REMINDER: I don’t offer last minute extra credit or deals to round up your grade. This is a good time to check Eschool and see if you have any recent assignments missing.
CLICKEVICH after you're done with the unit test.
Monday, 5/6: Impressions of the Middle East
SLIDESHOW: CULTURES OF THE MIDDLE EAST
SLIDESHOW: CULTURES OF THE MIDDLE EAST

slides_for_tci_1.1.ppt | |
File Size: | 8819 kb |
File Type: | ppt |
GROUP WORK
START HW
HW: LETTER OR COMIC STRIP (Due Tuesday)
1. Pick at least 2 and at most 4 scenes from the slideshow. Pretend that you went to these places on your trip and are writing a letter to a friend or family member about your experiences.
2. A description of at least 3 similarities and/or differences between the people, places and things that you noticed during your trip. These similarities and differences should be between places on your trip, NOT differences and similarities with life in the US.
3. The information should be in the form of a one page letter OR a 4-8 panel comic strip.
Tuesday, 5/7: Understanding Christianity, Islam and Judaism
DUE: Letter or Comic Strip
HW:
Venn diagrams (On the last sheet in your graphic organizer). 5 unique elements for every religion, 3 elements that are shared between a pair of religions, and 6 elements that are common to all three religions.
Due Friday.
Block 5/8-5/9: “Project Sect Runway”
VIDEO (9): “Middle East Explained” A lot of mispronunciation but good info. By the end of the unit, you will know most of this stuff!
LIST OF ME SECTS YOU CAN CHOOSE FROM:
JUDAISM (Israel only): Karaites (good, local source), , Ultra-Orthodox (Haredim).
CHRISTIANITY: Coptic, Maronite.
ISLAM: Sufism, Alawites (we will examine the Sunni/Shia split in another lesson)
OTHER: Yazidis, Baha’i, Druze.
RESEARCH: Put together a Google Doc with your research and sources. PUT YOUR NAME ON YOUR WORK. Get a “thumbs up” from Mr. Butkevich, then you can start making the outfit.
END PRODUCT: RESPECT is key. This is hopefully a fun project, not an opportunity to make fun of a religion or its belief systems. Don’t get a zero for being a jerk.
In your table groups, create an outfit that portrays 3-5 interesting and/or important FACTS + 3-5 interesting and/or important VISUALS
JUDGES: I will pick 5 of you at random on the day of the performance.
HW: Venn Diagrams. Due Friday.
Friday, 5/10: “Project Sect Runway” Work Day
DUE: Venn Diagrams HW.
START HW
HW: LETTER OR COMIC STRIP (Due Tuesday)
1. Pick at least 2 and at most 4 scenes from the slideshow. Pretend that you went to these places on your trip and are writing a letter to a friend or family member about your experiences.
2. A description of at least 3 similarities and/or differences between the people, places and things that you noticed during your trip. These similarities and differences should be between places on your trip, NOT differences and similarities with life in the US.
3. The information should be in the form of a one page letter OR a 4-8 panel comic strip.
Tuesday, 5/7: Understanding Christianity, Islam and Judaism
DUE: Letter or Comic Strip
HW:
Venn diagrams (On the last sheet in your graphic organizer). 5 unique elements for every religion, 3 elements that are shared between a pair of religions, and 6 elements that are common to all three religions.
Due Friday.
Block 5/8-5/9: “Project Sect Runway”
VIDEO (9): “Middle East Explained” A lot of mispronunciation but good info. By the end of the unit, you will know most of this stuff!
LIST OF ME SECTS YOU CAN CHOOSE FROM:
JUDAISM (Israel only): Karaites (good, local source), , Ultra-Orthodox (Haredim).
CHRISTIANITY: Coptic, Maronite.
ISLAM: Sufism, Alawites (we will examine the Sunni/Shia split in another lesson)
OTHER: Yazidis, Baha’i, Druze.
RESEARCH: Put together a Google Doc with your research and sources. PUT YOUR NAME ON YOUR WORK. Get a “thumbs up” from Mr. Butkevich, then you can start making the outfit.
- 1 page of notes (bullet points OK) per student. Put your name on it.
- 5 CREDIBLE sources from each student. Here is a credible source you can use: https://oxfordre.com/religion/ Answer the questions below.
- What are the main differences about this sect from other people who share the SAME RELIGION (or surrounding religions)?
- Key beliefs?
- Distinct way of dress? Special or prohibited foods? Holidays? Rituals/practices?
- History. Founder(s)? Why did this religion form? Did its followers ever rule any territory/kingdoms?
- Do they get along with surrounding religions? Is there a history of tolerance towards them or persecution?
END PRODUCT: RESPECT is key. This is hopefully a fun project, not an opportunity to make fun of a religion or its belief systems. Don’t get a zero for being a jerk.
In your table groups, create an outfit that portrays 3-5 interesting and/or important FACTS + 3-5 interesting and/or important VISUALS
- Your group can do more than one outfit and have more than one model. The outfits can be a t-shirt or something else. It doesn’t have to correspond to the sect (for example, it doesn't have to be a hijab for a Muslim sect or the black hats that ultra-Orthodox Jewish men wear).
- Your outfit can be made from material you bring from home, but that’s not required and won’t affect your grade. You can use poster paper instead.
- MODEL(S): Pick at least one model to demo the outfit for the judges. The outfit requires at least one hole for the model’s head and can’t fall apart during the modeling, so I recommend using placards that you can paste onto the outfit when it's ready. The model will promenade around the classroom to make sure everyone can see the outfit. The model should rehearse the performance. Part of your grade will be in presentation, so don’t Slouchevich when you’re up there and aim for fabulosity.
- NARRATOR: Pick one narrator who explains the outfit to the judges in an engaging and relatively brief manner. Include in the Google Doc a script of the model’s performance + what the narrator says. You don’t have to narrate every fact to the audience (I can see your research in the Google Doc), but think of your job as introducing your sect through the model’s performance.
- DJ: Pick one DJ who plays a clip of engaging Middle Eastern music during the model’s presentation. The music should be from the sect. Include in the Google Doc a brief explanation of the music’s meaning to that sect.
JUDGES: I will pick 5 of you at random on the day of the performance.
HW: Venn Diagrams. Due Friday.
Friday, 5/10: “Project Sect Runway” Work Day
DUE: Venn Diagrams HW.
Monday, 5/13: “Project Sect Runway” Work Day
Tuesday, 5/14: PERFORMANCE:
JUDGE’S CRITERIA: Every judge needs to give one piece of feedback to each group AND ask one question per group.
Block Day, 5/15-5/16: Finish performances, start mapping project.
VIDEO: Sunni/Shiite Split
DEBRIEF
SILENT READING (5): Sunni/Shia Split.
Tuesday, 5/14: PERFORMANCE:
JUDGE’S CRITERIA: Every judge needs to give one piece of feedback to each group AND ask one question per group.
- Did the model do a good job presenting the sect to the audience. Posture? Well rehearsed? General level of fabulosity?
- Did the narrator clearly explain the main facts about the sect to the class?
- Did the music selection add to or subtract from the performance? Was it relevant to the sect?
- Design. Level of creativity? Conveyed important information about the sect?
Block Day, 5/15-5/16: Finish performances, start mapping project.
VIDEO: Sunni/Shiite Split
DEBRIEF
SILENT READING (5): Sunni/Shia Split.

