Students explore the non-Islamic religions present in the region, identifying some of their similarities with Islam. Then they learn about hijab and the part it plays in the lives of Muslim women. Finally, students explore an inside look at some Saudi women, focusing on what students and these women have in common.
Students read an introduction to the experience and its objectives, then examine photos of women from the Middle East. They respond to a collaborative wall prompt describing what the women in the photos have in common, and begin generating questions about religious and cultural practices in the region.
Teacher MovesPreview the experience focus and objectives. Guide students to notice that all the women are wearing some form of head covering and explain that head coverings can be religious or cultural symbols of modesty. Invite students to add questions they have about religion and culture in the region to their wall posts, and prepare them for deeper exploration in later scenes before unlocking the next scene.
Students read background text about religious diversity in Iraq and the Arabian Peninsula, then examine charts titled Religions in Iraq and Religions in Kuwait. They post to a wall comparing the proportions of Muslims and Christians in each country. Next, they watch the videos Christians of Iraq and Who Are the Yazidis? to learn about the situation of these minority groups, and participate in a class discussion about the threats they face.
Teacher MovesPrompt students to compare the charts and highlight that both countries have Muslim majorities with Christians as the second-largest group, noting that Kuwait has a larger Christian population than Iraq. Facilitate a discussion after the videos, encouraging students to connect what they saw with prior knowledge and current events, and suggest further research on recent conditions for Yazidis and Christians and the role of ISIS in the region before moving on.
Students read selected sections (“Saudi Culture” and “Role of Women”) from the article Arabs, Islam, and Oil to understand how Islamic beliefs and values shape cultural practices in Saudi Arabia, especially regarding women’s roles. They respond on a wall about what surprised them and why. Then, they shift focus to veiling by watching the video How Does Veiling Differ Across Countries? and reading the article Why and When Do Muslim Girls Wear the Hijab?, and write a paragraph explaining in their own words why women wear hijab and the different ways they might do so.
Teacher MovesInvite students to share and discuss surprising details from the Saudi culture reading, using exemplary responses to launch a comparison of cultural practices rather than judgments. Emphasize how religious beliefs influence daily life and encourage students, if comfortable, to share examples from their own experiences. After the veiling resources, check that students understand that many women wear hijab as an expression of religiously motivated modesty and that styles of veiling vary. If time allows, lead a discussion on religious freedom and attitudes toward hijab in the United States, prompting students to articulate respectful responses to those who oppose veiling.
Students first respond on a wall about how they expect Saudi women to dress in public versus at home. They then read the article The Changing Face of Saudi Women and imagine planning a visit to Saudi Arabia, posting reflections comparing how such a visit would differ from one within the United States and identifying similarities and differences between their own lives and the lives of people in Saudi Arabia.
Teacher MovesElicit and acknowledge students’ initial assumptions about Saudi women’s public and private dress. After students read the article and respond, highlight insightful posts and use them to guide a class discussion that contrasts differences while emphasizing shared human experiences, such as socializing, working, and enjoying family life. Encourage students to note positive surprises from the article and to consider how recognizing similarities can shape their views of cultures different from their own before proceeding to the final scene.
Students complete the exit quiz by answering all the questions.
Teacher MovesFacilitate the assessment and use student data to evaluate understanding, address misconceptions, and identify areas for growth.
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