Content Area: Geography -- History -- Literature -- Current Events/Politics -- Science (including Environment and Disease) and Math -- Culture and Gender -- Art and Music -- Foreign Language -- Economics

Subject/Country: Religions -- Holocaust -- General Middle East -- Comparative (Middle East to Other Regions) -- Israel/Palestine -- Ottoman Empire/Turkey -- Iran -- Iraq -- Armenia -- Balkans -- Cyprus -- Morocco -- Tunisia/Libya/Algeria -- Egypt -- Syria -- Lebanon -2- Afghanistan

Grade Level: Elementary (K-5) -- Middle School (6-8) -- High School (9-12) -- College/Adult

 

 Lesson Plans (Alphabetical Order) 

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Afghanistan through Youth Literature by Lisa Adeli
Content: Literature
Subject: Afghanistan
Grade Level: Middle School

• 1. Lesson Plan
• 2. Afghanistan - Overview
• 3. What the Book Is About?
• 4a. Assignment - Interview
• 4b. Assignment - Future
• 4c. Assignment - Graphic Novel
• 4d. Assignment - Survival Guide
• 4e. Assignment - Rap Song

Agriculture and Food of Cyprus by Denise Reilly

Content: Science, Environment and Culture
Subject: Cyprus
Grade Level: High School

• Lesson Plan

Algerian Folk Talkes and Grimm's Fairy Tales
Content: Literature
Subject: Algeria/Tunisia/Libya
Grade Level: Elementary 

• Lesson Plan

All About Cyrpus Powerpoint Presentation
Content: Culture
Subject: Cyprus
Grade Level: Middle School and High School 

All Roads Lead to Istanbul: 1550 World's Fair Simulation by Linda Waagen
Content: Geography and History
Subject: Ottoman Empire/Turkey
Grade Level: Middle School and High School

• Lesson Plan

• Handout - Ottoman Empire 1300-1600

• Handout - Ottoman Contributions to the World

• Powerpoint

• Websites for Information

American Government Problem Based Learning: Create a Government for Iraq by David Rubin
Content: Current Events
Subject: Iraq
Grade Level: High School and Adult 

• Lesson Plan

Armenia in A Time of Change by Lisa Adeli
Content: History and Current Events
Subject: Armenia
Grade Level: High School 

Arts and Culture of the Berber Tribes of Morocco and the Sahara, The by Lorna Holmes
Content: Art and Culture
Subject: Morocco
Grade Level: High School and Adult 

• Lesson Plan

• Powerpoint

Balkan Lesson Plan by Stacy Hercules
Content: History, Current Events
Subject: Balkans
Grade Level: High School, Adult  

• The Balkans Overview Powerpoint 

• Information to Accomapy the Balkans Overview Powerpoint 

• Brief History of Serbia Powerpoint 

• Croatia Powerpoint

• Additional Lesson Suggestions for Teachers 

• Additional Documents for Teachers to Acquire for the Balkan Lesson 

• Primary Source Document - Battle of Kosovo Poetry 

• Primary Source Document - Additional Background for Battle of Kosovo Poetry 

• Primary Source Document - Battle of Kosovo Image 

• Primary Source Document - Notes Concerning the Legend of Kosovo 

• Primary Source Document - Slobodon Milosevic Speech 

• Primary Source Document - The Battle of Kosovo Epic Poetry 

• Primary Source Document - Tito Unity Quotes 

• YouTube Links

Black Gold by Ashlee Beckett
Content: Geography
Subject: General Middle East
Grade Level: Middle School

• Cover Page

• Lesson Introdcution

• Black Gold Powerpoint

• Black Gold Notes Sheet

• Essential Questions - South West Asia Powerpoint

• Essential Questions - South West Asia Powerpoint 2

• Iraq

• Israel Group

• Newscast Directions

• Outstanding Oil

• Press Pass

• Saudi Arabia

• Turkey

Blind Man and The Elephant by Laura Provencher
Content: Literature
Subject: General Middle East
Grade Level: Elementary

• Lesson Plan

Children's Life in Armenia by Lisa Adeli
Content: Geography, Current Events, Culture
Subject: Armenia
Grade Level: Elementary

