The People and History of Afghanistan
Title: The People and History of Afghanistan
Author: Sarah White
Grade Level: 9-12
Summary of Lesson: Students will use research and the film "The Kite Runner" to examine the people and history of Afghanistan.
Focus Question: What is the history of Afghanistan and how has it impacted the people of Afghanistan.
Databases(s): Student Resource Center
Procedures:
Steps / Activities by Teacher
- Arrange for student access to Gale databases.
- Infomark the articles listed below. More information and directions on how to use InfoMarks can be found at the Infomark link from the main page of the database.
- "Afghanis." Worldmark Encyclopedia of Cultures and Daily Life
- "Afghanistan." Worldmark Encyclopedia of the Nations
- Instruct students on making a graphic organizer / concept web.
Steps/Activities by student(s):
- Read the articles listed above. For the first article students should read the entire piece. In the second they should read the section labeled "History" through the heading "post 11 September 2001."
- Students will use the readings to create a graphic organizer about Afghanistan. They should include these topics: religion, customs, daily life, history, language and culture, economics.
- Students will watch the movie "The Kite Runner" and compare the Hollywood depiction with the real culture and history of Afghanistan. They will then write a movie review that explains what is accurate and inaccurate in the film.
- The teacher may then discuss the differences between Afghani and American culture and the reasons for this development.
Outcome: Students will have a better understanding of Afghani culture and history and will analyze Hollywood's portrayal.
Related Activities: Students may re-write parts of the story to be more accurate or create a venn diagram comparing the movie and the actual facts.
Standard Date: July, 2008
Content Standard(s):
- Bulleted list of standards
- Apply an understanding of culture as an integrated whole that explains the functions and interactions of language, literature, the arts, traditions, beliefs and values and behavior patterns.
- Analyze group and institutional influences on people, events and elements of culture in both historical and contemporary settings.
Performance Indicators:
- At Level 1, the student is able to:
- Describe basic Afghani culture and history.
- At Level 2, the student is able to:
- Compare and contrast research with Hollywood depiction.
- At Level 3, the student is able to:
- Examine the reasons cultures develop differently and how they influence the people living in them.
Computer Literacy and Usage Standards 9-12:
- The student will develop skills using a variety of computer resources to increase productivity, support creativity, conduct and evaluate research and improve communications.
- The student will use technology resources to improve problem solving and decision making skills and apply these skills to real world situations.
ISTE NETS for Students
- locate, organize, analyze, evaluate, synthesize, and ethically use information from a variety of sources and media.
- locate, organize, analyze, evaluate, synthesize, and ethically use information from a variety of sources and media.
- plan and manage activities to develop a solution or complete a project.
- collect and analyze data to identify solutions and/or make informed decisions.
- use multiple processes and diverse perspectives to explore alternative solutions.
Information Power; Information Literacy Standards:
- Standard 1: The student who is information literate accesses information efficiently and effectively.
- Standard 2: The student who is information literate evaluates information critically and competently.
- Standard 3: The student who is information literate uses information accurately and creatively.
- Standard 9: The student who contributes positively to the learning community and to society is information literate and participates effectively in groups to pursue and generate information.