesson fosters an appreciation of America’s ethnic and religious diversity. As students explore and share their own family roots, they learn about those of the teens in AMERICAN MUSLIM TEENS TALK. Students symbolically increase the diversity of their classroom when each student writes an imaginary letter to one youth in the video, welcoming them into their school.
    Target grade levels: Middle and High School Levels
    For use with: American Muslim Teens Talk

    Muslim Immigration to America
    This lesson uses the vocabulary and concepts commonly applied to the study of the immigrant experience in America. It begins with a look at the religious prejudice faced by other immigrant groups in America (Irish Catholics in the 1850s) as a point of comparison to Muslims. Students then choose a Muslim immigrant group to research, create an imaginary immigrant, and as that immigrant introduce themselves in a monologue before the class.
    Target grade levels: Middle and High School Levels
    For use with: American Muslim Teens Talk

    The Council on Islamic Education produced a set of lessons for the films MUSLIMS and MUHAMMAD: LEGACY OF A PROPHET. Founded in 1990, CIE is a national, non-profit resource organization comprised of a diverse body of scholars of history, religion, education, and related disciplines. The mission of CIE is to contribute to the improvement of the American K-12 education system, by participating in the cultivation of knowledge, critical thinking, and global awareness among our nation's young citizens.

    Before using any of these lesson plans, others you find elsewhere, or if you intend to create your own, you may find it helpful to read this document from CIE:
    Preparing and Evaluating Content on Islam and Muslims

    FRONTLINE: MUSLIMS Lessons


      Preparatory Materials

    • Teacher's Guide: Lessons for Classroom Use of Documentary Film FRONTLINE: MUSLIMS
      This resource gives teachers background information about the content of the lessons and how the lessons can be used to fulfill various state standards for learning.
      Target grade levels: Middle and High School Levels
      For use with: Video documentary FRONTLINE: MUSLIMS. Preparing and Evaluating Content on Islam and Muslims.


    • Pre-Viewing Vocabulary Activity
      This activity helps students become familiar with key terms they will hear in the documentary film. Students will have a better grasp of the terms' meanings and will therefore be able to understand the overall information provided in the film without being hampered by lack of familiarity with the terms.
      Target grade levels: Middle and High School Levels
      For use with: Video documentary FRONTLINE: MUSLIMS


    • Student Note-taking Grids & Critical Thinking Questions
      These grids will help students take notes as they view the film. The grids provide a ready-made way to organize the content presented, and can be consulted by students as they work on the various lessons. Critical Thinking Questions dealing with the complex issues presented in the film are provided to help teachers stimulate discussion.
      Target grade levels: Middle and High School Levels
      For use with: Video documentary FRONTLINE: MUSLIMS


      • Background on Islam and Muslims

    • The Life of Muhammad: Geography and History of the Arabian Peninsula, and Overview of Islam (Map & Background Info)
      This map exercise helps students understand environmental characteristics of Arabia and identify the importance of trade and other factors in the spread of Islam. Then, students create a useful chart listing the main beliefs, practices and ethical teachings of Islam.
      Target grade levels: Middle and High School Levels
      For use with: Video documentary FRONTLINE: MUSLIMS


    • Critical Thinking about Terminology Related to Islam and Muslims
      This lesson helps students critically evaluate some of the phrases and concepts used to describe Islam and Muslims. Students learn about the distinctions between using terms such as "Islamic" and "Muslim" to describe different behaviors or cultural products, and gain awareness of journalistic categories such as "Muslim world."
      Target grade levels: Middle and High School Levels
      For use with: Video documentary FRONTLINE: MUSLIMS


    • Biographical Sketch of Muhammad's Life
      This comprehension exercise provides students with a brief summary of Muhammad's life. Students answer questions that help reinforce key ideas about events, such as the origins of Makkah, the opposition of the Quraysh to Muhammad and the Hijrah, and other developments.
      Target grade levels: Middle and High School Levels
      For use with: Video documentary FRONTLINE: MUSLIMS