Cross-Cultural Exchange on the Trans-Saharan Trade Routes: A Cooperative Group-Work Mini-Unit by Anna Martin
Content: History and Culture
Subject: Morocco
Grade Level: Middle School

• Cooperative Unit
• Individual Reports
• Song #1
• Song for Activity Card #2

Cultural Diffusion: The Impact of the Middle East on the Balkans Powerpoint by Lisa Adeli
Content: Culture
Subject: Comparative and Balkans
Grade Level: High School and Adult 

• Presentation

• Powerpoint Presentaion

• Bibliography

Culture Versus Capitalism in Rural Morocco by Elorie Bechtel
Content: Economics
Subject: Morocco
Grade Level: High School and Adult

• Title and Description

• Lesson Plan

• Powerpoint

• Handouts

• Appendix

Cyprus Interdisciplinary Lesson by Julie Nedved and Jenn Muniz
Content:Geography, History, Current Events
Subject:Cyprus
Grade Level:High School

Day At The Beach by Karen Lieneke
Content: Geography and Current Events
Subject: Israel/Palestine
Grade Level: High School 

Day in the Life of an Iranian Child by Shauna Little
Content: Culture
Subject: Iran
Grade Level: Elementary

Geography of Great Empires by Barbara Williams
Content: History and Geography
Subject: Comparative and Ottoman Empire
Grade Level: High School 

Grand Mosque of Paris: A Story of How Muslims Rescued Jews during the Holocaust, The
Content: History and Literature
Subject: Holocaust
Grade Level: Middle School 

• Lesson

How History Shaped Literature and How Literature Changed History: Serbs and the Battle of Kosovo by Lisa Adeli
Content: Literature and History
Subject: Balkans and Ottoman Empire
Grade Level: High School and Adult 

• 1. Title Page

• 2. Assignment Description for Teachers

• 3. Assignment Sheet for Students

• 4. Who Are We

• 5. Heroes of Serbia (Literature)

• 6. Questions and Answers

• 7. Background - Sarajevo 1914

• 8. Background - Kosovo 1990s

• 9. List of Scenarios

• 10. Suggested Websites

• 11. Task Sheet

 

 Importance of Cyprus During the Crusades , The by Jeremy Church
Content: History and Geography
Subject: Cyprus
Grade Level: High School  

In Search of Aphrodite’s Rock by Heather Kiser
Content: Literature and Geography
Subject: Cyprus
Grade Level: High School 

• Lesson Procedures

• Story Pictures 

• Cyprus Map

• Cyrus Map Key

• The Story of Aphrodite 

• The Story of Hala Sultan Tekke, Questions and Answer Key

• The Story of St. Hilarion Castle, Questions and Answer Key 

• The Founding Story of Salamis, Questions and Answer Key

• The Story of Pygmalion and Galatea, Questions and Answer Key

• The Love Story of Pyramus and Thisbe, Questions and Answer Key

• The Story of Saint Catherine, Questions and Answer Key

• The Story of Saint Nicholas of the Cats, Questions and Answer Key

International Holiday Unit by Amanda Tanbal
Content: Culture, Literature
Subject: Religion, General Middle East
Grade Level: Elementary

• Lesson Plan

Introduction to Islam by Roxanne Taylor and Jayme Taylor
Content: Culture
Subject: Religion
Grade Level: Middle and High School

• Lesson Plan

Introduction to Islam Powerpoint by Lisa Adeli
Content: History
Subject: Religion
Grade Level: Middle School and High School  

• Class Powerpoint Presentation

• Teacher Instructions

• Powerpoint Notes

• Bibliography

Iranian Hostage Crisis by Julie Nedved
Content: History
Subject: Iran
Grade Level: Middle School and High School 

• Lesson Overview 

• Case Assignment 

• Group Roles and Responsibilities Form 

• Iran Hostage Crisis Research 

• Iran Notes 

• Iran Research

• Powerpoint Presentation 

• Presentation Rubric 

• Research Rubric

• Iran Map

Iranian New Year by Lisa Adeli
Content: Culture
Subject: Iran
Grade Level: Elementary

• Class Powerpoint Presentation

• Teacher Instructions and Notes

Iran, Iraq - What's the Difference? Powerpoint by Lisa Adeli
Content: Culture
Subject: Iran, Iraq and General Middle East
Grade Level: Middle School, High School and Adult 

