Lesson Planning
Upper Key Stage 2 Early Islamic Civilisation - NEW LOOK
Art, Culture, Learning - NEW LOOK
Explore the art, culture and learning of Early Islamic Civilisation. Learn about some of the scholars of the time and how their teachings and discoveries shaped what we know today. Look at calligraphy and artwork and the tales of ‘One Thousand and One Nights’.
Session 1 Islamic Writings
Objectives
History
- To learn about the importance of paper and writing in Early Islamic Civilisation.
Enquiry question
What can we learn about the process of making paper and ink?
Outcomes
Children will:
- Make their own paper and experiment with calligraphy using homemade inks.
Provided Resources
You Will Also Need
Paper: used paper (shredded is good)
Large plastic tubs
A food processor (old is best)
J-cloths
Fine mesh screens
Tea-towels
Ink: e.g. nettles, berries, beetroot, coffee, tea, water, vinegar, salt, pestle and mortar.
Weblinks
Paper making video clip
Ink making video clip
Inks and pen making information
Inks and pen making information
Session 2 Researching Scholars
Objectives
History
- To learn about Islamic scholars and share this information in the form of a biography.
Enquiry question
Why are some Islamic scholars remembered today?
Outcomes
Children will:
- Recall the key features of a biography.
- Make notes on a chosen scholar.
- Write a biography.
Lesson Planning
Provided Resources
You Will Also Need
Internet access and/or a selection of non-fiction books to use for research.
Weblinks
Video about Mahommed al-Khwarizmi (Maths)
Written information about Mahommed al-Khwarizmi
Biography of Ibn al-Nafis (circulation of blood)
Biography of Ibn Sina (medicine and healthcare)
Video about Al-Jazari's Elephant Clock
Video about Al-Battani – astronomer
Video about Al-Idrisi – map maker
Session 3 Islamic Art
Objectives
History
- To identify important features of early Islamic art.
- To make annotated sketches.
Enquiry question
What characteristics can we find in Islamic Art?
Outcomes
Children will:
- Enjoy a range of Islamic art, pattern and motifs.
- Establish a list of common/important features of early Islamic art and architecture.
- Make annotated sketches.
Lesson Planning
Provided Resources
You Will Also Need
Sketchbooks
Internet access and/or books
Weblinks
Slideshow containing technical explanation of pattern formation
Links between mathematical pattern and real life examples
Website detailing links between religion and art in Islam
Session 4 Tessellation
Objectives
DT
- To explore tessellation using an online activity.
- To explore and describe mathematical patterns.
- To print and annotate diagrams.
Enquiry question
How can we re-create patterns from Islamic Art?
Outcomes
Children will:
- Learn about the use of geometric patterns in Early Islamic art.
- Explore which regular and semi-regular shapes tessellate.
- Create a tessellating pattern and describe its 'code'.
Lesson Planning
Provided Resources
This session does not need any provided resources.
You Will Also Need
Internet access and/or tessellating shapes
Weblinks
Abu al Wafa’s ‘Google Doodle’
Regular tessellation activity from nrich
Semi-regular tessellation activity from nrich
Semi-regular tessellation investigation ‘solution’ from nrich
Session 5 Scheherazade and One Thousand and One Nights
Objectives
History
- To read and discuss stories from One Thousand and One Nights.
- To learn about the legend of Scheherazade.
Enquiry question
What can we find out about the characters and themes in One Thousand and One Nights?
Outcomes
Children will:
- Learn about the legend of Scheherazade.
- Become familiar with two of the stories from One Thousand and One Nights.
- Discuss the themes within and structure of the stories.
Lesson Planning
Provided Resources
You Will Also Need
Optional: One Thousand and One Arabian Nights by Geraldine McCaughrean, OUP – ISBN 978-0192750136
Weblinks
Ali Baba Hamilton Trust animated tale
Animated Fairy Tales: Aladdin
Sinbad the Sailor (Part 1) (0.00-6.20) Hamilton Trust storytelling
Session 6 Maths
Objectives
Maths
Extend understanding of the number system and place value to include larger integers.
Enquiry question
What is the significance of the mathematician, Al-Khwarizmi?
Outcomes
Children will:
- Learn about the mathematician Al-Khwarizmi.
- Investigate some aspects of maths based on his ideas.
Lesson Planning
Provided Resources
You Will Also Need
Weblinks
Video clip about why algorithms are called algorithms
Writing an algorithm for making a jam sandwich