    • Overview of Muslim History and the Spread of Islam from the 7th to the 21st Century
      Students trace the spread of Islam chronologically and regionally, and assess the importance of cultural and political factors in this process. Students study a map to determine the percentage of contemporary Muslim populations in various regions.
      Target grade levels: Middle and High School Levels
      For use with: Video documentary FRONTLINE: MUSLIMS


    • The Geography & Cultures of Muslim Countries
      This lesson features hands-on projects for students that help them learn about the Muslim country of their choice. Students collaborate to conceptualize an informational website and television commercial for a given country. Alternatives include preparing a speech at the UN and designing a pamphlet about a chosen country.
      Target grade levels: Middle and High School Levels
      For use with: Video documentary FRONTLINE: MUSLIMS


      • Living Islam

    • Values and Practices of the Faith
      Students evaluate comments made by individuals in the film. The quotes touch upon topics such as Expressions of Faith, Family and Communal Aspects of Muslim Life, Unity and Diversity Among Muslims, Muslims in Mainstream American Society, and Muslim Responses to Extremism in Religion. Students will be better able to distinguish between "Islamic" teachings and "Muslim" practices which may or may not conform to the faith's widely-held principles and ideals.
      Target grade levels: Middle and High School Levels
      For use with: Video documentary FRONTLINE: MUSLIMS


    • The Masjid in the American Landscape: Civic Rights
      This lesson focuses on the segment of the film dealing with Muslims seeking to build a masjid (mosque) in Palos Heights, IL. Students explore the relevant civic issues and rights, and consider the role of interfaith dialogue as a means to achieve greater understanding between groups of Americans.
      Target grade levels: Middle and High School Levels
      For use with: Video documentary FRONTLINE: MUSLIMS


      • Islamic Law and Contemporary Social Issues

    • What is Shariah? Major Sources and Principles of Islamic Law
      This lesson provides background reading on the nature of Islamic law, and the role of legal scholars in making judgements according to Islamic legal sources. Understanding this material will help students evaluate Muslim approaches to contemporary social and political issues in Muslim countries and communities.
      Target grade levels: Middle and High School Levels
      For use with: Video documentary FRONTLINE: MUSLIMS


    • Comparative Document Study--Human Rights and Religious Tolerance in Islam and in the French and American Enlightenment Traditions
      Students read excerpts from three primary sources--quotes from Thomas Jefferson, the Declaration of the Rights of Man and the Citizen, and the Qur'an and Hadith. Students then determine similarities and dissimilarities between American, French and Islamic provisions for human rights and religious tolerance.
      Target grade levels: Middle and High School Levels
      For use with: Video documentary FRONTLINE: MUSLIMS


    • Women's Rights and Marriage in Islam
      This lesson helps students contextualize the film's content about women's rights, including those pertaining to marriage and divorce. Students compare Islamic teachings and ideals with the practice of Muslims in various cultural and national settings.
      Target grade levels: Middle and High School Levels
      For use with: Video documentary FRONTLINE: MUSLIMS


    • Secularism in Comparative Perspective: The Hijab as Case Study in Three Countries
      Using background reading about the historical experiences of Muslim women, along with press coverage about womens' right to wear hijab in three countries (Turkey, France, and the U.S.), students explore the concept of secularism as evidenced in several distinct societies, and its relationship to religious freedom in those societies.
      Target grade levels: Middle and High School Levels
      For use with: Video documentary FRONTLINE: MUSLIMS


    • Making Sense of Jihad vs. Hirabah (Terrorism)
      This lesson helps students distinguish between the broad Islamic concept of jihad, and hirabah, a term used by classical Muslim scholars to identify unlawful acts of public violence that today would be labeled "terrorism." Students will thus be able to critically evaluate journalistic or popular misrepresentations of the concept of jihad.
      Target grade levels: Middle and High School Levels
      For use with: Video documentary FRONTLINE: MUSLIMS

    Lessons for Classroom Use of Video MUHAMMAD: LEGACY OF A PROPHET: This extensive guide written by the Council on Islamic Education will help teachers address the topics raised in the film, Muhammad: Legacy of a Prophet. Lesson activities range from vocabulary lessons, to geography lessons, to lessons on the Prophet Muhammad and his teachings.