• Lesson Plan

• Powerpoint

• Presentation

• Song #1

• Song #2

• Song Slide #1

• Song Slide #2

Islam by Dara Weller
Content: Geography, History, and Culture
Subject: Religions
Grade Level: Middle School and High School

• Lesson

Islam Fact and Fiction: Overcoming Stereotypes by Saviz Safizadeh
Content: Culture
Subject: Religions
Grade Level: Middle School and High School

• Lesson

Islamic Women by Chris O'Brien
Content: History and Culture
Subject: Religion and General Middle East
Grade Level:High School and Adult  

• Lesson Plan, Question Sheet and Documents #1

• Lesson Plan, Question Sheet and Documents #2

Iznik Tile Design by Michelle Molnar
Content: History and Art
Subject: Ottoman Empire/Turkey
Grade Level: High School

• Iznik Tile Lesson Plan

• Art History Worksheet

• Iznik Design Photos 1

• Iznik Design Photos 2

Kite Runner, The by Robert Mossman
Content: Literature
Subject: Afghanistan
Grade Level: High School

• Lesson Plan 

• Introduction Sheet #1 

• Introduction Sheet #2 

Kurds: People without a Country, The by Lisa Adeli
Content: History, Geography and Current Events
Subject: General Middle East
Grade Level: High Schol and Adult

• Assignment Description

• The Kurds: A History

• Presentation Notes 1

• Presentation

• Topics for Research

• Research Guide

• Pros and Cons Sheet

Lesson on Islam by Pren Woods
Content: Culture
Subject: Religions
Grade Level: Middle School

• Lesson Plan
• Audio File

Librarian of Basra by Shari Lossou-Lossavi
Content: Literature, Current Events
Subject: Iraq
Grade Level: Elementary

• Lesson Plan

Middle East Related Lesson Plan: Learning From Current Event Articles by Hortensia Cota
Content: Current Events
Subject: General Middle East
Grade Level: Middle School 

• Lesson Plan

Moroccan Specialty by Jeannine Kuropatkin and Cheryl Wien
Content: Culture
Subject: Morocco
Grade Level: Middle School and High School 

Teachers:

• Powerpoint Presentation 1

• Powerpoint Presentation 2

• Binko Tag Team Assignment

• Lesson Plan Title Page

• Slide Show Notes Part 1 Key

• Slide Show Notes Part 2 Key

• Slide Show Notes Part 3 Key

• Slide Show Notes Part 4 Key

• Map Answer Key

• Regions Handout Key

• Postcard 1

• Postcard 2

• Postcard 3

• Postcard 4

• Postcard 5

• Postcard 6

• Postcard 7

• Postcard 8

• Postcard 9

• Postcard 10

• Postcard 11

• Postcard 12

• Postcard 13

• Postcard 14

• Postcard 15

Students:

• Middle East Map

• Regions Handout

• Slide Show Notes Part 1

• Slide Show Notes Part 2

• Slide Show Notes Part 3

• Slide Show Notes Part 4

• Writing Assignment

• Aid Zitoun

• Call to Prayer

• Danse Atlas

• Djemaa

• Marhabat

Morocco: Storytelling, A Window Into Culture by Jessica Setzer
Content: Foreign Language (French) and Culture
Subject: Morocco
Grade Level: High School  

• Lesson Plan

• Article

• Plan de Leçon : La culture et société Arabe  Powerpoint

Morocco: Understanding Through the Elements by Kimberlee Johnsen
Content: Geography
Subject: Morocco
Grade Level: High School  

• Lesson

• "Is It Africa?" Powerpoint

Mosaics of Cyrpus by Greg Burch
Content: Art
Subject: Cyprus
Grade Level: High School

• Lesson Plan

• Powepoint Presentation

Mosque Design by Jessica Silverman
Content: Art and Culture
Subject: The Ottoman Empire and Religion
Grade Level: Middle School 

• Lesson Plan

Muslim Holocaust Rescuers by Lisa Adeli
Content: History
Subject: General Middle East, Balkans and Holocaust
Grade Level: High School and Adult  