short_reading_on_sunni_shia_split.docx | |
File Size: | 14 kb |
File Type: | docx |
VENN DIAGRAM
In your table group, come up with facts to put in the Venn Diagram, then come up and add them.
HW: ME Mapping Assignment. Due Monday.
In your table group, come up with facts to put in the Venn Diagram, then come up and add them.
HW: ME Mapping Assignment. Due Monday.

middle_east_map_assignment.docx | |
File Size: | 695 kb |
File Type: | docx |
Friday, 5/17: Mapping Activity (Research Only)
CREATE A NEW MAP OF THE MIDDLE EAST: Keep the handouts for next week! USE THE HANDOUT + ASK MS. GOOGLE!
YOU CANNOT MOVE POPULATIONS—YOU CAN’T USE VIOLENCE TO SOLVE THIS ISSUE. Every nation must have the basic resources it needs to survive (for example, access to water).
Research Resources:
Ethnic Groups: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/globalconnections/mideast/maps/demotext.html
Oil: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/globalconnections/mideast/maps/topotext.html
HW: ME Mapping Assignment. Due Monday.
HW: Map Quiz on Block Day
Monday, 5/20: Work on Maps (Research + Start Draft Maps if Ready)
DUE: ME mapping assignment.
TODAY: Do a draft map, check it with Mr. Butkevich.
TODAY OR TOMORROW: Start a final map in color with a detailed key.
HW: Map Quiz on Block Day
Tuesday, 5/21: Finish Draft Maps, Start Final Map + Study for Map Quiz
HW: Map Quiz on Block Day
Block, 5/22/5/23: Map Quiz + Finalize Map/Rehears Presentations
Friday, 5/24: Present Maps
Tuesday, 5/28: Roll out project, start on essays.
Intro Slide Show
CREATE A NEW MAP OF THE MIDDLE EAST: Keep the handouts for next week! USE THE HANDOUT + ASK MS. GOOGLE!
YOU CANNOT MOVE POPULATIONS—YOU CAN’T USE VIOLENCE TO SOLVE THIS ISSUE. Every nation must have the basic resources it needs to survive (for example, access to water).
- Design borders for 6 new nations.
- Minimize internal and external conflicts.
- Take into account:
- Geographic features. Should the country have access to the ocean? To a river? Arable land vs. desert. A country without arable land doesn't have a chance to succeed.
- Ethnic groups. You’re going to have do research some modern history. Which groups get along reasonably well with each other? Which don't? Search Terms: Kirkuk, anfal campaign, Arabi-Israeli conflict.
- Religious groups. You’re going to have do research some modern history. Which groups get along reasonably well with each other? Which don't? What about Jerusalem, which is holy to Judaism, Christianity and Islam? What are the holy sites in that city that are important to each religion and who should control them? Search Terms: Sunni vs. Shia, Hezboallah, Al Qaeda, ISIS, East Jerusalem, Western Wall, Temple Mount, Dome of the Rock, Church of the Holy Sepulcher.
- Population Density: Where do most people live? How can you spread the large population centers out somewhat evenly so that you don’t end up with a desert nation of a few thousand nomads?
- Resources. Which areas have the most drinkable/usable water (rivers, lakes, underground aquifers)? Is some of that water polluted or filled with too much salt to use? Which have the best farmland? Oil exists in large amounts only in the Kurdish North East, parts of the Sunni heartland shared between Iraq and Syria and the Shia/Sunni South East of the map.
- Government: What kinds of governments are more likely to stop these people from killing each other over resources, religion and ethnicity/language? Lots of combinations are possible—use your imagination. Just make sure it’s practical.
- Be ready to justify your choices to the class. Write them in a Google Doc that you all share and then share with [email protected] when done.
- 1 page of notes each with 5 credible sources
Research Resources:
Ethnic Groups: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/globalconnections/mideast/maps/demotext.html
Oil: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/globalconnections/mideast/maps/topotext.html
HW: ME Mapping Assignment. Due Monday.
HW: Map Quiz on Block Day
Monday, 5/20: Work on Maps (Research + Start Draft Maps if Ready)
DUE: ME mapping assignment.
TODAY: Do a draft map, check it with Mr. Butkevich.
TODAY OR TOMORROW: Start a final map in color with a detailed key.
HW: Map Quiz on Block Day
Tuesday, 5/21: Finish Draft Maps, Start Final Map + Study for Map Quiz
HW: Map Quiz on Block Day
Block, 5/22/5/23: Map Quiz + Finalize Map/Rehears Presentations
Friday, 5/24: Present Maps
Tuesday, 5/28: Roll out project, start on essays.
Intro Slide Show