    • Preparatory Materials: Note to Teachers, Overview of Lessons, and Correlation with History/Social Science Standards
      This resource gives teachers background information about the content of the lessons and how the lessons can be used to fulfill various state standards for learning.
      Target grade levels: Middle and High School Levels
      For use with: Video documentary MUHAMMAD: LEGACY OF A PROPHET


    • Pre-Viewing Vocabulary Activity
      This activity helps students become familiar with key terms they will hear in the documentary film. Students will have a better grasp of the terms' meanings and will therefore be able to understand the overall information provided in the film without being hampered by lack of familiarity with the terms.
      Target grade levels: Middle and High School Levels
      For use with: Video documentary MUHAMMAD: LEGACY OF A PROPHET


    • Student Note-taking Grids
      These grids will help students take notes as they view the film. The grids provide a ready-made way to organize the content presented, and can be consulted by students as they work on the various lessons.
      Target grade levels: Middle and High School Levels
      For use with: Video documentary MUHAMMAD: LEGACY OF A PROPHET


    • The Life of Muhammad: Geography and History of the Arabian Peninsula, and Overview of Islam (Map & Background Info)
      This map exercise helps students understand environmental characteristics of Arabia and identify the importance of trade and other factors in the spread of Islam. Then, students create a useful chart listing the main beliefs, practices and ethical teachings of Islam.
      Target grade levels: Middle and High School Levels
      For use with: Video documentary MUHAMMAD: LEGACY OF A PROPHET


    • Biographical Sketch of Muhammad's Life
      This comprehension exercise provides students with a brief summary of Muhammad's life. Students answer questions that help reinforce key ideas about events, such as the origins of Makkah, the opposition of the Quraysh to Muhammad and the Hijrah, and other developments.
      Target grade levels: Middle and High School Levels
      For use with: Video documentary MUHAMMAD: LEGACY OF A PROPHET


    • Biographical Notes on the Experts in the Film
      This critical thinking lesson asks students to consider the role of experts in documentary films. Students evaluate the concept of "point-of-view" based on the experts' testimonies in the film.
      Target grade levels: Middle and High School Levels
      For use with: Video documentary MUHAMMAD: LEGACY OF A PROPHET


    • Sequencing Events in Muhammad's Life
      This lesson involves an activity in which students prepare an accurate chronology of events in Muhammad's life, using cut-out strips listing individual events and put in random order. Students rearrange the strips into the proper historical sequence.
      Target grade levels: Middle and High School Levels
      For use with: Video documentary MUHAMMAD: LEGACY OF A PROPHET


    • Key Figures in Muhammad's Life
      Students read short biographies of some of Muhammad's companions and complete cluster diagrams that show the interrelationships between the key figures. Through this exercise, the role of Muhammad's companions in supporting his efforts is explored.
      Target grade levels: Middle and High School Levels
      For use with: Video documentary MUHAMMAD: LEGACY OF A PROPHET


    • Early Islamic History: The "Constitution of Madinah" and the Mayflower Compact (Primary Source readings)
      Students compare two primary source documents related to governance in newly established communities. After reading the materials, students complete a chart in which they compare features of the two documents.
      Target grade levels: Middle and High School Levels
      For use with: Video documentary MUHAMMAD: LEGACY OF A PROPHET


    • Three Major Events in the Rise of Islam
      In this lesson, students evaluate three significant events that marked the establishment of Muslim rule in the Arabian peninsula under Muhammad's leadership. These events are the Hijrah, the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah between Muhammad and the Quraysh, and the Quraysh's surrender to Muhammad leading to the "opening of Makkah" to Islam.
      Target grade levels: Middle and High School Levels
      For use with: Video documentary MUHAMMAD: LEGACY OF A PROPHET


