Early Islamic Civilisation
History | UKS2 | Unit Overview
Introduction
This unit of work will teach your class about the early Islamic civilisation. They will learn in detail about the significance and importance
of Baghdad in helping to build and shape this early civilisation and examine how and why it developed into such a major world power. In
addition to this they will find out about the House of Wisdom and some of the influential people who worked and studied there. They will
study in detail about how early Islamic doctors made significant contributions to the development of medicine and surgery and how their
work still influences the medical profession today. The children will also have the opportunity to learn about other significant discoveries
and inventions made by Muslim scholars in the early Islamic civilisation and to explore how items were made and where and how they
were traded with the rest of the world. One lesson will focus on the birth of Islam and the first four caliphs who ruled following the death
of the prophet Muhammad and children will have the opportunity to act in role to debate the legitimacy of the Sunni and Shia Muslims.
Assessment Statements
By the end of this unit...
...all children should be able to:
Health & Safety
In the perfume making activity, ensure children are fully supervised
when using a Bunsen burner. You will also need to check skin
allergies/sensitivities if using essential oils and take appropriate
precautions to ensure that oils do not make contact with skin or
clothes. Check dilution rates carefully and ensure these are strictly
adhered to.
• Say who Muhammad was and know that he was
the founder of Islam.
• Know some key facts about Baghdad and give
some reasons to explain how it became a major
world power.
• Describe what the House of Wisdom is and
know some key individuals who studied there.
• Give some reasons to explain how the work of
the early Islamic doctors impacted on modern
medicine.
• Describe some other important discoveries
and inventions that came from the early Islamic
civilisation.
• Describe some features and styles of Islamic art.
Home Learning
Mosques: Children research about some of the most famous
mosques from around the world and create a presentation all about
them.
Early Islamic Artefact Discovery: Children research an artefact from
the early Islamic civilisation. They present facts about the artefact
and explain what it can teach us about life in this period of history.
...most children will be able to:
• Explain why Muslims split into two separate
groups after the death of Muhammad and
describe some of the beliefs of these groups.
• Describe in greater detail the cultural and
economic significance of Baghdad and explain
how its geographical location was important.
• Understand the impact of early Islamic
inventions and discoveries made on the wider
world and be able to explain this.
• Recognise and compare different examples of
Islamic art.
...some children will be able to:
Wider Learning
A visit to a local mosque will help children to further understand the
teachings of Islam and how it is central to the lives of Muslims.
The Islamic Gallery at the British Museum in London showcases a
range of fascinating artefacts and detailed information about the
Islamic Empire.
The British Museum website contains information about a range of
artefacts from the period.
• Demonstrate a full understanding of how the
early Islamic civilisation shaped world history.
• Evaluate and assess the impact and significance
of some prominent Muslim scholars and
compare their achievements to those of their
predecessors and contemporaries.
• Describe in detail the role of the caliphate and
understand the differences between Sunni and
Shia Muslims, making links and comparisons to
issues today.
The BBC website provides a wealth of information about the early
Islamic Empire and Islam today.
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Lesson Breakdown
1. The Importance of Baghdad
Continue to develop a chronologically secure knowledge
and understanding of British, local and world history,
establishing clear narratives within and across the periods
they study by learning about the role of Baghdad in early
Islamic Civilisation.
• I can find out about Baghdad’s role in the early
Islamic Civilisation.
Resources
• Whiteboards and pens
• Scissors
• Glue
2. The House of Wisdom
Construct informed responses that involve thoughtful
selection and organisation of relevant historical information
by learning about the House of Wisdom and its legacy.
• I can find out about the House of Wisdom and how it
became a centre for learning.
3. Discovery and Learning
Regularly address and sometimes devise historically valid
questions about change, cause, similarity and difference
and significance through the study of significant discoveries
and concepts developed by early Islamic scholars.
• I can explain some of the significant discoveries and
studies which were led by early Islamic scholars and
evaluate the impact they made to the wider world.
4. The First Four Caliphs
Note connections, contrasts and trends over time and
develop the appropriate use of historical terms by
learning about the role of the caliphate in the early Islamic
civilisation.
• I can describe who Muhammad is, how the first
caliphate came to be formed and explain the roles
and responsibilities of a caliph.
5. Islamic Art
Construct informed responses that involve thoughtful
selection and organisation of relevant historical information
by learning about early Islamic art.
• I can identify and talk about different forms of
Islamic art and create my own geometric pattern
based on traditional techniques.
6. Trade and Power
Note connections, contrasts and trends over time and
develop the appropriate use of historical terms by learning
about how the early Islamic civilisation established itself as
a major power, helped by its geographical position along
the East to West trade route and the quality of its trading
goods.
• I can identify reasons why the early Islamic
civilisation became a major power, know about
the Silk Road trade route and the items offered for
trade and be able to describe the methods used by
early Islamic chemists when making perfume.
• Information books and/or
access to the Internet for
research
• Information books and/or
the access to the Internet for
research
• Large sheets of paper
• Colouring pencils or felt tip
pens
Equipment for making perfume:
• Bunsen burner, metal stand and
gauze
• Flask
• String
• Cork
• Glass distilling tube
• Test tube
• Beaker
• Water and ice
• Ingredients for perfume or
essential oils (if using)
National Curriculum Aim
Lesson Context
Child Friendly
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