Students are introduced to Islam and learn the important events in its timeline. Then they explore the beliefs and five pillars of Islam. They look more closely at Ramadan and Hajj, developing a set of questions they’d like to ask someone about them. Finally, students develop an infographic that is designed to inform younger students about the basics of Islam.

Objectives:

• Explain the origins and beliefs of Islam, including the significance of Ramadan and the annual Hajj.
• Trace the spread of Islam.

Scene 1 — Engage

Student Activity

Students read an introduction to Islam that emphasizes respect for religious beliefs and the importance of correcting misconceptions. They watch the video Mecca: The Sacred City to gain an initial overview of Islam and its holy city, then post to a class wall one thing they already knew and one thing they did not know about Islam before viewing.

Teacher Moves

Present the lesson overview and objectives, stressing the need for respect and attention to factual information about Islam. Facilitate a class discussion using students’ wall responses to surface prior knowledge, unfamiliar terms, and misconceptions, and guide students in generating questions they hope to answer throughout the experience. If possible, invite Muslim students to share about their faith and plan for a future guest who has completed Hajj or observed Ramadan.

Scene 2 — Explore

Student Activity

Students are introduced to a timeline of Islam’s history and respond to several polls about key events, including Muhammad’s revelation, the early spread of Islam, and the Crusades. They then read sections on “Beliefs of Muslims” and “Major Practices/Duties of Muslims” from Beliefs and Daily Lives of Muslims to learn about core beliefs and practices, and complete a graphic organizer describing each of the Five Pillars of Islam.

Teacher Moves

Use the poll results to check students’ understanding of major historical developments in Islam and clarify any misconceptions. After students complete the Five Pillars graphic organizer, review each pillar as a class to ensure accurate descriptions and reinforce how these duties shape Muslims’ daily lives.

Scene 3 — Explain

Student Activity

Students review that fasting during Ramadan and pilgrimage to Mecca (Hajj) are two of the Five Pillars. They watch a video on Ramadan and then use What Is the Hajj pilgrimage, the Fifth Pillar of Islam? and The Hajj video to deepen their understanding of the Hajj experience. Imagining they host a podcast on world religions, students post to a wall a set of interview questions they would ask someone who has recently completed Hajj or observed Ramadan, focusing on different aspects of these practices.

Teacher Moves

Highlight the connection between the Five Pillars and the specific practices of Ramadan and Hajj. Review students’ interview questions, selecting and sharing strong examples that probe beliefs, emotions, and daily experiences. If a guest is available, invite them to speak about their experiences with Ramadan or Hajj and respond to student questions, modeling respectful, inquiry-based discussion.

Scene 4 — Elaborate

Student Activity

Students apply what they have learned by creating an infographic about the Five Pillars of Islam aimed at sixth and seventh graders who know little about Islam, including key terms and definitions. After reading an example and guidance on infographics from Inforgraphicszone, they design their infographic on a digital canvas or upload a created image. Students then review classmates’ infographics, revise their own as needed, and complete a brief self-evaluation on whether their infographic is appropriate for the target audience.

Teacher Moves

Clarify expectations for the infographic, emphasizing accuracy, clarity, and age-appropriate language and visuals. Support students in planning and organizing their information, and encourage peer feedback focused on content and design. Prompt students to use the self-evaluation to reflect on how effectively their infographic communicates the Five Pillars to younger learners.

Scene 5 — Evaluate

Student Activity

Students complete the exit quiz by answering all the questions.

Teacher Moves

Facilitate the assessment and use student data to evaluate understanding, address misconceptions, and identify areas for growth.

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