    • The "Battle of the Trench" and the Concept of Treason in Comparative Law
      This lesson helps clarify the relationship between the Muslims and Jewish tribes in Madinah in light of the specific historical context of seventh-century Arabia and in terms of comparative legal viewpoints on the concept of treason. Students should be able to draw a distinction between the events of the Battle of the Trench and Islam's overarching teachings about "People of the Book" (Jews and Christians).
      Target grade levels: Middle and High School Levels
      For use with: Video documentary MUHAMMAD: LEGACY OF A PROPHET


    • Islamic Concepts
      The Concept of Prophethood in Islam
      This lesson helps students understand Islam's concept of prophethood, and how Muhammad fits into that schema. Students read quotes from experts in the film, as well as verses from the Qur'an, in order to accomplish this.
      Target grade levels: Middle and High School Levels
      For use with: Video documentary MUHAMMAD: LEGACY OF A PROPHET

    • Personal and Civic Values in Islam
      Students examine statements made by individuals featured in the film and compare them to excerpts from the Qur'an and Hadith, in order to determine whether a link can be established between Islamic religious teachings and personal and civic values expressed by Muslim Americans.
      Target grade levels: Middle and High School Levels
      For use with: Video documentary MUHAMMAD: LEGACY OF A PROPHET


    • American Muslim Responses to September 11, 2001
      In this lesson, students summarize the statements made by Muslim Americans in the film about the events of Sept. 11. Students compare these statements to values expressed in Islamic teachings and source texts as described in the film.
      Target grade levels: Middle and High School Levels
      For use with: Video documentary MUHAMMAD: LEGACY OF A PROPHET

    Lessons Produced By Teachers Around The Country

    Journey Along the Silk Road: Writing Your Own Rihla, or Travel Journal
    Students make up a 13th-15th century character and write a Rihla, or travel journal, describing their journey from their home to one of the great Islamic cities known for its grand markets and universities. The lesson ties together history, geography, art and economics while taking into account the many ways in which children learn.
    Target grade levels: Middle and High School Levels
    For use with: Video documentary MUHAMMAD: LEGACY OF A PROPHET. This lesson can be used independent of the films.

    Looking at Prejudice from Differing Viewpoints
    In this lesson, students are forced to look at their own prejudices after reading a propagandistic essay. As an introductory lesson into the studying of world religions and Islam, it also allows teachers to broach the subject of bias in the media and media influence on people's opinions about religion and Islam. This lesson is suited for middle and high school students.
    Target grade levels: Middle and High School Levels
    For use with: Video documentaries MUSLIMS and MUHAMMAD: LEGACY OF A PROPHET

    Islamic Society: A Lesson in Surrender
    This simulation-type lesson focuses on Islam's third pillar, the concept of charity, or surrender. This lesson would fit well during the course of study of Islam and the teachings in the Qur'an. Suitable for middle and high school students, teachers are also given references to similar messages of charity in other major religions.
    Target grade levels: Middle and High School Levels
    For use with: Video documentary MUHAMMAD: LEGACY OF A PROPHET

    Mapping The Muslim Empires
    This interdisciplinary lesson provides students the opportunity to learn more about the early Muslims empires across three continents. Using a project-based approach that integrates the humanities, language and visual arts, and technology, students will study how Islam spread after the Prophet Muhammad's death and the effects it had on various cultures and peoples.
    Target grade levels: Middle and High School Levels
    For use with: Video documentaries MUSLIMS and MUHAMMAD: LEGACY OF A PROPHET

    Shari'ah: An Islamic Law Simulation

    By Joan Brodsky Schur
    This text-based and interactive lesson is designed to help students understand the origins of Shari'ah. In the simulation, students play the roles of judges, claimants, and defendants. After hearing a case presented to them, the qadis (judges) must pass judgment on it by consulting a variety of Islamic sources. Target grade levels: Middle and High School Levels For use with: Video documentary MUHAMMAD: LEGACY OF A PROPHET.