• 1. Assignment Description

• 2. Photo Presentation

• 3. Lecture Notes

• 4. Review Game Answer Key

• Cards 1a & b

• Cards 2a & b

• Cards 3a & b

• Cards 4a & b

• Cards 5a & b

• Cards 6a & b

• Cards 7a & b

• Cards 8a & b

• Cards 9a & b

• Cards 10a & b

• Cards 11a & b

• Cards 12a & b

• Cards 13a & b

• Cards 14a & b

• Cards 15a & b

• Cards 1c & 2c

• Cards 3c & 4c

• Cards 5c & 6c

• Cards 7c & 8c

• Cards 9c & 10c

• Cards 11c &12c

• Cards 13c & 14c

• Cards 15c

• 5. List of Topics 

• 6. Research Questions and Writing Guide 

• 7. Bibliography of Suggested Readings 

My Silk Road Journey by Sharlyn Scott Content: History and Geography
Subject: General Middle East
Grade Level: High School 

• 1. Assignment description

• 2.   Required Writing

• 3a. Character #1

• 3b. Character #2

• 3c. Character #3

• 3d. Character #4

• 3e. Character #5

Nasreddin Hodja: Turkish and Middle Eastern Folklore Philosopher by Joyce Daigle
Content: Literature, Culture
Subject:Ottoman Empire/Turkey
Grade Level: Elementary

 

Night of the Moon by Laura Provencher Content: Literature, Science Subject: Religion, General Middle East Grade Level: Elementary

• Lesson

• Read-Aloud

• Exploring Phases of the Moon 

• Homophones & Homonyms 

Ottoman Empire News Broadcast by Jennifer Turner
Content: History
Subject: Ottoman Empire
Grade Level: High School

• Lesson

• Warm Up 1

• Images of the Ottoman Empire 1

• Images of the Ottoman Empire 2

• Lesson 2

• Warm Up 2

• Broadcast Directions

• Broadcast Topics

• Debriefing

• Group Critique

Ottoman Empire Unit by Stacy Hercules
Content: History, Culture and Geography
Subject: Ottoman Empire and Balkans
Grade Level: High School and Adult 

• Lesson Plan

• Ottoman Empire 1 Powerpoint

• Ottoman Empire 2 Powerpoint

• Powerpoint Notes

Ottoman Geography Lessons: “What’s in a Name?,” “Eye of the Beholder,” and “People and Places” by Brenda Bonine
Content: Geography and History
Subject: Ottoman Empire and Balkans
Grade Level: High School  

• Lessons Overview and Instructions 

• Photo Powerpoint

Ottoman Lesson Plan by Karen Michels
Content: Geography and History
Subject: Ottoman Empire
Grade Level: High School  

• Lesson Plan 

Ottoman Lyric Poetry by Danita Dodson
Content: Literature and History
Subject: Ottoman Empire
Grade Level: High School  

• Lesson Plan

Ottoman Travel Brochure by Jeff Mann
Content: History and Geography
Subject: Ottoman Empire and Balkans
Grade Level: High School 

• Overview 

• Powerpoint 1 

• Powerpoint 2 

• Powerpoint 3 

• Powerpoint 4 

• Powerpoint 5 

• Powerpoint 6

Palestinian - Israeli Conflict - A Lesson in Perspective Powerpoint by MaryLynne Fillmon
Content: History and Current Events
Subject: Israel/Palestine
Grade Level: High School

• Powerpoint

Palestinian-Israeli Issue/High School English by Lisa Adeli
Content: Literature and Current Events
Subject: Israel/Palestine
Grade Level: High School and Adult 

• Lesson Plan - Teacher's Directions

• Background to the Conflict

• Amos Oz Memoir

• Conflict and Compromise Since 1948

• Ibtisam Barakat Memoir

• Poems

Palestinan-Israeli Issue/High School Social Studies by Lisa Adeli
Content: History and Current Events
Subject: Israel/Palestine
Grade Level: High School  

• Lesson Plan Part 1 - Teacher's Directions

• Lesson Plan Part 2a - Background to the Conflict

• Lesson Plan Part 2b - Conflict and Compromises Since 1948

• Lesson Plan Part 3a - Israeli Children's Views

• Lesson Plan Part 3b - Palestinian Children's Views

Peace and Perspective Through Poetry by Tina Anima
Content: Literature and Current Events
Subject: Israel/Palestine
Grade Level: High School

