The Islamic World

Unit Highlights

In this unit, students will analyze primary and secondary sources to explain the geographic, political, economic, religious, and social structures of the civilizations of Islam in the Middle Ages. Students will be able to

  • Describe the geography of the Arabian Peninsula and explain how the people adapted to it.

  • Sequence the origins of Islam and explain its connection to Judaism and Christianity.

  • Classify the teachings of Islam.

  • Explain the importance of the Qur’an and the Sunnah in Islamic society.

  • Explain the causes of the expansion of Muslim rule and the spread of Islam, Arabic, and culture.

  • Explain the causes of the growth of cities, the role of merchants, and trade routes in Arab Society.

  • Classify the intellectual exchanges and the contributions Muslim Scholars make to later civilizations.

Flocabulary

Unit Vocabulary

  • Allah (Do not use a picture)

  • Arabian Peninsula

  • Arabic

  • Bedouins

  • Caliph

  • Five Pillars of Islam

  • The Hadith

  • Islam

  • Ka'ba

  • Mecca

  • Mosque

  • Muhammad (Do not use a picture)

  • Muslim

  • Oasis

  • Quran

  • Sunnah

Activity 1: Islamic Empires Pre-Test

Using your prior knowledge, brainstorm, list, and/or draw what you know about the Islamic empires in a thinking map. Complete this assignment on the Thinking Maps Learning Community or on paper. You may include:

  • Information you know or kind of know about the Islamic Empires.

  • Guesses about the Islamic Empires.

  • Questions you have about the Islamic Empires.

  • Information you would like to know about the Islamic Empires.

  • What comes to mind when you think of the Islamic Empires.