The Ancient Hebrews: The Origins of Judaism (Day 2)

Of all the stories in the Hebrew Bible the Exodus is among the best known and most influential.

 Unit Focus Question  How did the Hebrews have a lasting impact on Western Civilization? 

 Today's Focus Question  What were the origins and early beliefs of the Hebrews?

The Origins of Judaism: Guided Reading  Today we will read in small groups about the 'Origins of Judaism' from an excerpt from our Social Studies workbooks below. As you read, please consider the following questions:

•  How did the beliefs of the Hebrews differ from those of other people at the time?
•  What happened during the Exodus? Why do you think this event is considered so  significant to the  ancient Hebrews and to Jewish people today? 

You will record the answers to these questions on the assignment Origins of Judaism - Questions, which can be found in your Social Studies Google Classroom. I've included a PDF of the reading passage below in your Social Studies Google Classroom as well. 

Homework  Complete the assignment Origins of Judaism - Questions, which will be due on Friday, December 4. 

The Ancient Hebrews: The Origins of Judaism

Abraham is considered one of the patriarchs of the early Hebrews. 

 Unit Focus Question  How did the Hebrews have a lasting impact on Western Civilization? 

 Today's Focus Question  What were the origins and early beliefs of the Hebrews?

Introduction to the Unit  From our textbook: "The study of the Jewish people (the Hebrews) provides an excellent opportunity to show how a relatively small group of people can have a major impact on other peoples and on the course of history. Although the Jewish people were often enslaved or defeated in wars, their beliefs and writings influenced many civilizations."  

The Origins of Judaism: Vocabulary Study  Next, we will study the key vocabulary related to the origins of Judaism, using the document The Origins of Judaism - Cognitive Content Dictionary, which can be found in your Social Studies Google Classroom. We will be using an excerpt from our Social Studies textbook, which has been can also be found in Google Classroom (as well as here), to help us understand the lesson's key words and concepts. Some images have also been posted below to help you conceptualize these new terms.

Judaism may have been the first monotheistic religion, but it would not be the last. 

Ethical behavior is an important part of the religion of Judaism. 

According to the Bible, God made a covenant with Abraham. 

Moses and the Ten Commandments. 

There was a large migration of ancient Hebrews from Egypt into the "Promised Land." 

CNN Student News and Current Event Mapping  As we watch CNN Student News today, identify one or two news stories that you can pinpoint geographically and place on the Current Event layer of your Social Studies World Map via Google Maps. 

Paris, France; Turkey and Syria; and Milwaukee, Wisconsin were all featured in today's segment. After pinning at least one of these places on your map, consider the most important question: What happened here? You should include a title for the event, the date(s) the event took place, a brief summary of what happened, and include an appropriate photo or video.

Homework  Complete the assignment The Origins of Judaism - Cognitive Content Dictionary, which will be due on Friday, December 4. 

From Egypt to the Promised Land

From Egypt to the Promised Land: 'The Prince of Egypt'  As we end our unit on the ancient Egyptians and start to learn about another group, the Hebrews, I thought it would be interesting to examine a moment in history where these two distinct ancient peoples intersected. Today we will begin to watch part of the movie The Prince of Egypt. However, before we do, let's watch the brief video below so we have some background and historical perspective on the origins of the Hebrews and development the religion of Judaism.

Look Up and Look Around

Movie: "Children of Heaven"  Today we will continue our screening of the Iranian film "Children of Heaven." As you watch, continue to make note of the similarities and differences between our two cultures. Additionally, continue to analyze the traits of the film's main characters. Who are they as human beings? How do you know? You will continue to use the Children of Heaven - Study Guide to keep track of your notes and ideas.

Reflection and Discussion  At the conclusion of "Children of Heaven," take some time to reflect. How has this movie and the lessons of the past week changed your ideas about people from the Middle East and the religion of Islam? Before you saw this movie, did you think differently about people from this part of the world than you do now? Has this movie challenged or changed any stereotypes that you used to have? Write your response in the space provided within your Children of Heaven - Study Guide. Next, identify one idea that you wrote down that you think is important enough to be shared with the members of your group and potentially with the whole-class. Be prepared to discuss.  

Video of the Day: "Look Up"  As we inch closer to the beginning of Thanksgiving Break, which will no doubt filled with gadgets of all sorts, from Chromebooks, to iPhones, to Xboxes, to Play Stations, to Androids, and everything else in between, I find it necessary to remind you to occasionally, "look up." Take a moment to look up from the screens that play such a huge roll in our daily lives nowadays and try to truly see what is happening all around you. Look up and see your family and friends. Look up and see what is happening in your community. Look up and see what is taking place right now across the nation and the world. Do not become so beholden to your gadgets and their screens that you fail to witness that actual life is unfolding all around you. Look up, look around, and see! Enjoy the video!   

Homework  Complete the Children of Heaven - Study Guide, which is due Tuesday,November 24. 

"Children of Heaven" and Challenging Muslim Stereotypes

Zahra and Ali from "Children of Heaven" 

Building Background: Iran and Muslim Stereotypes  Last week, students in Ms. Rainey's class challenged you to examine your own knowledge and stereotypes about Muslims and the religion of Islam. You participated in a pre and post survey intended to measure your understanding and biases and watched an illuminating video produced by students presenting information about an often misunderstood group of people and religion. Today we are going to continue examining our own stereotypes and learning about people of the Middle East and the religion of Islam. 