• Lesson Plan

• Rubric

Postwar Reconstruction by Lisa Adeli
Content: Current Events/Politics
Subject: Afghanistan
Grade Level: High School and Adult

• Assignment Description

• Elements of Post - War Reconstruction

• Guide Sheets on Post - War Reconstruction:

• Security

• Humanitarian Relief

• Governance

• Infrastructure

• Economy

• Social and Cultural Institutions

Quran Powerpoint by Max McCulley
Content: Culture/Gender
Subject: Religion
Grade Level: Middle School, High School and Adult

• Powerpoint

Ramadan by Lisa Adeli
Content: Culture
Subject: Religion, General MIiddle East
Grade Level: Elementary

Ratios and Proportions in Turkey by Marsha Mallinger-Ruben
Content: Science
Subject: Turkey
Grade Level: Middle School

• Lesson Plan

Read Aloud Literature by Vicki Waxman
Content: Literature
Subject: General Middle East
Grade Level: Elementary

• Lesson Plan

Reality Check: You Won’t See These Muslims on TV by Benjamin Breault
Content: Current Events and Culture
Subject: General Middle East
Grade Level: High School

• Cover Page

• Unit Plan 

• Lesson Plans 

• Pre-Test

• Turkish and Syrian Cities Powerpoint 

• Who Are Muslims? Powerpoint 

• Hate Crimes in the News Powerpoint 

• Post-Test 

Region by Any Other Name, A by Janet Hall
Content: Geography
Subject: General Middle East
Grade Level: High School and Adult

• Lesson Plan

Rug Activity for Children
Courtesy of CMES and Tucson Collects: Tribal and Village Rugs from Arizona Collections
Story by Ovadan Amanova-Olsen
Content: Art
Subject: General Middle East
Grade Level: Elementary

• Activity 

Sharing Jerusalem's Landmarks by David Cedor
Content: Culture
Subject: Israel/Palestine
Grade Level: Middle School and High School 

Sports, Politics, and Social Change in the Modern Middle East by Lisa Adeli
Content: History, Culture, and Current Events
Subject: General Middle East
Grade Level: High School, Adult

• 1. Lesson Plan

• 2. Script

• 3. Articles

 

Teaching Unit on the Trans-Saharan Trade, 700-1450 C.E by Thomas Holmes
Content: History and Geography
Subject: Morocco and Comparative
Grade Level: High School and Adult

• Cover Page 

• Abstract, Lesson Overview, Materials 

• Saharan Trade Study Guide 

• Lesson #1 

• Article #1 

• Article #2

• Enrichment Opportunity 

• Lessons #2 and #3 

• Powerpoint: Berber Nomads 

• Powerpoint: Food 

• Powerpoint: Jewish Quarter 

• Powerpoint: Oases 

• Powerpoint: Timbuktu 

• Powerpoint: Slave Market 

• Trans-Saharan Journal 

• Lesson #4 

• Lesson #5 

• Bibliography and Website

Teach Ottoman Empire by Abbey McNair
Content: History and Geography
Subject: Ottoman Empire and Balkans
Grade Level: High School and Adult

• CMES: Teach Ottoman Empire 

• Powerpoint

Teenage Assassins and the Outbreak of World War I by Lisa Adeli
Content: History
Subject: Balkans
Grade Level: High School

• Assignment Description

• Young Bosnia - overview

• Values

• Decision-Making

• Read-Aloud Script

Thinking Critically about the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict by Val-Jean Ofiesh
Content: Current Events
Subject: Israel/Palestine
Grade Level: High School

• Lesson Plan

• Powerpoint

• "Bird of Terror" Graffiti

• "Eye" Graffiti

• "Fence and Lion" Graffiti

• "Racing Dragon" Graffiti

This I Believe -The Politics of Identity and the Headscarf in Modern Turkey by Wendy Youngblood
Content: Current Events and Culture
Subject: Ottoman Empire/Turkey and Religion
Grade Level: High School and Adult

• Lesson Plan

• Powerpoint

Tiles For The Sultan by Gili Sherman
Content: Art
Subject: Ottoman Empire
Grade Level: Elementary

