Explore the Middle East



Explore the Middle East

A WebQuest for 7th grade social studies

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Introduction | Task | Process | Product | Evaluation | Conclusion | Teacher Page |References

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The Task

Your task is to organize your information into a Power Point presentation for a country in the Middle East. You will have a total of 15 slides. It is your job to sell your country making it as interesting and inviting as possible. You will research the country’s culture, history, geography, economy, government, and places of interests. In addition to the Power Point presentation, you will need to create a crossword puzzle about your country. The link to the puzzle maker is listed under “Internet Resources”

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Process

1. First you will be assigned a country. The possible countries are as follows:

Afghanistan Pakistan

Bahrain Jordan Saudi Arabia

Cyprus Kuwait Syria

Iran Lebanon Turkey

Iraq Oman United Arab Emirates

Israel Qatar Yemen

2. Your presentation should include the following elements:

a. Title – name of country

b. Geography – small outline of country (map) and capital city also include geographic features (land and water forms)

c. Flag – a picture of the country’s flag and what the symbols/colors of the flag means

d. Government – type, current leader, etc.

e. Climate – average temperature, rainfall, etc.

f. Economy – products and services provided (imports and exports), what is their money called, average income of a household, etc.

g. History timeline of major historical events – from early civilizations to the present

h. Culture and Arts – language, housing, religion, holidays, traditional and modern art and/or music

i. Places of Interests – landmarks, tourist attractions, monuments, etc.

j. School- What age do students attend school? Are males and females allowed to attend school? Is it free to go to school? Are there any major universities in your country?

k. Native dress – picture representing people of your country

l. Food dish – one recipe of an authentic food of your country

m. One interesting fact – anything that may be unique

n. What do you think is the most interesting thing that you learned about your country? This should be at least 1 paragraph (5 Sentences) and you need to be specific and write details!

o. Bibliography- Where did you get your information from?

!!!Do not forget to check the rubric at the bottom of this for how I will be grading this assignment!!!!

Internet resources

World Atlas

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This is a great site to start your research! It contains many useful facts about

the climate, history, flag, and tourist attractions!

Mr. Dowling’s Electronic Passport

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This site developed by Mr. Dowling, a middle school teacher, is a resource for learning more about other countries and cultures of the world. It includes information on the history, geography, religions, culture, and conflicts of the Middle East.

CIA World Fact Book

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This site includes information on every major country including its people, government, geography, economy, transportation, and much more.

History in the News: The Middle East

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The Department of History at New York’s University at Albany has compiled a collection of briefly annotated resources about the Middle East. The culture section includes art, architecture, language, and food links.

Federal Reserve Division: Country Studies

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Developed by the Federal Research division of the Library of Congress this site includes tons of information about countries around the world. Each country listing includes detailed information about the country’s education, religion, economics, government, health, and history.

Puzzle Maker

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Use this site to create a crossword puzzle about your country. Your puzzle should include a minimum of 10 questions.

Timeline Generator

()

Use this site to create your timeline of historical events. Your timeline should include a minimum of 10 events.

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Product

Organize your information to create a Power Point presentation, timeline, and crossword puzzle (only one copy). There is a 15 slide minimum and the last slide should include works cited. Finally you will be ready to present to the class.

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Evaluation

The following rubric will be used to assess your project.

| |Distinguished |Proficient |Intermediate |Novice |Score |

|Presentation |Student makes eye contact |Student makes some |Student makes limited eye |Student does not | |

|(20 pts.) |with the audience; speaks |eye contact; speaks |contact; speaks too fast |make eye contact; | |

| |slowly and clearly; is |too fast or too slow;|or too slow; part of the |speaks too fast or | |

| |enthusiastic: has prepared |has prepared ahead of|project is missing, or the|too slow; part of | |

| |ahead of time what will be |time what will be |presenter is unfocused; |the project is | |

| |said in a clear and concise |said. |has not prepared what will|missing, and the | |

| |manner. | |be said. |presenter is | |

| | |(17 pts.) | |unfocused. The | |

| |(20 pts.) | |(15 pts.) |speaker does not | |

| | | | |show much interest | |

| | | | |in the topic. | |

| | | | | | |

| | | | |(13 pts.) | |

|Organization |Presentation is well |Presentation is |Presentation shows an |Presentation shows | |

