1.+Task

To learn about the Middle East, students will divide into teams of 6. Each team will collaborate to learn about the predominant religions in the Middle East, and then the team members will work together to research a current topic in the Middle East.

1. Overview of Religions:
 * The predominant religions in the Middle East are Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.
 * Choose which religion each member of the team will research- there should be 2 members of each team representing each of the 3 religions.
 * Using books and the websites on the resources page, complete the column for your assigned religion on this Religion Comparison Sheet. [[file:Religion comparison.doc]]
 * When students are finished, the team should share notes and fill in the columns for the other 2 religions.

2. Current events: Each team will be assigned a topic related to current events, including Water, Oil, Religious Differences, the Role of Women, and the Israel-Palestine Conflict. Team members will identify current events related to their assigned topic. Different team members will gather background information about the countries involved in the current events. Team members will work together to prepare a newscast for the class to provide information about current events related to their topic. It is suggested that the team divide up the following roles:
 * reporter- find out breaking news related to the issue,
 * background researchers (2)- find out information about the history of the problem in the different countries in the middle east,
 * graphic designer- create charts and other visuals to represent the problem,
 * statistician- gather background data about the issue,
 * anchor person- combine the group's research, write the final copy and present the newscast to the class

3. Persuasive argument: Each team member will assume the identity of a person with the religious background studied and from a chosen country or area within the Middle East region. He or she will then research using books and websites to help determine an appropriate point of view for that individual and to gather facts to support the selected position. The research will be used to create a persuasive writing piece, which may take the form of
 * video, using Photostory,
 * a written essay of at least 5 paragraphs
 * a letter written in the role of a fictional individual (specify the religion, gender, country of origin, and occupation, if relevant, and whether the letter-writer is a child or an adult)