• Lesson Plan

Tuning in to Turning Points by Lisa Adeli
Content: History
Subject: General Middle East
Grade Level: High School

• Lesson Plan

• Scoring Guide

Turkey: Bridge Between East and West by Carole Barnes and Barbara Martin
Content: Geography
Subject: Ottoman Empire/Turkey
Grade Level: Middle School

• Lesson Plan

Turkey Joining the European Union  by Sigma Colon
Content: Literature and Current Events
Subject: Ottoman Empire/Turkey
Grade Level: High School

• Lesson Plan

Turkey Trip by Chris Walden - Jones
Content: Geography and Current Events
Subject: Ottoman Empire/Turkey
Grade Level: High School

• Lesson Plan

Turkish Delights: Hodja Tales by Cheryl Wiens
Content: Geography and Literature
Subject: Ottoman Empire/Turkey
Grade Level: Elementary

• Lesson Plan

• Handouts

 

United We Stand…Case Study: Cyprus by Lori Hare
Content: Geography and History
Subject: Cyprus
Grade Level: Middle School and High School

Universal Thematic Study through the Moroccan Cultural Lens, A by Omar Hakim
Content: Culture, Art and Literature
Subject: Morocco
Grade Level: High School and Adult

• Lesson Plan

• Story

Use of Symbols in Egyptian Religion: Ancient, Coptic Christianity, and Islam  by Sharlyn Scott
Content: History and Art
Subject: Egypt
Grade Level: High School and Adult

• 1. Lesson Plan

• 2a. History of Religion - Lecture Notes

• 2b. History of Religion - Student Guide

• 2c. History of Religion - Powerpoint

• 3a. Symbols in Egyptian Religion - Powerpoint

• 3b. Symbolism Essentials

• 4a. Student Project - Worksheets

• 4b. Student Project - Images

• 4c. Image Guide for Teachers

• 5. Information on Symbols in Egyptian Religion

Virtual Field Trip to Turkey by Kate Mahady
Content: Geography and Culture
Subject: Ottoman Empire/Turkey
Grade Level: Middle School and High School

• Teacher Instructions

• Virtual Field Trip Questions 

• Virtual Field Trip Powerpoint Presentation

• References 

• Turkey Logos

Visit to the Hagia Sophia by Jim Hauf
Content: History, Art, Culture
Subject: Ottoman Empire/Turkey
Grade Level: Middle School and High School

• Teachers' Instructions
• Full Lesson Packet - TOO BIG FOR THIS WEBSITE. CONTACT CMES FOR A FREE CD WITH THE FULL LESSON!
• Student Field Journal
• Timeline
• Vocabulary List
• Mosaic Templates
• Religions Venn
• Writing Prompts

War and Remembrance by Lisa Adeli
Content: History and Art
Subject: General Middle East
Grade Level: High School and Adult

• Assignment Description

• Presentation Notes

• Wars in the Modern Middle East

• Powerpoint Slides of memorials

• Research Guide

Water in the Desert by Jennifer Jenkin (Note: There is another, elementary school, lesson with the same title.)
Content: Science and Geography
Subject: Comparative
Grade Level: Middle School and High School

• Lesson Plan 

• Powerpoint 

• Bubble Map 

• Dead Sea Webquest 

• Double Bubble Map 

• RAFT Writing Assignment

Water in the Desert by Jennifer Valentine (Note: There is another, high school, lesson with the same title.)
Content: Science, Geogrpahy
Subject: Morocco
Grade Level: Elementary

(NOTE: THE FULL POWERPOINT WITH ALL ITS FEATURES IS TOO BIG FOR THIS WEBSITE. CONTACT CMES FOR A FREE CD WITH THE FULL LESSON!)

• Title Page

• Lesson Overview

• Water Use - Initial Reflection

• Water Use Activity

• Powerpoint 1

• Powerpoint 2

• Powerpoint 3

• Powerpoint 4

• Script for Powerpoint

• Final Reflection

Where I'm From, Many Perspectives or Just One? Identifying Perspectives from a Turkish-Cypriot, A Greek Cypriot, 2Pac, George Lyons and You - The Student by Jacqi Nicholson
Content: Literature
Subject: Cyprus
Grade Level: High School

• Lesson