|(10 pts.) |organized with a beginning, |organized |attempt at organization |little organization,| |

| |middle, and end. There is a|individually with a |with a clear purpose, but |unclear purpose, | |

| |strong organizing theme |beginning, middle, |lacks transitions or may |unclear relationship| |

| |(within each presentation |and end, but lacks |read as a list of facts. |and/or transition | |

| |and between presenters), |any transitions to | |between presenters, | |

| |with clear main ideas and |other presenters. |(7 pts.) |rambles or may seem | |

| |transitions. | | |like a list of | |

| | |(8 pts.) | |facts. Lacks | |

| |(10 pts.) | | |conclusion. | |

| | | | | | |

| | | | |(6 pts.) | |

| | | | | | |

|Research |Information is complete and |Effectively describes|Most of the required |Details and examples| |

|(20 pts.) |accurate. Excellently |all of the required |elements are explained, |are lacking or not | |

| |explains all of the required|elements. Some |but some details are |well chosen for the | |

| |elements. Clear evidence of|incorrect information|missing or incorrect |topic or audience. | |

| |research. |included in the |information is included. |Lacks evidence of | |

| | |presentation. | |research. | |

| |(20 pts.) | |(15 pts.) | | |

| | |(17 pts.) | |(13 pts.) | |

| | | | | | |

|Visual |Visual aids are well done |Visually appealing. |Limited use of color or |Very little use | |

|(20 pts.) |and are used to make | |distracting colors. |and/or poor use of | |

| |presentation more |(17 pts.) | |visual aids. No use| |

| |interesting and meaningful. | |(15 pts.) |of color or very | |

| |Slides include appropriate | | |distracting colors. | |

| |graphics and visually | | | | |

| |appealing. | | |(13 pts.) | |

| | | | | | |

| |(20 pts.) | | | | |

|Sources |Three or more sources cited.|Two sources cited. |Only one source cited or |No sources cited. | |

|(5 pts.) |Used proper format in |Used proper format. |improper format. | | |

| |bibliography. | | |(2 pts.) | |

| | |(4 pts.) |(3 pts.) | | |

| |(5 pts.) | | | | |

|Timeline |Facts were accurate for all |Facts were accurate |Facts were accurate for |Facts were often | |

|(10 pts.) |events in timeline, timeline|of almost all events |75% of the events, the |inaccurate for | |

| |contained at least 8 to 10 |in timeline, the |timeline contained at |events in the | |

| |events, and an accurate date|timeline contained at|least 5 events, and an |timeline, the | |

| |has been included for each |least 6 to 7 events, |accurate date has been |timeline contained | |

| |event. |and an accurate date |included for most of the |fewer than 5 events,| |

| | |has been included for|events. |and several of the | |

| |(10 pts.] |most of the events. | |dates are | |

| | | |(7 pts.) |inaccurate. | |

| | |(8 pts.) | | | |

| | | | |(6 pts.) | |

|Crossword Puzzle |Challenging, interesting, |Interesting, |Informative and original. |Original. | |

|(10 pts.) |informative, and original. |informative, and | | | |

| | |original. |(7 pts.) |(6 pts.) | |

| |(10 pts.) | | | | |

| | |(8 pts.) | | | |

| | | | | | |

|Other Requirements |Includes a minimum of 15 |Includes 12 to 14 |Includes 8 to 11 slides. |Includes fewer than | |

|(5 pts.) |slides. |slides. | |8 slides. | |

| | | |(3 pts.) | | |

| |(5 pts.) |(4 pts.) | |(2 pts.) | |

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Conclusion

You have now completed your presentation on a country in the Middle East. You have also had a chance to view other student presentations. Now you should have a better understanding of the diverse cultures that exist in the Middle East. What were some of the distinctive features of each country? Which country has had to overcome the most adversity? Finally, which country was the most interesting to you? For our culminating activity we will celebrate the culture and food of the Middle East by having your group prepare an authentic food dish common to your country. You may prepare the recipe included in your presentation or search for another. You need to provide enough for everyone to taste.

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