me_fast_food_franchise_sample.pdf | |
File Size: | 1203 kb |
File Type: |
Essay due next Tuesday, 6/4.
HW: Presentation + Business Plan due final exam day.
HW: Presentation + Business Plan due final exam day.

me_fast_food_franchise_instructions.docx | |
File Size: | 25 kb |
File Type: | docx |

guide_to_halal_foods.pdf | |
File Size: | 540 kb |
File Type: |
Block Day, 5/29-5/30: Oil Activity
Essay due next Tuesday, 6/4.
HW: Presentation + Business Plan + Menu/Food due final exam day.
Friday, 5/31: Work Day (essays)
Essay due next Tuesday, 6/4.
HW: Presentation + Business Plan + Menu/Food due final exam day.
QUIET WEEK:
Monday, 6/3: Middle East Fast Food Restaurant
Good source (there is a tab for other countries in the region) http://www.mideastlaw.com/middle_eastern_laws_saudi_arabia.html
HW: Essay due next Tuesday, 6/4.
HW: Presentation + Business Plan + Menu/Food due final exam day..
Tuesday, 6/4: ESSAYS DUE: Middle East Fast Food Restaurant
HW: Presentation + Business Plan + Menu/Food due final exam day.
Wednesday (non-block): Work Day (Individual Notes Due End of Class)
Check in with Mr. Butkevich for feedback
HW: Presentation + Business Plan + Menu/Food due final exam day.
Thursday/Friday Weird Block: Last Work Day
Your group may be finished by now. If you are, check in with Mr. Butkevich before you bust out any work for other classes. Failure to do so will result in losing points on this assignment. As long as you’re genuinely done and use your time to work on other things, Mr. B will stay frosty.
HW: Presentation + Business Plan + Menu/Food due final exam day.
FINAL: Presentations + Business Plan + Menu/Food
Essay due next Tuesday, 6/4.
HW: Presentation + Business Plan + Menu/Food due final exam day.
Friday, 5/31: Work Day (essays)
Essay due next Tuesday, 6/4.
HW: Presentation + Business Plan + Menu/Food due final exam day.
QUIET WEEK:
Monday, 6/3: Middle East Fast Food Restaurant
Good source (there is a tab for other countries in the region) http://www.mideastlaw.com/middle_eastern_laws_saudi_arabia.html
HW: Essay due next Tuesday, 6/4.
HW: Presentation + Business Plan + Menu/Food due final exam day..
Tuesday, 6/4: ESSAYS DUE: Middle East Fast Food Restaurant
HW: Presentation + Business Plan + Menu/Food due final exam day.
Wednesday (non-block): Work Day (Individual Notes Due End of Class)
Check in with Mr. Butkevich for feedback
HW: Presentation + Business Plan + Menu/Food due final exam day.
Thursday/Friday Weird Block: Last Work Day
Your group may be finished by now. If you are, check in with Mr. Butkevich before you bust out any work for other classes. Failure to do so will result in losing points on this assignment. As long as you’re genuinely done and use your time to work on other things, Mr. B will stay frosty.
HW: Presentation + Business Plan + Menu/Food due final exam day.
FINAL: Presentations + Business Plan + Menu/Food