Lesson Plan | Active Learning | Islam: Birth and Expansion

Assumptions: This Active Lesson Plan assumes: a 100-minute class, prior student study with both the Book and the start of Project development, and that only one activity (among the three suggested) will be chosen to be conducted during the class, as each activity is designed to take up a significant portion of the available time.

Objectives

Duration: (5 - 10 minutes)

This stage of the lesson plan is crucial to establish a solid foundation of understanding about the birth and expansion of Islam. By clearly defining the objectives, students will be able to focus their activities and discussions in class to achieve a deep understanding of the impacts of Islam in the mentioned regions. This approach not only facilitates active learning but also encourages students to apply prior knowledge critically and contextually.

Main Objectives:

1. Explore the birth of Islam and analyze its geographical expansion to the Arabian Peninsula, North Africa, and the Iberian Peninsula.

2. Develop the ability to relate historical, social, and political contexts to the expansion of Islam, highlighting factors such as war, trade, and cultural conversion.

Side Objectives:

1. Stimulate critical reflection on the cultural and religious influence of Islam in different parts of the world.
2. Encourage the use of varied historical sources to enrich the understanding of the topic.

Introduction

Duration: (15 - 20 minutes)

The introduction serves to engage students and revisit prior knowledge in a dynamic and contextualized manner. The problem situations stimulate students to think critically about how Islam expanded under challenging geographical, social, and political conditions. Contextualization, in turn, connects the topic with the real world, increasing the interest and relevance of the study for students.

Problem-Based Situations

1. Considering that Islam originated in a predominantly desert region, how would you explain its rapid expansion to more developed and culturally rich regions, such as the Iberian Peninsula?

2. Imagine that you are a merchant in the 7th century in the Arabian Peninsula. How might trade and caravan routes have influenced the spread of Islam during this period?

Contextualization

To understand the influence and expansion of Islam, it is crucial to connect these historical events with contemporary and past realities. For example, the introduction of Indo-Arabic numerals in the Western world, which replaced Roman numerals, was a legacy of Islamic mathematicians. Additionally, the presence of Arabic-origin words in various European languages reflects the cultural diffusion of Islam during the Middle Ages.

Development

Duration: (70 - 75 minutes)

The Development stage is designed to allow students to apply and deepen the knowledge acquired about the birth and expansion of Islam, using active methodologies that stimulate critical thinking, research, and collaboration. The proposed activities aim not only to solidify students' understanding of the topic but also to develop analytical, argumentative, and presentation skills, essential for the study of History.

Activity Suggestions

It is recommended to carry out only one of the suggested activities

Activity 1 - The Route of Caravans

> Duration: (60 - 70 minutes)

- Objective: Understand the importance of trade in the diffusion of Islam and develop strategic planning and teamwork skills.

- Description: In this activity, students will explore the expansion of Islam through trade and caravan routes in the Arabian Peninsula, North Africa, and the Iberian Peninsula. They will be divided into groups and receive maps of the trade routes of the time. Each group will represent an important city along these routes and must plan strategies to disseminate Islam through trade, influencing other cities and trade routes.

- Instructions:

• Divide the class into groups of up to 5 students.

• Distribute the maps and support materials that describe the trade routes.

• Each group chooses an initial city and plans how they will expand the influence of Islam through trade.

• Students must consider factors such as route safety, trade products, and cultural interactions.

• At the end, each group presents their plan and discusses the strategies used.

Activity 2 - The Artistic and Cultural Legacy

> Duration: (60 - 70 minutes)

- Objective: Analyze and present the cultural impact of Islam in the studied regions, developing research and presentation skills.

- Description: Students will explore the Islamic influence on the art and culture of the regions where it expanded. Each group will choose an aspect of culture (architecture, literature, music, etc.) to investigate, using online and bibliographic resources. They will create multimedia presentations to demonstrate how Islam influenced this cultural facet and discuss the importance of these contributions based on their research.

- Instructions:

• Form groups of up to 5 students and assign each a cultural aspect to research.

• Provide access to computers and library resources for research.

• Students should create a multimedia presentation that illustrates and explains the influence of Islam on the chosen cultural aspect.

• Each group presents their research to the class, followed by a discussion about the findings.

Activity 3 - Debate: Conquest and Conversion

> Duration: (60 - 70 minutes)

- Objective: Critically analyze the methods of expansion of Islam and understand different historical and contemporary perspectives on the subject.

- Description: This activity involves a simulated debate between student groups. Each group will represent one side involved in the expansion of Islam, discussing the merits and problems of the strategies of conquest and conversion used. Students should use historical and theoretical sources to support their arguments.

- Instructions:

• Organize the room in a debate format, with groups on either side of the room.

• Divide the groups into 'defenders of the expansion of Islam' and 'critics of the expansion of Islam.'

• Each group prepares their arguments based on sources and materials studied.

• Conduct the debate, following a time format for each side to present their arguments and rebut those of the other side.

• Conclude with a vote to determine which group presented the most convincing arguments.

Feedback

Duration: (15 - 20 minutes)

The purpose of this stage is to consolidate students' learning, allowing them to share and reflect on the knowledge acquired through practical activities. This discussion helps reinforce understanding of the topic while developing communication and argumentation skills. Additionally, it allows the teacher to evaluate the effectiveness of the activities in achieving the learning objectives, identifying any points that may need review or further clarification.

Group Discussion

After completing the activities, gather all students for a group discussion. Start the discussion with a brief introduction, explaining that the objective is to share insights and learning acquired during the activities. Suggest that each group initiate the conversation by presenting a summary of the most significant discoveries. Encourage students to discuss how trade, art, culture, conquest, and conversion strategies contributed to the expansion of Islam and how these processes are reflected in contemporary society.

Key Questions

1. What were the main challenges faced by Islam as it expanded into new regions and how were these challenges overcome?

2. How did trade and caravan routes influence the dissemination of Islam, especially in distant regions like the Iberian Peninsula?

3. In what ways can the cultural and artistic legacy of Islam be observed in the regions we studied?

Conclusion

Duration: (10 - 15 minutes)

The purpose of this stage of the lesson plan is to ensure that students have a clear and consolidated view of the topics discussed, as well as understanding the relevance of Islam in shaping the modern world. By linking theory and practice, the conclusion reinforces active learning and the application of knowledge in diverse contexts, preparing students for deeper reflections on the interaction between history, culture, and society.

Summary

To conclude, it is essential to summarize the key points addressed in the lesson, emphasizing the birth of Islam in the Arabian Peninsula, its expansion to North Africa and the Iberian Peninsula, and the main influencing factors, such as trade, caravan routes, war, and cultural conversion.

Theory Connection

During the lesson, the connection between theory and practice was established through activities that simulated the historical and geographical conditions of Islamic expansion. Students were able to apply theoretical knowledge in practical scenarios, such as strategic planning for expansion through trade and debates on the methods of conquest and conversion.

Closing

Understanding the development and expansion of Islam is crucial not only for understanding world history but also for appreciating the cultural and religious diversity that impacts the contemporary world. This understanding allows students to recognize the importance of respecting and understanding different cultures and beliefs, promoting a more open and inclusive dialogue.