Students explore the history of Afghanistan and Turkey, noting important events, people, and elements. Then they consider the role that geography has played in the countries’ histories. Finally, students do their own research to identify important events in the history of Iran and analyze the relationship between its geography and history.
Students read an overview of the experience and its objectives, then examine a photograph of Istanbul. They contribute to a class table by sharing one fact they know about Istanbul or a question they have about the city.
Teacher MovesIntroduce the overall purpose of the lesson and review the objectives. Facilitate a brief discussion of students’ facts and questions, explaining that Istanbul has had multiple names under different empires and is the only city that spans both Europe and Asia. Then organize students into small groups, assign each group either Afghanistan or Turkey, and designate or have them choose a group reporter in preparation for the next scene.
In small groups, students focus on their assigned country, Afghanistan or Turkey. They examine a timeline overview for that country (such as Afghanistan Timeline and History Overview or Turkey Timeline and History Overview) and conduct brief additional research on five key terms related to their country’s history. Using a graphic organizer, they list each term, define it in their own words, and explain why it is important to the country’s history. Afterward, students review other groups’ charts and participate in a whole-class discussion about how the terms connect to each country’s historical development.
Teacher MovesClarify expectations for the research task and the use of the graphic organizer. Circulate to support groups as they investigate their assigned terms, providing clarification or additional resources as needed. Lead a class discussion comparing the terms for Afghanistan and Turkey, prompting students to explain historical significance and connections. Offer extra time or guidance for students who need more support understanding the terms for both countries before moving on.
Working in the same small groups, students watch a video focused on their assigned country—either How has Afghanistan’s geography affected its history? or How has Turkey’s geography affected its history?—to explore how physical location and features have shaped historical events. They discuss within their group the relationship between geography and history for that country, then post one or two evidence-based sentences to a shared wall describing this connection.
Teacher MovesRemind students to draw on information from both the earlier timeline work and the video as they discuss. Encourage groups to support their statements with specific geographic and historical evidence. Review student posts, accept varied responses that are evidence-based, and highlight one or more strong or interesting examples for brief whole-class discussion. Explain that students will complete the remaining scenes individually before unlocking the next scene.
Students individually research significant events, people, and terms in the history of Iran, using resources such as Iran Timeline as a starting point. They create a timeline of 5–10 key items, either directly on a digital canvas or on paper and upload a photo. After constructing the timeline, they write a brief paragraph explaining how Iran’s history is connected to its specific geography. Students then review classmates’ posts and respond to at least two with a question or a positive comment to extend the discussion.
Teacher MovesGuide students in identifying reliable sources and selecting historically significant events for their Iran timelines. Support students as they connect geographic features and location to historical developments in their explanatory paragraphs. If time permits, facilitate a class discussion in which students share discoveries about Iran’s history and how it compares to Turkey and Afghanistan, drawing attention to strong examples of geographic–historical connections.
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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