Our focus today is on the people of Iran. Iran is  an important country in the center of the Middle East, and its people have a rich history dating back to ancient times.  

Iran also has a complicated relationship and history with the United States of America. Due to disagreements between the governments of our two countries, tensions exist. The image of the Iranian people that is often portrayed in the media is of a violent people that hate America and wish to do us harm. Images like the one below have been broadcasted on the news for years. If this is the only picture your see of Iranians, it could certainly shape the way you see them. 

Is this image representative of who the people of Iran are and how they feel about Americans?

And to be fair, the Iranian government and media is also guilty of pushing propaganda about America and Americans. As a result, the view of Americans for some Iranians is also likely skewed. How do we overcome these misrepresentations, stereotypes, and propaganda? I believe it starts with understanding our shared humanity. 

Below I have included some images from Humans of Tehran, which is a Facebook page dedicated to capturing the humanity of the people of Tehran, the capital city of Iran. Do the people in these pictures seem that much different from us? Do they change the way you see Muslims and people from the Middle East? 

Finally, watch the short video "Discover Iran in 2 Minutes" and see if you see Iran and its people in a new light.  

           

Movie: "Children of Heaven"  Now we will watch the film Children of Heaven which tells the heartwarming story of the relationship between a brother and sister from Iran. As you watch, pay attention to both the similarities and differences between your culture compared to that of the people of Iran depicted in the film. Also make note of the central characters' character traits. What human qualities do they exhibit? Finally, consider your own stereotypes you may have had about Muslims and/or people from the Middle East? Has this movie and today's lesson challenged or changed they way you see people who follow the religion of Islam and/or who live in this part of the world? If so, how? You will use the Children of Heaven - Study Guide, which can be found in your Social Studies Google Classroom, to keep track of your notes and ideas. 

Ancient Egyptian Writing

 Lesson Focus Question   What did writing look like in ancient Egypt and how was it used?

Ancient Egyptian Writing Overview  Today we are going to continue to learn about ancient Egyptian writing. The following is an excerpt from the British Museum's online Ancient Egypt exhibit: The ancient Egyptians believed that it was important to record and communicate information about religion and government. Thus, they invented written scripts that could be used to record this information. The most famous of all ancient Egyptian scripts is hieroglyphic. However, throughout three thousand years of ancient Egyptian civilization, at least three other scripts were used for different purposes. Using these scripts, scribes were able to preserve the beliefs, history and ideas of ancient Egypt in temple and tomb walls and on papyrus scrolls.  

The Story of Ancient Egyptian Writing: The British Museum  We will now learn about how writing changed in ancient Egypt over time by reading an interactive story at the British Museum's online Ancient Egypt exhibit, which can be found here.  

How and Where Writing was Used in Ancient Egypt: Online Exploration  You will now have an opportunity to explore the various ways and places writing was used in ancient Egypt, by exploring the site here. Click on the "scribe" and learn was his or her job was. Click on the various places around ancient Egypt and discover what role writing played there.  

Newsela Article: 'Paris Target of Deadly Attacks'  Visit your Social Studies Google Classroom and locate the Newesla article about the recent terrorist attacks in Paris. Follow the link to Newsela, login, set the reading level to 880L, read the article carefully, take the quiz, and write the constructed response paragraph. When you are finished, return to Google Classroom and make the assignment as 'Done.' You have until Friday, November 20, to complete this assignment. 

Homework  Complete the activities related to the Newela article about Paris terrorist attacks, which should be marked as 'done' by Friday, November 20.

From Paris to Beirut: Terrorism and Solidarity Take Center Stage

People are offering prayers for Paris, as well as prayers for the world.

CNN Student News and Current Event Mapping  As we watch CNN Student News today, identify a news stories that you can pinpoint geographically and place on the Current Event layer of your Social Studies World Map via Google Maps. 

The terrorist attacks in Paris, France were featured in today's segment. After pinning this place on your map, consider the most important question: What exactly happened here? You should include a title for the event, the date(s) the event took place, a brief summary of what happened, and include an appropriate photo or video. 

NY Times Video: The World Stands in Solidarity  The day after the deadly attacks in Paris, people around the globe turned out to light candles, lay down flowers and console each other. 

Los Angeles Times Article: 'Mexican-American Student Killed in Paris'  Those killed in Paris (and for that matter in Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Egypt, and elsewhere) are more than just numbers. They are real human beings. Meet one of the victims: Nohemi Gonzalez, a Mexican-American student from Cal State Long Beach who was in Paris as part of a semester abroad program. 

NY Times Article: 'Beirut, Also the Site of Deadly Attacks, Feels Forgotten'  Paris, France, was not the only place in the world targeted by terrorists this past week. Let's not forget that the people in the Middle East, including Beirut, Lebanon, have also been victimized by terrorism.

 

Make Your Voice Heard: Padlet Activty  What is your reaction to Friday evening’s terror attacks in Paris? Thursday's attacks in Beirut? What aspects of this news story have you thought about the most? What are your wishes for the people of Paris, Beirut, the family of Nohemi Gonzalez, and for the world? What would you say to the people who are angry and afraid because of what happened? If you wish, visit this Padlet wall and share your voice.