MIDDLE EAST WEBQUEST
INTRODUCTION:
To learn more about the Middle East, students will complete a
Web Quest for this region. A group of three students will work together
to explore the three major religions of the Middle East.
The goal of this project is to become familiar with
the three major religions of the Middle East, and to gain insight into the
problems religious differences can cause.
By the completion of this Web Quest, students will have acquired an understanding of the three major
religions of the Middle East, and the importance of Religious tolerance in order to coexist peacefully in
this area.
TASKS:
You have been selected to go on a pilgrimage to the Middle East. You will stop to visit the following cities:
Mecca, Medina, Jerusalem, and Bethlehem.
Each member of your group will take on the role of Religious leader representing either the Islamic,
Christian, or Jewish faith. You will become an expert on your religion and are expected to share your
knowledge with the rest of your group.
Your goal will be to encourage spiritual understanding of your faith, by designing and writing a post card
telling about your visit to one of the following cities - Mecca, Medina, Jerusalem or Bethlehem - so that the
rest of your group can share your understanding of your faith. Your postcard will include a picture from
the city, and information on the culture of this area, as well as, the main points of your religion.
Be sure to include:
Major Religious Shrines for your religion in the city you chose
Religious Feast days or Holy Days
Special Customs or traditions for your faith
Role of women practicing your faith
Once you have finished your post cards, you will work with your group members to compose your
individual comparison contrast paper of the three religions.
In this summary, you will compare and contrast the three major religions of the Middle
East. You should describe the history of certain celebrations for your faith, symbols that
represent your faith, and any items used during worship or ceremonies. Be sure to include
any other interesting facts not included in your post cards, but are relevant to your
religions. The paper will be handed in and graded as an essay.
Be sure to follow the criteria given in class for writing your essay. Include the rough draft. It goes without
saying that each member must give their group members information on their religion. No grade will be
given without proof of each member's contribution to the essay (rough draft).
Be sure to look at the outline for writing a comparison / contrast paper before you begin!
How to write a comparison / contrast paper.
See rubric for the post cards and paper on the evaluation page.
Process:
So, how do you begin? Please check off the tasks as they are complete to help keep you organized.
______ First you must decide who in your group will be the Christian Leader, Islamic Leader,
or Jewish Leader.
______ Go to Mr. Maney’s website to find the links/resources page. Then, you will use the Resource page
on this webpage to gather information and pictures for your post cards for one of the following
cities that you will visit as the religious leader of your group (Mecca, Medina, Jerusalem, and
Bethlehem).
______ Each member of the group must have their own post card and information that pertains to their
religion. When all the members of your group have completed their post cards it is then time to
begin working on your comparison contrast paper.
______ The comparison/contrast paper will be an essay comparing and contrasting the three major
religions of the Middle East.
You must include:
- the origin of the religion
- demographic information
- holy days for each faith
- what makes each religion different from or similar to the others
- Use your knowledge in your religion. You will also gather information on the two
religions for which you are not a leader. You must rely on your group members for this
information. Using that information complete a writing assignment.
______ Your summary must be typed and in 5 paragraph essay format, with an introduction, 3 paragraph
or more in the body, and a conclusion. One essay per group, but you all must contribute to writing
the essay.
______ With your partners, come up with at least 20 terms that are specific to the three religions you are
studying, and attach these to your essay as a Glossary page.
_______ Conclusion:
Now that you have completed this Middle East WebQuest, it is time to evaluate what you learned
from this experience. You will do this by answering the following questions and handing them in
to the teacher along with your group summary, and postcards.
Questions to Answer:
1) What did these three religions have in common? (be specific)
2) What did you find most interesting about this part of the world? (give examples)
3) How does the life of teenager from the Middle east differ from your life, or does it?
4) Out of the four cities you researched, which one would you like to visit(none is not an option),
and explain why.
5)What needs to happen in this area of the world if there is to be lasting peace?
Make sure you answer all the questions thoroughly and hand them in with your group summary
and postcards for your grade.
RESOURCES:
Please fine the attached links on Mr. Maney’s website. These sites on the Internet will help you gather the
information needed for your creating your postcards and finding information about your religion. Click
on the appropriate links and begin your pilgrimage.