2. 21 st Century Skills Recognize/challenge stereotypes and accept complexity Collect, synthesize, and analyze Information (including media literacy) Use established and emerging technology appropriately Focus on the global context, while seeing local specificity Collaborate with peers to produce and share learning Create meaningful connections with global partners

3. Stereotypes of Islam

4. Stereotypes of the Middle East

5. How do we challenge stereotypes? Challenge stereotypes: deprogram, dismediation (Aladdin) Diversity of the religion and of its adherents Prescriptive ≠ Descriptive (ie, describe real Muslims in real life, not just texts or authority figures and doctrine) Ethical(Values)/Cultural(Aesthetic) vs. Doctrinal/Political (not just the 5 pillars of belief/practice, not just summits and wars) Specificity and complexity of issues/perspectives Analogy: Ask the same questions of Christianity, Judaism and Islam

6. Islam is…

7. Dealing with Complexity: Arab/Middle Eastern/Muslim

8. Who’s an Arab?

9. What is “The Middle East?”

10. “Muslim World”

11. Muslim Population by Country

12. Cultural diversity of Islam

13. Who Wears a Veil?

14. Complicating the Issue: Gender and Islam Gender and religion do we do this with all religions? Consider cultural practice vs. religion The “veil”—changes the public female body by covering it How does American society influence women to change the public female body? Jerry Hall Early Islamic reform vs. later stiffening/patriarchy Islamic feminism vs. control of women Security and identity issues: state control of women’s dress

15. Girls in Iran and Turkey

16. Pushing the boundaries

17. New Couture

18. Counter-stereotype: Islam/Iran Rocks! Islam isn’t stuck in the 7 th century for these guys… O-Hum’s Darvish (lyrics direct from Hafez, 14 th c poet) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MeN4kfBPx1k Stop Being So Religious What do sad people have in common? It seems They have all built a shrine To the past And often go there And do a strange wail and worship. What is the beginning of Happiness? It is to stop being So religious Like that. ("The Gift" - versions of Hafiz by Daniel Ladinsky)

19. Counter-stereotype: Not so Traditional/ New Aspirations

20. Counter-Stereotypes: Virtual Ambitions

21. Counter-Stereotype: “Pop Culture” Can the Middle East be funny? Nancy Ajram Coke ad http://www.youtube.co m/watch?v=35O3udLS8 3Y http://www.youtube.co m/watch?v=35O3udLS8 3Y Parody Coke ad http://www.youtube.co m/watch?v=gGvXpJjqL Wc&feature=related http://www.youtube.co m/watch?v=gGvXpJjqL Wc&feature=related

22. New Tools for Deep Learning Wikis, podcasts, etc—kids create learning Google Earth Example: Geography tourGeography tour Student-generated learning: research topic, connect to place, find relevant images/videos/music, create synthesis and connection Where could you go with this? Integrate with sensory approach: Spices and World Trade Sunni/Shia: What’s the difference, and why does it matter? Process is collaborative; also can easily be shared

23. First Contact

24. First Contact: Classroom to Classroom Many organizations provide links between classrooms iEARN.org Projects and topics for collaboration worldwide Global Nomads/Bridges of Understanding ePals– can be project based or simply e-pal connections ePals

25. Curricular Angles Cross curricular reinforcement is key Humanities: history, ELA, music, art Science (spices, history of science, hydraulics/mechanics/Rube Goldberg) Math (Islamic geometric design, algebra) Economics (where oil prices come from) PE (debke and other folk dance) Service projects Technology (google earth, blogs, movie production) Projects in any curricular area in conjunction with classes in the Middle East

26. Best Practices: Compare! Analogize to what kids already know Media-rich approach Humanize: Land Called ParadiseLand Called Paradise Find real people/anecdotes: “authentic” doesn’t mean “representative”: Inside Islam Literature, film, internet, blogsblogs Popular culture and music: O-Hum Humor: Allah Made Me Funny Active: Arabic, crafting/art, spices/big maps, Google Earth, connect