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Simulation:  The Hajj to Makkah (Mecca)
Go back in time to the year AD 1222, or 600 on the Islamic calendar.  Travel in a caravan from Cordoba, Spain, on a pilgrimage to the holy city of Makkah.  On your adventure, you will learn about Islamic history and culture. Your travel is expensive, however, and you will have to pay for expenses.  There is also an element of luck, as you face storms, sickness, accidents, and travel decisions.

What costs money?
How do I earn money?


Caravan Cooperative Roles

Read the descriptions below, and choose the role you will play in your team.  You will have a daily responsibility, and a long term assignment in preparation for your Caravan Festival.

ROLE DAILY RESPONSIBILITY RESEARCH ASSIGNMENT
CALIPH
(kah LEEF)		 Manager:
  • Keep the group on track. 
  • Solve problems or get help.
  • Check team’s work every day. 
  • Substitute when needed.
 Muslim Scientist 

Write about a scientist's discoveries. 
Find out more.
KATTIB
(kah TEEB)		 Secretary:
  • Distribute and collect paper.
  • Keep team folder in order and turn it in daily.
 Drama Script 

Dramatize a folk tale from  A Thousand and One Nights. 
Find out more.
KHAZIM
(kah ZEEM)		 Accountant:
  • Manage the Daily Caravan Log.
  • Calculate daily earnings & expenses.
 Time Line 

10 events from Islamic history. 
Find out more.
MUWATTIN
(mu WAH tin)		 Artist:
  • Decorate your team's folder with team identification.
  • Encourage team members.
 Travel Brochure 

Introduce us to a Muslim country. 
Find out more.
EVERYONE Participate!
  • Help your team win.
  • Be ready for daily quizzes.
  • Complete reading and writing assignments.
  • Enjoy the adventure!
 Take Part in Group Presentation for Festival:
  • One scientific demonstration
  • One historic event
  • Food from one country
  • All act in drama

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Muslim Scientists 

Muslim scholars played an important role in the advancement of scientific knowledge.  At a time when Europe suffered from medieval wars, these scholars linked the knowledge of the ancient Greeks, Egyptians, Indians, and Chinese, and made discoveries which were later shared with the rest of the world.  Your work will introduce your group to the advances of a Muslim scientist.  On the day of your group's Islam Festival, you will present and demonstrate one of his discoveries to the class.

Research the contributions of Muslim scientists.  Use encyclopedias, science books, and internet.  Choose one scientist.   Write about two pages as follows:

  • Give the time when he lived.
  • Tell where he lived.
  • Tell what branch of science was his specialty.
  • Write a paragraph each about several discoveries he made.
  • Illustrate with diagrams if applicable.
  • Essential:  Describe and explain each discovery in plain language.  Don't use words you don't explain!
  • Cite your sources (must have at least two).

List of Suggested Scientists:   Go to the Islam Page science links

Al-Khwarizmi:   math Al-Biruni:  geography & astronomy
Al-Battani:   math & astronomy
 Al-Haytham (Al-Hazen): optics & astronomy
Al-Idrisi:   geography Ibn-Yunus:  astronomy
Ibn-Sina:  medicine Al-Zarkali:   astronomy
Al-Zahrawi:  medicine Omar Khayyam:  astronomy & poetry
Al-Razi (Rhases):   medicine Al-Damiri:   zoology
Ibn-Bakhtishu:  medicine Al-Jahiz:   zoology

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Drama Script 

Dramatize a folk tale from  A Thousand and One Nights.   Most of these traditional tales are humorous and fantasized allegories about weaknesses in human nature, and how evildoers are punished.   Your work will familiarize you with this famous literature, and will help your group get ready to act out a story on the day of the Islam Festival.  

First read several stories from this collection.  I have copies of a number of stories.  Online sources include:
The Arabian Nights online
Candlelight Stories
Literature Project E-Books
E-Book Mall, "Arabian Nights"
2000 movie, "Arabian Nights"
Decide on one to dramatize.  Write a script for a five minute drama of the story.  You may adapt the story as needed, so all group members will have a part and you will be able to stage it.  Many story lines overlap, so you may select whatever episode you consider suitable.  The due date for your script will be early enough to give your group time to rehearse for a week.  Make 5 typed copies:  one for each group member and one for me. 

Your written script must include:

  • Your name
  • Title of the Story
  • Setting
  • Cast of Characters
  • Speaking Parts (easy enough to be memorized)
  • Stage Directions for Action

Some popular story titles to get you started:

  • Sheherazade
  • The Fisherman and the Genie
  • The Talking Bird
  • The Vizier Who Was Punished
  • Aladdin and the Wonderful Lamp
  • The Merchant of Baghdad
  • Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves

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Time Line of Islamic History

Research the history of the Islamic Empire and Islamic culture.  Use the Islam Page history links, class handouts, encyclopedia, your history text, and other historical books.  Prepare a time line of history.   Your work will help your group to see Islam's importance in history.  On the day of your group's Islam Festival, you will make a one minute presentation of one event, illustrating and telling the event in an interesting way.

Requirements for your time line:

  • It may be any size, neatly planned.
  • Accurate scale of time.  Label dates at regular intervals on the base line. 
  • Give the dates of the 10 events you choose. 
  • Explain each event in one descriptive sentence. 
  • Some illustrations are required. 

Include ten events: eight from the following list, plus two more that you research on your own.

  • Revelation to the Prophet Muhammad
  • Muhammad's Hejira to Madinah, beginning of Islamic calendar dating
  • Dedication of the Kaabah in Makkah
  • Abbasid Dynasty Rules
  • Umayyad dynasty Rules
  • Building of the House of Wisdom in Baghdad
  • Muslim Conquest of Spain
  • Building of Library in Cordoba
  • Spread of Islam to India
  • Defeat of Richard the Lion Hearted at Jerusalem
  • Muslim Conquest of Constantinople
  • Study of Animal Anatomy by Al-Jahiz
  • Development of Algebra by Al-Khwarizmi
  • Development of the Astrolabe by Al-Battani
  • Canon of Medicine written by Ibn Sina

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Travel Brochure / Country Report

Research a Muslim country.  You may choose any of the countries on your map of the Middle East.  For information, use the Islam Page country links, atlas, travel magazines, and encyclopedia.  Your work will familiarize you with another country across the world, and will introduce your classmates to this country in a visually appealing way.  On the day of your group's Islam Festival, you will introduce an ethnic food item from that area.  (I have recipes that can help.)  Bring enough so that everyone can have a little sample.  Plan how to serve it in an appealing and efficient way.

What is the format of my report?  Choices:

    Brochure ( paper folded in half or thirds to make 4 to 6 sections)
    Computer multimedia (such as Power Point)
    Magazine or Book (4-6 pages plus a cover)
What information must be included?
 
    Text & graphics:
  • Title page showing the name of the country and your name
  • Some interesting historical events
  • Interesting details of culture or customs from past or present
  • Pie graph of religions 
  • Today's economy (making a living, world trade)
  • Neat lettering and illustrations
Map:
  • Major cities
  • Physical geography (main bodies of water, mountains)
  • Area in square miles or kilometers
  • Location in the world

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